If you are some amount of points away from the next status level, you should:

  1. Begin with the Getting Started Guide to learn about the available programs to earn Loyalty Points
  2. Read through the comprehensive free guides for each of those available programs
  3. Read part 3 of the Getting Started Guide to see how you can earn 40,000 LP for $500
  4. With a free account, browse earnings to view the top fixed-rate merchants
  5. Watch for deal posts in r/loyaltypointhunters

Read through these FAQs to understand what miles count as Loyalty Points and when they post: