Being the equivalent of a Wing Commander an then a Group Captain soon after I started flying commercially there were a few perks in the civil passenger role. My BALPA card had my Captain rank on it and this was ideal for upgrades, anywhere and anyone.
I was flying from Thiefrow to Shanghai with a Chinese carrier but the check-in staff weren't interested as they worked for a separate contractor. As I boarded I presented my Chinese licence to the CA welcoming me and just before taxi I was invited to the big seats in the front of the cabin.
There's no point in having power if you can't abuse it.