Well worth the $$ or the mileage, especially with the new AC in Terminal G at ORD, making the AC convenient even if you fly a lot of American Eagle flights. Before the Eagle AC opened, using the H/K AC when on an Eagle-only itn was a stretch unless there was a multi-hour delay (which made the AC membership priceless).

Now for some unsolicited advice: Get to Plat so the miles really start adding up.