I'm going to be a little short in getting SP this year (for the record, i've never had SP or any P for that matter). I figure if I go about the flower route, it'll cost me about $120-140 bucks to get to the SP level.

Is it worth it? I've read a lot of posts where SP's are getting very few upgrades, and i'll get boarding and ticketing perks with the credit card. So is it worth it? whats it worth to you

For that $120-$140 it is probably worth it, just for the extra 25% mileage bonus as an SP. But, expect nothing else special. Short of being Platinum or CP, the only thing that you are assured of getting are mileage bonuses. Those are fairly important because of the new US policy of making almost nothing available at standard mileage levels within 2 to 3 months of desired travel dates, and sometimes not at all. Without elite mileage bonuses, most flyers will simply never have enough miles for a free ticket or two.

I became silver in June and am 6 for 12 on upgrades, many of them long haul (PIT-PHX, PIT-LAX). I'm getting close to gold, I may go the flower route.

I became silver in June and am 6 for 12 on upgrades, many of them long haul (PIT-PHX, PIT-LAX). I'm getting close to gold, I may go the flower route.

WHAT is the flower route?

Above^^, the flower route is when you buy flowers from FTD at a hefty 20mi/$...and with "Everything Counts," its tunring into the Revolving Preferred Status door.
As for $150 being worth silver...most definitely. You can count on 25% bonuses, as was said above...I have a great deal of success with upgrades (8/10) on the past few flights where F was available. I fly at mostly off-peak times, which helps a great deal...even on the DCA-BOS/LGA shuttle!
And remember, if "things come up," priority stand-by is about the greatest thing since sliced bread..how many P's, and G's are going to be standing by for the same flight as you (CP's just march up and buy their ticket..)??? not too many..you'll have a leg up on everyone else.
Finally, look at your options with UA if you ever needed to fly them...E+ Upgs. clear to US Preferreds 24 hours before departure...sure, its only 3 or so inches, but that 3in is heaven on say, IAD-CDG...oh, or even IAD-NRT

I think that you would be mistaken if you didn't drop a few tulips and roses here and there...the benefits definitely justify the cost..get the silver for next year..welcome to the dark side @:)

I'm going to be a little short in getting SP this year (for the record, i've never had SP or any P for that matter). I figure if I go about the flower route, it'll cost me about $120-140 bucks to get to the SP level.

Is it worth it? I've read a lot of posts where SP's are getting very few upgrades, and i'll get boarding and ticketing perks with the credit card. So is it worth it? whats it worth to you

I think its worth it. With SP, you can book exit rows ahead of time, and that's a great perk IMO. You also give yourself a shot for upgrades. Not a great chance, but better than nothing.

Depends on what route(s) you commonly fly and when. I've been an SP for the last 2 years and get upgraded to F about 90% of the time, JAX-PHL-JAX. Have even managed a companion upgrade of two. My version of the question is: Is it worth it to flower my way to Gld (I'll be a couple of segments short). Given my current picture of successful upgades, I am thinking not. Basically I agree with the comments above, for <$150 its worth it.

Finally, look at your options with UA if you ever needed to fly them...E+ Upgs. clear to US Preferreds 24 hours before departure...sure, its only 3 or so inches, but that 3in is heaven on say, IAD-CDG...oh, or even IAD-NRTE+ on UA is no longer complimentary to US DM preferred. You have to pay for it, or do the gate dance and see if they will u/g you if it is empty in E+. I did get to enjoy E+ on UA early in the year, PHL-LAX, OAK-ORD, ORD-PHL. ^ I won't pay to u/g to E+. UA lost my business in that regard.

As for u/gs on US, I was 1 for 12 for this year. The only one I scored was STT-PHL. I probably would have landed PHL-STT, but thanks to a change of a/c, I was stuck on a A319 outbound. :td: SP seems to have gotten worse for me over time. :(

Above^^, the flower route is when you buy flowers from FTD at a hefty 20mi/$...and with "Everything Counts," its tunring into the Revolving Preferred Status door.
As for $150 being worth silver...most definitely. You can count on 25% bonuses, as was said above...I have a great deal of success with upgrades (8/10) on the past few flights where F was available. I fly at mostly off-peak times, which helps a great deal...even on the DCA-BOS/LGA shuttle!
And remember, if "things come up," priority stand-by is about the greatest thing since sliced bread..how many P's, and G's are going to be standing by for the same flight as you (CP's just march up and buy their ticket..)??? not too many..you'll have a leg up on everyone else.
Finally, look at your options with UA if you ever needed to fly them...E+ Upgs. clear to US Preferreds 24 hours before departure...sure, its only 3 or so inches, but that 3in is heaven on say, IAD-CDG...oh, or even IAD-NRT

I think that you would be mistaken if you didn't drop a few tulips and roses here and there...the benefits definitely justify the cost..get the silver for next year..welcome to the dark side @:)


20 miles per dollar for buying flowers? Might be worthwile if you are Elton John! Can't see how this is a decent benefit otherwise. Funeral directors may do well though...!

However, if you are in danger of losing your miles due to account inactivity, a bunch of roses may save your miles! It's a funny old world...

I'm and SP -- 1 for 5 on upgrades so far (SFO-CLT redeye). But, considering credit card is $90, it's not much more to buy flowers.

With the double miles promo, you can make it for less than that with a couple of PHL-LGW runs.

PHL-LGW r/t = ~7120 miles * 2 = 14240 per r/t. Pricing around $450 or so.

From scratch that's CP for ~$3,600 from scratch (8 r/t). Gold for $1,800. Silver for $900, plus the miles and time in London.

As a current CP that would net 21k per trip, or 2.1 cprdm.

For that $120-$140 it is probably worth it, just for the extra 25% mileage bonus as an SP. But, expect nothing else special. Short of being Platinum or CP, the only thing that you are assured of getting are mileage bonuses. Those are fairly important because of the new US policy of making almost nothing available at standard mileage levels within 2 to 3 months of desired travel dates, and sometimes not at all. Without elite mileage bonuses, most flyers will simply never have enough miles for a free ticket or two.



1-Is there a Silver Desk in the United States??
at the lowest level, what will the telephone service be like.
Now I get routed to the Philapines and it is the worst customer service that I have ever encountered!

2-Is award redemption easier for elites?
Is this a myth or do the actually "officially" open up additional award space.
If so at which levels???

My calls to the Silver line have always been answered in the US, or at least by a computer who speaks coherent English.

1-Is there a Silver Desk in the United States??
at the lowest level, what will the telephone service be like.
Now I get routed to the Philapines and it is the worst customer service that I have ever encountered!

2-Is award redemption easier for elites?
Is this a myth or do the actually "officially" open up additional award space.
If so at which levels???


There is a Silver number in the United States, and it improves your chances of connecting to Winston-Salem IMMENSELY - however it is not a guarantee. It wasn't until I got to Gold that I never got outsourced reservations anymore.

As a SP, I have never spoken to anyone on the Silver desk outside of the USA. ^

As a SP, I have never spoken to anyone on the Silver desk outside of the USA. ^

As a SP, you can call the gold number for all your travel needs. I'm sure someone around here will PM you the number. All ways gets you an english-speaking agent, frequently one with a charming southern accent :D

As a SP, I have never spoken to anyone on the Silver desk outside of the USA. ^

Same here. They helped me out of jams a couple of times in the past few months.

I think its worth it. With SP, you can book exit rows ahead of time, and that's a great perk IMO. You also give yourself a shot for upgrades. Not a great chance, but better than nothing.


I'm dying to make preferred this year if only for this ability.