Originally Posted by eternaltransit

Maybe I'm old fashioned, but surely status should be a function your travel pattern, rather than achieving status as a goal?

In other words, I think you will have a better time if you choose your carrier depending on your routes, budget, product and schedule. After all if you fly J or F, status doesn't get you much - you already have the premium amenities that status gets you over Y.

If you are flying Y enough to gain status, then I think the priority would be on choosing the best Y product out there for your needs (i.e. seats/IFE/transfer experience if any/flight time). Minimising your time in Y or making sure that Y is at least tolerable for your many hours and many trips in Y surely takes priority over getting a shiny card?

So to answer your question: it never makes sense to achieve EK status per se, but is most beneficial if you travel in Y often (transit or no transit, because the major benefit is lounge access and priority boarding). However, this is no different to every other FFP out there.