It it worth it to get Silver Medallion for a leisure traveler???
Currently I'm 4784 miles away from Silver Medallion status. We only travel for leisure for 4-5 trips a year of various distances. I currently have a AMEX PLAT card so I already get Skyclub access.
Our home airport is MCO and next year we are only planning trips to London, SFO and Austin, TX. We're probably not even going to fly DL to SFO because we can take Virgin America or United and travel non-stop. A luxury not usually available for us unless it's a trip to LGA.
So my question is, would it be worth it for me to try and get the status for next year? What do you get on a flight from NYC or ATL to London? Would a lowly silver get anything? Also if only I have the Silver status, what would I expect when traveling with my wife? It doesn't make any sense if just I get something. We've been silver status before when we traded in AMEX points for Skymiles (they gave MQM's with that promotion).
I could pay the $595 for the miles. I don't think a mileage run would be an option due to time constraints.
In my mind I don't think it would be worth it but being this close, I feel the need to explore the option fully.
As a silver you would able to book exit row seats free of charge at the time of booking. Also you will have the possibility of upgrades even on T fares although out of MCO it would likely be rare. Your companion will get upgraded too assuming space is available
As a silver you would able to book exit row seats free of charge at the time of booking. Also you will have the possibility of upgrades even on T fares although out of MCO it would likely be rare. Your companion will get upgraded too assuming space is available
+1 and if you bump and the rebook is in "Y" classification (not for earning) then your upgrade even as a FO goes way up! I see great value in FO if you fly 3-6 times a year Delta as you do.
Reasons I will always be Silver
-Exit Row Seats
-EC Seats at check-in
-Upgrades (I am 50-50 this year)
-Priority Check IN and Bag Drop
-Priority Security Lanes (select airports I travel to)
-Free Checked Bag
-That much more respect on Flyer Talk :P
Programs: Delta Silver Medallion, BA Executive Club, The Southwest Thing-a-Majigger
Posts: 345
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe758
Currently I'm 4784 miles away from Silver Medallion status. We only travel for leisure for 4-5 trips a year of various distances. I currently have a AMEX PLAT card so I already get Skyclub access.
Our home airport is MCO and next year we are only planning trips to London, SFO and Austin, TX. We're probably not even going to fly DL to SFO because we can take Virgin America or United and travel non-stop. A luxury not usually available for us unless it's a trip to LGA.
So my question is, would it be worth it for me to try and get the status for next year? What do you get on a flight from NYC or ATL to London? Would a lowly silver get anything? Also if only I have the Silver status, what would I expect when traveling with my wife? It doesn't make any sense if just I get something. We've been silver status before when we traded in AMEX points for Skymiles (they gave MQM's with that promotion).
I could pay the $595 for the miles. I don't think a mileage run would be an option due to time constraints.
In my mind I don't think it would be worth it but being this close, I feel the need to explore the option fully.
Thanks!!
I'm a silver who travels 85 to 90% for leisure. And I say yes! Do it. It's worth it. I've had a remarkably high upgrade percentage this year, and I enjoy the other perks as well.
Actually...come to think of it...the last thing we need is more competition on the UG list. Er, no, um, don't do it. It's a, um, huge waste...
Our home airport is MCO and next year we are only planning trips to London, SFO and Austin, TX. We're probably not even going to fly DL to SFO because we can take Virgin America or United and travel non-stop. A luxury not usually available for us unless it's a trip to LGA.
So my question is, would it be worth it for me to try and get the status for next year?
In my mind I don't think it would be worth it but being this close, I feel the need to explore the option fully.
Thanks!!
For two trips, one of which will be short, why bother? I'd just use the money (or points) to buy an upgraded ticket for the long flight.
Now if you're flying, say once a month, it's a different story.
Reasons I will always be Silver
-Exit Row Seats
-EC Seats at check-in
-Upgrades (I am 50-50 this year)
-Priority Check IN and Bag Drop
-Priority Security Lanes (select airports I travel to)
-Free Checked Bag
-That much more respect on Flyer Talk :P
Priority Check-IN : Only some (smaller airports)
Priority Security Lanes: Smaller airports only
If you keep the CC and get Silver that might be 2 bags. Last year I was FO with the CC and got three bags. THis year though GM with card and only 2 bags.
