#1. Elite check-in and phone service.
#2. Elite mileage bonuses (allows me to accrue faster and redeem for more int'l upgrades).
#3. Ability to swap 4 earned e-upgrades for 10,000 miles that I could use towards more int'l upgrades.

#4. Ability to reserve the best coach seats at time of booking (exit row, etc.).
#5. The occasional Op-UG I get on int'l flights.
Note to AA: notice that "The ability to swap 4 earned e-upgrades for 2,000 miles" didn't make my list. May I reiterate ->