Silver isn't worth it, but QF Gold gives you free AC access. QF Platinum gives FL access. This makes domestic AA travel much more civilized if you go through the right airports. The other value of QF status is that you have a much higher chance of redeeming QF miles on QF than AA miles, presuming you want an award ticket to Australia. Otherwise AA miles are worth more than QF miles. For me the choice is easy (I make QF Platinum in less than 3 round trips thanks to their status credit system), but if it is costing you 10 round trips that may not be worth it.