I posted this in another thread but it is somewhat applicable here. Ive been diamond on delta for the last three years. I had come to expect the treatment that I was receiving and, while appreciative, took it for granted. This became clear to me a few weeks ago;

I had to make what I called a "tour de Canada" and was in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, and Toronto all in a 5 day span. I had to fly Air Canada between each city since Delta or Skyteam had no presence that I could find. It was an eye opening experience. No special line, no early boarding, no preferential seating, no nothing!! On one flight I was literally the last person to board and had a middle seat in row 344(slight exaggeration).

So, I am now SUPER appreciative of all of the benefits that come with my diamond status and enjoy every perk. It really put things in perspective for me.