Thank for everyone's input,
In response to post #6, it is from 2009. I believe she went 36000 miles last year so she barely made it
I just read further on the AP website that the the benefits officially start on March 1, however when she logs into the AP website there is a banner that says Elite now. I guess we'll see what happens at the check in counter to see if she is Gold Star Alliance member yet. She didn't have any status previously so she can't use last year's card.