Advantages of an Annual Travelcard??

Hi folks - quick question.

I will be getting an annual zones 1-3 on my Oyster very shortly - what
are the advantages of having an annual season ticket other than the
reduced cost? Does it entitle you to any discounts etc?
If so, should I go the paper ticket route so that I can "prove" that I
have an annual ticket (given that you can't tell from just looking what
period an Oystercard is for? :-) )

Any advice appreciated

Many thanks

> I have exactly the same as you, and I did indeed receive a gold record
> card (although contrary to the other poster, I recall this came with the
> Oyster card... maybe I'm mistaken).
>

I already had the Oyster itself, which was just updated electronically by
the gate at my local tube station after I did the online renewal. But the
paper ticket came something daft like 6 weeks later, during which time I
fortunately didn't need to get the National Rail discount.