Lounge access, priority check-in, and bags are all nice benefits. That one already have those perks from *A status does not invalidate them for other flyers.

Having done frequent flying out of the US (now EU), yes, the seats are much much better. But gone are the days of 4 hour transcontinental flights, or even mid-range IAH-SEA or DEN-ORD flights. Most of my flying is a 1-2 hour hop, and I manage fine on the seats. Plus, I get a real meal, not a cold "sandwich" out of a condensation-lined bag or a box of crackers.

The security and boarding process is much more calm and civil here, where priority boarding is a non-issue. I've never seen a chaotic scrum to boarding which is pervasive in the major airports in the US.

On the whole, i'll take the travel experience here over the one 'back home'