What he said. But if your Account Summary shows that you earned elite status during the calendar year 2006, that status is good until the last day of February, 2008.

If you earn elite status this year, it is good from the day the status posts (typically within a day or two of the miles that earn it showing up in your account) until the last day of February, 2009.

Last year was my first year ever flying Northwest, and I unfortunately flew round-trips from Hawaii to London and Beijing on non-partner airlines, and a round-trip from Hawaii to Mexico on a cheap Continental fare that only earned 50% EQMs, so I had to do one last trip between Christmas and New Year's to get to the elite level I wanted.

This year, I did a one-way from Hawaii to Scotland on United and Aer Lingus because it was insanely cheap (under $500), but other than that, and destinations where there simply are no EQM-earning partner flights available, I'm trying very hard to ensure that I earn EQMs every time I set foot on a plane!