Big difference in my opinion...
- Upgrade at time of reservation vs. Upgrade at 72 hrs.
- Upgrade on all AC metal flights from Y,M,B,H,V vs only domestic from those fares for Elites.
- No blackout dates on reward travel even in J class.
- Use of the SE desk reducing the wait time
Just those 4 alone is enough to make SE a lot more desirable than E.