Days like this when silver is worth it (to me)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London
Programs: Sir Ratechaser Seigneur de la Patience d'un Saint (Mucci), BA Gold, ITA Volare Executive
Posts: 2,899
Days like this when silver is worth it (to me)
- Cheap as chips ET return to GVA.
- free exit row selection
- actually used my extra checked bag for once
- club check in, no queue (ok wasn't exactly busy anywhere...)
- quick trot through FT security
- full use of GC lounge - was surprised to see a full English buffet, thought that was for GF only
- tipple, tipple, tipple (& tip all the spares in my bag for later )
- on board, no one sitting next to me, plenty of room
All in all, it's experiences like this that make me see the value of maintaining silver.
- free exit row selection
- actually used my extra checked bag for once
- club check in, no queue (ok wasn't exactly busy anywhere...)
- quick trot through FT security
- full use of GC lounge - was surprised to see a full English buffet, thought that was for GF only
- tipple, tipple, tipple (& tip all the spares in my bag for later )
- on board, no one sitting next to me, plenty of room
All in all, it's experiences like this that make me see the value of maintaining silver.
#2
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Exec Club, HHonors
Posts: 315
Silver is the sweet spot in the status hierarchy. A friend whose travel pattern is mostly short haul Y with the occasional long haul Y/W is a newly minted Silver. Like you, she’s really enjoying the benefits. I’m as guilty as anyone of taking for granted the help that a bit of status can bring to travelling. Always good to be reminded by a fresh perspective.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 920
Silver is indeed excellent, and definitely the 'sweet spot'. It's saved friends of mine seat selection fees on long haul flights and helped another with fastrack and lounge access before various trips including a late notice trip to Scotland where it was really appreciated.
Friends who are Gold this year due to additional travel are happy to have a soft landing to Silver next year and that's where they aim to be ongoing rather than trying to chase Gold.
Friends who are Gold this year due to additional travel are happy to have a soft landing to Silver next year and that's where they aim to be ongoing rather than trying to chase Gold.
#5
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 1,114
As a Silver of nearly 6 years now who only got Gold due to the holiday offer the benefits especially when going shorthaul Y in Europe are excellent.
Some of my favourite benefits of Silver:
Seat Selection wouldn't pay for it but always nice to get an exit row and the direct aisle CW seats without paying.
Lounges in particular CX at T3 and HKG and in America the Flagship Lounges and the AS lounges.
Fast Track Security was reminded watching my dad standing in line a few weeks ago how much slower it can be.
Guesting friends into Lounges and when needed the extra luggage.
It's fairly easy to attain in the gap between status year ending and status expiring.
Some of my favourite benefits of Silver:
Seat Selection wouldn't pay for it but always nice to get an exit row and the direct aisle CW seats without paying.
Lounges in particular CX at T3 and HKG and in America the Flagship Lounges and the AS lounges.
Fast Track Security was reminded watching my dad standing in line a few weeks ago how much slower it can be.
Guesting friends into Lounges and when needed the extra luggage.
It's fairly easy to attain in the gap between status year ending and status expiring.
#6
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Tenerife
Programs: BA Gold, BA AMEX PP, Amex Platinum
Posts: 434
Silver is indeed excellent, and definitely the 'sweet spot'. It's saved friends of mine seat selection fees on long haul flights and helped another with fastrack and lounge access before various trips including a late notice trip to Scotland where it was really appreciated.
Friends who are Gold this year due to additional travel are happy to have a soft landing to Silver next year and that's where they aim to be ongoing rather than trying to chase Gold.
Friends who are Gold this year due to additional travel are happy to have a soft landing to Silver next year and that's where they aim to be ongoing rather than trying to chase Gold.
CE just isn't worth the premium on most routes when you are Silver+ and the impending Avios earning devaluation will make it even less so. { In addition to the devaluation, the earn rate between gold and silver will also shrink significantly if they are following the current Iberia model. } Have a big stash of Avios too, so will burn through those next year and happily take the drop to Silver in 2025.
Only thing I will really miss is the snug in the Gatwick F lounge.
#7
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Tenerife
Programs: BA Gold, BA AMEX PP, Amex Platinum
Posts: 434
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Gold, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,765
Another fan of Silver, which I've had for about 10 years. My travels, generally three TATLs per year in WTP, allow me to reach Silver fairly easily, especially if a segment or two is in Club. And for me, the access to AA lounges, even on cheap economy fares when I fly within the US, is the cherry atop the sundae.
Of course, given the limitations of my international travel, it would be difficult to reach Gold unless I took First on every segment.
Of course, given the limitations of my international travel, it would be difficult to reach Gold unless I took First on every segment.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2019
Location: Tenerife
Programs: BA Gold, BA AMEX PP, Amex Platinum
Posts: 434
#12
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: BHD
Programs: BA Executive Club Silver
Posts: 618
Silver is indeed excellent, and definitely the 'sweet spot'. It's saved friends of mine seat selection fees on long haul flights and helped another with fastrack and lounge access before various trips including a late notice trip to Scotland where it was really appreciated.
Friends who are Gold this year due to additional travel are happy to have a soft landing to Silver next year and that's where they aim to be ongoing rather than trying to chase Gold.
Friends who are Gold this year due to additional travel are happy to have a soft landing to Silver next year and that's where they aim to be ongoing rather than trying to chase Gold.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Glasgow, Scotland
Programs: BA Exec Gold, IHG Platinum, Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 415
#15
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 749
- Cheap as chips ET return to GVA.
- free exit row selection
- actually used my extra checked bag for once
- club check in, no queue (ok wasn't exactly busy anywhere...)
- quick trot through FT security
- full use of GC lounge - was surprised to see a full English buffet, thought that was for GF only
- tipple, tipple, tipple (& tip all the spares in my bag for later )
- on board, no one sitting next to me, plenty of room
All in all, it's experiences like this that make me see the value of maintaining silver.
- free exit row selection
- actually used my extra checked bag for once
- club check in, no queue (ok wasn't exactly busy anywhere...)
- quick trot through FT security
- full use of GC lounge - was surprised to see a full English buffet, thought that was for GF only
- tipple, tipple, tipple (& tip all the spares in my bag for later )
- on board, no one sitting next to me, plenty of room
All in all, it's experiences like this that make me see the value of maintaining silver.