If you have status on one airline or hotel chain, you may be able to have another airline or hotel chain match it. So, for example, if you are Gold on American Airlines and are a nobody on AirBerlin, you can request a status match on AB before your next flight and receive the privileges that your new (temporary) AB status grants.
This post from Dan’s Deals is a very useful summary.
Roundup Of Airline And Hotel Elite Status Match And Challenge Offers
The airlines covered in the blog post are AirBerlin, Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Turkish, United and Virgin America.
The hotel chains covered are Hilton, Hyatt and Starwood.
If you have any airline/hotel status and plan to fly or stay in any of those named brands, you are in luck!