Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2017 Consolidated]
 

I have two transpac flights left this year (one each in October and November). After these two flights I will have around 62K PQM (I have 25K spend on UA Chase card so PQD is not a problem.). So I will need around 13K PQM to hit platinum.

I'm based out of SFO.

I found that SFO -> TPE/SIN nonstop round-trip can be had for ~700 USD on certain dates.

According to TPG link above, UA platinum is a lot more valuable than gold but since we don't have any kids, E+ for up to 8 people really doesn't do anything better than gold.

Would you spend $700 for a weekend mileage run just to hit platinum over gold in this case?

I would not (and I don't agree with TPG's analysis or conclusion). The only tangible benefits you're going to see vs. Gold are boarding group 1 and some incremental increase in upgrade odds. Which will still be very poor ex-SFO.

I would say the incremental value of BG1 as a plat is highly dependent on your travel patterns. If you're flying hub-hub at peak business travel times, BG1 is almost a necessity. I also personally loathe having to stash my bag in the back of the plane and then fight my way back to my seat, then back to my bag. Other people don't seem to run into this issue, but I have been in the first 4-5 people of BG2 as a Gold and been one of the last ones allowed to carry a bag on before they started forcing gate checks.

It depends on how you value the 2 RPU plus the extra 18k+ RDM (extra 2 miles per $ spent) not to mention group 1 boarding and reduced fees for award tix changes <60 days.

Personally I value the RDUs @$150 each, 18k x.02=$360, so it's a close call but YMMV. From SFO you won't increase your CPU % clearance as even 1Ks are often left on the upgrade waitlist.

$700 might buy up to paid F on the trips you would have used the RPUs, plus you don't have to kill a weekend torturing yourself in TPAC economy.

A few years ago, I would have done it (a mileage run to achieve Plat) at the drop of a hat. But that was before the massive devaluation of Plat, mainly the loss of no-charge award changes and yes, I do miss BG1.

The SFO-SIN is a pretty tough run, in terms of few empty seats and the length of the flight. On the plus side, I think there really is something to be said for the higher cabin pressurization of the 787. I've flown it both ways, and survived.

But if you've got time to make it something more than a straight mileage run, do so. You can link up to a lot of biz-class award flights once in SIN. If you've got enough miles, you can fly biz class SIN-Australia. Or do a big circle like my wife and I did last year, SFO-SIN-BNE-BKK-SIN-SFO (we actually spent 5 days in Cairns and 4 days in Siem Reap via local flights).

Absolutely not. As far as I'm concerned, there are three status levels really worth striving for -- GS, 1K, and Gold. Gold gets you free SDC and *G. 1K gets you GPUs and, depending upon your travel patterns, a decent shot at CPU. GS gets you a better shot at CPU, much more flexible GPUs, and extra saver award availability.

Platinum gets you two RPUs, BG1, and some extra redeemable miles. And, ex-SFO, you may not even be able to use the RPUs. It sounds like you wouldn't use the extra E+ benefits, and I doubt you'd pay $700 in incremental award change fees.

Now, if I were 3K away, instead of 13K, and I could do it with a weekend in (insert your favorite fall destination here), then sure, I'd probably spring for it. But I wouldn't do a MR to TPE or SIN.

To me being Platinum isn't worth it at all.

As they don't seem to follow their own rules about confirming your upgrades 2-3 days out that benefit is worthless (it's 2 days for gold 3 for plat) and the extra miles and 2 upgrades you get really don't matter for the money spent. Boarding group 2 is fine if I'm not in J. Which is almost never.

YMMV.

They follow their own rules. It's "as early as," in both cases. And, when I was a Plat, I definitely got some upgrades at T-72. I've also gotten upgraded at the gate. As a Plat, I was higher on the list than Golds. That's really all their rules specify.

I don't disagee with you as to how their rules are written. But perhaps "may contain a 10% possibility of occuring" shouldn't have been left out of the text.

It just has never happened to me, ergo my value perception.

3 days ago on UA129 I was #2 then bumped to #3 with 7 seats open, and didn't get upgraded until I was at the gate on a paid upgrade (miles + $). Happens way too much IMHO.

FWIW they offer you a buy up to Plat at year end for $1400 USD. No thanks.

I would tend to agree. That said, does the equation change is one is short by 1/3 less ($200)?

Yeah I hit Gold in the first half of the year and they've been trying to get me to bite on Platinum.

No dice from me.

I personally would be more than happy to spend $200 to move from Gold to Plat.

But do agree that Plat ain't what it used to be :td: :(

I think it's worth $200. But worth noting, I don't think I would do it for even $0 if it involved shipping out on SFO-SIN-SFO in Y :eek:

I generally agree with jsloan in that the status tiers with meaningful benefits are Gold, 1K, and GS. Plat is worth $180 of miles (9k RDM on a good day; if you're waiving your PQD this is less), BG1 (dubious value), and 2x RPU (worth $600 in the best of circumstances). And that's it.

A realistic value for the RPUs are a lot lower (for $300 each you could just buy up TCONs with much higher fidelity), so I'd say Plat is worth maybe $300 over Gold.

I see, thanks for the advice.

If I end up getting yet another transpac business trip to ICN, then I might be at 73K PQM instead. I might do a quick hop to hit 75K in that case but otherwise I won't go for platinum as-is.

I'd say for 2K miles it's worth it, but otherwise as you now realize ...