The only value is that you might own the row of seats as most people aren't willing to spent a penny more. I flew EC from MSP-NRT on a 74 and I "owned the row". I never reclined my seat once -- just laid out my bed went unconscious. From HKG-DTW I had coach but once again, I had the 3-seat row to myself and setup my basecamp without needing to recline. When you pick your seats, you can gamble and put yourself in the middle. Just look at the seat loading and you can make your guesses from there. I thought I read somewhere that you can upgrade from coach to EC if you're at least willing to pay (or not if they don't care). So I suppose if you monitor seating and find a row section empty, take it! Pay them if they ask. That IMO is worth the $120 or $60 or whatever you get charged.

Just keep in mind that there isn't any extra service from the FA's. They make their usual rounds which are sufficient enough. I'm a beer drinking and always get two at a time.