Well put, JT, and welcome orangeed.

JT forgot to write that even the credit cards are limited (with Platinum cards good for up to 100K miles/year, I believe), unless you are already a Gold+ member with AA. -So in that sense, charging the villa would not help you be an elite member. (Although some FT-ers might trade you upgrade certs for a week's stay. )

The only thing I've heard of is bigshot CEO types that get comp Elite status - usually on the premise that they will (continue to) give a lot of business to that airline.

Don't help us grunts much, tho!

-KP