I've reached Diamond status with Best Western this year with some 7200 points. Aside from using the points for gifts and such what good does this status do me?

Certainly the front desk employees don't seem to care about status. At check in they tell me to present my card when I check out to get the points! During my stay they don't seem to care what your status is.

Perhaps the only way is to make the reservations via the Gold Crown reservation number.