I think the big advancement here is the "reusable space rocket landing" part, not the "getting to space" part.

Yes, but if your rocket is smaller and nimbler because you only designed it to go to an altitude of 100km, isn't it easier to land?

Probably. SpaceX clearly have a huge lead, but in either case we have competition. We've got a good old fashion biggest dick contest for rockets and space. Look what that did in the 1960s!

Maybe we'll get the BFR sooner!