I spent $2,700 flying around the world just to keep my airline status. I got stuck in Qatar and ran out of clothes, but it was worth it.

I flew more than 100,000 miles last year for my job as an aviation content creator, making airports and airplanes feel almost like a second home.

After that much time in the air, a comfortable seat and a quiet airport lounge aren’t just loyalty perks; they make my exhausting travel schedules far more bearable.

So when British Airways made its Silver status — which gives me free access to dozens of Oneworld Alliance member lounges and free extra-legroom seats — much harder to keep, I had to get creative.

What followed was a 13,000-mile, three-day “mileage run” across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the US in July to earn enough qualifying…