Except that elite bonus miles do count for status, so, in reality, you are really talking of 75K miles if flying on M&M airlines or UA, which is not bad on average. Before the latest round of earning devaluation, it was in fact quite reasonable: 3 long-haul Z class to West Coast USA, for instance, would have done it. With earnings in business class at 200% (whereas a lot of *A carriers will only give you 100% for business) + 25% elite bonus, it was OK. With discount business earnings reduced to 150% (Z) or 100% (P), this is more problematic.