I think as an average traveler there's not much difference, in terms of getting the "perks" that women have earned with status I see a significant difference. I've been the highest tier of status with Air Canada and had airport staff go up to the man sitting next to me to ask "as a frequent flier would you like a spot on the earlier flight"? I asked if this was being offered to all superelites and she hemmed and hawed and said she'd check. When she left the man smiled sheepishly and admitted he wasn't even top tier. (He was very "executive looking", sharp suit etc. and I had changed into my travel clothes which although respectable didn't ooze corporate so that may have played in as well).