Questions and Answers

hi all! I am a united gold member based out of Chicago. I will be coming off gold at the end of Jan. I am thinking about my options for status for 2018. In the next three months I will have to fly to London and Asia for work three times in business. I am wondering if I should status match with American and fly American or one world for these work trips. Or start again with united?

I do really like priority check in (I have three kids) and the free economy plus for me +1. That makes a big difference on united. I usually end up paying for that for two people a few times of year. United is offering me silver status for $1299

I think $1299 for Silver status is a lot to pay for the two benefits that you like. If the decision were mine, I’d just deal with the check in lines for this year and pay any extra for economy plus. As for future bookings, I always look at my travel patterns and then examine each airline for flight prices, availability, aircraft, their partners and then decide. The programs for the big three are very similar now so for me, it really comes down to those four factors. I’ve switched three times in twelve years and like you, I look at each airline at the beginning of the year to decide if it’s time for a change.

Thanks Gia! Much appreciated.

I am from Australia and qantas actually marches you down through the levels rather than sticking you right back to zero.

I think with a couple of paid business class transatlantic trips for work I should be back to silver soonish. I will hold off. Thanks for the advice!!