The improved status is well worth it even when traveling on fares that are not upgradeable. The access to a decent quiet lounge without having to spend $8+ for a poor cup of coffee in an echoing barn during a three hour connection is a joy. If you're lucky, your elite or whatever status, will get you bumped to business or even first class when they have oversold the steerage. Happened to me twice trans pacific in the last two years.