To be back on topic, I am feeling even better about making SE for 2017 now that apparently so many are not. Even if the benefits don't improve, the drop in numbers will produce benefits - more eUps clearing (although I am 100% this year) and more opups.
I understand that $20K is a lot for some people. However, for others it's not. I'm at $26K with at least $8K more to spend this year. AC knows how many will finish above $20K and chose this value for a reason. All the whining in the world on FT won't change this. As many have said, 100K miles with <$20K spend is most likely not profitable enough for AC to provide SE benefits.