I got my elite status, good through 2000, basically by flying TWA back and forth between home and school. The Student Travel Pack is a great deal. Also flew across the country a few times to qualify.

Most of my flying in the past few years has been international, though. On Lufthansa to Frankfurt & Prague and from FRA to HKG, Air France to CDG & Prague, and Cathay to HKG and Penang. Unfortunately, miles spread across a bunch of different programs. I also try to fly Alaska as much as possible up and down the coast to avoid the dreaded UA shuttle and Southwest.