I reached for Plat for 2023 when the threshold requirements were still at somewhat reduced levels from covid (24 PQF + 9,000 PQP). I’m SFO based, fly 100% leisure, and usually do 5-6 trips to DEN, 1-2 transcons, 1-2 long haul trips, and a few other short haul trips.

As a Plat, I don’t think I got a CPU even once. The closest I got to an upgrade was on a flight back from MEX and I was #1 on the list, and the FA felt bad for me and comped me a drink and snackbox. (To be fair, I probably fly at peak times: often Friday mornings, Sunday nights, and holidays.)

At first, I held onto my PlusPoints and planned to try to use them for something big. I then realized what little value they were, so I started applying them to every itinerary. The only benefit I got was seeing my name a little higher up on the list. I ended up giving my PlusPoints away to friends – one cleared on a Wednesday AM SFO-YVR, and the other on SBP-LAX (lol.)

I dropped back down to Gold at the start of this year, and honestly, my experience flying UA isn’t all that different from when I was Plat. I still get E+ at booking, I stil get group 1 boarding, and I still get Star lounge access. It has led me to conclude that the only status levels that really mean much and are a significant step up from below are Gold and 1K.

United has gotten so good at monetizing upgrades to F that I don’t think anybody can really expect a free upgrade to clear except for on some really really off peak time and on routes with lower demand. You experience might be different if you’re based in an outstation and not a hub, but probably not by much. Want first, buy first.