I think it would help. Lets be honest here: no one is going to give AUs to coworkers/friends/random people and not many people would pay $50 for their guests. So, the free guests are mainly family members which most likely travel together only for a couple of times a year.

If this policy doesn't help, there might be a need of spending requirement (like $10k a year) even for regular Amex Plat members.