You must fly to qualify for the elite category. Connecting flights add additional segments which help travelers reach the elite status

(CNN) -- It's almost the end of the year, and road warriors are focusing on re-qualifying for elite status in their airline's frequent flyer program.

"The airlines these days are really paying attention to people who can prove that they are indeed frequent travelers, taking in excess of 10 trips per year," said Chris McGinnis, a business travel consultant for CNN.

Travelers want the perks that come with elite status, such as bonus miles, preferred check-in and boarding priority upgrades, said Karen Goodwin, editor of Frequent Flyer magazine.

"Privileges like airport club lounges... just make travel so much easier," said Nathan Lump, a spokesman for Condé Nast Traveler magazine.

To keep yourself in the elite category, you must fly. But, be aware that miles earned by using credit cards or certain phone companies, or through hotel stays and car rentals, won't qualify you for that status.

Qualifying miles come only from actual miles, or segments flown.

Depending on the airline, you will need a minimum of 25,000 miles, or 30 flight segments, earned within a calendar year.

Reaching super-elite status takes even more. For example, Delta Air Lines requires 100,000 base miles or 100 segments or 20 transoceanic segments of flight to qualify for Platinum Medallion in its SkyMiles program. United Airlines requires 100,000 paid miles or 100 paid flight segments to earn its Premier Executive 1K status.

"It's not unusual for elite flyers to ... go to a neighboring city, never get off, never leave the airport, and just come right back just to accumulate the miles they need," Goodwin said.

Some flyers also break up non-stop trips into connecting flights to earn more segments, all in the effort to stay elite.

Based on a report from CNN's Business and Travel and Beyond. The segment appears weekdays on Early Edition at 7 AM (ET) and on Morning News at 10 AM (ET).