Status definitely helps. I've shown up very early and have been told something like, "CopperSteve, the room we reserved for you isn't available yet. We could put you in a different room if you want to check-in now." It might mean two double beds rather than a king, or a room with a lesser view, or whatever.

I live in the NY area but I do stay in Manhattan hotels reasonably often and I can't recall whether there is an appreciable difference in check-in times v. other parts of the US/world. Having said that, I often arrive at hotels in Europe at VERY early hours (after a typical overnight flight from the US) and a vast majority of the time I can check-in immediately - regardless of whether I have status at the hotel (I often do not).

YMMV