Hasn't happened this year... at least not yet, but I was comped from Silver to Gold (when Gold was the top) for 1998.
I had been having a minor problem with some miles posting, and when it was resolved the OPSC rep asked if he could do anything to make it up to me. I asked for Gold status. His response was quite interesting.
Since I was within a few thousand miles and flew in and out of Phoenix (an under served market,) I was going to get comped anyway, so he just did it early.
This year, I'm hoping for a repeat, but don't expect it.
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The only difference between ordinary service and extraordinary service is a little EXTRA.
-- Bob