While Gold on NW is outstanding, one place where Platinum really shines is with last-minute travel. While I have had to wait at the gate a couple of times, I have made every domestic segment as an upgrade as Plat, including a very significant percentage of flights purchased inside 24 hours (in other words, inside the silver upgrade window).

That, to me, is the big perk. I book a flight the night before, and I still get upgraded, even on CO's EWR-SJC transcons, for example.

Of course, if you always plan ahead, you should stay Gold, and not steal my upgrade!

Steve