Silver Status - Quickest way to acquire?
 

Currently a AA EXP and a UA Premier. Looking to get Delta Silver Status quickly. Are there any offers out there to get it w/o doing a match? Or is the only way BIS.

The Amex transfer bonus works good, but I kind of doubt it will return. That was for 25k mqms with a 100k transfer. What benefits are you looking for with silver status. FO doesn't give you much on DL, and you can basically match it with a DL cc.

Silver Status - Quickest way to acquire?
 

Benefits on DL? Might as well get a DL CC.

There are precious few benefits at silver that aren't obtained from the basic DL Amex card.

1.) Upgrades, but good luck getting upgraded as a silver. Maybe 1 in 100 flights?
2.) Preferred seating which you can buy for a few dollars without status.
3.) A hefty DYKWIA attidute that comes from being "elite".

You would also get 25% bonus RDMs, but having the DL card would also get you bonus miles.

Not to turn this into a silver benefits thread too badly, but:

1. Depends on routes and times. I'm 4/8 as a silver on mostly LUT fares (albeit 3/4 on <800 mile segments and 1/4 on longer ones), and I put no effort into maximising upgrade odds.
2. This is easily the biggest benefit to me; exit row seats on long hauls is far from trivial. I also don't think they can be purchased (though economy comfort can). I wouldn't classify the $150 each way economy comfort costs on my main route as a few dollars, though it's only ≈10% of the purchase price.
3. Truly the most important part. :)

The value of elite status varies widely. OP, why not do a status match/challenge? It's the easiest and cheapest way to get status and comes instantly. Or are you not planning to stay with Delta enough to maintain status after being granted it? If the latter, than buying the important pieces on a flight-by-flight basis probably makes the most sense.

Agreed it is popular to degrade silver status here, but it is certainly better than no status at all. In fact last week a colleague I was flying with paid $25 for an upgrade to FC and he has no status whatsoever. Talk about monetizing status.

From NYC all you need is a MR. To SIN. 20,172 BIS miles for one RT. Visit a great airport, no visa needed for US citizen. 81% toward Silver in one RT.

Then do a MR to LAX and you have 25,040 BIS miles in only two trips and eight segments.

Deleted.

For all practical purposes, just get a gold Delta Amex. You've got 95% of FO benefits right there, and 100% of the meaningful ones.

I think you should review the Amex Gold benefits. Priority Check-in still exists for Silvers nowadays and most non-hub stations include Silvers in the SkyPriority check-in. At some stations, the dedicated Silver/ST Elite lane is often less crowded than the SkyPriority one (usually JFK T2 and T3, SLC). Another meaningful one is the ability to select exit row seats, that doesn't come with your Amex card. And I don't believe Amex Card Holders get the extra luggage on SkyTeam partners or DL International flights, that seems to be very meaningful. Also, the ability to call the Silver line and speak to a representative in less than 5 minutes (Although I don't recall waiting more than 1 or 2) doesn't come with the Amex Card. And of course, the most meaningful one is the ability to UPGRADE to First/Business Class, which in my case, has been >90% in 4 years, doesn't come with the Amex Card.

So, I guess Amex holders don't really enjoy the Meaningful benefits at all.

If you have any friends that are Platinum Medallion and who haven't used their current choice benefits, the fastest way is to be gifted Silver...

Long time lurker...first time poster
 

Ever since I started travelling more for work I've been learning the tricks of the trade from this site...so thanks!

I recently did the 90 day match w/Us Air since I knew I had 5 flights coming up to get me to Silver - to me it was totally worth the $200 to get out of cattle class and always have my bag on board.

I called US Air yesterday about my welcome kit, the women on the phone said it just comes with a Silver card, Above and Beyond Certificate, and credit card solicitations...from other threads I've read I thought you received more perks and freebies.

The days of a perk bonanza are over I get it, but as relatively new road warrior and flying back in the tail feathers for so long I was happy to break my cherry and get to Silver...

Quickest way is to have a friend that is PM gift it to you but I realize the odds of that happening are slim. There is a sight I heard someone talking about once where some PM's were offering to sell their status but I have never found it (would actually be a good deal for me if I could sell it for over $200 for it, since I am planning on using my choice benefit for a $200 delta voucher LOL)

If you can charge $50K quickly, get a Platnium Delta Am Ex. You will get 5K MQMs for signing up and 20K mqms after charging $50k which is silver right there. Or if you can charge $60K a year get the delta reserve card, you'll get 30K mqms and the sign up bonus MQMs and if you are flyign delta enough that you want status your BIS miles would probably be enough to get you gold. You would also have skyclub access domestically and am pretty sure you would have access to the skypriority security lane and prem zone boarding even with no status with that card.

IMO, the only reason for having SM is that it's a necessary step on the way to GM. I was 1/13 limetime UG as a SM. I'm about 50% UGs as a GM, and the 100% GM bonus miles are worth having. YMMV.