While I have many misgivings about United (EWR lounge situation, surly steward that dumped my entree on my lap, irrops), I still really appreciate GS. To me, GS means I can get home. The service center as well as airport staff work very hard to protect me on flights and occasionally use compensation to help get me on flights. I’m less focused on the upgrades, but the service has certainly helped me make innumerable bedtime storytimes with my kids, and that makes it worth it.