sunday night i was in atl trying to get on the 9:40 flight to bos.. they had added an extra flight at 9:50.. needless to say the 9:40 was delayed until 11:15 while the 9:50 was leaving right on time.. waitlist was closed.. i tried to get on.. mentioned i was a gold after being told the standby list was closed and was told to stand close by as they might have an opening or two they wouldn't use.. a platinum came up a few minutes later.. was told the list was closed.. mentioned that he was a platinum.. she took his ticket for the later flight, told him to take any available seat and just sent him down the jetway..

i wouldn't expect this to happen all of the time or even often but the once in a while benefit is pretty much priceless, especially when they're cancelling flights left and right..