Why Platinum?
 

So I'm a newbie to the frequent flyer programs. I understand the basics of the whole deal,

* Earn miles for flying
* Earn miles for buying goods & services from affliates.
* Cash in miles for free flights.

However, I don't understand the whole fascination with getting platinum status. Perhaps its because I don't fully understand what platinum status is though. From my understanding, platinum status allows you to upgrade from coach to first class if there is any available seating.

But is it really worth the time, effort, and money that some people spend trying to obtain it?

I saw quite a few posts about mileage runs, where some people will be spending an entire day on plans just to earn some more miles. And a few people who took advantage of the $25 San Fran. -> Paris deal. a 23 hour flight, just to earn miles so that at some later time you get to sit in first class for free rather than paying for the upgrade?

Could someone take a few moments and explain to me if there is something about platinum status that I might be missing, or can explain the near obsession some people have at achieving it?

Thanks,
Duane-O

(This is not meant to be a troll or start a flame war)



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"I'm screaming in my sleep, I need a muzzle"

Platinum (or other elite, see below) status is good for a few things:

1. Typically, double miles on all flights. You get 10,800 miles for a Boston-S.F. round trip instead of 5,400.

2. Early boarding so the overhead bins are still empty when you reach them.

3. Special phone lines with better-trained agents and/or shorter waits.

4. Better treatment if something goes wrong.

5. Shorter check-in lines by using first or business class check-in when flying economy.

6. Depending on the airline, free lounge access or reduced-cost membership.

7. Special luggage tags, to impress the easily impressed.

Is this worth it? That's a personal decision. Since I already fly a lot for business, I find the added perks of AA Exec. Platinum status would be worth flying a few extra miles if I had to. At one point in the past when I found myself about to end the year with 49,200 on Delta I took a short round trip to get over 50,000, justifying it by the additional bonus miles I'd earn the entire year after. (It was on a Sunday afternoon when I had nothing else to do.)

I personally wouldn't go to some of the extremes others do, but that's just me. Is it an obsession, an addiction, or whatever? At worst, it's a harmless hobby that combines some intellectual challenge, seeing new places, and meeting new people with several hours of discomfort and bad food.

Two other thoughts:

1. "Platinum" is not a universally used term. At Delta, it refers to the top tier of three (100,000 miles/year). At American, it's the middle tier (50,000 miles). United has its own quirky terminology with no precious metal references at all. Airlines vary.

2. Cashing in miles for free flights may not be the most effective use of your miles. I use most of mine for upgrading discount economy tickets. My other major use is giving flights to friends and relatives. I'll only get a free flight if paid tickets are expensive.

other 'perks' that some status-top-tier-levels offer (in my case UA-1K and/or Lufthansa Senator)[*]garuanteed seat-availability in any-class if booked 48 hours before flight-time (international travel LH)[*]only 50% miles needed for a partner award-ticket (LH) flying with me in any class (makes international first-class-tickets, paid with 150% miles for two affordable)[*]upgrades from cheapest eco to business on transatlantic-flights home to Europe (LH with miles/vouchers, UA with one of my 6/year system-wide-upgrades) makes me able to really sleep through and to get to work right away when arriving in Zurich at 7:50AM (this really safes me a working-day).[*]faster check-in at airports (LH = first-class-counter, UA = special 1K-line or without luggage at the, for me, free RCC lounge): this one, calculated for a total of about 75 check-ins per year, spares me probably about (75*20') = 1'500 minutes = 25 hours.[*]makes Gisela, when being able to board and fly (upgraded) first-class with me on international long-haule flights, an even happier partner.

"We know many of you travel frequently, but to reinforce what you already know..."
[list=1][*]It's always in your best interest to join an airline's frequent flyer program (assuming, of course, you actually intend to use that carrier's services). It only takes a few minutes, and doesn't cost you anything (for U.S. members; things may be different worldwide).[*]All frequent flyers receive some benefits. The most obvious one is frequent flyer miles; these are a currency that can be redeemed for things you want. You can choose not to receive them by not participating, but you are paying for them regardless. Better they should end up in your pocket than mileage heaven. If you really aren't going to use them, you may be able to donate them to a favorite charity.[*]Always provide your frequent flyer number when you purchase air travel, preferably when you make the initial reservation. Make sure this number appears on your boarding pass(es). If not, have the gate agent add it to your record.[*]Frequent flyer program membership helps you a little when things go well, and helps you a lot when things go poorly. I can't stress this enough. Unless you are holding a First Class ticket, if your flight is canceled, frequent flyer membership is what will make the difference between a mildly unpleasant experience and a truly hellish one. As a member, even if you have never flown the airline before, you will come ahead of everyone else who never joined the program--no matter how often they fly, no matter how much they spend on air travel.[*]Your biggest "gain" comes when you achieve the lowest level of elite status. For most airlines, this means flying 25,000 miles in a calendar year. Each tier above that suffers from "diminishing returns."[*]Unless you fly a lot (well over 100,000 miles a year), it is rarely in your best interest to use frequent flyer miles for "free" tickets. Exception: if you have to travel on short notice (e.g. death of a close relative), or can't satisfy a Saturday night stayover requirement.[*]Upgrades make a huge difference in the international travel experience.[/list=a]

Why "Platinum?" If you travel with someone else, some of your elite benefits may extend to your companion. You may receive some very cool targeted offers. You may have an opportunity to influence airline policy. You'll receive our respect and admiration. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif It might even help you get laid. But the best benefit of all: if your "favorite" airline really pisses you off, you should be able to weasel comparable status from a competitor that wants to retain your business!


[This message has been edited by EPS (edited 02-21-2001).]

And, hitting the pocketbook, often airlines waive the change fee.

Not all airlines will allow you to pay for an upgrade (other than buying a full first-class ticket.) For example, the only way that you can get into FC on Continental is with miles or status. The higher your status, the better your chances of getting upgraded.

You'll find, though some may disagree, that there are no stupid questions in FT. Feel free to ask. (Although, getting to know the search function doesn't hurt, either.)



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Bob

Duane,

Once you taste the fruit, you'll understand. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I advise you to STOP reading these boards immediately...B4 you get hooked.

Dan

By the time my wife returned home last week from a trip to New York, upgraded from a discount ticket to first class on all 4 segments because I gave that airline 55,000 miles of business last year, she understood why I do a mileage run or two every year and she now encourages me in my obsession with frequent flyer programs.

She came close to that step when my FF status got us two operational upgrades on an S (i.e. absurdly cheap) fare from SFO to London. Now she, too, believes.

Frequent flyer programs: one way to a happy marriage. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

This thread has reminded me that I have just over 5 days left (Japan time) as an AA Platinum. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif It has been a good year, with my Plat status getting my wife and myself bumped up to First for TPA-ORD and Biz for ORD-NRT in Jan. (Would have been iffy if we were both gold.) The AA matching "dbl elite benefits" of course led to triple miles for Plats, plus the 4 upgrades=10K miles per 10K flown for Elites led to a very mileage-heavy trip to the US this Dec/Jan.

I will miss being Plat, but plan to get my wife and myself back to Plat with a Challenge this Summer. (Plat also got me UA Prem Exec with UA thru 2/02 - and just in time for the "loyalty bonus" last year!) It was a good year - I am only sorry I was able to fly AA just once.

Another Plat benefit is that even if you don't requalify (for even Gold - like me!), they only drop you to Gold.

Go for the Plat, baby! -But don't let it take over your life too excessively. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

-KP