I agree, AY Plus is hard to get a status, but if you fly AY routes, you can get a lounge access on those with silver card (OW Ruby). Other programs need OW Sapphire lever for lounge access I think. That's why I started with AY Plus few years ago. And you can use points for upgrades on AY flights.

But if you're not flying mainly with AY and are looking for a general OW program, then AY Plus wouldn't be very good choise.