Is it worth it to go 1K
Jul 11, 2021, 10:00 am
#16
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
We're going to Europe right after Christmas . . . J cabins are all empty, and yet the flights are all PZ0 (and of course, IN0), even on Dec. 26, which is traditionally one of the best days of the year to fly long-haul. So just bought a P fare instead for $1967 (and will fly LX for both long haul segments). This pretty much sums up my 1K experience the past few years.
Jul 11, 2021, 10:20 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
Plus points makes it worth it. Now that things are reopening I’ve planned several euro trips this year, and been able to buy economy and upgrade to business with plus points on all the long haul segments for both me and my family. Every long haul flight I’ve booked has been PZ9, so it clears immediately. Very easy and very worth it (especially since regular fare business class has been ridiculously high on those same flights lately from what I’ve seen)
Plus Points have been useless to me this year since I found cheap biz fares before the rebound, and used up award miles. I will try to use them later in the year, but I'm not hopeful.
1K is great for UPGRADES (CPU or instruments), and I like the pre-boarding element (& free drink/snack in Y).
1K is great for UPGRADES (CPU or instruments), and I like the pre-boarding element (& free drink/snack in Y).
Jul 11, 2021, 1:20 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
EWR-ZRH PZ9IN9I9
ZRH-EWR PZ9IN9I9
EWR-BRU PZ9IN9I9
BRU-EWR PZ9IN9I9
EWR-LHR PZ9IN9I9
LHR-EWR PZ9IN9I9
EWR-AMS PZ9IN9I9
AMS-EWR PZ9IN9I9
IAD-ZRH PZ9IN9I9
ZRH-IAD PZ9IN9I9
IAD-BRU PZ5IN5I3
BRU-IAD PZ9IN9I9
I mean all the ones I checked right now to be honest. Not seeing one that is not.
Jul 11, 2021, 1:53 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
The difference is worth it in normal times. Even now, though, where things are picking up but not quite to normal, I would not stretch for it unless you were doing meaningful international travel in 2022 and are willing to accept the risk that if things change due to variants, you will be stuck with higher status that is not worth a ton (IMO, the status differential domestically between 1K and Platinum isn't a huge deal).
Jul 11, 2021, 2:04 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,350
I am not seeing that at all.
We're going to Europe right after Christmas . . . J cabins are all empty, and yet the flights are all PZ0 (and of course, IN0), even on Dec. 26, which is traditionally one of the best days of the year to fly long-haul. So just bought a P fare instead for $1967 (and will fly LX for both long haul segments). This pretty much sums up my 1K experience the past few years.
We're going to Europe right after Christmas . . . J cabins are all empty, and yet the flights are all PZ0 (and of course, IN0), even on Dec. 26, which is traditionally one of the best days of the year to fly long-haul. So just bought a P fare instead for $1967 (and will fly LX for both long haul segments). This pretty much sums up my 1K experience the past few years.
That said for OP, not clear to me with the info provided that it's worth going for it. Use that extra money next year where you need it and you'll likely come out ahead.
Jul 11, 2021, 2:33 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,418
The difference is worth it in normal times. Even now, though, where things are picking up but not quite to normal, I would not stretch for it unless you were doing meaningful international travel in 2022 and are willing to accept the risk that if things change due to variants, you will be stuck with higher status that is not worth a ton (IMO, the status differential domestically between 1K and Platinum isn't a huge deal).
Jul 11, 2021, 2:40 pm
#25
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: NYC (Primarily EWR)
Programs: UA 1K / *G, Marriott Bonvoy Gold; Avis PC
Posts: 9,005
AGree the biggest value to 1K is if you can use Plus Points internationally. Right now it's not clear how much opportunity there will be for that in 2022, though obviously YMMV (Europe seems like yes; Asia not so much). Personally would burn PP domestically only for Hawaii or coast to coast in a normal year . . .
Jul 11, 2021, 3:30 pm
#26
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Florida
Programs: United, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, Hilton
Posts: 49
Flying as 1K is better than the lower tiers and not having any status. The cost/benefit analysis is spreadsheet hell and doesn't satisfy the emotion of your question. Do it if you have the time, money, and inclination.
Jul 11, 2021, 4:02 pm
#27
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Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
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Posts: 56,453
I've bought a couple of tickets in that scenario and applied plus points and had the upgrade clear within a couple of days of booking. Not sure what the game/algo is, but with all fares going to an ETC and some crazy cheap refundable coach fares around, these were easy bets to place.
Might have tried that if I hadn't found a $1967 P fare with LX operated overwater (LX39 being my favorite TATL from SFO).
checking randomly for next Wednesday, July 14.
EWR-ZRH PZ9IN9I9
ZRH-EWR PZ9IN9I9
EWR-BRU PZ9IN9I9
BRU-EWR PZ9IN9I9
EWR-LHR PZ9IN9I9
LHR-EWR PZ9IN9I9
EWR-AMS PZ9IN9I9
AMS-EWR PZ9IN9I9
IAD-ZRH PZ9IN9I9
ZRH-IAD PZ9IN9I9
IAD-BRU PZ5IN5I3
BRU-IAD PZ9IN9I9
I mean all the ones I checked right now to be honest. Not seeing one that is not.
EWR-ZRH PZ9IN9I9
ZRH-EWR PZ9IN9I9
EWR-BRU PZ9IN9I9
BRU-EWR PZ9IN9I9
EWR-LHR PZ9IN9I9
LHR-EWR PZ9IN9I9
EWR-AMS PZ9IN9I9
AMS-EWR PZ9IN9I9
IAD-ZRH PZ9IN9I9
ZRH-IAD PZ9IN9I9
IAD-BRU PZ5IN5I3
BRU-IAD PZ9IN9I9
I mean all the ones I checked right now to be honest. Not seeing one that is not.
Jul 11, 2021, 4:13 pm
#28
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: HHonors Diamond
Posts: 731
novelty has quickly faded. And flying out of SFO, still not much fun. No, the glory days of going for it have worn off.
Jul 11, 2021, 4:14 pm
#29
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
I miss 1K - Plat is definitely a downgrade boarding with the masses, particularly at hubs like SFO and IAH where everybody and their mother is 1k.
That said it is hard to justify spending 2 grand unless you are certain you can use the PP for international or transcon upgrades. Are you willing to fly E+ for 10 hours if you don’t clear? I’m not. Everybody has a different experience it depends on routing and dates. I have little flexibility so it doesn’t work for me.
Don’t get me wrong 1K is a major step above Plat but not with 2 grand.
That said it is hard to justify spending 2 grand unless you are certain you can use the PP for international or transcon upgrades. Are you willing to fly E+ for 10 hours if you don’t clear? I’m not. Everybody has a different experience it depends on routing and dates. I have little flexibility so it doesn’t work for me.
Don’t get me wrong 1K is a major step above Plat but not with 2 grand.
Jul 11, 2021, 4:19 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,038
With empty flights you worse comes to worse SDC and clear into available PZ. I really don't think it is a major deal right now. Pick ZRH with HD 763 and you are pretty much guaranteed PZ.