Sep 2, 2018, 1:44 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
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:
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]
- 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]
Sep 18, 2018, 10:05 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,992
Sep 18, 2018, 10:11 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Bay Area - East Bay
Programs: UA 1k, AS 75k, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 637
The 2 RPUs are really the main differentiator now, and they usually only clear on flights I would have CPUed anyway. I'm going to end the year with about ~97k PQM and ~6.7k PQD+cc waiver, so I'm not exactly stretching for Plat, but there's a good chance this affects my travel next year. Oakland is a much more convenient airport for me than SFO, and my upgrade % on AS is 90+ so that's a good option
It might also be worth looking into other *A airlines to credit flights to after hitting 50k. Anyone have any favorites?
It might also be worth looking into other *A airlines to credit flights to after hitting 50k. Anyone have any favorites?
Sep 18, 2018, 10:35 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,002
The 2 RPUs are really the main differentiator now, and they usually only clear on flights I would have CPUed anyway. I'm going to end the year with about ~97k PQM and ~6.7k PQD+cc waiver, so I'm not exactly stretching for Plat, but there's a good chance this affects my travel next year. Oakland is a much more convenient airport for me than SFO, and my upgrade % on AS is 90+ so that's a good option
It might also be worth looking into other *A airlines to credit flights to after hitting 50k. Anyone have any favorites?
It might also be worth looking into other *A airlines to credit flights to after hitting 50k. Anyone have any favorites?
Sep 18, 2018, 1:22 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1.65M , Platinum, 1K Emeritus, UC Lifetime , HHonors Gold, Presidential Plus card holder
Posts: 691
I have little doubt that Gold and Platinum will board together ahead of the explorer cards for many years into the future. I also think its right that 1K board earlier and that in most locations this new process will work well. The hubs may generate some issues for a bit. For those of us in BG1 I consider this step back small stuff.
Sep 18, 2018, 1:30 pm
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Honolulu Harbor
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 14,992
I have little doubt that Gold and Platinum will board together ahead of the explorer cards for many years into the future. I also think its right that 1K board earlier and that in most locations this new process will work well. The hubs may generate some issues for a bit. For those of us in BG1 I consider this step back small stuff.
Sep 24, 2018, 9:17 am
#21
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 66
Gold to Platinum Status?
hello, I’ll be flying frequently next year but Ill be a few legs shy from making platinum next year. Is it worth it to spend an extra $500 and my time to do a few mileage runs?
Sep 24, 2018, 9:39 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,445
Given the relative difficulty of clearing RPUs and the recent boarding group rearrangement, my feeling is not worth time or money.
Thread:
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2018 Consolidated]
Thread:
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2018 Consolidated]
Sep 24, 2018, 9:46 am
#23
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: UA 1K | MR Platinum
Posts: 492
For $500, I'd go for it. The mileage earning delta is slight, but I've had lots of success clearing RPUs and even CPUs recently as a DEN-based plat.
Sep 24, 2018, 11:25 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,822
It really depends on whether the $500 will also include a fun trip. New York between Thanksgiving and New Years is always a delight if it would get you there; Vegas is also lovely outside the hot months. If it is a lap you would not enjoy (say EWR-HNL-EWR in a domestically-equipped 777) not worth the effort.
Sep 24, 2018, 12:35 pm
#25
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: SBA
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 940
For $500 I'd do it. I was CPU'd a fair amount two years ago when I was Platinum, more often than not.
Used my two RPU's for EWR-LAX p.s. service, found R availability on Saturdays, and was upgraded instantly.
- Tom
Used my two RPU's for EWR-LAX p.s. service, found R availability on Saturdays, and was upgraded instantly.
- Tom
Sep 24, 2018, 12:36 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: West
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 221
If you're only $500 away from plat, I'd for sure go for it. Higher CPU, RPUs, of course.
Sep 25, 2018, 8:01 am
#27
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
Edit: you can't be CPU'ed if you are using an RPU, so fixed my sentence.
Last edited by prometa; Sep 25, 2018 at 10:06 am
Sep 25, 2018, 8:03 am
#28
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,413
I think that's basically true SFO to anywhere. On a leisure route, a Gold or Plat may clear. But on most routes, both will be in the teens or lower on the waitlist.
Sep 25, 2018, 10:09 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 622
Totally agree. If you want to burn an extra $500, spend it on buy-ups to F. Better return than you'll get from Plat.
I think that's basically true SFO to anywhere. On a leisure route, a Gold or Plat may clear. But on most routes, both will be in the teens or lower on the waitlist.
I think that's basically true SFO to anywhere. On a leisure route, a Gold or Plat may clear. But on most routes, both will be in the teens or lower on the waitlist.
Sep 25, 2018, 10:22 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
I'm a 1K and with a new job will be dropping to Gold next year. I have the PQMs for 1K, but only the spend for Gold. I could have hit Platinum or maybe 1K spend but I decided to fly more SQ for the better service and comfort. I think the thing I'll miss most is the waived fees on award bookings. Platinum has less fees, but not as good as 1K. Rather than spending 1,000+ to meet the next level, I bought Avianca lifemiles on one of their sales and booked RT F from LAX-Asia for ~2200 which seems like a better deal for me.
