Elite Silver - Any REAL perks?

[Terrance711]

I just got my ES card and after a few flights I have realised that there aren't any real benefits. Am I right or did I miss something?

Thanks

[SilverChris]

Well other than the 25% tier bonus there aren't any real benefits, say priority standby etc.

[jhm]

The 25% bonus is nice but a lot of people are better off crediting to somewhere other than KrisFlyer. You're slightly better than a normal person as far as upgrades, standby, waitlisting etc are concerned but they're not "real" benefits in my book. So yes - KrisFlyer silver is pretty much pointless IMHO!

[TerryK]

Krisflyer Silver is Star Alliance Silver which is pretty useless in any program. You need to be Star Alliance Gold (Krisflyer Gold) to receive any meaningful benefit.

[Datex Ohmeda]

priority baggage

Last month on my leg from CDG-SIN in Y the check-in agent tagged my bags with priority handling business class stickers - and I was only Elite Silver. I thought I had clocked enough miles for Elite Gold but when I checked I was still silver. Nonetheless this allowed me to whisk off quickly when I landed in Changi.

I find the 25% tier bonus helpful.

Anyone else with unwritten/unofficial perks to share?

[concept|infinit]

So broadly, Elite Silver is more a stepping stone for Elite Gold than it is a perk in itself?

[fone]

Hmm, depends on which airline you are flying too. UA treats *S passengers slightly better with priority boarding (after *G, business and first passengers, but before all of the non-status passengers) and check in (though queue is still long, but not as long as general line for non-status passengers). Flew US while I was still a *S and got "visible" no benefits at all. I got a complimentary Elite Silver after my EG expired (and not crediting to Krisflyer anymore after that). With miles still in my account for redemption, one of the perks I like is the miles extension and cancellation fees at "reduced" prices.

[LionCity]

I guessed the biggest advantage of Elite Silver is the 25 per cent extra miles. I been on planes chokeful of LPPS, TPPS and QPPS. Sometimes numbering into the 30s and 40s. So ES does not stand out. Perhaps better to put your miles in other Star Alliance program that gives better rewards.

I been through the entire spectrum from KF Blue to KF Gold. I knew where I stood and even at my present status, it is hardly that high when an aircraft is perhaps filled with another dozen Solitaires and a sprinkling of LPPS.

[coffeeblack]

I got Op-Uped on Swiss once thanks to my ES, and literally got on the plane by the skin of my teeth when there was a waiting list of 36 people in total on a Lufthansa flight, but yeah I do tend to agree that on SQ flights it's not terribly beneficial.

Frequent Traveller on Lufthansa looks like a better deal, but I don't really wanna switch after having been on SQ for so long.

[vincent0720]

Suppose you were to take a *A USA domestic flights in Y (UA, US, CO), if you have checked bags, you need to pay extra (like $20 for first bag...etc)

But with Elite Silver, you won't need to pay anything for checked bags when you fly within USA.
I found out this is one of the biggest benefits besides 25% bonus on SIA.

[B727]

For me, the only real benefit I ever experienced while in ES status was priority waitlisting.

[vincent0720]

For me, the only real benefit I ever experienced while in ES status was priority waitlisting.

Oh ya, without ES status, I didn't get a seat when I was waitlisted.
When I have ES status, I got seats in redemption waitlist booking even in high peak travel season!

[nickbot]

I was mistakenly granted lounge access at BHX when I was KF Elite Silver and flying LX - still not sure how that worked, but it did Before you ask, no I didn't chance my luck at the lounge whilst brandishing my silver card, the check-in agent told me I could use the lounge and then the lounge dragon let me in without any problems. Most odd!

The 25% tier bonus is worth having, better than a kick in the teeth.

[Terrance711]

Well it seems I'll be flying SQ quite often to Europe for the next few months so since it's quite useless I'll drop it and join something else. Any ideas on what to join?

[SilverChris]

Well it seems I'll be flying SQ quite often to Europe for the next few months so since it's quite useless I'll drop it and join something else. Any ideas on what to join?

Since you'll be flying to Europe often (presuming you're booked on a mileage earning fare) why not stick to KrisFlyer cause you'll earn Gold status? Gold brings some real benefits like lounge access, extra baggage allowance and more