Tinstaafl,
That used to be the FAA's policy on type ratings. I carried a DC-3 type at the commercial level for a few years after I got my ATP until I did another checkride in a Three. Now the FAA says since you will be held to ATP standards during a type rating checkride no matter what level of certificate you hold, when you get a higher level certificate your type ratings advance to the higher level without another checkride.
And a320renewal's 2 dollar fee is only if you want a new certificate issued. Your FAA certs are good for life (please read the fine print) at no cost.