(This post is a clone of the first post in the thread, and has been replaced with the basic information about lifetime status.)
American Airlines is perhaps unique among the airlines in offering lifetime elite status to its members based on the number of lifetime
miles earned from any source. (N.B. this is an undocumented benefit, and could change without notice.)
Basically, here's how it works: according to miles ever earned from any source (yes, credit cards, EQM, bonus miles, exchange transfers in from other programs, etc. all count, and regardless of whether they have been used or not,) one can earn lifetime AAdvantage status. (This is explained in the Wiki -
link.)
1 million miles - Lifetime AAdvantage Gold status
(
and 8 500 mile domestic upgrade "stickers," unless you live n an area where the "stickers can not be used, in which case you will be awarded 4 eVIP systemwide upgrades;
2 million miles - Lifetime AAdvantage Platinum status
and 4 eVIPs valid for the remainder of the current, and the following, status years, regardless of domicile
every million miles thereafter
4 more eVIPs, new status and 2 more luggage tags
You are also sent a congratulatory letter, as well as a new AAdvantage status card and two luggage tags - both reflecting current status and embossed with a logo with the millions of miles one has earned over their lifetime.
The highest number of miles by one person earned seems to be 34 million miles.