My friends and family think it's ridiculous that I would even do that, let alone waste time and money to do it.
My justification to them for doing it was...
Why is it important to justify anything?
It's your money, it's your time. It's also your seat up in First Class while they're stuck back in steerage with all the others - many of whom also don't see the value of such pursuits.
You get thick skinned after awhile. If people ask, I give them the basics. However, no sooner has the first "But I just don't ... " passed their lips than the conversations is over. I've long since given up explaining the myriad benefits of doing what I have to do to attain status to people who often just don't want to understand. I just tell them "I'll see ya up in First Class. While you're passing through on your way to seat 31E!"