Silver is virually pointless for getting upgrades. The only real benefits are the baggage fee waiver and the in-airport "EliteAccess" perks (security line, blue carpet)

For that, I think it makes more sense to give up on chasing Elite and just buy the Presidential Plus credit card, which still gives the EliteAccess benefits noted above, PC access, Hyatt Platinum, Avis Presidents Club (double upgrades!)