Originally Posted by
BudgetJetsetter
Here's a data point. I submitted the status challenge application July 4th. Follow up July 15th with an email and as of today no response.
I have my first Spirit flight tomorrow and I thought it'd be plenty of time but I guess not.
It took a month to approve mine, but when I received it essentially it had two months left, which means it was activated 4-5 days after I submitted it. So your flight normally should fall within the qualification period (unless what counts is when you booked it). You may even be able to challenge any costs you may incur for bags, for example, if you retroactively get the Gold for that time, but it is unclear. I wish they were clearer and more organized.