MereMin

You live at a delta hub (Atlanta for me ) , only travel about 8 times a year , and always purchase First class or Delta one . Will any type of status show you any benefit? I’m guessing after my next flight I will be Gold? I’m one of the hated platinum Amex holders so I get into the sky clubs. Please go easy on me! I’m thinking the only benefit will maybe calling a number where people answer the phones faster, whenever I have a flight delay/cancellation?

sydneyracquelle

When a flight is canceled or significantly delayed FC passengers are affected just like the back. So in IROPS it is good to have status for rebooking. By the time you get through on the phones the next open FC seat might be in 2-3 days these days.

Zorak

Other differences I can think of:

- Faster mileage accrual compared to Silver or general member

- Gold (and higher) gets free Same Day Confirmed changes (SDC) vs $75 for Silver/general member, which potentially pairs well with buying F since paid F gets last-seat SDC availability on DL.

- Gold is also Sky Team Elite Plus, which gives you access to SkyTeam operated lounges on international itineraries, plus one guest. If you always buy D1 anyway you would already have lounge access for yourself, but the ability to +1 someone who doesn't already have access, is the difference. This seems unlikely to ever come into play, but mentioning for completeness...

Not saying any of these are really a huge deal, really, although the SDC might be useful.

paterwdb

This alone would be reason for me. I frequently want to swap out flights the day before/day of, and if you're booking flights in F/J, this is a huge benefit since you can grab any seat available.

Goodoldflyer

If you buy F/J, you can already do that, can't you?

woodenshoe101

But not without a fee if not GM or higher.

flyerCO

Not for free. SDC waiver is only for elites GM+

hotturnip

Silver doesn't offer much, except for free advance access to preferred seats (exit rows). Since you're booking First/Biz anyhow, that won't help.

As others have said, same-day change and standby are great. But you can do it without status--you just have to pay for it.

Given your flying patterns and Amex membership, there's not much it can do for you. You'll pocket bonus miles for all your flights, I guess.

Barkley333

Silver also gives priority boarding, priority check-in, free checked bag, and upgrade opportunity. I got upgraded to 1st on both legs of a CUN-ATL trip in April. For what it requires to obtain "status", Silver is worth a whole lot more than Gold.

Zorak

All of those things already come with paid F though (higher priority boarding too)