Miles for the money. (Executive Travel).

With companies slashing corporate travel, executive frequent fliers are scrambling for ways to add mileage and retain coveted elite status. At least two airlines are making it easier.

American Airlines' frequent flier program, Advantage, is letting its gold and platinum members pay US$395 and $595, respectively, to maintain their current status in 2003 regardless of whether they fly enough miles. But there is a catch: The mileage upgrade must be purchased by March 31. Check the Web for details at aaelite.points.com

Coveted elite status gives passengers first dibs on the best seats, admits them to speedier airport check-in lines and opens the door to first- and business-class upgrades.

Money-troubled United Air Lines also gave its Mileage Plus members a chance to keep their elite status. Passengers within 10,000 miles (or 10 segments of Premier, Premier Executive or Premier Executive 1K status) won a three-month grace period to reach their renewal levels if they paid $25 in February

Road warriors favoring Latin American carriers are getting additional opportunities to bulk up their mileage accounts through LatinPass's renamed GlobalPass program. Connecting through the GlobalPass Web site, wwwglobalpass.com, frequent fliers can now monitor and manage their mileage accounts, see airline news and promotions and earn extra miles by buying products and services.

"The new Web-based tool will allow customers to interact with service providers, participating programs and the program administration at the click of a mouse." says Guy Booth, president of GlobalPass.