Advice please - platinum chase

[Generic username]

Hi all, I'm in a spot where Platinum seems to be about 22 status credits away. Would have to book a status run to get the upgrade.

Want to confirm some things.

1. Are the four business class upgrades per year as part of platinum free? As in no points and cash required? My work often books Flex tickets so I think I actually would get to use these upgrades if so and would make chasing the remaining 22 credits worth it.

2. Economy X seating. I often lead a team when I travel for work of ten to twelve people. How many could I secure economy X seating for when booking (it's a basketball team where a lot of the guys are 6"6 or over so extra leg room super handy).

3. I already got a status match with a hotel rewards program. Now upgrading to Platinum would I be able to status match again?

Thanks for any help.

 

[Steven of Mysore]

Hi all, I'm in a spot where Platinum seems to be about 22 status credits away. Would have to book a status run to get the upgrade.

Want to confirm some things.

1. Are the four business class upgrades per year as part of platinum free? As in no points and cash required? My work often books Flex tickets so I think I actually would get to use these upgrades if so and would make chasing the remaining 22 credits worth it.

2. Economy X seating. I often lead a team when I travel for work of ten to twelve people. How many could I secure economy X seating for when booking (it's a basketball team where a lot of the guys are 6"6 or over so extra leg room super handy).

3. I already got a status match with a hotel rewards program. Now upgrading to Platinum would I be able to status match again?

Thanks for any help.

On Point 1. I get caught by this - there has to be 'Reward' seats available in J, to use these.

 

[Bolthead]

Hi all, I'm in a spot where Platinum seems to be about 22 status credits away. Would have to book a status run to get the upgrade.

Want to confirm some things.

1. Are the four business class upgrades per year as part of platinum free? As in no points and cash required? My work often books Flex tickets so I think I actually would get to use these upgrades if so and would make chasing the remaining 22 credits worth it.

2. Economy X seating. I often lead a team when I travel for work of ten to twelve people. How many could I secure economy X seating for when booking (it's a basketball team where a lot of the guys are 6"6 or over so extra leg room super handy).

3. I already got a status match with a hotel rewards program. Now upgrading to Platinum would I be able to status match again?

Thanks for any help.

1. No points or cash required however as @Steven of Mysore has mentioned there has to be a classic reward seat available. (having said that I recently used an upgrade that didn't present with a classic reward - just proir to checking in) There is no guarantee that there will be an upgrade available. Is 22 points worth chasing? Absolutely being so close.

2. Depending on the aircraft configuration there is a minimum of 12 seats and a max of 18 seats in row 3-5. (new configuration is row 3-4) As well there is the exit row as well which is a min of 6 seats. (more than enough for a basketball team)

3. Only if you haven't requested a hotel membership before. It is either IHG One Rewards or Hilton Honours

 

[Generic username]

Thank you both very much for your replies much appreciated and helpful.

Might be worth me pursuing for a year for point number 2. Even just getting a few of the bigger guys in exit seats and row 3 to 5 would be worth it.

Sucks re point 1, sounds like a pretty empty benefit in some ways. Still maybe I get lucky.

Seems like a status run will be coming up.

 

[moa999]

On 1 the best advice is to check if a business reward is available first, then book your flights with that knowledge, then immediately apply the upgrade.

At least where you have choice of flights

 

[Generic username]

Often don't have choice of flights unfortunately.

I do take some pretty poorly timed flights, 6am departures etc so a quick seats.aero check shows that I would have a better chance than most I feel of something in business being available.

Makes it somewhat worth it, slightly nicer seat, at least something to eat for breakfast.