Platinum status takes 50k eqm, 50k eqp or 60 segments. Paid challenges get you to that status very quickly. One long-haul trip in premium (1.5 eqp per mile) or discount economy (1.0 eqp per mile) and you can be mid-level elite. That way, you can earn 100% bonus miles, enjoy lounge access and better upgrade odds on the rest of your flights that year. Qualifying the hard way means you don't enjoy those benefits until you've flown 50k eqm or 50k eqp or 60 segments.