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]
Nov 6, 2018, 9:55 am
#61
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1.65M , Platinum, 1K Emeritus, UC Lifetime , HHonors Gold, Presidential Plus card holder
Posts: 696
As an aside, my MM status is more valuable to me now than it was when I achieved it with pmCO.
Nov 8, 2018, 12:29 am
#62
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
Flew through MUC and FRA in the last 10 days. It was no problem providing the digital card. Not sure it was even needed to access the Senator lounge at the Z gates as a *G in business. The agent just waved me through.
Nov 11, 2018, 12:00 am
#63
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1MM, Marriott LTP, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,003
Actually for 1K I place more value on the intangibles: award change fee waivers, pre-boarding, free food/bev and CPUs. While the RPUs and GPUs theoretically have a higher $$$ value, they are so hit or miss that they don't provide much incentive.
But you're right - nobody with lifetime status is going to spend $$$$ on mileage runs to chase Plat or 1K. Not that AA or DL provide any better incentives...
But you're right - nobody with lifetime status is going to spend $$$$ on mileage runs to chase Plat or 1K. Not that AA or DL provide any better incentives...
Regarding drink chits, is it still true that the FAs don't look at Exp dates? I have tons of drink chits from previous years. I hardly ever needed them as I was mostly flew transpac.
Nov 11, 2018, 6:01 am
#64
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
You pretty much made me decide to pass this year and land to Gold (1MM) next year. I'm 13K miles away from Platinum. I agree that it doesn't make sense for a 1MMer to spend $$$$ (in my case, likely $700-$1000 of my own money) to reach Platinum.
Regarding drink chits, is it still true that the FAs don't look at Exp dates? I have tons of drink chits from previous years. I hardly ever needed them as I was mostly flew transpac.
Regarding drink chits, is it still true that the FAs don't look at Exp dates? I have tons of drink chits from previous years. I hardly ever needed them as I was mostly flew transpac.
Nov 11, 2018, 8:00 am
#65
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,429
You pretty much made me decide to pass this year and land to Gold (1MM) next year. I'm 13K miles away from Platinum. I agree that it doesn't make sense for a 1MMer to spend $$$$ (in my case, likely $700-$1000 of my own money) to reach Platinum.
Regarding drink chits, is it still true that the FAs don't look at Exp dates? I have tons of drink chits from previous years. I hardly ever needed them as I was mostly flew transpac.
Regarding drink chits, is it still true that the FAs don't look at Exp dates? I have tons of drink chits from previous years. I hardly ever needed them as I was mostly flew transpac.
Perhaps I'm an outlier here but for $700 for platinum over Gold I would've went for it. Like I said before, I get a fairly good clip of upgrades (CPU) when I least expect it. It also depends on the airport you're flying out of and what domestic routes you fly.. For me, I'm lifetime gold and keep on running every year to plat (With the credit card waiver) thanks, one less person to compete for upgrades I guess :-)
Got Plat a couple of years ago, didn't do much in way of u/g on my way to 1K which I achieved on December 31. Still up in the air if it was worth it, as I did very little flying on UA this year, and got next to no u/g as 1K.
Content to fall back to Gold on February 1, and don't ever expect to qualify for higher status (of course I also stated that two years ago
)
Nov 11, 2018, 5:23 pm
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,720
So i was reminded by another Plat that one of the biggest benefits is that we share expanded saver award inventory with 1Ks. If this is true then it is a huge perk as I always run an award search before I log in and normally find very little inventory. 1Ks definitely have an advantage.
I keep using the old ones and nobody ever says anything. Ditto for WN
I keep using the old ones and nobody ever says anything. Ditto for WN
Nov 11, 2018, 6:06 pm
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,405
So i was reminded by another Plat that one of the biggest benefits is that we share expanded saver award inventory with 1Ks. If this is true then it is a huge perk as I always run an award search before I log in and normally find very little inventory. 1Ks definitely have an advantage.
Nov 11, 2018, 8:49 pm
#68
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
You pretty much made me decide to pass this year and land to Gold (1MM) next year. I'm 13K miles away from Platinum. I agree that it doesn't make sense for a 1MMer to spend $$$$ (in my case, likely $700-$1000 of my own money) to reach Platinum.
Regarding drink chits, is it still true that the FAs don't look at Exp dates? I have tons of drink chits from previous years. I hardly ever needed them as I was mostly flew transpac.
Regarding drink chits, is it still true that the FAs don't look at Exp dates? I have tons of drink chits from previous years. I hardly ever needed them as I was mostly flew transpac.
Dec 25, 2018, 5:39 pm
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,720
So down to the wire here - for $400+ I booked a long one-day MR for the extra 5.5k EQN needed for Plat - but I'm still within the cancellation window and very much on the fence. Already CPU'd on one-segment so that doesn't hurt and may use an expiring GPU on another. I suppose the cost is justified by the 2 RPUs plus 15k bonus RDM (on this year's spend, which will likely be higher in 2019). The lower change fee may also save some $$ on last minute changes to award tix.
Plus - pure speculation - but would not be surprised to see some sort of deval of Gold - most likely on the E+ front as UA will want to monetize E+ as much as possible as was done with F. But who knows ...
and may use an expiring GPU on another. I suppose the cost is justified by the 2 RPUs plus 15k bonus RDM (on this year's spend, which will likely be higher in 2019). The lower change fee may also save some $$ on last minute changes to award tix.Plus - pure speculation - but would not be surprised to see some sort of deval of Gold - most likely on the E+ front as UA will want to monetize E+ as much as possible as was done with F. But who knows ...
Dec 25, 2018, 8:35 pm
#70
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
It would be brutal for United to do that without any warning. As it is, I've found it very hard to make the Gold PQD, even with buying some seats upfront. Hell, I was past the Gold PQM before I hit the Silver PQD.
Dec 25, 2018, 10:04 pm
#71
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
For 2019? Not going to happen. Program changes have already been announced.
Dec 26, 2018, 9:12 am
#72
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX
Programs: UA MM | BA Silver
Posts: 7,193
At $700 I would have bit. I could've reached 75K PQM, but I'm only at $4.5k PQD. I started booking other airlines once I decided to not go for it. Bummer partner tickets don't count like they should, I would have been a lot closer. Gold seems to work ok with paid premium cabin mixed in.
My year comes to a close with nearly 70k PQM and nowhere near the needed PQD. I only miss the plat fee waivers, otherwise I can't see the incentive with the Plat PQD so high.
Dec 26, 2018, 9:26 am
#73
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
(* I actually did pay for seats upfront quite a few times this year, but I'm still nowhere near the PQD.)
Dec 26, 2018, 9:33 am
#74
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
But agreed the status perks are much less meaningful if you're buying paid premium cabin.
Dec 26, 2018, 9:46 am
#75
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,009
This is clearly exactly whom United is targeting; even more so now with next year's PQD increase. I'm thinking about going free agent next year and just buying upfront on flights longer than ~3 hours. United's qualifications are simply out of whack for people like me who mostly travel short- and medium-haul international, even with a lot of P fares mixed in.