For me, there are two very big differences. The concierges and (pseudo-)IKK. The concierges have helped me out on several occasions, but if you don't travel a lot they won't be very useful. But then, if you don't travel a lot you won't be SE anyways. Even in its new restricted incarnation the IKK is a great benefit. Just yesterday I booked a YYZ-OGG for my son and myself for next week with a stopover in YYC on the return. I was able to get all the flights in business class although availability on the YYZ-YVR leg was restricted due to the new IKK capacity controls so I've got an extra couple of hours in Vancouver on the way out. Other than that, I was able to get exactly the flights I wanted. 120,000 points in total + approx $400 including the booking fee. Try that as an Elite. I've also booked flights for my wife to YYT and my other son to LHR this month both on fairly short notice and on specific flights to coincide with my revenue bookings. IKK is the single biggest benefit to me of being SE.