CX are VERY good at recognising OW status and taking care of you - especically if you are Emerald. Lounge access, priority check in etc There are also numerous stories of op-upgrades, preferred seating etc - all unwritten stuff in addition to what is in the OW guide.

I certainly don't begrudge CX Diamond the higher status given how difficult it is to get. IMHO the small number of Diamonds is one of the reasons why Emeralds get good treatment - it's not like BA where seemingly every 3 passenger in J has a Gold card.