I was an Elite with Air Canada for a good number of years, but gave up on them when I moved to the States several years ago.

Two or three years ago, I was flying BOS-YYZ-YEG just before Christmas. BOS-YYZ was delayed due to a late inbound (not a huge weather issue), and the connection was tight. YYZ-YEG was delayed while enroute, and I arrived at the gate about 20 minutes before scheduled departure (and 50 before actual departure).

When I went to board, AC did not allow me to get on, along with a number of other passengers, as they had rebooked me/us thinking I wouldn't make it. The last couple of YYZ-YEG flights that night were all sold out, and they refused to cover any overnight expenses whatsoever (meals/hotel)

I had credit card insurance that covered expsenses, so never tried to claim from AC after the fact, but as a non-status flyer, I was really very unimpressed with my treatment.

I think its rather certain that non-status flyers will sometimes have a very different experience than those with status.