Status Hold - Parental

Now your Airpoints Tier Status can take parental leave as well

You might be travelling less while you focus on family life. So as a special benefit for Airpoints Elite and Gold members, we can put your Tier Status on hold for a year.

An extra-long year for your Airpoints Tier Status

Here's how Status Hold - Parental works.

We simply move your end of tier date to the last day of the month, 12 months after the day we approve your application. So for example, if we approve it on 10 August, your membership will be on Status Hold until 31 August next year.

At the end of this Status Hold period, your Tier Status resumes as normal. You start a new Tier Status year and receive all of your refreshed Elite or Gold benefits for another 12 months. During this 12 month period you will need to earn enough Status Points to retain your Tier Status by your next end of tier date.

Your Airpoints Tier Status is on hold - but you can still enjoy your benefits

• You can still earn Airpoints Dollars™ and Status Points
• If you travel, you still have access to Air New Zealand Lounges, frequent flyer seating and extra baggage allowance, as well as your Star Alliance Gold benefits
• You won't receive new Recognition Upgrades until the end of your Status Hold period, but you can still request any remaining Recognition Upgrades currently in your account

For Elite members:

• You can still use your valet parking eVouchers, but they keep their original expiry date
• Your Elite Partner can continue to use their current Elite Partner card until it expires. We'll issue a new card at the end of your Status Hold period

If you earn enough Status Points while on Status Hold you can upgrade from Airpoints Gold to Elite. However, that will automatically end your Status Hold period and start a new active year as an Elite member. You're welcome to apply for another Status Hold at that point if you are still eligible.

Who is eligible for Status Hold?

You can apply for Status Hold if you're welcoming a child into your family within the timings outlined below:

• If your baby was born in the last 12 months or is due in the next six months
• If you've adopted or fostered a child under six years old in the last 12 months, or will be in the next six months

If two of the child's parents are Airpoints Elite or Gold members, both of them are able to apply for Status Hold.

How do I apply for Status Hold?

You can apply online. All you need to provide is at least one document that shows you're welcoming a child in to your family within the eligible dates.

Your document can be an image (JPEG, JPG, PNG) or a PDF of the below, and must clearly show your name. It could be:

• A signed and dated letter from your doctor or midwife, on company letterhead
• A signed and dated letter from your employer from a company representative, stating they have approved your parental leave
• Your new child's birth certificate
• Your adoption or foster parent documentation
  

We'll review your application and will get back to you with a response within 10 business days. 

Cancelling your Status Hold

If you'd like to end your Status Hold period early, please let us know. 

We'll start a new Airpoints membership year for you at that point and your new year of benefits including Recognition Upgrades will be added to your account. You'll restart at your current Airpoints Elite or Gold tier, and have a full year to earn the Status Points to retain your Tier Status.