Originally Posted by
CO_1mm
I'm not sure that 100K is really the right target like DL used to be and AA and UA still are, but certainly something like 30k/60k/90k has a nice symmetry to it. I'd hate to be a person struggling to make 25k, though, and have the brass ring pulled that much further away.
That would be me. I have barely qualified for silver the last two years, and have needed special circumstances to make it both years; 2007 = 1,700 EQM's while traveling AS SEA-ORD on a OP FC award ticket, when I was bumped down to Y from FC because of an AS error; 2008 = b/c of an mix-up at my company, I booked a trip to SJU so late that only an R fare with it's 50% EQM bonus was available on one leg.
Being silver has not gotten me too much; early boarding; one upgrade; waived baggage fees; yellow priority tags on my checked luggage; extra award availability, and the wallet candy. The biggest benefit for me has been sitting near the front of the coach cabin, which means getting served first, and also off the plane quicker.
Despite these meager benefits, I am glad to have them, and would not want them taken away.