I got a similar e-mail a couple of weeks ago for Gold.
I was 200SC short and had a Business Class DUB-MAD-BCN-MAD-DUB booked on IB for the credits.
I was told this was a once off and if my future travel plans were enough, I'd be extended a year. Sent through my 2010 plans, cancelled the IB flights and today I noticed my status reassessment is Dec 2010.
Big thumbs up for recognising that I've been Gold for 4 years and just didn't make it this year ^^