i am planning a trip in the end of december from ewr to tlv if i return jan then i dont become elite for the following year if i return on december 31 then i do become elite the difference is approx $200 i am not such ff in genaral i only fly six of seven times a year

As a silver your chances for domestic upgrades would be slim. But if you can get it for $200, it may be worth it for the early boarding, access to elite seats etc....

As you can see from my signature, my upgrade percentage is dismal. However, I do appreciate the improved seat selection and early boarding.

There is also the possible elite bonuses for next year

On the ~25k miles you flew this year, if you do the same next year, thats 12,500 reedemable miles extra in your account if you are elite for the year.

You mentioned flying to TLV. If you often travel internationally, the 70 lb elite baggae allowance is fabulous. I enjoy it even for domestic travel. I can throw my belongings into my suitcase without worries (almost impossible to go over 70 lbs with typical luggage).

CO is generous to offer this dlite benefit, but I recently found out in the DL forum that DL elites get 3 (THREE) 70 lb bags!! I am envious

If your travel plans are flexible, I think silver is worth $200. Your domestic upgrade percentage varies wildly depending on where you go. Some Plats don't get upgraded on heavy elite routes.

For an extra $200, I would do it, if you do not mind cutting your trip short by a few days. The elite bonus miles is great, priority boarding, seating, security, baggage ect. Since becoming elite again with CO my upgrade are 2 out of 3 so far.

I think it really depends on the day/route. Last time I had status with CO was 1999-2003 I think. I used to get upgraded quite frequently from EWR-LAS and EWR-SNA/ONT/LAX. I loved the upgrade on HP when they flew. They were always very cheap to the west.

Upgrade chances as silver are highly dependent on one's ability to pick good flights. If you fly typical business traveler routes and times (Monday AM, Thursday and Friday PM, etc.) and your schedule is fixed, you're not going to do well in the upgrade game.

However, if your schedule is flexible and/or you fly during off-peak times (Sat. PM, mid-week AM, etc.) you can do quite well (better than 50%).

Elite lines, baggage, bonus miles, phone line, and seating (not so great as silver) are all useful perks. If you can make silver using a short & cheap weekend trip, I'd go for it.

If you're talking many hundreds of dollars to make silver, keep in mind that the CO President's whatever card ($400ish) gives most benefits (except upgrades) and includes a Prez. club membership.

FWIW, I just sent my SO on a Turkey Day run from SEA to OGG and back (same day return) for about $400 so they could re-qualify for NWA Silver.

Why?

1) Reasonable upgrade chance on NW, but that's not the primary reason
2) 50% bonus miles - good reason
3) Elite benefits at ST partners and AS - a very good reason
4) Elite seating, including exit rows on DL and AS - an extremely good reason
5) Elite Security Lane access - another extremely good reason

Upgrades are great, but there are other benefits which come with even first tier status, as I listed above. Most people will assign different personal values to these benefits, but in our case, it was well worthwhile.

Next year they will spread the flying out more so a last minute unintended run won't be necessary.

Everyone at CO is Elite.@:-)

Get your SE on CO, then fly NW, you'll be up front quite a lot of the time next year!

Of course then there is CO's 50% EQM issue if you fly NW as a OP member...

I like to think of elite membership more of "person" treatment vs "cattle" treatment.

Like the others, I would take a cheap, unnecessary flight to achieve Elite status for the various reasons above, but the OP is talking about cutting a trip short and paying extra money to complete the Elite qualifications. Not quite the same thing.

If the reason you did not want to journey back on 12/31 was purely based on the flight cost, then yes, pay the $200, go home early, be Elite for 2008. If you just wanted to stay a few more days, then it is tougher to justify cutting short an international trip to qualify.

I am guessing you need most of the return EQMs to achieve Elite or else you would just spend the $200 on a mileage run prior to this trip, right?

yes i need all of them

Yes, Silver is worth far more than $200 USD.

I assume that won't ruin your trip schedule. SE is not worth missing a week in TLV! One day or two, yes.

B7