Qantas’ top frequent flyer has 20 million frequent flyer miles — apparently mostly earned with butt-in-seat flying rather than by running up high credit card bills.

The article has a few inaccuracies, for example

domestic US carriers don’t have a business class, much in the way fast-food franchises don’t carry “small” drinks and burgers

United does sell business class seats domestically on all of its 3-class aircraft.

American certainly sells business class on 3-class planes from New York, Boston, and Washington DC to Los Angeles

You can’t buy tier points by spending money on your credit card. Carriers don’t give them away in promotions.

Actually, you can earn tier points by spending $25,000 on a Delta Skymiles American Express.

America West is currently offering a deal where by flying and using its partners you can earn 5000 bonus tier points.

I know that United and Continental have done it, just to name a few..

Nevertheless, the article is a good read. 🙂