Welcome to FT.
From what I gather, you are not a frequent flyer, but you do have a considerable number of miles accumulated. Getting to the first level of elite status on any airline is only beneficial if you fly. That is, if you spend relatively little time in the air every year, there is little point in having the elite membership card in your wallet. The benefits are largely seen after you arrive at the airport.

For those of us who travel a lot for business or leisure, there are clear elite flyer benefits that make the travel experience smoother and more comfortable. The more you fly, the greater the status and the benefits. On the rare occasion that I have to fly on an airline on which I have no status, the journey is more challenging from the time I make my reservation to the time my plane lands at its destination.