Well, they're either down again, or still...

Trying to sign up or login sticks you on a planned maintenance page which says down dec 1-5, and also strangely talks about having to reset passwords ... just like your quoted email.

Anyways... has anyone signed up for the elite program through Amex India since 2017? In there, it promises lifetime status, but the maybe more current benefits page seems to offer it for one calendar year.