Interested in others perspectives. I have had OWE on AA and/or BA for as long as can remember and my sense is that the benefits and differentiation between Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire status have declined markedly over the years.

Specifically, I am referring to alliance benefits like lounge access, first class check-in, etc (not the benefits for the individual program, e.g. AA EXP flying AA). There is a general decline outside of HKG, TYO and LHR of any real first class lounges open or true first class check-in even existing for OWE members.

I used to enjoy the AA Flagship lounges throughout the system but now these are open to sapphire level members, BA's OWE lounge options have declined and the advent of things like TSA PreCheck in the USA make priority security (where it truly even exists anymore outside of facilities like AA Flagship check-in) much less of a benefit.

When traveling across OW carriers in business class or even coach on OW carriers what does holding OWE status vs OWS with another OW airline provide in 2018 outside of the potential for increased mileage earning and ostensibly a greeting (pretty meaningless IMHO)?

In the same spirit what are some of the benefits/perks written or unwritten you miss that used to exist for OWE members? My experiences at least a decade ago were access to better lounges especially in the USA as a BA OWE and priority check-in at many USA airports vs everyone with a credit card being allowed in today.