I love the EQMs on the Presidential Plus card--I have 10,000 right now, which should help me get to Gold this year. I wish they didn't expire, but 3 years is long enough to be useful. Status is worth more to me than the number of miles I get per purchase.

Though UA lounges are crowded, it is extremely helpful when I misconnect and need a human who can help me (though I'm told one can buy UA club passes off eBay for cheap for this purpose). At Silver level, the phone reps still aren't particularly helpful. The lounge reps have helped get me onto earlier flights without charge. Last year when I had no status, my LAX to HNL flight was canceled, and the UA club rep got me on a morning UA flight in first-class, when people with Silver and Gold status were flying coach on American. Well worth the $400/year.