Oct 30, 2016, 1:48 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Major differences between 1K and Plat
1KsPlatA list of differences is available here: Premier benefits chart
Previous thread(s)
is 1k-status really worth all that more than platinum?
1Ks
- Earning initially 2 additional RPUs and 6 GPUs (can earn more)
- Priority for premium cabin meal choices
- Free drink and food item if in economy on North American flights
- Higher waitlist priority for upgrades, ....
- Waitlisting for Instant Upgrades if on Y/B/M fares (for CPU eligible flights) and clears into PN
- No close in 60 day change fees for awards
- Higher earning rate for RDMs (11 vs 9)
- Potential credit card waiver of PQD requirement
Previous thread(s)
is 1k-status really worth all that more than platinum?
Is it worth it to stretch for 1K (over Plat)? [2016 Consolidated]
Jun 13, 2016, 7:14 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 8
Is it worth it to stretch for 1K (over Plat)? [2016 Consolidated]
I'll have 100k miles this year, but probably wont have the PQD. I'm currently 1k, and would like to keep it.
How bad is platinum compared to 1k - do you ever get upgrades?
Any ideas on how to keep 1k without spending the difference?
How bad is platinum compared to 1k - do you ever get upgrades?
Any ideas on how to keep 1k without spending the difference?
Jun 13, 2016, 7:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K and MM, Marriot, Hilton
Posts: 804
Depends on what routes you fly, don't expect any from SFO at platinum
Jun 13, 2016, 7:18 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SJC/SFO
Programs: UA GS & Million Miler, AA Lifetime Gold (MM)
Posts: 206
>>> Any ideas on how to keep 1k without spending the difference?
Not a one. I guess "move outside the US" probably works. But I'm guessing that's not a good option.
Not a one. I guess "move outside the US" probably works. But I'm guessing that's not a good option.
Jun 13, 2016, 7:24 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,956
Buy a business ticket to an exotic location and use miles to purchase the same ticket for wife. You will get the 12K PQD in no time. Good luck.
Jun 13, 2016, 7:31 pm
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,134
Other than GPU and RPU, pretty much all the benefits I value the most are the same at 1K and Platinum. Even Gold hasn't been too bad since I dropped to that level.
Jun 13, 2016, 7:47 pm
#6
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
Except for upgrading my brother on his annual flights to Maui and my one and only trip there, I don't value RPUs much.
And GPUs aren't as valuable as they used to be due to a variety of reasons. My Plat year last year I used Ca$h and miles on lower fares, and didn't pay much more than W fares @:-)
And YTD flew more AA than UA
Jun 13, 2016, 11:11 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K (.25MM) IHG Platinum Elite, SPG Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 123
I'm clearly in the minority here on FT, but I've had great success with both RPUs and GPUs the last 12 months which has made 1K great for me.
4/4 on RPUs, with 2 cleared for my parents on ORD-MBJ and 2 for me RT ORD-SFO.
2/2 on GPUs, LH J->F on FRA-ORD to experience FCT and J->F last week ORD-NRT to experience GF before it disappears for good.
All 4 RPUs were initially wait listed, but I monitored the inventory closely and called 1K when R showed up.
Jun 14, 2016, 6:52 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Programs: UA 1K, DL Gold, IHG Diamond AMB, MR Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, National EE
Posts: 1,083
This may be off-thread, but I thought you couldn't do that? I was told that once the RPU is requested and waitlisted, it can't be instantly confirmed over the phone even if R space opens.
Jun 14, 2016, 7:02 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: SPI
Programs: AA Gold, UA LT Plat, Mar LTT
Posts: 18,147
Jun 14, 2016, 7:41 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: ROC/NYC/MSP/LAX/HKG/SIN
Posts: 3,212
If two W fares are $3000 in total, even if the BF costs $3000, it is still more expensive. That 140k RDMs are worth $2k-$10k depending on how one uses it.
Jun 14, 2016, 8:17 am
#11
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
Jun 14, 2016, 9:03 pm
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: vx diamond
Posts: 377
1K are rumored to be getting benefits that GS members only had access too in the past. To the op who thinks people who pay more for status are chumps, I guess everyone has their own opinion . People spend money on all sorts of things.
Jun 14, 2016, 9:10 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K (.25MM) IHG Platinum Elite, SPG Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 123
Yep, HUACA, done it as recently as March. There are extensive threads about 'leapfrogging' the waitlist for CPU/RPUs, arguing if it's allowed / how it's going away, etc.
Jun 14, 2016, 9:51 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,400
Any further details on this? Haven't experienced any additional benefits myself.
Jun 14, 2016, 10:33 pm
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: vx diamond
Posts: 377
Rumored to go into effect next year.