I was Gold until this year, then summarily demoted to Blue in April. Consequently I have no stays in 2003. But I got an email two weeks ago warning me that my points will expire 1 December without a qualifying stay, and urging me to book something... then a targeted "fast track to Silver" promo this week (need two stays by 15 December)... so they are making a retention effort -- unlike certain airlines that instead mount repulsion efforts.