Another option is the AmEx Centurion card, which gets you instant mid-tier elite status with 2-3 airlines. (Delta is one, I forget the other(s), but threads in the AmEx forum or Amex can tell you.) It's unlikely that people who don't fly a lot would qualify or find it worth US$1,000 per year, but it's possible. You could, for instance, qualify by putting company purchasing or conference arrangements on a green/gold/platinum AmEx card.