I know it's not current information - but four years ago I got free trial silver, I happened to have a few interview flights (I was job-looking at the time) so that I make the 10 segment requirement, and at Christmas the following year my then-girlfriend and I got upgraded on a transcon on Christmas Eve. What value can you put on having a flight that you can actually enjoy rather than just endure, when you're on vacation with someone you really really like? (Yeah, about a year later we got married.)

I'd make the effort to get silver in a heartbeat. In fact, if I were to lose status, I think I'd regularly do a trial in July (where you keep it for 20 months) for the $200 plus an extra flight or two.

Of course post-merger that might not be available - just speaking hypothetically.

BTW, I think the 2014 program will look a lot like 2013. I think they will be very sensitive to letting people know what they're getting, so that people don't whine "I would have flown more/less if I had known what I will/won't get for it."