Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Nashville -Past DL Plat, FO, WN-CP, various hotel programs
Programs: DL-MM, AA, SW w/companion,HiltonDiamond, Hyatt PLat, IHF Plat, Miles and Points Seeker
Posts: 11,405
There is no status to buy, and by the way, the only status gets you early boarding. No reserved seats. No first class.
As to cards to get - we have lots of cards but do not use them to earn miles on daily spend. We alternate getting SW cards and get the signup bonus. We actually get two of them in the late fall and get enough for the companion pass, then put them away.
If you like to board early, I strong suggest thier premium cards. Yes, they cost more, but you get 4 A1-A15 boardings. (better than A list), along with annual miles boost.