Has anyone reached a new Preferred level since 3/1/00?

Last weekend, I completed the requirements achieve Gold in the current Silver>Gold promotion. Because the change to Gold is not automatic, I have to call to have them change my status. That gives me the choice of calling as soon as the miles post or wait until the very end(5/31) of the promotion. The change in status won't have any real affect on my travel over the next 6-8 weeks.

My new Gold package will come with system-wide upgrades which I would like to use for a trip to Europe next year in May or June. I am concerned about the expiration dates that will be on my new certificates when they arrive.

If you recently reached a higher preferred level, did your new certificates have expiration dates of 1 year from the date of status change or do they expire on
~ 3/1/01. Possibly some other date?

Any information would be appreciated.