I had this gold or plat choice end last year and decided to stay gold and keep XPs on the bank - meticulously planning I would end the year with 299 XP. Then around 7 Jan, FB decides to award me 1 XP without that I asked for it, and presto, I was plat (and my XPs back on 0). At first I was unhappy, and tried to reverse things via customer service but to no avail. It worked however out well for me - the free EC seats, and the occasional free upgrade are nice extra's. Also since I see that my reason for keeping XP's on the bank is not so pressing anymore - I will not requalify for plat this year, but do more than 180 XP and hence start 2020 with some XP in the bank after all.