They are related though, as you mentioned, group xp bonusus will increase the groups overall EXP. Finding a fun place to power level one alt is always useful though, since we dont always want a whole group leveled at once, but rather level one alt we need to complete a group, or switch an alt in because their class is better at a specific role etc.

I think Sam just wanted to pull a prepared and claim himself top of the world without actually checking first.

Last time I checked, my spot was not patched, but I havent used it in a while.