Smugness isn't the word. It's more about having the whole experience be less stressful. I just made elite status for the first time, and being able to skip the lines, get my choice of seat (even in economy) makes a huge psychological difference.
I can settle into my seat, and do some work before the door closes, or even fall asleep before the wheels leave the ground.
Also, lounge access. Lounges make air travel civilized, like staying at a nice hotel (SFO international British Airways lounge excepted— it feels like being at a Holiday Inn Express).
(I'll fly 75k miles this year. AA PLT/OW Emerald, and I fly almost exclusively CX/KA/AA.)
I can settle into my seat, and do some work before the door closes, or even fall asleep before the wheels leave the ground.
Also, lounge access. Lounges make air travel civilized, like staying at a nice hotel (SFO international British Airways lounge excepted— it feels like being at a Holiday Inn Express).
(I'll fly 75k miles this year. AA PLT/OW Emerald, and I fly almost exclusively CX/KA/AA.)