It's company policy to fly coach but since I'm an American Airlines Platinum flyer (with nearly 3.3 million lifetime miles) I do get frequent upgrades. For example, two weeks ago I flew back to Orange County from Dallas in First Class and tomorrow, the Chicago to OC leg of my flight home from Rochester will be First Class. Now even if I don't get an upgrade I can still board the plane early, I don't have to pay luggage fees and my bags get priority handling (as if I was flying first class).
However, the biggest perk that I have is that I've qualified for the TSA-PrePass program where I get to pass through airport security much quicker. The lines are shorter, I don't have to remove my shoes or even take off my coat, I don't have to pull-out my laptop, I don't have to have my shampoo and toothpaste in a zip-lock bag out for inspection, etc. I just put my bag(s) on the conveyer and walk through the normal metal detector (NO full-body x-ray machines) and I'm on my way to the gate.