Is the intentional one on one thanking new? I noticed it a few times in the later part of the year, was personally thanked by FA a couple times, once the FA handed out hand written personalized thank you cards to (what I assume was all the medallions). Once on a flight although I was not thanked (as GM) the fellow seated beside me was thanked for his Diamond status. I can't recall it happening to me last year (as FO).

I will add they usually thank all medallions on the PA, so just to quibble over details, we are talking about a personal thank you (one on one) from an FA. Those claiming they have never been thanked by a FA is not entirely accurate.

I will agree IME it is much more common from GA upon boarding pass scan.