While it�s great that Air NZ seems to have been listening to requests I�m surprised at the Parental provision being so generous - I would have thought that while its a good idea to allow that membership be put on hold that is exactly what it should be - on hold and inactive - then when resumes the timers in terms of both expiry and earn requirements would restart exactly at the point they stopping and essentially just be frame shifted.

The negative effect of the new policy is that it potentially can increase lounge congestion by allowing a number of people access for a longer period of time for which they may otherwise have been ineligible. And with the 3 complimentary children to age 17 access also factored in lounges are likely to become more congested.

It is also a bit unfair in that it allows members who have children to essentially get double the RUs for one qualification year - those for the year they put on hold and a new allocation when they come off hold - not great for non parents unless NZ had plans to increase RU availability to compensate.

Im also amazed that I haven�t noticed a restriction as to how often a member can apply for this benefit - it reads that on lifting the suspension a new year starts - so if a member has a baby, applies for suspension then reactivates at the end of the twelve months, they only have to earn 810SP (and t&c don�t specify from flying Air New Zealand) if they are by month 11 of requalification year expecting again within 6 months (by month 17) they can apply again for another suspension to remain Elite even though they didn�t earn anywhere near enough SP in the year back - and then get a further 12 months at suspended Elite before another year for requalification? Thus potentially 46 months at Elite for potentially qualifying once and never actually requalifying - e.g. 01/01/20 qualify Elite - 01/12/20 apply hold - 01/12/21 hold finishes - 01/11/22 only earned 810sp but reapply as having baby by apr23, - 01/11/23 hold finishes and elite until 01/11/24. If having another baby could repeat cycle hit note NZ approves at their discretion.

While it�s good to see Air NZ recognising long term loyalty and customer feedback perhaps they should restrict the Parental Provision to members who have held Elite for 5 years and/or restricted to one application per member,

Also should they have a similar provision for members who are made redundant or change jobs as they may also have a period when they fly less for similar but different reasons.

Haha wasn�t suggesting they would but traditionally if having multiple children they are often not widely spaced and people can take unfair advantage if the situation applies!