I can't speak to GS (I've never come close to qualifying) but as a fellow non-US resident based in Europe, I'm not really chasing status at this point beyond Gold for the Star Alliance benefits. CPUs aren't any good if you're not taking domestic flights and the other benefits aren't really worth much.
Originally Posted by
commaspace
For international trips, most companies would already pay for J so there's really no benefits there.
LOL I'm sorry, but "most" employers do NOT pay for J for non-C suite employees. I've flown probably hundreds of work flights over the past 15 years to all corners of the globe and not once has someone else bought me a J ticket. I fly J all the time but I have to upgrade or cost-construct with my own money to get there, and every other person I know (in a variety of industries) is in the same boat. It's just the way business travel is these days unfortunately.