Hmmmm Im trying to figure out whats different then my xbox live account? I can do all that and I dont recall it being referred to as "gold"
xbox live silver is without paying. it gives you access to downloads and etc but you cannot play online among many other features that get stripped. When you have gold, you have access to everything including gaming online. If you can game online, you have gold.
Gold costs $60 minimum if auto renews, you can buy this instead, put the code in and it will extend your current subscription another 13 months.
occasionally silver customers get free weekends where they can do netflix and game online and stuff as a teaser to get them to buy but beyond that it is very limited.