Great advice above.

I was "Silver" for many, many years, often spreading 40 nights each year at the big 3 (Starwood, Hilton, Marriott). The silver status never got me a thing except the fancy "elite" room key and a free cookie at check (really available to anyone). And I never expected nor demanded anything except a quiet room. Stupid me for going for value (like Homewood Suites and Residence Inn's) instead of status.

In 2006, I made an effort to consolidate to Marriott only. As soon as I hit Gold, and later Platium, life was much, much different and continues to be. I seem to rarely get suite "upgrades" but traveling alone and working 12+ hours per day, its going to waste anyway. C lounge access and the top floor is all I "expect" (as promised) and that is usually a given.

But Silver? I don't think it means squat. Maybe the other experiences were coincidently as in "this is only was is left, so you get it?"