Marriott Rewards and United Airlines has teamed up to offer Marriott’s “secrete” top-tier Platinum Premier elites with complimentary United Gold status. Like many elite programs, Marriott Rewards top tier elite level, Premier Platinum, is an invite only elite level. There is no known publicized criteria for what qualifies a person for Platinum Premier . It is widely stated that the top 3% of Marriott Platinum members are part of the exclusive elite level.
In 2014, Marriott and United Airlines started offering reciprocal benefits to elites through RewardsPlus. Under the original arrangement, United Premier Gold, Platinum, and 1K elites receive Marriott Rewards Gold status and Marriott Rewards Platinum members receive MileagePlus Premier Silver status. United Global Service members receive Marriott and SPG Platinum through Rewards Plus. In addition to status, Marriott provides a 20% discount when turning Marriott Rewards points into United MileagePlus miles. The point transfers in my opinion are a poor use of hotel points, but there may be a reason to top off United Miles accounts with Marriott points when in a bind.
To further expand this relationship and provide Platinum Premier with a publish benefit which differentiates the top-tier Elites, Marriott is now giving this group United Gold Elite status. United Gold status is miles better than silver as it opens up a slew of benefits and cost saving benefits.
Why United Gold is Better Than Silver
Marriott is expanding their relationship with United by proving Marriott Platinum Premier with a publish benefit! Marriott Platinum will still receive United Silver Elite status whereas Platinum Premium will receive Gold. United Gold status is miles better than silver as it opens up a slew of benefits and cost saving benefits. Here is why you want Gold over Silver.
| Beneft | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Plus seating benefits | |||||||||
| Complimentary access to Economy Plus | At check-in | At booking | |||||||
| Economy Plus companions | 1 companion | 1 companion | |||||||
| Upgrades | |||||||||
| Benefit | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | |||||||
| Complimentary Premier Upgrades confirmation (as early as) | Day of departure | 48 hours | |||||||
| Instant upgrades on Y- or B-class full-fare economy tickets | when available | when available | |||||||
| Premier mileage | |||||||||
| Benefit | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | |||||||
| 500 PQM minimum accrual | X | X | |||||||
| Award miles on United and United Express and select partner airlines (includes Premier bonus award miles) | 7 miles per dollar | 7 miles per dollar | |||||||
| Premier priority travel services, including Premier Access | |||||||||
| Benefit | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | |||||||
| Priority check-in | X | X | |||||||
| Priority security screening, where offered | X | X | |||||||
| Priority boarding privileges | Group 2 | Group 2 | |||||||
| Priority baggage handling | X | X | |||||||
| Premier Priority Desk phone line | X | X | |||||||
| Access to most sold-out flights | X | X | |||||||
| Lounge access when traveling internationally | X | ||||||||
| Discounts and waivers on service charges and fees | |||||||||
| Benefit | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | |||||||
| Complimentary checked baggage allowance for economy tickets 6 | 1 bag at 50 lbs. (23 kg) | 2 bags at 70 lbs. (32 kg) each6 | |||||||
| Free same-day flight changes | x | ||||||||
| Award travel benefits | |||||||||
| Benefit | Premier Silver | Premier Gold | |||||||
| Priority award waitlisting | X | X | |||||||
| Standby for international awards | X | X | |||||||
| Unrestricted access to United Standard Awards on United- and United Express-operated flights | X | X | |||||||
| Better availability for United Saver Awards in economy | X | X | |||||||
| Reduced or waived close-in award booking fee | 75 | 50 | |||||||
| Reduced or waived award redeposit fee | $100 within 60 days of travel. $50 for travel more than 61 days out. | $75 within 60 days of travel. $25 for travel more than 61 days out. | |||||||
| Reduced or waived award change fee | $100 within 60 days of travel. $50 for travel more than 61 days out. | $75 within 60 days of travel. $25 for travel more than 61 days out. | |||||||
The biggest difference between Silver and Gold is the free same day standby and the economy plus seating at booking. Often times within 24 hours of departure all economy plus seats are full, unless someone receives an upgrade at the gate. Even then, it is a gamble and requires watching the seat map like a hawk. Having the ability to change my flight free and secure more legroom at booking is a win!
Star Alliance Gold benefits are also part of United MileagePlus Elite. This benefit provides lounge access to all “Star Alliance Gold” lounges. United does restrict access to United MileagePlus members from using their own United Clubs when traveling domestically. Star Alliance lounges operated by other Star Alliance airlines do allow access to United Gold members. A United Gold member could use the LAX Star Alliance lounge or the Lufthansa Senator lounge in Dulles. This is not going to help the person traveling between Houston and Portland or to Middle America. Smaller cities in the United States often times only host United Clubs and not international carrier lounges. Yet, when traveling through major internationally connected cities such as Los Angeles, New York – EWR, Washington – Dulles, San Francisco, and others lounge access is feasible with United Gold!
Finally lets not forget United Gold’s luggage benefit. Although checking luggage is not a priority for everyone, as most people are use to carrying bag on the plane, being able to check a bag is a big deal. United Basic Economy restricts carryons to a single small item that fits under the seat. Star Alliance gold members can still carry on two bags! In addition, United Gold can check two larger bags up to 70 pounds each! That’s 90 extra pounds of luggage and a second suitcase more than a United Silver member!
United Gold status for Marriott top tier elite is a fantastic new benefit and something that honestly excites me. I received United Silver status from Marriott and actually flew United on six different occasions between 2015 and 2016. Although my frequency of United Flights is not often, having status on an airline when flying is a nice benefit. Especially when it leads to upgrades and more space! My silver status actually did result in three upgrades in 2015!
Marriott Platinum Premier Members Receive United Gold
Marriott Platinum Premier member need to sign up for United MileagePlus Gold. United MileagePlus Silver status automatically renewed as a Platinum member in Feb 2017. Yet once discovering this benefit myself, it and only took 3 days for my upgrade to Gold to process. Therefore if you have Platinum Premier in 2017, be sure to sign up for United Gold!
