Is Platinum the New Gold?
Dec 6, 2017, 11:35 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MDE
Programs: AA-PLT, HH-GLD, PP
Posts: 1,511
Maybe PLT is the new GLD for upgrades, but it's still a huge step up from GLD. I was PLT for almost all of 2016 and my UG percentage was around 60%. I am dropping back to PLT for 2018, so we will see how things go.
But for me while UG's are nice, I'm happy that PLT gets MCE selection, AC and Flagship access on international flights and two free bags. Those are a much bigger deal to me than upgrades since half of my BIS miles are international.
But for me while UG's are nice, I'm happy that PLT gets MCE selection, AC and Flagship access on international flights and two free bags. Those are a much bigger deal to me than upgrades since half of my BIS miles are international.
Dec 6, 2017, 11:36 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2017
Programs: AA
Posts: 36
Dec 6, 2017, 12:06 pm
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 4,477
non Rev does not steal the upgrade from EXP. EXP always get upgraded before any non rev and non rev is behind any PLT or GLD on miles upgrade request. If company executive traveling on company missions is another issue.
Dec 6, 2017, 12:13 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 5,270
Dec 6, 2017, 12:31 pm
#20
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EP, HH LT Diamond
Posts: 1,001
I'm Platinum Pro and am generally number 2 or 3 on the list but often much lower (10-20). HOWEVER I'm almost always the FIRST person not to clear the upgrade. It's become a running joke with my friends. I have a bunch of screenshots of the upgrade list with me being the first person without a check mark. I actually got more upgrades as Plat before making PP in Sept. Wonder if it's just because its closing in on the end of the year and a lot of people are earning higher statuses.
Dec 6, 2017, 12:41 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: PHL, NYC
Programs: AA PLT, DL SLV, UA SLV, MR LTT, HH DIA
Posts: 10,067
Combination of higher statuses earned and possibly people with a higher 12 month rolling spend within the same elite level as others on the same flight
Dec 6, 2017, 1:44 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW-In Plano & CDG-In the 11th
Programs: DL Diamond, AA revenue negative, Bonvoy Titanium +, Avis likes me
Posts: 3,209
Dec 6, 2017, 1:49 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: PBI/MIA
Programs: AAdvantage Gold, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Gold, Skymiles, Mileage Plus
Posts: 397
I'm PLAT and get upgrades about half the time that I try for them. Some hubs, some not. I'll make PPro on my last flight of the year. We'll see how I do next year.
Dec 6, 2017, 1:52 pm
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
Oddly, I flew into Ft. Walton Beach nearly 20 years ago on NW, but am almost certain that the airport code was something else.
Now, anyone want to take a guess on CHO?
Dec 6, 2017, 2:25 pm
#27
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: DFW
Programs: AA, 3MM
Posts: 37
Dec 6, 2017, 6:18 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Dallas/Orlando
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 2,716
As a PPro, I wasn’t getting many upgrades but my usual route is DFWMCO and back during high-travel hours. Also, the route tends to have many first award tickets for families going to / from Disney.
These days, though, First is priced so much more competitively that I’m usually buying it outright for the EQMs and the bonus of avoiding “upgrade anxiety”.
These days, though, First is priced so much more competitively that I’m usually buying it outright for the EQMs and the bonus of avoiding “upgrade anxiety”.
Dec 6, 2017, 9:18 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA GLD .25MM, CO, UA, US, DL, HH, SPG (all cardboard)
Posts: 1,951