Is "top tier" over=rated ? No, if anything under-rated. Overall, it makes for considerably less stressful flying. Upgrades are what it's about, and here's why: more comfortable seating; less crowded, hectic boarding; top coat and jacket are hung up rather than stuffed in the overhead bin, allowing you to arrive relatively neat; better chance of making connections when you don't have to wait 20 minutes for your row to exit the plane; quicker, more responsive service when there's a delay or problem (if nothing else, you are first in line at the re-booking counter); more fleixibility on the part of agents in changing flights, bending rules on occasion; more comfort and a drink when you are waiting an extended time on the tarmac.

I have experienced each of these advantages at one time or another as a platinum for more than ten years on Northwest. They made flying tolerable as flying itself became more crowded, hectic and stressful over the last decade. Upgrades allowed me to arrive relatively sane and unstressed, and fresh for the work waiting at the destination. Were I to do it all over again, I would value top tier status even more highly than I did, and take it far less for granted.