I am member of Qantas and SQ frequent flyer programs.
For QF, SCs determine status though min. 4 QF segments required also.
With SQ, I accumulate miles to redeem award flights. I don't have status.
When reading some forums here and on FlyerTalk, I see discussions on EQM, EQS and the like. See this post as an example:
10-Segment Runs COS to PDX/SEA @ $261.50 a/i - FlyerTalk Forums.
Can such runs help fast track to higher status in *A?
Each frequent flyer program has different ways for you to gain status.
With Qantas status credits determine your membership level, with British Airways tier credits determine status; for American Airlines its miles or segments flown.
Example: from
flyertalk American Airlines.
AAdvantage members can qualify for elite status annually based on calendar year butt-in-seat elite-qualifying miles (25K / 50K / 100K), elite-qualifying points (25K / 50K / 100K), or elite-qualifying segments (30 / 60 / 100). All fares on AA earn 100% elite-qualifying miles, 50–150% elite-qualifying points, and 100% elite-qualifying segments.
If you found a 10 segment run for $261 on AA then you could be a third of the way to AA Gold(oneworld ruby)
An example of one airline which has very easy qualification for status, is Aegean Airlines who have only just joined star alliance this year. To reach Star Gold on Aegean you only need to fly 20,000 miles, not to difficult on a trip to UK/Europe from Australia could get you Star Gold. Link from
Boarding Area Onemileatatime
If you were 98,000 miles for the year and you could reach top status with a cheap round trip to go over 100,000. The extra benefits through upgrades or lounge access might be worth the small outlay in cash and time to take the trip for no other reason than for status. You just got to then get the miles to post which can be a problem if you are earning with one airline but flying another airline to get the status. Lan Chile comes to mind.
My last membership year to reach Qantas Platinum(Oneworld Emerald)I flew 54,000 qualifying miles(actual miles flown 82,000), I flew 8 American Airlines domestic first class segments to get me to Qantas platinum, if I had credited to AA I would have only reach AA Platinum(Oneworld Sapphire)
American Airlines has different names for each status level.
American Gold = Oneworld Ruby = Qantas Silver
American Platinum = Oneworld Sapphire = Qantas Gold
American Executive Platinum = Oneworld Emerald = Qantas Platinum.