Advantages of upgrading your BP status to a paying account?

[John Arendsen]

I've been getting very good information from myriad BP members/contributors in the short time I'm been a non paying member. But I keep getting posts that require that I upgrade my account in order to reply or participate. 

Can someone other than a paid BP employee please explain to me what the advantages and perks of upgrading your account really is? I'm not averse to upgrading but I just want to know from other members if it has really helped them since they subscribed.

I have been a paying "RAINMAIKER" on Active Rain, a very good residential real estate blog, since '08. In '14 I was elevated to an "AMBASSADOR" which is a title that gives the member more status and recognition as an active, knowledgeable and experienced member/contributor. 

There's no charge or dues requirements for that status either. It's simply based on how long you've been a member and what you can bring to the table as a resourceful member/contributor.