Originally Posted by laxflyer47

I have a recent trip coming up from LAX to LHR with the option of flying AA, BA or VS direct to LHR or UA to LHR via ORD, EWR or IAH. My company will be paying for business class whichever option I choose and prices are all comparable. If I go with UA, I will earn enough PQP to jump immediately from Silver to Platinum and I'll end up only about 3,000 PQP away from 1K (which I'd likely hit sometime later this year). Is the jump from Silver to Platinum (and possibly 1k) worth making a connection instead of flying nonstop to LHR? Most of my travel is paid long haul biz, but I do make at least 3/4 personal trips between LAX and EWR every year.