Realistically, silver gets you nothing but a points bonus.

I think the problem here is mostly that it's difficult to comp someone status for one stay in a computer age. They've probably either got to give it to you for the year or not give it to you. Your point that they might be interested in your business is a valid one, but given current occupency levels and rising rates, I don't think any of the hotel companies care about stuff like that as much as they did/do when business is slow.