In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
A few years ago a friend of mine registered for the Gold Challenge (when it was free) and a month or so after getting status he was mailed a pass with a "try us out!" type letter. I found it really odd as he was based in MCO at the time where AA didn't have a Club.
Also, maybe a decade ago I bought some on eBay. They were printed on basically business cards and seemed somewhat suspect to me but were accepted everywhere I used them. They certainly came in handy on an MR I took too. I haven't seen them since though I don't look as much as I used to.