Is it worth it?
As a follow-up to my Will I Reach Platinum post, I am currently at 50 segments. I am getting 4 more this week, and that puts me up to 54. I have a chance at 2-4 more, but I'm not sure about anything beyond that.
So, I decided to buy a flight to Denver. That gets me 4 more segments, so I'm up to 58 guaranteed and just need that "chance" to come through with at least 2 more segments.
Will buying the flight be worth it? There's some things that you can't put a price on when comparing Platinum and Gold - earlier boarding (most times; sometimes they let Platinum and Gold board at the same time), preferred seating choices, higher in the queue for upgrades and standby, etc. But let's look at the things I can put a price on.
First, every flight up to Chicago gets me 500 miles if I'm Gold and 1,000 miles if I'm Platinum. In 2011, it would take me (most likely) 15 trips to get the 60 segments to get back up to Platinum. (I might do it in 1-2 less with extra segments, but I can't count on that). That's 30 trips to and from Chicago (although there might be some trips to and from Dallas in there). That's an extra 15,000 frequent flier miles. That's worth somewhere around $150 when you figure that towards a free flight.
Second, I spent money to do the Platinum Challenge to get my status this year. If I don't keep it for 2011, that money will be lost. It's already spent money, so I don't think the full amount should be considered, but it is another cost to consider.
So I'm thinking it's worth it to buy the trip to Denver. It's not like I'm just going somewhere picked out of a hat - I'm going to visit friends and spend the night and return the next day. I think it was a good purchase, and will be going there in just about a month.
Now, I just have to hope that the 1 extra trip (2 segments) come through... if I end up with 58 segments when I need 60, that will be a real bummer!
So, I decided to buy a flight to Denver. That gets me 4 more segments, so I'm up to 58 guaranteed and just need that "chance" to come through with at least 2 more segments.
Will buying the flight be worth it? There's some things that you can't put a price on when comparing Platinum and Gold - earlier boarding (most times; sometimes they let Platinum and Gold board at the same time), preferred seating choices, higher in the queue for upgrades and standby, etc. But let's look at the things I can put a price on.
First, every flight up to Chicago gets me 500 miles if I'm Gold and 1,000 miles if I'm Platinum. In 2011, it would take me (most likely) 15 trips to get the 60 segments to get back up to Platinum. (I might do it in 1-2 less with extra segments, but I can't count on that). That's 30 trips to and from Chicago (although there might be some trips to and from Dallas in there). That's an extra 15,000 frequent flier miles. That's worth somewhere around $150 when you figure that towards a free flight.
Second, I spent money to do the Platinum Challenge to get my status this year. If I don't keep it for 2011, that money will be lost. It's already spent money, so I don't think the full amount should be considered, but it is another cost to consider.
So I'm thinking it's worth it to buy the trip to Denver. It's not like I'm just going somewhere picked out of a hat - I'm going to visit friends and spend the night and return the next day. I think it was a good purchase, and will be going there in just about a month.
Now, I just have to hope that the 1 extra trip (2 segments) come through... if I end up with 58 segments when I need 60, that will be a real bummer!
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