Something I found out. Recently booked flights SXM-MIA using points. My husband has "gold" status and I do not. When I booked my ticket and our sons, ONLY middle crappy seats were available in the back of the plane. When I booked my husbands, same amount of points, he has great choices. I booked (two different locator numbers). Preceded to call AA and play stupid and ask if seats were available near my husband. Sure enough they moved us to his row!!! All same amount of points, just he has more "elite" status than we do!