I think there are many intangible benefits to becoming 1K and I would not hesitate to take every step to reach the 1K level. For example, most airports have seperate check-in facilities for 1K members; 1K members receive first selection for meals in business class; 1K trumps, as far as I know, most upgrade options, from priority waitlist to operational upgrades. And there are probably more that I receive that I don't even know about. If I had to book a mileage run just to make 1K, I would do it in an instant.