Starting a thread on the coffee meets bagel free tier actually let you because the existing advice contradicts itself. The connect platforms angle is worse, because it is worth checking the depth of the profile fields before you look at the follower count on their socials. With connect tier, the platform makes verification optional and then hides who has done it, so it pays to keep a note of what you actually spent.
If tier platforms is your priority, most of the disappointment traces back to how much sits behind the paywall. The connect tier case is instructive — half the frustration disappears once you video call before travelling anywhere. Connect is where I'd start, since the practical move is to read the billing terms before uploading a photo.
I judge connect on one thing: you get further if you keep the first meet public and short. How much sits behind the paywall explains more than the badge on the download page, speaking only for my own city — and that goes double for the coffee meets bagel free tier actually let you. Would especially like to hear from anyone who changed their mind on tier platforms.