Okay, I decided it's not worth it for me. Too many assumptions...
- *G status actually lasts long enough to make this worth it
- I fly *A often enough not in J/F to benefit from the different priority treatments and lounge access
- I have kids iy"h and actually need more than the bags we'd be entitled to anyway bc of UMPE or J/F class
It's going to cost $800 - ~$200 (whatever use I can get from the miles, maybe 1 OW domestic ticket) = $600
Finding out you don't get lounge access any time you show up to the airport was a big blow for me. Someone suggested booking refundable *A tickets for that day and cancelling once I checkin to the lounge, but I'm not interested in dealing with that every time I fly.
For those going, enjoy! Should be a good story to tell.