As an AA EXP it certainly makes a difference from immediate and specialized help during irregular operations to sitting up front most of the time. Those few times I fly DL a year (with no status) its a totally different experience. I usually will by a $39 DL SC pass from the kiosk just to soften the blow (at least pre fight).

DL in Y, I have flown twice.
I load up on booze in the SC, bring oversized carry on onboard (which ends up being gate checked for free), and, when I hidden city, I give the BP to someone outside so they can use the lounge (in auto town).

I'm generally ok with being non-elite, but I have had two periods with heavy enough travel to gain some type of status.

I used to be A-list on Southwest, which was nice just so I wouldn't have to check in 24 hours in advance. I preferred Southwest at that point because they had non-stop flights to the places I was going. Saved time was my primary goal.

Now I'm Gold on AA, and I didn't really expect this to mean much of anything. However it's actually turned out to be surprisingly nice. I can select exit row seats and aisle seats near the front, even when the seat map would be locked out for non-elites. I get free bags. I get to use the PriorityAAccess line at the ticket counter, skip the line at security, and board first. Yesterday when many flights were canceled due to Dallas weather I was able to call the Gold service desk and get an agent without any time on hold.

All in all, I didn't realize how much time and annoyance even the lowest elite level would provide!

WN is the best because they allow hidden city for a LCC in the US.
The best American carrier, is, however, American.
And, with GC's, I can get away with hidden city.

I am at LHR right now waiting on my flight back home to DTW and really appreciated the status this trip.

While I didn't get oped up coming over Tuesday I had an entire row in EC to myself which was great for sleeping. When landing I had access to Yotel for a shower (which I appreciated because my room wasnt ready at the hotel when I got there so it was great being able to shower on landing).

This morning at LHR the lines were pretty long for both check in and security and it was great just walking right up to an agent to check my bag and only having 2 people in front of me in security instead of waiting in the long line.

At the skyteam lounge now. Really nice two floors, and a lot nicer than the domestic SC's. Great hot breakfast layout on both floors and plenty of free comfortable seats, sure beats waiting in the gate area.

You sir are why we have to show our ID when we use lounges