I qualified for an Emirates Gold card in May 2010 and flew them again last month. I was surprised when the person who checked me in told me that i need to do another long-haul with them by May 2011 to re-qualify for Gold.

I fly a lot on Delta, Continental, Lufthansa and if you qualify for elite-status with them, they give it to you the year you qualify, and the next calendar year. Emirates however seems to be following a 12-month rule - since I qualified for Gold in May 2010, i need to re-qualify by May 2011 (and not December 2011 as I thought). Is this a mistake, or does Emirates really follow a 12 month cycle for Elite requalification for 1st timer's?