Originally Posted by d00t

It has nothing to do with keeping influencers out.

Restricting F achieves:
- Eliminating brokered F seats once and for all (revenue protection).
- Forces Americans to get the co-brand credit card if they don't already hold status (revenue stream for EK).
- Turns F redemptions into a benefit of status rather than a competition against the masses.
- Ratchet up the exclusivity on redemptions because EK has a large high-value-pax base in UAE and has no problems shelling out cash for F.

Remember that Gold/Platinum status already requires at least one paid segment in J/F to qualify.
Achieving EK status costs more than the equivalent status on any other airline, and protecting that revenue from top customers is what drives the profits.