Silver is the first step to more advanced FF status. If the experience doesn't provide many benefits, then why continue flying? I've managed to get exactly 0 E+ seats this year as a silver. All my flying has been international, so I have been permitted exactly 0 additional checked bags than I would have as a regular member. I prefer to board at the last minute, so early boarding is not a big benefit. At least the 25% mileage benefit shows up. However, 25% of 40,000 miles is only 10,000 - and it isn't too difficult to come up with that through a smattering of other partners. Priority lane? Well, I've moved faster through the regular lane.

So, I look at this and say "Hmm... I'm not getting much here. But, if I fly more I may get to another level with more benefits. But, I' haven't been getting much out of it. Should I bother?"

Right now the only thing keeping me with United is *A. I love the service on ANA and have heard great things about Asiana. EVA is coming on board soon. I can continue to fly them and accrue the miles to mileage plus. However, my loyalty level is low, since I am not expecting a whole lot in return.

Cathay Pacific has a better flight? The in-flight experience is much better than United. Why bother suffering to get a few additional Mileage Plus miles? (I even get more checked bags as a nobody on Cathay than as a 1P on United.)

Luckily, for United, they are still the only ones to offer a lot of flights out of SFO, so they will still be getting some of my business. But, I wont go out of my why to fly UA.