Does elite status offer you anything special if you are already in paid First or Business Class (best available cabin)? The only thing I can think of is bonus mileage, and one can decide for themselves if that is worth it. There is no need for an upgrade, and you already get priority boarding, check-in, and in some cases, priority baggage. If your airline offers lounge access for free to elites, they probably do as well to First or Biz (that's most non-US airlines, exception Delta).

The root of this question is if you are loyal to and have status with a certain airline, is it better connect on them vs flying nonstop or making an easier connection on an airline without status, assuming you are in paid best-available cabin.

BizJet