I requalified EXP by March this year, right now I'm just under the 200k+ mark for the year, and on current plans expect to make around 300k by year end, so in theory I could go for three Emerald cards, yet I put every single mile into AA for two reasons: the 100% bonus and, to a lesser extent, a future MM mark that gives me [theoretical] lifetime status. Upgrades, lounges, etc., are, in my very own personal case, not nearly as important as being able to get several substantial OW awards for travel with Viajera every year, and for that I need a truckload of miles.