So my friend very kindly just gifted me the CSC to get a gold account and I did go and purchase it but its been 25mins and I have no change on my account? No extra quests and I tried to adopt a new pet to make 10 pets but it wouldn't let me because I don't have the pet space apparently.

Does it take a little while to kick in or something? I had a Week Gold before and I don't remember any delay after activated it.

If you activated it, you should have been taken to a page stating it was now active and going on about enjoying the benefits with.

If it's not showing up, I'd honestly file a ticket. It should have been nearly instant.

Yep I got the page, but 35mins and no change at all here :(

Your forum icon is showing you have a gold account.