Programs: DL Silver, Marriott Gold, National Executive
Posts: 106
I think it's worth it. I travel sporadically for work as well as leisure and have been known to take a mileage run to maintain Silver status. It's worth it for the preferred seats and the free checked bag. Many times I've booked a flight and only preferred seats are left, so the idea of never having a seat assignment before the day of the flight would drive me nuts.
Since I'm in MSP my upgrade percentage is pretty low, although I just checked and I'm at 25% for 2012 which is not bad.
ETA: Yea, no priority check in at MSP but I've definitely used it at other airports.
Yes. I was silver for 5 years. I loved exit rows and the occasional upgrade. I even have gotten a couple international upgrades. To me it was always worth it.
I would do it! Do a MR would be cheaper.
For leisure travelers, upgrade percentage is high. I got 3/3 upgrades for leisure travel when I was silver (CUN, LAS, MCO), and two of them got my girlfriend upgraded (companion).
And don't forget 25% mile bonus.
Programs: Variety of rectangular cards with my name on it
Posts: 472
What I always say is: Something is better than nothing. When things go wrong with your flight if they do, you will have hire priority on certain issues and standby then a nonrev or kettle.
Free bags are quite nice, but if you are flying from MCO, mattering on when you are flying, weekend travel seems to be quite easy for UG. Everytime I've flown in or out of MCO from NYC I've always been upgraded within the window. My last flight had a whole row of FC empty from JFK - MCO.
Flight patterns could matter, but ultimately its all about how you much value you put into being a flyer with status or not.
Priority Check-IN : Only some (smaller airports)
Priority Security Lanes: Smaller airports only
If you keep the CC and get Silver that might be 2 bags. Last year I was FO with the CC and got three bags. This year though GM with card and only 2 bags.
Priority Check-in is at all airports. Larger airports just separate FO from Sky Priority lanes and have check-in for FO and Sky Team elite and AS MVP.
Currently I'm 4784 miles away from Silver Medallion status. We only travel for leisure for 4-5 trips a year of various distances. I currently have a AMEX PLAT card so I already get Skyclub access.
Our home airport is MCO and next year we are only planning trips to London, SFO and Austin, TX. We're probably not even going to fly DL to SFO because we can take Virgin America or United and travel non-stop. A luxury not usually available for us unless it's a trip to LGA.
So my question is, would it be worth it for me to try and get the status for next year? What do you get on a flight from NYC or ATL to London? Would a lowly silver get anything? Also if only I have the Silver status, what would I expect when traveling with my wife? It doesn't make any sense if just I get something. We've been silver status before when we traded in AMEX points for Skymiles (they gave MQM's with that promotion).
I could pay the $595 for the miles. I don't think a mileage run would be an option due to time constraints.
In my mind I don't think it would be worth it but being this close, I feel the need to explore the option fully.
Thanks!!
Not worth it. Save the money and use it to get EC seats. Also, that way you are not tied to Delta and can buy the cheapest ticket. MCO has pretty good competition from all the airlines, so shop around. Use your AMEX plat for globalentry then PRECheck and the $200 annual credit for baggage. Upgrades are very difficult when planes are so full.
I am GM and have 2k to go for SM next year but I am not doing it.
Priority Check-in is at all airports. Larger airports just separate FO from Sky Priority lanes and have check-in for FO and Sky Team elite and AS MVP.
It has been a little while (1 year), but I am pretty sure DTW lumps FO in with non-elites. They have to go through the normal security line and check-in counters.
It has been a little while (1 year), but I am pretty sure DTW lumps FO in with non-elites. They have to go through the normal security line and check-in counters.
If I remember correct the FO area is in the general domestic check in counters nearest the security check point. There is no FO lane for security though.
In JFK terminal 2 there is an FO check in counter but again no security line.
I personally think for the OP FO is worth it for next year especially traveling internationally. Flying to London you will get two bags for free and I believe your travel companion will only get one.
