Having elite status on an airline is pretty cool. After all, depending on the airline, it can offer perks such as enhanced customer service, priority check-in, complimentary upgrades, free seat selection, no charge for checked bags, lounge access, etc.
However, unless you have elite status for life, a flyer’s elite status typically only lasts for a specific length of time (how much time varies from airline to airline). If you’re still out there accruing each year, that’s fine. But if something happens in your life and you suddenly can’t fly for a while, your elite status can eventually go down the tubes.
Except in certain circumstances outlined by some airlines.
Some airlines allow flyers to put their elite status on hold for a set amount of time, if certain major life events occur. Here’s an outline for those rules for U.S. based airlines:
Alaska Airlines
Accepted reasons for elite status extension:
Through Alaska Airlines’ Elite Leave program, members can extend their Mileage Plan elite status for another year during maternity, paternity, or adoption leave.
How to request the extension:
Step 1. Once you’re back from parental leave, email them at elite.flyer@alaskaair.com with your:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Mileage Plan number
- Proof of pregnancy or parental leave – a note from your doctor or employer will do.
Step 2. They’ll verify that you’re eligible and extend your current status through the following year.
Important caveat
Those who earned their elite status as a gift or as a status match are not eligible for this offer.
Delta Air Lines
Acceptable reasons for elite status extension:
Delta appears to be the most benevolent in terms of their willingness to extend a member’s elite status. Acceptable reasons may include:
- becoming a new parent
- changing jobs
- going back to school
- experiencing a medical issue
- needing to take care of a friend or family member
- another life event
How to request the extension:
From Delta.com:
When you’re ready to start traveling again, submit your request to get your Medallion Status back. You must meet both of the following basic requirements to be considered:
- You had earned Medallion Status during the previous Medallion year, but either lost it completely or moved to a lower Tier of Status
- You have documentation to verify a life event occurred which reduced your ability to travel (all life events will be considered)
If you have already lost your Status or moved to a lower Tier, please make sure that you’re ready to start traveling again before you submit your request.
If you have not yet lost your Status or moved to a lower Tier but anticipate losing it due to a life event you are currently experiencing, you must wait to submit your request until your Status changes.
Your 90 Day complimentary status period will begin as soon as you receive your enrollment confirmation email stating your request has been approved.
Reviews of requests may take up to 15 business days, but please know we are doing everything we can to get back to you as soon as possible.
3. Travel with complimentary Status for 90 days
If your request is approved, you will receive an enrollment confirmation email letting you know you have been enrolled in Reclaim My Status and returned to the Medallion Status you enjoyed the previous Medallion Year. This complimentary Status will last for 90 Days beginning on the date your request is approved.
If your request is not approved, you’ll receive an email notifying you of Delta’s decision.
4. Earn back your Status through January 31, 2027
To extend your Status beyond the complimentary 90 Days, you’ll need to enroll in and be approved for Reclaim My Status between January 1 and December 31, 2025, and meet the minimum MQD threshold on qualifying Delta flights for your Status Tier during the 90 Day period. If you meet the MQD threshold during the 90 Day period, you will earn 2026 Medallion Status and keep your Status until January 31, 2027.
Hawaiian Airlines
Accepted reasons for elite status extension:
Hawaiian’s Elite Status Extension program allows their members to keep their Pualani Elite Status for an additional program year due to the birth of a new child, a serious medical condition or a military deployment. “A qualified event includes parental leave or a medical condition lasting 12 weeks or longer that prohibits you from flying.”
How to request the extension:
“Submit your request and supporting documentation. Upon verification of your eligibility, we will extend your elite status for one program year.”
American Airlines and United Airlines
Neither American Airlines nor United Airlines have anything on their websites that say they’ll extend someone’s elite status due to life events. However, according to a report from TPG about a year ago, both airlines report a willingness to work with affected travelers on a case-by-case basis. It’s recommended flyers contact the respective airlines for more information, if needed.
Feature Image (cropped): Delta News Hub (© 2016, Chris Rank, Rank Studios) // flickr // CC BY 2.0
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