my parents are moving to knoxville and I live in claifornia, so the possiblity of me flying maybe 18,000 a year is very possible but I don't know abotu 25,000. Also, don't miles earned through the credit card count towards this status or is it just good ole fashioned butt in seat flights. I know in the AA forum it was stated that the credit card points did count towards lifetime gold membership. Also, if you are flying with a companion for whom the tickets were purchased using your points do they also get the gold status or would I have to tell my girlfriend to go stand in another line?