How much is Silver worth?

[jehane]

I'll be 10 SC short when my anniversary comes around. I've had Silver before, a long long time ago. I expect I'll be travelling a bit in the subsequent 12 months and thinking about booking overseas (Asia) on PE with a request to points upgrade to J. I may also go to the US. I'm currently living in a remote location and as such there is only one destination I can go to directly. With the current sale, I can get a return flight (20SC) for about $450. Do you think it's worth it?

 

[kitkatff]

would make requalifying easier next year (250 instead of 300?) which you could make with your planned trips, more points when flying, and you get a free lounge pass or two, some ability to select seats, and a rung up from Bronze when upgrade requests are processed. Up to you to assess if it's worth it ... personally I'd try to go for it to make requal easier the following year, but $450 for 20SC, not sure.

 

[Archphoto]

The $450 will garner you extra luggage allowance, one free QP pass, ability to select your seat, the possibility of being higher up the upgrade ladder, slightly better earn on points and 50 SCs closer to holding onto it. I guess it depends on how much actual travelling you'll be doing in the next 12 mths as to if it's worth it.

In the grand scheme of things, I only really got use out of the extra baggage allowance - never had an upgrade request granted in many years of flying and I did have QP membership, so the extra pass I actually gave away. I found QF Silver to be a bit "blah" - not much on offer (after being WP & SG for several years) when all is said and done, whereas my CX Silver offers me better bang for my buck, but to each his own.

If you feel you'll get the use out of being closer to retaining next year (or even better hitting gold) then go for it; it all depends on how much flying you'll be doing over the next 12 months as to whether that $450 is well spent. :mrgreen:

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'll be 10 SC short when my anniversary comes around. I've had Silver before, a long long time ago. I expect I'll be travelling a bit in the subsequent 12 months and thinking about booking overseas (Asia) on PE with a request to points upgrade to J. I may also go to the US. I'm currently living in a remote location and as such there is only one destination I can go to directly. With the current sale, I can get a return flight (20SC) for about $450. Do you think it's worth it?

$450? Almost certainly not.

If you happen to have silver it is worthwhile... business class check-in is great, as is (usually) the expedited call answering at the QF call centre (although this is a bit of a fail in the last few months). If you are flying Cathay, you get access to exit row seats for free which is valuable. On QF economy you can request a seat free of charge.

But, there's only a single lounge voucher, and you can easily buy access to Qantas clubs with an American Airlines AAdmirals Club pass for $99 for one month, allowing unlimited access to Qantas and American lounges before any QF or AA flight. If you use on-line check-in you can normally avoid long queues at the airport.

As for upgrades... anything less than platinum and I'd be recommending you set your expectations to fly only in the class booked.

Bottom line - save your money, buy an AAdmiral's club pass is you are going to fly AA or QF.

 

[BD1959]

slightly better earn on SCs

Do you mean "slightly better earn on points"?

Regards,

BD

 

[Archphoto]

Do you mean "slightly better earn on points"?

Regards,

BD

Yes - I'm getting the flu; probably shouldn't be posting when I can't think straight. Have amended to read correctly, thanks guys for proofreading my posts today.

 

[Mattg]

I think there is some value in silver if you'll be travelling in the coming year. Points required for requalification in the future will be lower, you'll get more points when you fly QF, free international seat selection, a Qantas Club pass... but the thing that becomes really useful when travelling on oneworld airlines overseas is the ability to use priority check-in etc. I would certainly go for it if 10 status credits short; it's just a shame that there is no way for you to do this for less than $450.

 

[BD1959]

Yes - I'm getting the flu;

Not good news for frequent flyers - 'orrible ears!! Get well soon!

Regards,

BD

 

[mannej]

Does OWR still provide access to priority security etc at American airports whilst flying AA?

 

[samh004]

If you're not too attached to your points you could look at using some for a points + pay ticket to bring down the cost of that 10/20SC!

I'd say go for it, especially if you're planning to travel next year. I recall when Silver was actually 50% more points, alas not any more since Simpler and Fairer considering minimum guarantees but it's still a few extra points on your trips. Plus the other benefits already listed.

 

[Duffa]

Not worth anything close to $450 IMHO.
1 lounge pass and a few extra points - nup
Spend the $450 on a few treats at the airport - 45 Asahi beers - 90 coffees

 

[Christoo]

I don't think Silver is going to make your points upgrade any more likely than someone with no status at all, certainly no more than a couple of % more likely.
Pretty much anyone doing a points upgrade will be at least Silver or they wouldn't have the points in the first place... Yes, I know there may be exceptions with credit card earns etc. but anyone collecting points is probably flying to at least silver level.

 

[JohnK]

You don't realise how important Silver status really is until you have 20 or 30 or 50+ people in the economy queue in front of you and queue is not moving.

If going to the USA a 50% bonus on points earned is quite sizeable and offsets the cost outlayed.

 

[samh004]

If going to the USA a 50% bonus on points earned is quite sizeable and offsets the cost outlayed.

As a Silver, that bumps 4500 to 6750 points under the current earn rates. Assuming discount economy of course.

 

[texter]

You don't realise how important Silver status really is until you have 20 or 30 or 50+ people in the economy queue in front of you and queue is not moving.

If going to the USA a 50% bonus on points earned is quite sizeable and offsets the cost outlayed.

Priority boarding on AA flights is a real treat for us PS members...

 

[kelvedon]

Priority boarding on AA flights is a real treat for us PS members...

nonpop has a TR posted today that reports this is an honour also bestowed by Finnair.

"The priority boarding sign up with OW Ruby allowed."

 

[jastel]

Since I got Silver about 5 years back I have managed to keep it...just...despite sometimes paying a bit more for a Qantas ticket rather than cheapest fare.
As said requalifying is easier than getting it in the first place.
I was 10 SC short one year but had an international trip booked for the next month after reset, I rang up and they waived the 10 SC and I kept silver.

My favorite things are the quicker check in via the pole or Ruby Business lines.
Can also get closer to the front of the plane seatwise.
And in USA Priority security and boarding and skipping massive lines...not sure if that still applies.
Its worth it then.

 

[Milefest]

The benefits of silver aren't bad and they'll especially be helpful over the next 12 months as well as make it easier to re-qualify.

If you can some how work the status run into some mini-holiday or work trip, I'd do it. At least then you get something more out of it.

 

[Deleted member]

Without knowing what "Remote Location" you are in, it's a little difficult.
However if as you suggest, there is a fair bit more travel coming up, i would be tempted to make the effort.
Especially if re qualm is early in your year.
What are your prospects for Gold?

 

[Bindibuys]

Boy am I a bad AFFér. Read the title of this thread and immediately thought about how much my silver BULLION in the safe was worth.
So much chatter here about Platinum status, the though of Silver status never crossed my mind until I started to read this thread.
Naughty corner for me for the day.