Don't know if it's still the case, but American lets you miles for their weekend specials, say $200 for the trip, or $49 with 10,000 miles.

If you plan on doing some weekend jaunts that may be a good reason to have more miles on American.

I'm not sure being an executive will help get you into e+. Somebody will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that is first come first serve to anybody who deserves to be there, be it with status or full fare. It will get you into an exit row though.