FO is worth more than a Amex card. EC seats, I am running about 50 percent on upgrades. I get to select preferred seating. When I get upgraded I get sky priority boarding? The biggest benefit is rollover, which you do not get with Amex.
Also if you get a reroute you get booked in Y class fare, and head to the top of the upgrade list. I was number 1 of 20 or so from SLC to ORD and 2 of 60 or so ORD to ATL.
Please stop with the FO is worthless. The jump from nothing to FO is much bigger than FO to GM.