The qualifying spend -- less than 500 EUR a month -- would typically be incurred with the primary purpose of purchasing hotel accommodation, not of achieving status.
I get that. My point was that one would spend less with HHonors to attain Diamond status (30 stays) while receiving much greater benefits during those subsequent stays (and spending just under 500 Euros per month). In fact, attaining Gold status with HHonors (20 stays) gets one more benefits than currently with LCAH Platinum.
Right now, the elite benefits associated with LCAH are fine considering the ease of reaching the threashold levels. However, one aspect of that dynamic will be changing significantly. And thus the potential for a great imbalance.