Platinum vs. Titanium?
Jul 30, 2019, 10:34 pm
#31
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
They are all easily obtained via the MP Credit Card if desired. In the past the biggest benefit for me was access to Economy Plus at the time of booking. With the devaluation of UA Premier Silver status benefits, now it is only at check-in time. Huge loss of value in my mind. Anyway, we're starting to get off topic for this thread delving into the nuances of UA Premier Silver status.
--Jon
--Jon
Jul 30, 2019, 10:42 pm
#32
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,719
Still puzzled by the personal side of view and/or the "if". Free benefit is always good and gets value, even if the value is low to some people. You can get the credit card, but there is cost of annual fee. This benefit may be worth $20 or $100 to some people. But it is still value.
Jul 30, 2019, 10:44 pm
#33
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
They are all easily obtained via the MP Credit Card if desired. In the past the biggest benefit for me was access to Economy Plus at the time of booking. With the devaluation of UA Premier Silver status benefits, now it is only at check-in time. Huge loss of value in my mind. Anyway, we're starting to get off topic for this thread delving into the nuances of UA Premier Silver status.
--Jon
--Jon
Jul 30, 2019, 11:11 pm
#34
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, Qatar Privilege Club Silver
Posts: 71
My stay is mainly in Europe. As a Gold Elite I had more upgrades including suites. I was Platinum Premier / Titanium for about a year and haven't been upgraded to suites except with using SNA.
Jul 30, 2019, 11:42 pm
#36
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: EWR/PHL/BWI
Posts: 4,412
Jul 31, 2019, 12:53 am
#37
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
Anecdotally, as I was recently checking into a resort property and being given a nice Ambassador upgrade (in spite of my SNAs having been declined), the gentleman next to me was being told something to the effect of "I'm sure as a Titanium you're used to a water view, but we simply don't have any water view rooms available for your stay this time." Now mind you, this property had a TON of water-facing rooms. Couldn't help but think to myself "so this is what's in store for me next year."
Jul 31, 2019, 12:57 am
#38
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Programs: BA Bronze, Emirates Silver, Virgin Silver, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,403
I'm with the thread starter here. I've been gold/platinum for 11 years and made titanium this year and other than the 75% points bonus (and one upgrade which was very nice at Trump Turnberry) I can't say I have noticed any difference at all as to how I am treated in the hotels I frequent here in the UK. I don't usually do late check outs so the 4pm availability isn't of any value to me. Okay, I get United Silver... but again I live in the UK so that is (for me) a waste of time.
Most of the downservice has been from changing to gold to platinum (and titanium) where the previous welcome gifts you got (free drink vouchers/welcome plate of fruit/sweets/cakes) have gone and instead replaced by the bulk standard 500/1000 points or $10 credit which barely buys you a drink at most Marriott hotels!
Most of the downservice has been from changing to gold to platinum (and titanium) where the previous welcome gifts you got (free drink vouchers/welcome plate of fruit/sweets/cakes) have gone and instead replaced by the bulk standard 500/1000 points or $10 credit which barely buys you a drink at most Marriott hotels!
Jul 31, 2019, 1:47 am
#39
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
I was not happy to not receive top tier lifetime status when the merge took place. my previous life with Spg having been at 700 nights and with a large spend but rules are rules. Could have tried to get to 750 but just to travel for the sake of it did not make sense ( carbon footprint personal spend etc). I now find myself in the good situation of having pretty much 100 percent upgrades, however I mainly travel in se Asia and Europe so cannot complain. I have previously posted that my stays are 100 percent cash spend so I do believe that there is an underlying culture at Bonvoy and previously sag to give preference to cash spend, or maybe I am just lucky
Jul 31, 2019, 2:15 am
#40
Join Date: May 2003
Location: LCY
Programs: SQ Krisflyer, QR Privilege Club, MB LT Plt (1K+ nights thx MB)
Posts: 1,038
I was not happy to not receive top tier lifetime status when the merge took place. my previous life with Spg having been at 700 nights and with a large spend but rules are rules. Could have tried to get to 750 but just to travel for the sake of it did not make sense ( carbon footprint personal spend etc). I now find myself in the good situation of having pretty much 100 percent upgrades, however I mainly travel in se Asia and Europe so cannot complain. I have previously posted that my stays are 100 percent cash spend so I do believe that there is an underlying culture at Bonvoy and previously sag to give preference to cash spend, or maybe I am just lucky
Jul 31, 2019, 2:28 am
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,046
Jul 31, 2019, 7:31 am
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,046
Not only can they charge you rack rate, but the hotel can opt-out for conferences, sporting events, etc. Essentially the most likely reasons why you'd want to force your way into a specific hotel...
Jul 31, 2019, 7:33 am
#44
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,719
It all depends really, doesn't it? I stay 250+ hotel nights per year so that's not especially challenging for me, but in terms of flights most of mine are with OneWorld (I'm Emerald), LCC's or local non-alliance airlines. Other than doing lots of flying for status only, there would really be no other way for me to get United Silver. Of course, I'd have preferred United Gold.
Jul 31, 2019, 7:41 am
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: BA Silver, TK E+, AA PP, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 13,046
It all depends really, doesn't it? I stay 250+ hotel nights per year so that's not especially challenging for me, but in terms of flights most of mine are with OneWorld (I'm Emerald), LCC's or local non-alliance airlines. Other than doing lots of flying for status only, there would really be no other way for me to get United Silver. Of course, I'd have preferred United Gold.
I'm not complaining about being given a back-up plan to the back-up plan, but I struggle to see how UA Silver ends up being the best airline elite status that a 75+ night Tit can manage...