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United and US Airways have separately introduced shortcuts to 2007 elite status.

United will give you double elite-qualifying miles or segments on all flights actually operated by United (no codeshares), but only if you pay them $499. Ouch!

In previous years they charged $100, $150, or $200 for the end-of-year double counting. $499? That’s a spicy meatball! Who’s gonna bite?

US Airways isn’t charging extra, but it isn’t offering double miles on its flights, either. Instead, from October 1 through December 31, 2006, all miles that you earn through hotels and rental cars count toward elite status.

Remember, there are two kinds of miles: Redeemable miles, which, as the name implies, you actually can (attempt to) cash in for flights, etc., and Elite-qualifying miles, which are solely used to calculate your status with the airline. 25,000 elite-qualifying miles (EQMs) are generally necessary to obtain entry-level elite status.

Earning status in calendar year 2006 nets you status through February 2008.