Apr 21, 2019, 12:34 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 and also the highest elite elite achievable using FlexPQMs .
A list of differences is available here: Premier benefits chart
Related threads
[Consolidated] "I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs/PQSs in 2019 for Elite Status in 2020"
UA/Star Alliance: 2019 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed
Previous thread(s)
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2018 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2017 Consolidated]
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2016 Consolidated]
- 2 RPUs (none for Gold), for 2020 it will be 40 Plus Points (good for 2 North American or 1 previous GPU-equivalent W-fare upgrade)
- Improved chances at CPUs through higher priority
- 8 companions in E+ on the 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 (unclear how the change to dynamic awards post Nov 2019 will impact this)
- Five drink chits
- Presidential Circle status with Hertz
Plat is the highest level still eligible for Chase MP-branded credit card spend waiver of PQD requirements and also the highest elite elite achievable using FlexPQMs .
A list of differences is available here: Premier benefits chart
Related threads
[Consolidated] "I need XXX UA PQD's/PQMs/PQSs in 2019 for Elite Status in 2020"
UA/Star Alliance: 2019 Consolidated Mileage/Status/Challenge Runs help needed
Previous thread(s)
Is it worth it to stretch for Plat (over Gold)? [2018 Consolidated]
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)? [2019 Consolidated]
Oct 1, 2019, 2:40 pm
#91
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
Looks like I will be 1-2 segments short of Platinum this year. I have plenty of nonstop trips scheduled. I think it's going to be worth SDC to add a connection one or two times to qualify for Platinum, if only for the additional mile per dollar for RDM. Shame that (almost) all of my trips this year were short. I've just barely qualifier for gold on PQM and am well over PQD for 1k.
Oct 1, 2019, 2:53 pm
#92
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: CLE/RSW
Programs: Marriot Lifetime Plat
Posts: 206
I certainly feel like I have!
Oct 8, 2019, 4:55 pm
#93
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: United Premier Plat
Posts: 36
Would anyone change their mind on this, with the potential of using Plus Points towards a long haul/ Polaris flight?
With all of my travels this year, I will be one MR away from plat (~3,700 PQM) and I'm thinking of stretching!
With all of my travels this year, I will be one MR away from plat (~3,700 PQM) and I'm thinking of stretching!
Oct 8, 2019, 6:39 pm
#94
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,405
Yes, assuming you'd be taking an international trip on United anyway. However, I'd still only do it if I had a ton of flexibility. With the +P system, I'd never want to bank on clearing a waitlisted upgrade as a Platinum; you'd be behind too many people. So, I'd want to have the flexibility to search out available upgrade space in advance.
Oct 9, 2019, 7:27 am
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,413
I would struggle to, if only because one GPU (as 40 PP) is probably $500 on a good day, which is not that much more than a fair valuation of 2 RPU. That being said, 3700 miles is not that far, and possibly worth it regardless.
Oct 9, 2019, 7:36 am
#96
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Pasadena, California
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM
Posts: 10,412
Oct 9, 2019, 7:40 am
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,413
Obviously your value may vary by market and usage (the W/P spread to ANZ is still $2,000+ r/t usually), but it's a rough peg.
Oct 9, 2019, 7:45 am
#98
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP. Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,134
If I was that close I'd stretch. If for nothing else than the slight bump in award mile earning for the next year and the slight bump in the pecking order for CPUs. If you plan on travelling next year at least as much as you did this year you might benefit from a better chance at CPUs depending on how/when you fly. The new points plus program shift does change the calculus a bit, but its hard to say how much max value you could extract from it. So I'll reiterate what I said first- go ahead and do it. 3700 PQM could be earned on the cheap to push you over the hump.
Oct 9, 2019, 9:20 am
#99
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: EWR
Programs: UA 1.65M , Platinum, 1K Emeritus, UC Lifetime , HHonors Gold, Presidential Plus card holder
Posts: 696
Because I like flying, a single MR to get to Platinum would be something I would do if I could do it cheaply or do something fun. Last year I flew EWR to SJO to see the Giants beat the 49ers.
In other years I would selectively upgrade trips to get the 200% PQM. This year's P fare PQM bonus reduction and tighter availability of inexpensive TOD P or Z upgrades has made that tougher.
Oct 9, 2019, 9:28 am
#100
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,405
RPUs are virtually worthless unless you live on one of the coasts and travel to the other, or if you can find PZ space to Hawaii. Y->F just isn't that big of a difference from, say, AUS to SFO. GPUs, on the other hand, can carry actual value.
Oct 17, 2019, 10:12 am
#101
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: United
Posts: 5
Premier Platinum Status - Worth 43k Chase Points
Hi Everyone - I have about 200k Chase points. I am looking at doing a mileage run to London from Denver to hit Premier Platinum status. It will cost me about 43k Chase points. What is everyone's thoughts on Premier Platinum over Gold? Is it worth the 43k chase points?
I am usually a business traveler with a few international trips a year. Traveling primarily by myself and not with a companion.
What is the frequency difference between first-class upgrades when compared to gold?
How much friendlier is the premier desk call line when compared to gold?
Any other major benefits that would be different?
I am usually a business traveler with a few international trips a year. Traveling primarily by myself and not with a companion.
What is the frequency difference between first-class upgrades when compared to gold?
How much friendlier is the premier desk call line when compared to gold?
Any other major benefits that would be different?
Oct 17, 2019, 10:23 am
#102
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,413
2x RPU (worth $200 to $400 total depending on when/how you use), E+ for your family which sounds non-helpful, and that's about it. If you want to switch to DL because of the MP changes, it lets you match to DL Plat, which is ironically one of the better forgotten about benefits
Platinum is not a great status.
Oct 17, 2019, 10:36 am
#103
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,998
I am not even in a hub and can choose from 3 different non-hub departure airports within 120 miles of me, and there is just no domestic PZ space being released. My belief is that UA is selling 90% of the FC seats for cash, and the GSs are getting whatever UG seats are left.
Take the trip only if you want to go to London. The status is nearly worthless IMO.
Oct 17, 2019, 10:38 am
#104
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
I had Platinum for a few years before hitting 1K when I decided to consolidate most of my travel on UA/*A. 1K is MUCH better, especially since Golds have group 1.
Oct 17, 2019, 10:58 am
#105
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ORD
Posts: 870
Don't do it. If your primary travel is international, gold and platinum will give you similar benefits. Your phone agent experience will also be the same. Domestically, CPU likelihood is close to zero for either. Once in a blue moon, if you fly an odd route or at an odd time of the day, you may get upgraded. Like may be once a year.
Save your 43k Chase points. You can extract much higher value out of it.
Save your 43k Chase points. You can extract much higher value out of it.