Just to be clear me personally and I'm sure it's the case for many people here, I'm impressed when someone gets GS at a young age due to their job. Meaning they are important and valuable enough at that young age that the company pays for the expensive fares.
I think some people whose parents buy them their tickets think there is not a difference. Well there is not one when it comes to UA but there is one in terms of others view of you which I think is what most people are talking about in this thread