First tier Emirates rewards gets:
Access to Emirates Business Class Lounges in Dubai
25% bonus Skywards Miles when you fly with Emirates
Instant upgrades with miles available on board the aircraft
Guaranteed excess baggage allowances***
Priority check-in
Priority boarding

Nothing that great ... particularly because I will be living in Dubai, so access to the Dubai lounge won't be too useful to me unless I arrive extremely early for flights (usually not my style). I can't imagine a the first tier of four tiers will gather many upgrades from coach to business class.