Aug 29, 2018, 12:57 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Major differences between Gold and Silver A summary of differences is available here: Premier benefits chart
Related threads
[Consolidated"I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs/PQSs in 2018 for Elite Status in 2019"
UA/Star Alliance: 2017-2018 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed
Previous thread(s)
Is it worth it to stretch for Gold (over Silver)? [2017 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Gold (over Silver)? [2016 Consolidated]
- Use *G lounges on international trips
- Use *G lounges on domestic flights when departing from select US airports
- 2 bags @ 70 lbs (vs 1 @ 70lbs -Silver increased from 50lbs 28 Sept 2018)
- Boarding Group 1
- Lower award booking and change fees
- E+ at time of booking for yourself + 1.
- Free Same Day Change (SDC)
- Higher earning rate for RDMs (8 vs 7)
- Higher on the upgrade list
- Eligible for Marriott Gold Status via RewardsPlus
Related threads
[Consolidated"I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs/PQSs in 2018 for Elite Status in 2019"
UA/Star Alliance: 2017-2018 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed
Previous thread(s)
Is it worth it to stretch for Gold (over Silver)? [2017 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Gold (over Silver)? [2016 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Gold (over Silver)? [2018 Consolidated]
Nov 26, 2018, 5:23 pm
#46
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Join Date: Apr 2013
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With that flying pattern, you're not going to see much benefit beyond what you already get with paid F. Free SDC would be the major one, and that's not worth an 8k PQM run IMO.
Nov 26, 2018, 5:34 pm
#48
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: 14,429
That said, Gold really won't be of much benefit if you are in First. If you don't SDC, the only benefit would be E+ at booking (24 hours before flight for Silver), but if you're up front, not a benefit
Nov 26, 2018, 5:41 pm
#49
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If being in striking range of Gold was a one-off event, no way 8k PQM is worth it especially if you buy F anyway. Gold is perhaps one of the best statuses for the cost, but you're missing out on basically all of its usefulness (E+ at booking, and *G when flying internationally), so I think it's hard to justify.
Nov 28, 2018, 10:00 pm
#52
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That’s a lot of segments relative to spend. I’m thinking being able to select E+ at booking would be huge for you, but an E+ subscription might be better than spending $2k. Do you think you’d have significantly better CPU chances as a Gold on your more frequent routes?
Nov 28, 2018, 10:37 pm
#53
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Nov 29, 2018, 6:39 am
#54
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Hertz PC
Posts: 657
That’s a lot of segments relative to spend. I’m thinking being able to select E+ at booking would be huge for you, but an E+ subscription might be better than spending $2k. Do you think you’d have significantly better CPU chances as a Gold on your more frequent routes?
Nov 29, 2018, 8:58 am
#55
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Well, if E+ at check-in isn't an issue and you're already at 50% for CPUs, another 10 CPUs as a Gold (just a wild guess) would cost $200/per if you spent the $2K to get it. Doesn't seem worthwhile. And not even an E+ subscription. Seems like you're actually in a good place (home and destinations) to derive pretty darn good benefits as a Silver.
Nov 29, 2018, 9:26 am
#56
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
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No.
Definitely NO.
Definitely NO.
Nov 29, 2018, 1:23 pm
#57
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Dec 4, 2018, 3:57 pm
#58
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: DEN / SEA
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 132
Ended up booking a flight that was ~$1100 to cover for 8100 PQM and 450 PQD to keep Gold. I didn't fly much this year and going to be dropping from Plat...
E+/SDC is good too but especially *A gold track and international lounge access is nice to have for us since we visit Japan at least twice a year... my wife loves those ANA lounges.
Still, probably not worth $1100. I feel like I'm messed up in the head after booking the flight
E+/SDC is good too but especially *A gold track and international lounge access is nice to have for us since we visit Japan at least twice a year... my wife loves those ANA lounges.
Still, probably not worth $1100. I feel like I'm messed up in the head after booking the flight
Dec 4, 2018, 5:26 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,421
Ended up booking a flight that was ~$1100 to cover for 8100 PQM and 450 PQD to keep Gold. I didn't fly much this year and going to be dropping from Plat...
E+/SDC is good too but especially *A gold track and international lounge access is nice to have for us since we visit Japan at least twice a year... my wife loves those ANA lounges.
Still, probably not worth $1100. I feel like I'm messed up in the head after booking the flight
E+/SDC is good too but especially *A gold track and international lounge access is nice to have for us since we visit Japan at least twice a year... my wife loves those ANA lounges.
Still, probably not worth $1100. I feel like I'm messed up in the head after booking the flight
Dec 6, 2018, 2:33 pm
#60
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1.65M , Platinum, 1K Emeritus, UC Lifetime , HHonors Gold, Presidential Plus card holder
Posts: 697
Ended up booking a flight that was ~$1100 to cover for 8100 PQM and 450 PQD to keep Gold. I didn't fly much this year and going to be dropping from Plat...
E+/SDC is good too but especially *A gold track and international lounge access is nice to have for us since we visit Japan at least twice a year... my wife loves those ANA lounges.
Still, probably not worth $1100. I feel like I'm messed up in the head after booking the flight
E+/SDC is good too but especially *A gold track and international lounge access is nice to have for us since we visit Japan at least twice a year... my wife loves those ANA lounges.
Still, probably not worth $1100. I feel like I'm messed up in the head after booking the flight
You have given the good reasons for achieving it.