Originally Posted by
jasepl
I think you're both right.
Tier points linked to credit card spending is indeed a unique feature. Albeit, ultimately, not necessarily a good one.
So whilst they run the very real risk of someone earning elite status by flying Emirates and Indigo a lot, with elite status on Jet being of increasingly diminishing value, I don't know if it's going to do significant damage.
Actually, I now do recall that Continental had a credit card that allowed one to earn EQM for status.
However, this has now morphed into another United credit card, but one cannot attain 1K (top tier status with flying, not spend $$ on tickets - that's GS status) and I think you can get EQM up to Plat (one step lower than 1K) on UA.