Sep 2, 2018, 1:44 pm

FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides

The value of Platinum status over Gold status is generally a "YMMV" situation. Different people will value different benefits in different ways. Here are the most commonly cited differences that people mention:

Boarding in Group 1 instead of Group 2 [until September 18, 2018, after which Gold and Platinum both Group 1]
2 RPUs (none for Gold)
Improved chances at CPUs through higher priority
8 companions in E+ on same itinerary vs. 1 companion
3x 70 lb. bags on UA instead of 2x, although plats and golds have exact same additional bag allowance provided to *G on other Star Alliance carriers
Greater RDM earning rate (9x instead of 8x base fare)
Free award reservation changes, cancellations, miles redeposits if 61 days or more before departure, otherwise $50
Somewhat improved premium cabin award space availability
Presidential Circle status with Hertz

Plat is the highest level still eligible for Chase MP-branded credit card spend waiver of PQD requirements.

A list 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 Plat (over Gold)? [2017 Consolidated]

Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2016 Consolidated]

Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2018 Consolidated]

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Sep 25, 2018, 12:13 pm

#31

ttb217

Join Date: May 2012

Posts: 66

Home airport is IAH (Houston) and flying to Dulles quite a bit ( I could change it to Chicago or Newark....)

Sep 26, 2018, 1:56 pm

#32

WineCountryUA

Moderator: United Airlines

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: SFO

Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat

Posts: 66,855

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHake10

.... I have the PQMs for 1K, but only the spend for Gold.....

With a Chase PQD spent wiaver, you could get Plat.

Sep 26, 2018, 3:39 pm

#33

JHake10

Join Date: Apr 2012

Location: SFO

Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club

Posts: 1,539

Quote:

Originally Posted by WineCountryUA

With a Chase PQD spent wiaver, you could get Plat.

I suppose, but then I'll have more UA miles. While not a bad thing, I like my AMEX MR. Took advantage of that VS transfer and booked ANA F RT SFO-NRT for ~82,000 AMEX MR. Beats 110k each way with UA.

Oct 3, 2018, 1:30 am

#34

Boraxo

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Dec 2002

Location: Danville, CA, USA;

Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat

Posts: 15,721

Quote:

Originally Posted by naumank

In light of the boarding process change, do folks still think Plat is worth more than Gold? I, for one, was going to do a mileage run to reach Plat but now I am most likely stick to Gold this year. Group 1 is the only benefit I care about. Now Gold gets Group 1.

No question Plat lost some value as Group 1 is really Group 2 now that 1Ks pre-board @sfo closer to Group 3 due to hordes of GS and 1Ks, LOL). So BG1 has zero value over Gold now. As for the other perks I would value as follows:

2 RPUs @ $150-200 each (I value higher for transcons than midcons, but easier to use on latter) = $300-400
Improved chances at CPUs through higher priority = $0 (rarely clear as 1K @sfo)
8 companions in E+ on same itinerary vs. 1 companion ($0 - used to have significant value for me but none now thanks to lifetime 1MM status)
3x 70 lb. bags on UA instead of 2x = $0 (I rarely check 1 bag per person and never check 2 except on ski trips)
Greater RDM earning rate (9x instead of 8x base fare) Assuming $12k EQD valued @.015 per mile = $180
$50 award reservation changes if <60 days (v. $75 for Gold) = $0-200
Somewhat improved premium cabin award space availability = $0

So for me minimum total value is $480-780 depending on how many awards I change and how I use RPUs.

Marginal value of 1K is much higher as I get unlimited award changes, 6 SWUs plus higher RDM on EQD.

higher_flyer, narvik, brp1264 and 1 others like this.

Oct 19, 2018, 2:22 pm

#35

8MiHi

Original Poster

Join Date: Jun 2016

Location: EWR

Programs: UA 1.65M , Platinum, 1K Emeritus, UC Lifetime , HHonors Gold, Presidential Plus card holder

Posts: 697

Boraxo's analysis may be on the mark prospectively for most of us. I just know that for me it has been worth at least $1500 per year for several years. Since these benefits are uncertain, I would value them at $750 - $1000 all together.
With the new boarding process, however, my overall desire to maintain Platinum is reduced a little since I would remain Gold.

Oct 21, 2018, 9:33 am

#36

LarrySinNJ

Join Date: Dec 2017

Posts: 57

After projecting that I would be 3 segments short of Platinum, I booked a segment run for $220 - BUF-IAD-EWR-BUF.

