Originally Posted by MIA-SAT
Even if I were not in this position, you must draw a distinction between those who may be on their employer's nickel and those who spend absolutely zip, zero, nada on CO and now want to bootstrap to Plat. At least the person who flies on the bosses' nickel is spending time on planes, airports, hotels, away from family with some hope (I will avoid the word expectation) that CO will some how distinguish this behavior from Joe and Susy two time per year Leisure Travelers who want to comp to Plat.
I'm not that worried about Joe and Susy. By definition, they are unlikely to be on the plane when I fly except during those times during the summer and around holidays when I'm probably not traveling on business anyway. Moreover, I figure they will continue to buy whichever ticket is cheapest and so at least one of those flights will be on another airline.
However, I dread being at other airports behind Joe and Susy when it occurs to them that this spiffy card that CO sent them will allow them to get into the elite security line. Around holidays I already see too many spouses of elites and others who want the rest of us to wait while they discuss how ridiculous it is to have to take off their shoes, who seem mystified by the requirement that they empty their pockets, and who don't start to do any of these things until the previous pax have made it through the metal detector successfully.
That said, my wife and I have both signed up for the Platinum offer. I'm in the category where I made a trip out to see Mom in December in order to make the step from Silver to Gold. My wife is non-elite. I figure $85 for 15,000 miles isn't a bad deal and if it gives me a boost to platinum for a year that'd be pretty sweet.
And just to jump in briefly on the topic of whose elite status is most justified, I'd vote for any of the elites who earn their status on segments. A large portion of my miles were based on a few trip EWR-SJC/SFO for last minute meetings (ie Y fare) so I was sitting in FC earning 150% EQM. I'd happily trade such a flight with its extra flight time for the flight I took EWR-IAD on an RJ with a 30-45 minute wait on the tarmac to be allowed to depart and then another 30 minute wait at IAD until our gate was clear. Really, though, the OP program is for CO's benefit, so they don't particularly care if the $$ comes from your wallet or your employer's. They'd prefer to see you flying international routes where the profits are higher even though that means that Joe and Susy get silver status if their two flights per year are both EWR-DEL or even EWR-HNL at H or Y fare.