Plat over Gold for international travel

[lobo76]

Hey all,

It looks like I'll make platinum this year as I have 240SCs in domestic travel and 520 SCs on a trip to Europe (with Etihad) planned for the next 3 months and I have 390 SCs in the bank til November.

My questions is this - is there any advantage in doing some reward status runs so that I Qual as Plat after my outgoing flights to Europe, which should afford me Plat benefits on the return flights as well as any internal Euro flights I might make with partners (although that seems to be very few).

If there's no compelling reason to qualify for Plat early I might actually reduce my SC earn so that I end up qualifying in Sept/Oct which would maximize my Gold/Plat period overall.

I'm also trying to figure out the benefits with HHilton and car rental etc. to see how that'll help me out.

So, what's the best plan here guys?
(I did a search but couldn't find threads that helped much, feel free to link them if I missed them)

 

[777]

the big difference is that you get to use the much better Etihad business lounge in Abu Dhabi rather than the Al Reem one (or whatever it's called). Not sure it's worth a status run though unless you are planning on spending hours there.

 

[bullerdude]

the big difference is that you get to use the much better Etihad business lounge in Abu Dhabi rather than the Al Reem one (or whatever it's called). Not sure it's worth a status run though unless you are planning on spending hours there.

If your flying economy and going through Abu Dhabi it can be worth it as the Al Reem lounge is in a different terminal... whilst the business lounge (which plats can access) in in the new terminal where you will be transiting through.

 

[lobo76]

the big difference is that you get to use the much better Etihad business lounge in Abu Dhabi rather than the Al Reem one (or whatever it's called). Not sure it's worth a status run though unless you are planning on spending hours there.

Depending on the flights it'll either be 1-2 hours in AUH or 13 hours. Either way I doubt I'll be at the airport more than 2-3 hours. I'll be flying in business anyways would that get me access to the better lounge anyways?

 

[Deewhy]

Just be aware at the Hilton diamond upgrade could take up to 20 days to process. It'll give you lounge access guaranteed regardless of any room you end up with.

Oh and just be mindful that the etihad flights might take some time to credit. So factor that in if you are using some of the outbound flights to trip you into plat.

 

[lobo76]

Just be aware at the Hilton diamond upgrade could take up to 20 days to process. It'll give you lounge access guaranteed regardless of any room you end up with.

Oh and just be mindful that the etihad flights might take some time to credit. So factor that in if you are using some of the outbound flights to trip you into plat.

Aye, cool... will do. I've pretty much decided to just let natural travel roll me to play before my October flights drop off.

Cheers!