my father has enjoyed 1K status for the last 7 or 8 years... he never spent more than $5000 each year. (edit: $4763 in 2019, $3915 in 2018, $5042 in 2017) He uses his German address as his account address. He divides his time equally in the US and Germany.
as a 100% leisure traveler all of his UA or Star Alliance flights were the lowest coach fares on TATL and TPAC nonstop flights.
well.. he still has 1K in 2020, but it's highly doubtful that he'll make 1K for 2021. (obviously)
