Having status allows you to earn a SIGNIFICANT amount of more miles than basic member. It’s always been about the mileage earn and redemption for more better products, no? That’s the whole reason why I joined Flyertalk. And flying is the only way to collect a lot of AA miles for me as there’s no AA CC for most Canadians. AS has a CC. AA just doesn’t make sense for Canadians. Delta has no EQD for us. AC gives 50% off. I’m showing you exactly why AA is worse.