I honestly can't see the benefit. My membership year runs to June I was gold for 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15, dropped to silver for 2015/16 and most of 2016/17 then requalified for gold just before the end of the year and am gold now for 2017/18. I have never noticed a difference but I rarely need to cancel anything so it's hard to tell if it's easier as a gold than during my silver years. Nor do you get to see what deals you're getting as gold/missing out on as silver (if any). Maybe one day I'll need something and be grateful for it but it hasn't happened yet.

I am fairly loyal to hotels.com for the 11th night free aspect so the status comes by accident. I wouldn't bother actively pursuing it.