I couldn't agree more mgm.
There have been several times when I have had to make emergency bookings that would have been prohibitively expensive that allowed me to get to where I needed to go immediately. With no capacity controls as an AC SuperElite, it means if there is an open seat of any sort, I can access it and at no charge for instant booking. I just a made a reward booking today for a day trip Tuesday that would have cost me a $1000 normally--remote northern location, no competition.
Status for frequent travellers is more than illusory power--it is worth more than its weight in gold or platinum or emeralds or whatever