I'm more shocked that you think Gold is supposed to be special in any way. Don't worry, you'll get used to the reality soon enough...Let's think about what he might be saying by the end of the year, depending on his stays for the year:

If he somehow makes it back up to Diamond: I don't care what happens to Golds
If he manages to maintain Gold: I want Gold to be strictly qualifying criteria only, no exceptions
If he manages to just miss out on Gold: I want Gold to be strictly qualifying criteria only, but of course they should be willing to make exceptions for people who almost made it
If he is far from maintaining Gold: I think the airline promos are great, and they should be more widely available.