Originally Posted by
viperbrown
UA Silver on its own wouldn't be very valuable to us at all. Main attraction for us would be to attain a higher status like UA Gold where the benefits start making a bit more sense. Have had an easier time booking Star Alliance awards and since we're based in the Bay Area, thinking why not give our business to United / Alaska who are active in the Bay Area anyway.
Achieving UA Silver on its own will not help toward UA Gold status next year. UA doesn't offer rollover; everyone starts from 0 on January 1. So, your plan of getting the Explorer card and buying an E+ subscription -- or trying for a post-Jan 1 status match with Alaska -- probably make the most sense.