i actually ended up getting my package pretty quick but here's what happened after i got my amex platinum in mid january

CX-G application booklet never came in the plat package, so i had to request it over phone, and i got it Jan 15.

Jan 16 i dropped it off at the AMEX Canada office on Warden in Markham. they have a bank type teller area on 1st floor for clients.

Jan 17-21 i kept calling to check after work, but status was unknown

Jan 22 i called during the day instead and got a lady based on the same Markham office, who actually walked over to the benefits group and checked for me. found out it was never received (perhaps stuck in inter office mail or lost). super nice lady probably heard the disappointment in my voice, and went out of her way to find another CX-G package for me. i drove over in the afternoon, she personally gave it to me, waited for me to fill it out, and took it back upstairs to give directly to benefits team. i called her boss later to leave a voice mail to hopefully give her some good feedback

Jan 24 i left on my trip, YYZ-HKG leg first

Jan 29 2nd leg of my trip from HKG to PEK. at the CX check in counter at Kowloon Airport Express, i inquired about my status, and was told i was CX-G already in their system! i was surprised it happened so fast. im not sure if it helped that i put my AsiaMiles number in the MPC part of the AMEX MPC application, but it went thru in only 1 week. i happily took my free extra leg room seat and paid $25 USD for my GF's extra leg room seat. they also printed out lounge invitation cards as i mentioned i hadnt gotten my MPC-G card yet.

Feb 8: on the way back i had to call in advance to pay for the seat change, as i didnt want to chance it on the HKG-YYZ leg & wait till i was at airport check in counter. i'm 6'5 and dont fit very comfortably in standard economy. it was a relatively quick call with MPC. my call was directed to HKG. total process over phone took no more than 15-20min. got my GF an extra leg room seat for $100 USD and mine was free. but i prefer to think of it as hers being free, and me paying $100 to not be cramped for 15 hours. worth every penny :P

Feb 12: i got my CX-G package finally in the mail. only actually took 3 weeks! i think i'll keep using these luggage tags even after i drop the AMEX Platinum and subsequently lose CX-G. the look nice and classy, and my boring black luggage can finally be easily distinguished from the rest at the carousel!