Only airline were customers have been able to buy an elite status WAS Air Berlin subsequent to their acquisition of Deutsche BA. Until several years ago you were able to buy that Silver Status (if I remember right about 50 EURO per year).
I don't think that's entirely correct. When I first joined BAEC (late 80's or early 90's) I was a silver and I paid for that privilege (whatever the privileges were back then!)
rb211.