 TITLE: How Can a Credit Card Help You Earn Airline Elite Status? CONTENT: The Benefits of Elite Status\n----------------------------\nThe perks of elite status differ from airline to airline and tier to tier. However, most offer a similar set of benefits at the lowest levels, including bonus mileage earning, priority treatment at the airport, free checked bags and a shot at upgrades to business or first class.\nTo stick with American AAdvantage, once you hit Gold status, you'll earn 7 award miles (ones you can redeem for flights) per dollar spent on airfare instead of the 5 miles per dollar a normal AAdvantage member would earn. Gold members can also expect priority check-in, security and boarding at the airport, and receive one waived checked bag fee when traveling in the Main Cabin on American Airlines and American Eagle flights. They can bid on upgrades on flights within North America using 500-mile certificates, get standby on flights for free under certain circumstances and get a slight discount on Admirals Club airport lounge membership.\nPlatinum and Platinum Pro members earn even more bonus miles, receive an additional checked bag and have a better chance at upgrades, among other perks. Finally, with Executive Platinum status, you'll receive 11 award miles per dollar spent on airfare, the highest level of priority services at the airport, and waived fees on up to three checked bags. Executive Platinum members also enjoy the best chance at seat upgrades, including four systemwide upgrade certificates that can bump them up from economy to business or first class, even on some of the airline's longest routes, including from Dallas-Fort Worth to Hong Kong. END