Even then you have to find a flight that isn't oversold to the point of people cutting each other to get a seat.

I hesitate to even call them "benefits."

I guess technically they are "various non-wage compensations provided to employees in addition to their normal wages or salaries," however, the value of them is near zero if you can't use them. Sorta like saying "Well, we'll give you a villa in south France that you can use whenever you want," but I don't have time to go or even a key to get in.