Originally Posted by
thebakaronis
To clarify, it's to achieve the highest status you can with the least $ spent. This primarily involves (1) getting the highest number of PQPs per $ spent on flights and (2) secondarily getting the max number of PQFs per dollar spent.
If you fly UA, it's 1 PQP per $ spent (on airfare). So the only way to do better is fly partner flights. Generally the beneficial ones (>1 pqp/$) wind up being in discount business or premium economy. See
Earning Status (PQP) on non-016 Tickets and Partner Metal for more details. For the joint PQF goal, add connections wherever possible. Fares are filed by O/D city pair, so you only pay extra taxes and airport fees when connecting.
But of course all of that — finding super excellent fares, connecting — takes time. So maybe you pay another way.