Air New Zealand has a programme aptly called ‘Status Hold – Parental’ that enables you to put aside your Airpoints status for a year while you are on parental leave.
If your travel plans are on hiatus during your parental leave, and you fully embrace your newly static existence, the policy offers to place your Air New Zealand Airpoints status on hold for a year, granting an extension until you can fly again.
The programme was launched back in 2020 – a fairly latecomer to recognise status holds for new parents. Regional Competitors Qantas and Cathay Pacific have had a program Since 2015 and 2016 respectively and Star Alliance Partner Air Canada has had theirs since 2016 as well.
The carrier is no stranger to family orientated products, for example, Air New Zealand Skycouch which adds a little luxury to Economy flights, but is very much targeted at young children.
What Is On Offer
Air New Zealand simply change your Tier Status review date to 12 months from the day they approve your application.
At the end of this Status Hold period, your Tier Status resumes as normal. You start a new Tier Status year (called the ‘Retained Status Period’) and receive all of your refreshed Elite or Gold benefits for another 12 months.
During the 12 month period after your Status Hold you will need to earn enough Status Points to retain your Elite Status Tier by the next Tier Status review date. This is different to Qantas Parental Hold where your status is held (as opposed to extended) for only 18 months and you are required to reach the Status threshold again within that 18 months.
Importantly, if you earn enough Status Points while on Status Hold to upgrade from Airpoints Gold to Elite – your Status Hold period will automatically end and you will start a Tier Status year as an Elite member.
Tier Status Benefits
In terms of 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 – this in contrast to Cathay Pacific’s Membership Holiday where once you are on hold you are locked out of all services.
The only thing you won’t receive are new Recognition Upgrades, hotel vouchers, car rental vouchers and valet vouchers until the end of your Status Hold period, but you can still use any unused vouchers in your account, they just keep their original expiry date.
If you are an Elite Member, your elite partner membership is unaffected, you will not be issued a new partner membership card while on hold and you cannot change you’re your partner while on Status Hold as well.
That said, if applicable you will be eligible for Loyalty Upgrades using Airpoints Dollars, Banked Years, Elite gifts, Elite Experiences and focus groups
Airpoints Status Hold Eligibility Requirements
It should be noted that Status Hold does not apply if your card is obtained complimentarily, including being gifted or matched. However, if both of the child’s parents are both Airpoints Elite or Gold members, both of them are able to apply for Status Hold.
A maximum of two caregivers can be on a Status Hold at any one time, for the same child.
To apply for a status hold:
- Your Biological 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
Neither has to prove that they’re taking any time off work
How To Apply For Airpoints Status Hold
To apply, the fastest method is to apply online using the dedicated link and logging into your account.
All you need to provide is at least one document that shows you’re welcoming a child into 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
Common Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for an application to be reviewed
Air New Zealand will review your application and will get back to you with a response within 10 business days.
Are there any limitations to the number of Status Holds that can be taken
Unlike British Airways and Qantas which limit 2 Status Holds in a 5 year period, Air New Zealand has no limit so long as
- You do not apply for any additional Status Holds’ until the end of your Retained Status Period (the end of the 12th Month after the expiry of your current Status Hold); and
- have earned at least 810 Status Points in the 12 months prior to a new application being made for an additional Status Hold
It therefore there the restrictions are fairly loose.
