The only recognition I've ever gotten like this had nothing to do with being 1K (although I was down to Plat for a couple of years). The first was I was lavishly treated in coach after an FA asked me to help him with his computer (I guess I looked young and nerdy?). He said he would have pulled me into business but it was full.

The second I was traveling with my partner and the FA immediately recognized us as "family". No charge for our requested booze. Although I suspect this might have had something to do with the first scenario too.