Ophelia

I'm definitely debating on whether it's worth it to chase 1k for next year. I'm going to end up ~10k PQM short. I found an overnight in Seattle (in F) that'll get me there for ~1100, including the hotel, but not sure it's worth it. (I guess i could also have a 50+ hour round trip to Asia in economy for a bit less, but...)

I've actually used most of my GPUs this year, (depending on if my last couple clear) - my international travel is generally TATL flights - on 777s, which are both worth the upgrades (and will likely be among the last to get Polaris updates) - I've had fairly good luck with my flights clearing. I haven't been able to use any of my RPUs - most of my domestic travel isn't even that long, but I'm still #4 on the list of people who aren't getting upgraded

Aussienarelle

IMO - yes it is worth it. I was going to be at $12,400 with 140,000 miles by the end of the year (using my trusty spreadsheet to calculate the PQMs and PQDs) and decided to splurge another $1,000 (on a trip to LIR) for the extra 10,000 miles to get to 150,000 miles as I was able to use 7 out of 8 GPUs this year. I do not really consider the RPUs - I use them but I am just as likely to give my seat to a young kid in uniform on domestic legs. So Platinum is of little interest to me, I value the GPUs but I also fly internationally enough each year to be able to use them. I have learned to use the system through reading things on Flyer Talk and also apparently not living in a hub has some advantages for upgrades. At times I buy "K" fares and use miles + co-pay when the price is less than the "W" fare using the GPU. YMMV

RichardInSF

A year or two after I hit 2 million miles and became plat for life, I gave up on giving United priority and haven't looked back since. The two regional upgrades are a joke since UA rarely, if ever, releases confirmable upgrade space on the only flights (Polaris domestic between SFO/LAX and EWR/BOS) where it is worthwhile to upgrade.

It is such a relief not to feel tied to United. This coincided with me switching to do business class on TATL and TPAC, and virtually all of that business, mostly for cash, has gone to one of ANA, BA, or Virgin.

gmt4

jsloan

If you'll use six GPUs next year, that's less than $200 each; a no-brainer in my book.

But I wouldn't rush into it, either. You never know when an extra, unplanned trip will come up, or if you'll be able to use SDC to route for a few extra PQMs and reduce your deficit.

uastarflyer

ani90

If you plan to travel a lot on UA next year 1K is definitely a better place to be than 1K, even if all your 6 GPUs don't clear. I would definitely go for it.

Miles Ahead

lincolnjkc

I feel there's enough of a marked difference in treatment (especially during irops or wobbler situations [i.e. where agent discretion could go either way, or perhaps even should go the "wrong" way]) that I'd personally stretch to make 1K -- in fact, I structure early in the year flying [e.g. taking more paid but cheap leisure trips, considering a longer connecting itinerary over a nonstop, etc.) to try to prevent having to make a last-minute sprint -- though $1k on a trip just for status is probably the upper bounds on my personal tolerance -- spread that over a couple trips or throw in a destination like somewhere where I can pick up an In-N-Out Burger changes the trajectory of the equation for me.

That said, I've reaped well over $1k in (perceived) benefits at 1K -- from the free snackboxes/meal/drink in Economy [which may nearly cover that delta anyway ] to the GPU/RPUs that have cleared...

david_oz

Kannai

I definitely think it's worth it if you're close. I've been a 1K for a few years and do feel a real difference over platinum and gold. Good planning has meant some of my transpacs are in Polaris and lots of my domestic US flights are upgraded, plus never waiting more than a minute to talk to someone, and still being able to book and cancel mileage tix repeatedly.... If you're able to do those kinds of things and enjoy those benefits, why not push through at get them?

JNelson113

I would 100% go for it.

I was 1K for many years until about two years ago when the spend requirement got too high (I fly on my own dime). I'm now Platinum with my 2MM status. I miss 1K so much, for four reasons: 1) GPUs, 2) domestic upgrades, 3) IRROPs treatment, and 4) the ability to change award travel for free. For me at least, the last one has been really inconvenient and it would be so nice to have 1K status again.

sosptuba

I'm hit my spend for the year (over $12,000) but looks like I'll be about 20 segments short of the 1K requirement. I'm not even to gold in miles FWIW.

I'd like to stay 1K for next year and then most likely drop down to plat for 2020 as I don't usually go over $15K in spend.

Do you think I would be better off to do a segment run or just purchase segments (if) they have an offer come up before end of year?

jsloan

A segment run will almost certainly be cheaper. Buying PQSes -- if offered -- relieves you of the need to fly 20 segments. Making a selection basically means deciding whether you value your money or your time more highly.

Note that SDC is often a good way to add extra segment(s) at little / no cost.

Kacee

I wonder if it would be possible to do 20 segments on a single RT itinerary using SDC? I think OP should give it a try