One of the big incentives (for me) to reach SE was IKK.

IKK has been "watered down" to such a point that I don't see the value in going for SE when I have E already and can get mid tier status on at least one other, maybe two, airline/alliance with my remaining flying this year

Furthermore I don't see myself doing 3MM lifetime (I have 1.2MM to date) and while I could easily make 2MM before retirement, I don't see the value in doing so... the only one I would gift lifetime E to would be my wife and she would always be traveling with me in our "golden years" so where is the incentive in reaching 2MM?

So the bottom line is that I see no overall burning value in obtaining SE or lifetime SE. When you consider that I already have lifetime E (+1MM) then my best bet is to "spread it around".

AC/AE needs to "sweeten the deal" to get more of my business.

IMHO, AC/AE needs to fix IKK and return it to the premium benefit it once was. Otherwise SE just is not worth it.