Congrats. Your experience is no doubt historically date based. I can say that years ago, crossing the 3MM mark came with a choice of nice popular gifts. UA has since downgraded actual benefits experience by granting status based upon spend and using corporate marketing tools. Having traveled on many flights over many years, it is notable that there are more 1K and GS lining up when called for boarding; much more than accounting for the percentage increase in flights. It is beneficial until it is not. As a side note, AF has emerged as offering more achievable benefits; check out their average points required for business/first booked in advanced vs UA/AA/DL/LH.