My son got his elite comps by writing to the VP Marketing of the airline, enclosing a copy of the competitor's statement showing elite level. You can get name and address from the airline. My husband and a cohort got theirs through the corporate travel agent. My husband has been comped for hotel but without asking. You can be Silver in Hilton HHonors by getting their Amex Optima card (free! - and you get points for applying).