Well, for what it's worth, Gold elite status at Marriott doesn't generate much different treatment than Silver (the freebie status).

On one hand, this is a credit to Marriott - they never treated me badly as a Silver, whereas I have had absolutely horrid stays at other chains and non-chain properties. On the other hand, Marriott doesn't roll out the carpet and treat me like royalty because of my shiny little Gold card. I still get a nice room, still get nice treatment, no complaints.

Do I wouldn't panic: I think everybody has status-envy until they start accumulating the little pieces of plastic, and then it becomes no big deal.

IMHO, it's a bigger deal with the airlines where non-elites are treated miserably at almost every possible customer interface point leading up to the travel. (The FAs themselves don't seem to discriminate, which is good.) Elites get...marginally humane treatment from the airlines at all of those pre-travel touchpoints, so even a simple AAdvantage Gold card can radically change your overall travel experience.