On my server there is at least one lvl 30, im only lvl 27 myself. He have been lvl 30 for a half a year+ , got almost 40 raiting avg less than me and play in club lvl 24. There is also some lvl 28`s and 29`s who played in club lvl 27 last season.

I think they changed someting back when they merged servers.

But your right about the not losing a star....