I only have about 100 miles to go before turning Silver. I called twice to ask for an elite upgrade but no luck. I may not travel this year. Any suggestions? Thanks!

can you convert amex points to co miles?

Welcome to FlyerTalk. However, I don't think putting miles into the account will help. He needs flight miles!

Why would you want to be elite, especially if you will only make Silver?

It will not yeild you anything worth while other than some extra miles that you will have a hard time using.

I have been Platinum for several years, and have to tell you that even as Platinum doesn't mean squat. I get less upgrades today than I did 6 years ago as a silver.

If you think you'll be traveling a lot next year, see if you can find a cheap flight to get silver before the end of this year. You're so close, you might as well take a day, spend a little money, and fly someplace and back and get your elite status. Despite what others may say, upgrades as a silver are not impossible. As long as you take the attitude that nobody owes you an upgrade, and that you're often not going to get them, they'll be a nice treat when they do come. And the bonus miles, priority boarding, and elite security lines at hubs are nice to have as well.

And yes, those miles you earn can be redeemed for awards. It's not impossible, or really all that difficult, if you plan ahead and are willing to be flexible. I speak from experience on these issues, as a silver elite (actually a gold now... just completed the flight that gets me gold two hours ago) who has redeemed OnePass miles for a lot of standard (never EasyPass, both domestic Y/F and international J) awards in the last three years.

I believe priority check-in and seating alone is worth it. The only way I know to get the extra EQMs would be to take an amtrak trip not too far...

Also, as discussed here previously there was a Chase credit card promotion that awarded 3000 EQMs, but I believe it ended a couple of weeks ago and it was targeted.

Well, I too am close to Silver Elite 2006.
Does anyone know, if i use my miles to ugrade, do i still earn base economy miles for the segments flown? I used my miles to upgrade on LAX-IAH-PTY but not sure if i still get the basic economy class miles. If i do, great, then i will make 2006 Silver Elite, added to the return trip to LAX.
Does Silver Elite really get you anywhere in terms of priority status? upgrade availabilities? next year i am flying not thaat much, more for ministry then vacation, and will not be able to do mileage runs. If I do, it will be to California again! I always enjoy SoCal for vacation.

Yes you still earn miles and EQMs, based on the fare class you paid for, when using miles to upgrade to first. So your itinerary will still earn the miles and EQMs just as it would have had you not used miles for an upgrade award.

Silver does get you priority on just about everything, but behind platinums and golds. But silvers do have better award availability than non-elites and other privileges that non-elites are not entitled to.

there is a thread on this topic just a few weeks ago. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=480405
From the replies there, it seems CO is quite liberal at granting status to ppl in similar situtaitons upon inquiry.

I believe that status was granted early to people whose already booked future travel put them into the next level of elite.

As to the original question, 100 miles shouldn't be that hard - look for flights on routes which compete with Southwest or JetBlue... check flights from phl and zfv. Also look at ewr to various Florida destinations. As someone noted, you could also take the metroliner to WAS or BOS.

As a silver, I'd say it is worth if for the elite security line & elite boarding. I have also taken advantage of improved std award availability, and if you ever fly in full Y, the ability to upgrade at time of ticketing.

In my case it was EliteAccess. Some other benefits are being able to book rewards into M and that elites can upgrade domestically on all fares - not just B and up.Yes, you earn miles according to the original fare class purchased. So for you LAX-IAH-PTY trip you'll earn your EQMs and Reward Miles.My experience as a Silver was positive. Through mileage upgrades and EUA my success rate ran around 70%. Plats will be the first to cry out against the lack of EUAs, but then again, Plats are the ones who often travel during peak times. An example of this would be IAH/LAX-EWR on Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays. There are just a lot of people paying for the big seat and a lot of elites competing for whatever scraps there may be. As silver if you want the UG fly on Saturdays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and you'll have a much better shot of it.

I was going to be about 1500 miles short of re-qualifying as Platinum this year. So yesterday morning I flew RT from Newark to Miami to obtain 2000+ EQMs. Cost was $12) RT.

I made silver for the first time this year, and would def say it's worth it. On CO I'm 2/4 on UGs (EWR-IAH-DEN and back), including to BF seats on the 762. I'm also 100% on NW flights. I have a lot more travel coming the next month (21 segs, only 2 RJs, by middle of Dec), so we'll see how the UG % runs. The Elite Access checkin, security, and boarding is great. With all that, I'll end up Gold by the end of the year...can't wait for the 100% bonus miles and increased UG chance next year. Like I've said in a few other posts, I'm just a college kid, but hooked now. FT can be dangerous (to ones wallet ).

dan

Oh, you're so wrong! Being elite--even just silver--is wonderful! I'm a lowly silver, and I've flown first class on 75% of my flights! And even when I was not upgraded, I enjoyed an empty middle seat beside me. Ahhh, eeellliiittteee!