I did it as recently as June 99, and there seemed to be no problem. As long as your AC Elite number is in, you will show up as * Gold.

I recall the agent asking me on the phone if I was PremEx or 1K, and I told her that I was * Gold. She seemed to take this as sufficient.

In my view, it never hurts to ask. "Them's don't ask, don't get."