If they were "TOPS", why give a No in the first place, and you have to ask for a supervisor to fix.

I requalified (ie, one year GE, one year G, one year GE, one year G so after a couple of years, I am now GE again) on 4th July as GE, asked to have my GE membership year brought forward rather than starting on Aug 1. And was told no.

I wanted this, so my PVG-AKL-MEL flight would show as a GE. No luck.

Did I escalate, no, but why should I.

I agree with not bringing forward status based on "future flights", but once qualified - what's the harm of showing in the system a higher status for an extra month, while the new card is shipped out.