Actually I think Status is a plus, After achieving Silver, I had an Op-Up for me and my wife but on a very short flight, not a BIG plus since I actually never thought of an upgrade, If I keep my expectations always low then I think I'm on the plus side.
Lounges well, I think it's only when your gold is an advantage to go in any Emirates lounge worldwide.
In DXB I could get in any of the Marhaba lounge.
I think if you would continue and forgot about the op-up's, you would get one along the way.
Really dissapointed that you never had one since you know alot of the program more than lots of ppl around here.