If you qualify for Elite or Super Elite for the first time, it needs to be done by about mid Novemeber in order for your status to become effective immediately and to receive a new 2002 kit. If you qualify any time after that, you will not get instant status (automatically) or a kit. The official rule is that your status will not be active until March 1, 2003 but it should probably be active by end of Jan or Feb.

The Elite kits are usually mailed out starting in early/mid Jan.

DavidNZ - I am not sure what triggered the AC*G on your outbound boarding pass. Since you passed 35K on Dec 1 (sun) and flew again on Dec 4 (flight which you got AC*G), that's not really possible unless it was manually entered. Your Aeroplan CHIP that contains your status is only updated each Sunday. This probably explains why you didn't get AC*G on your subsequent trips because you're not Elite in AC's system yet.

Did you try calling Air Canada or checking on the Aeroplan website to see what your status is?

Those who are basic and qualify for Prestige for the first time will not get instant status.

Hope this clarifies things for people who are qualifying late.