I made second tier status on all three legacy US carriers last year, on a total spend of ~$70k. I spread my spend to optimize around schedule -- I almost always take whatever flight is leaving first when I get to the airport. So going all-in on one airline will cost me some time, in smaller or larger increments, but not much beyond that. My travel is fairly irregular, very little to the same destinations. I am based at ORD.

Thoughts? I've never worried much about status since I typically buy full-fare refundable YUP or F, but it occurred to me that it might be fun to make Concierge Key or GS.