Actually, what I think he was saying is that his PC membership expired. In the past, as an unpublished benefit, international-based Plats (and Golds) received a full PC membership. The wife received one last year with her yearly elite package. Since she dropped to Silver this year, I can't tell you whether they did the same this year.
Assuming that he is still Plat and still international, then this might imply that this perk no longer exists.