CMK10, 8MiHi and tstauck like this.

Oct 24, 2018, 9:01 am

#37

chrisd125

Join Date: Feb 2014

Posts: 7

UA Plat - Mileage Run

I will be 8K miles short of UA Plat. Is it worth a EWR-SFO run? I am projecting to hit UA 1K next year with all international segments. Thoughts? The cost will be around $800. Thanks!

Oct 24, 2018, 9:07 am

#38

jsloan

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Oct 2001

Location: Austin, TX

Posts: 21,412

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrisd125

I will be 8K miles short of UA Plat. Is it worth a EWR-SFO run? I am projecting to hit UA 1K next year with all international segments. Thoughts? The cost will be around $800. Thanks!

There’s a thread for this on the board (“Is it worth it to stretch for Plat?”). In my opinion, no. Platinum is not worth $800.

findark and 8MiHi like this.

Oct 24, 2018, 9:17 am

#39

8MiHi

Original Poster

Join Date: Jun 2016

Location: EWR

Programs: UA 1.65M , Platinum, 1K Emeritus, UC Lifetime , HHonors Gold, Presidential Plus card holder

Posts: 697

With all international segments the 2 RPUs will be of little value. Gold gets you E+, SDC and BG1. Platinum on International travel gets you extra E+ seating and some reduced fees to go with those RPUs. While it is not clear to me that the status upgrade would make any difference to your travel experience, I still like Platinum over Gold and would be willing to spend a modest amount of time and treasure because I like flying and my wife gets the extra status, too.

Oct 24, 2018, 9:32 am

#40

fumje

FlyerTalk Evangelist

Join Date: Aug 2015

Posts: 11,462

Also 1 extra award mile per PQD until you hit 75k PQD next year.

And you may be able to do it for less than $800, assuming PQD qualification is not an issue.

All said, though, not worth it in my view.

Oct 24, 2018, 11:00 am

#41

drewguy

Join Date: May 2009

Location: Washington, DC

Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL

Posts: 7,418

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8MiHi

Gold gets you E+, SDC and BG1

And lounge access on international flights (if not in biz). I wouldn't run for it unless you travel with family so E+ for more than 2 is worth it.

8MiHi likes this.

Nov 3, 2018, 4:53 pm

#42

ttb217

Join Date: May 2012

Posts: 66

Is there any difference between gold and platinum for same day Changes?

Nov 3, 2018, 5:05 pm

#43

WineCountryUA

Moderator: United Airlines

Join Date: Jun 2007

Location: SFO

Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat

Posts: 66,855

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttb217

Is there any difference between gold and platinum for same day Changes?

Neither is changed a fee

Nov 3, 2018, 11:12 pm

#44

naumank

Join Date: Dec 2007

Location: SFO

Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz PC

Posts: 1,003

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boraxo

This thread has suddenly become meaningful to me again as I currently project to finish 2018 with 69k EQM. Would definitely do a mileage run if I knew I could =RPUs on transcons at booking instead of rolling the dice.

No question Plat lost some value as Group 1 is really Group 2 now that 1Ks pre-board @sfo closer to Group 3 due to hordes of GS and 1Ks, LOL). So BG1 has zero value over Gold now. As for the other perks I would value as follows:

2 RPUs @ $150-200 each (I value higher for transcons than midcons, but easier to use on latter) = $300-400
Improved chances at CPUs through higher priority = $0 (rarely clear as 1K @sfo)
8 companions in E+ on same itinerary vs. 1 companion ($0 - used to have significant value for me but none now thanks to lifetime 1MM status)
3x 70 lb. bags on UA instead of 2x = $0 (I rarely check 1 bag per person and never check 2 except on ski trips)
Greater RDM earning rate (9x instead of 8x base fare) Assuming $12k EQD valued @.015 per mile = $180
$50 award reservation changes if <60 days (v. $75 for Gold) = $0-200
Somewhat improved premium cabin award space availability = $0

Great analysis. In my case,

2RPUs = $0. I was 1K between 2015 and 2017 and Platinum since the beginning of this year. I hardly got any upgrades using RPUs. I think only 2 cleared (not counting the SFO-LAX short-hauls) as 1K and 0 as Platinum over the past 3 years. Transcon never cleared.
RDM (Gold vs Platinum) is worth less than 4K miles because I fly quite a bit on Star Alliance flights.

This year, I will need another 12-13K EQMs in order to qualify for Platinum. I guess I will become 1MM Gold next year.