Doing exactly this in four days (paying the fee).

Most important things for my wife are:

Using elite lines at the airport, when available to 2P

Priority boarding

E+

Blocking the seat next to her on narrow-body A/C

Irregular ops preference

Discounts on 500's/RCC

Mileage is there, but down the list, as we get miles from other places.

My recommendation is a solid yes, if she plans to fly next year of any length, and especially if alone.

Lastly, when flying together as elites, she can window and you can aisle (3 across) and you don't have to worry about getting caught in a sweep, as you might if she was GM and you brought her into E+.

Downside can be if you are waitlisted for upgrades together (you sponsoring) or if she is on a seperate PNR sponsoring herself, after your threshold passes....IIRC, it's possible you might clear and she might not. You can always switch This would be an issue if she were GM too, so I imagine you've dealt with it before.

We're also primarily leisure travelers and I'll make 1P lite this year, up from GM.

Pat