I second the Hilton program where they offer gold for 4 stays. I called them up couple of years ago when I needed to travel frequently and they offered that to me via some secret corporate code or something.

I'm pretty sure every corporation has this program, just call them up tell them who you work for and they'll fix you up. Else search the web and you'll find a code for some company.

Also US Air apparently gives you SPG Gold to random people. I got that this year on the mail. I didnt have any status at SPG or US. Maybe you can call US and ask for that.