1 VA Platinum or 2 x Gold?

[deangelj]

Hi,
In the next few months I'll have the opportunity of earning enough SCs to go Platinum on my own or gold for both my wife and me. I read up on the benefits of Platinum vs Gold membership but wanted to ask here what is your real-world experience with using one versus the other? Which option would you go for and why?

thanks!

 

[serfty]

It really depends on your future travel plans.

-Solo or together
-Frequency

 

[Jusrus]

If it’s one of you mainly doing the travelling, or you’re travelling together, go Platinum.

If you’re travelling separately a lot, go Gold.

 

[deangelj]

It really depends on your future travel plans.

-Solo or together
-Frequency

sorry - yes I should have mentioned that. Always flying as a couple. At least one international trip a year, usually Europe. Probably 4 or 5 domestic trips a year, usually one SYD->PER

 

[Denali]

If you are WP, you get 100% bonus points but if youre both SG, you both get 75% bonus points.

Do you think you would earn 500+ extra SCs in the year, if youre Platinum you can gift gold if you do.

 

[serfty]

Probably best to share the status then ..., note that 2 x SG earn more bonus (2 x 75%) on the same flight than 1 WP and 1 NR (1 x 100%).

e.g. Say a domestic fare is $200 and is eligible for bonus. Base earn is 1000 velocity. WP get an additional 1000, SG, 750 and PS, 500.

 

[ozstamps]

Plat is worth it JUST for the Hilton Diamond status.

 

[ozjuice]

Access to better lounges may play a big part on your decision but depends on who and where you fly.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

There's not really a one size fits all answer or recommendation with these questions - it comes down to your personal preferences and flying patterns. What class are you planning on travelling, are points or status (and the benefits) more important etc.

Some things to consider:
- Flying to Europe (transit): Etihad lounge access vs Singapore lounge access (Etihad 1st Class lounge vs Singapore KrisFlyer Gold)
- Pre-Departure Lounge access: Generally speaking with Etihad Platinum will get a better lounge to access than Gold
- Will you both consistently be earning enough credits to both remain Gold (if not it may be better to pool to 1 traveller to get Platinum)
- Any travel breaks (soft landing from Platinum to Gold if required)
- Hilton Diamond status match (If you're strategic about when you activate it it can last for a few years - I'm only just coming to the end of Diamond nearly 2 years after I activated it) vs Gold (Diamond benefits are quite nice and do seem to be appreciably different to Gold)

In terms of Domestic flying there isn't much practical difference between Gold and Platinum apart from bonus points earn and free Economy X seat selection (which is actually quite useful)

But ultimately it's up to you to work out what works best for your situation.

 

[JohnK]

If travelling together then 2 x Gold for the status bonus.

 

[GSP]

If you do go Platinum, then you'll have access to the EconomyX front row seats seats, but your wife will be likely tucked down the back somewhere (unless you pay for her EconomyX seats). So if you do want to sit together (and not pay for EconomyX), you'll lose that benefit and will be worse than Gold for seating.

As mentioned above, the Diamond from Hilton is snazzy, but then you could be both Gold with Hilton which is almost as snazzy. All good if you use the Hilton otherwise useless.

The points earn as was pointed out above works in favor of two golds v one plat and one red, although the difference is not significant.

Lounge will make no difference.

Given all the above and the fact that you will always (or mostly) be travelling together the two Golds appears to be slightly better.

One point, if your travelling plans change for the worse in upcoming years and you went Golds, then you both get bumped to Silver losing most benefits, but if you went the Plat option one would be bumped to Gold giving you another year of similar benefits, but then if you weren't travelling so much it may not be an issue.

 

[jasecao]

I'm pretty sure if you are on the same booking and you are WP, all people on that booking will have access to economy x. I have been able to select my red family members economy x seats on our family holiday. (I personally think its a key feature)

Also if you are travelling on EY, being WP will give you access to the First Class lounge in Abu Dhabi as well.

 

[CPMaverick]

I'd rather get Platinum.

If you are always traveling together on the same reservation, you'll both be treated like Platinum members if just one of you is Plat.

You'll get free EconomyX domestically, and better lounges. Plus 4 upgrades for freedom-fare itineraries on shroter routes, if you ever book those. Plus Hilton Diamond status, Hertz status, etc.

I suspect Op-ups will be more frequent for 1 Plat w/companion compared to 1 gold (but only anecdotal evidence here).

Finally, if you ever stop flying for a year, you'll drop to Gold. 1x Gold is definitely better than 2x Silver.

The only advantage for 2x Gold over 1x Plat traveling together would be the bonus points. But if you both fly that much I suspect you've got plenty of points....

 

[jase05]

I'm pretty sure if you are on the same booking and you are WP, all people on that booking will have access to economy x. I have been able to select my red family members economy x seats on our family holiday. (I personally think its a key feature)

Also if you are travelling on EY, being WP will give you access to the First Class lounge in Abu Dhabi as well.

Correct. We regularly travel to CBR to visit my parents and my wife and son always get access to YX seats with me. Personally I’d go for the WP. This current trip to HKG though should get me over the threshold to be able to gift my wife or son with SG aswell

 

[GSP]

If you do go Platinum, then you'll have access to the EconomyX front row seats seats, but your wife will be likely tucked down the back somewhere (unless you pay for her EconomyX seats). So if you do want to sit together (and not pay for EconomyX), you'll lose that benefit and will be worse than Gold for seating.

It appears from the following responses my statement above is incorrect. That being the case I apologise and any readers ignore that comment.

 

[malmacdowall]

Access to better lounges may play a big part on your decision but depends on who and where you fly.

Definitely avoid the Singapore airlines lounges in Singapore, very disappointing as a Platinum, when not flying business .
The Etihad lounges are much better and Platinum used to get access to first class
Lounge , although not sure if this still applies .

 

[Must...Fly!]

Definitely avoid the Singapore airlines lounges in Singapore, very disappointing as a Platinum, when not flying business .
The Etihad lounges are much better and Platinum used to get access to first class
Lounge , although not sure if this still applies .

Still is the Etihad F lounge. Better stay that way...

 

[serfty]

In have reconsidered this and, while it's borderline, the PER flight tipos the scales for mine. I believe you'd be better to have one WP since you travel together.

 

[deangelj]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I think 1xPlatinum is the go given my circumstances and considering the views above.