What is REI?
I'm a PLAT now after 1K, I found that the pre-boarding for 1K always made me super anxious as if I wasn't quick to board they would go right over it for inevitable gate lice. Or if it would even be honored, sometimes it was this mad rush just to board the flight.
Of course I miss it, but I'd rather be able to travel as a PLAT (or any status) rather than not travel at all as a 1K. Once you're on board it's all pretty bland afterwards anyway. The only reason my status means anything is so that I don't have to check/gate check a bag.