Phoenixtinct

As promised, I'm reporting back. As of today, I've been upgraded to Premier Platinum. The only thing I'm unsure of is if this was processed manually or done automatically.

5khours

Depending on your circumstances, it may make sense. Does for for me anyway.

AlabamaPete

Is United Premier Silver status worth $350? I was less than 2k from making Silver at the EOY and passes on doing a mileage run. Now, though, United has offered Premier Silver Status to me for $350. Is it worth it?

My initial thought is that the 25% premier bonus award miles might tip the scale. If I fly 20,000 this year, I'll get an additional 5,000 redeemable miles, which will cost me 7 cents per mile.

At $350, the cpm is 17.5. Had I spent $200 on a mileage run before the end of the year, my cost would have been 10 cpm, but I would have wasted a day. At $350, I'm paying $150 premium over the cost of a MR, without having to sacrifice a day. But that $150 is only at a cost of 7.5 cpm.

Considering the true cost of 17.5 cpm, but the subtracting the potential benefit of 7 cpm in redeemable miles, is Premier Silver worth it at 10 cpm?

thanks for reading. I look forward to hearing others opinions.

-Pete

Col Ronson

Premier access and your 1 out of 6 CPU upgrade chances in a non-hub airport are worth it. Plus the 1 free bag is nice as well as free E+ on day of departure.

Personally i wouldn't purchase extra elite miles but only because i enjoy flying and would rather just sit on a plane than spend the money.

icydog

I can't read this whole thread. It's just too long. What was the determination? Will UA count purchased EQMs towards the $$ deemed necessary to remain elite.

Thanks
Marylyn

Michilander

No need to read any whole thread, just check out the wiki on this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ation-pqd.html

The FAQs say that the only non-airfare payments that will count are E+ purchases. Elite Maximizer is not specifically mentioned, but it is looking like the dollars will not count.

tim01tm

Which is a better way to go. To upgrade to 2013:
1)Transfer 5,960 Flexible Premier qualifying miles to reach MileagePlus Premier Silver status.
2)Transfer 30,960 Flexible Premier qualifying miles to reach MileagePlus Premier Gold status.
3)Transfer 55,960 Flexible Premier qualifying miles to reach MileagePlus Premier Platinum status.
-OR-
Upgrade to 2014;
1)Transfer 25,000 Flexible Premier qualifying miles to reach MileagePlus Premier Silver status.
2)Transfer 50,000 Flexible Premier qualifying miles to reach MileagePlus Premier Gold status.
3)Transfer 75,000 Flexible Premier qualifying miles to reach MileagePlus Premier Platinum status.

Thanks!

sb3

I think it depends on how much you plan/need to fly in 2014 and 2015 and what else you would do with the miles.

Terminalator

You've already missed 2013!

exerda

I'm also sure that if anyone had bought PQM and had the cost show up in their PQD tallies, we'd have heard about it by now. It's fairly explicit Elite Accelerator won't count toward PQD IMHO.

tim01tm

One would think so wouldn't one. However, when I select transfer flexible miles it gives me the options listed in my original post. I assume the first option's elite status would expire at the end of 2014 and the second would expire at the end of 2015. Is that correct? If so, it would seem to me that option 2 is the better choice. I just wanted to be sure I'm not missing something.

sb3

That is what I inferred as well from your original post.

Mike Jacoubowsky

Based on the implied past mileage you've flown, if that's an indication of your future travel, I'd suggest option #7, none of the above.

How much are you planning to fly in 2014? Domestic or International? Economy or Business? Do you earn many miles through credit card use? Is this a one-shot thing or are you looking for something sustainable, and have considered whether you can meet future spending requirements?

tim01tm

I fly NA to Europe a couple of times a year and NA to South America 3 or 4 times a year on a Star Alliance Member Airline. I usually buy coach and use miles to upgrade to business. Most of my miles are from cc use.

icydog

Thank you!
I hear you. I thought this was the case but I thought I'd ask. In this environment buying PQMs doesn't make sense except for Platinum status where the $$ are waived this year. Am I correct in this thinking?