My assumption has always been that AA has already offered Golds and Plats a cheaper upgrade, and they have refused. Why would an elite in their right mind want to pay more for the kiosk upgrade? They could still get the sticker upgrade if they wanted it.

If your husband is offered the kiosk upgrade, and you want both of you upgraded, refuse the kiosk upgrade, and tell the agent that you want both of you sticker upgraded. If there are two upgrade seats, they can do it for you easily and quickly.

I think that OP is being offered kiosk upgrades since he purchased the tickets before he completed his Platinum challenge. As we all know, AA puts status in your record when it is ticketed, and does not refresh status before printing boarding passes.