Hello - I have a question for the experienced aeroplanners on this forum.

Last year someone told me about this concept of writing to Aeroplan to ask for top-tier status even if you didn't make the miles. Does anyone have experience with this? (Apologies, as I'm sure this has been discussed before. I'm basically new here).

My situation is that I fly tons for work, but have been on maternity leave for the entire 2008 calendar year, (baby born at the beginning of January). I have flown a bit this year, but nothing like as is usual. I only had 13,500 status miles in 2008, . But at least I wasn't constantly dragging a screaming baby onto planes, right?

For anyone with experience - is it worth bothering? I called and got the email address, but not sure what I would say. Does anyone have any tips?

Thanks a million in advance!!

 

Oops, I forgot to mention that I have had Elite status for the past 8 years in a row, and have been an Aeroplan member since early 90s. (Also have BA status, but that doesn't run out until June, so if I don't get AC status this year, I'll probably do all flights on BA/one world from now on).

 

AFAIK LH has an option to get extension in case of maternity leave, so you can argue with them to get yourself too. I think it is pretty fair to get as it is good reason!

 

Welcome to FT vaappe!

One of the great features on FT is the "search" feature. If you entered "maternity" as a key word, you will come up with a number of threads including this one from 2 weeks ago. It's always best to try to post into an existing thread/topic if it's already been covered rather than start a new one.

Extension of Elite due to Maternity

And on behalf of all the other frequent fliers here, thank you for not dragging a screaming baby with you on flights!

Hope you'll stick around. There's lots to learn here. And to answer your question, should be no problem getting your status renewed. YMMV. (standard FT disclaimer which means "Your mileage may vary"!).

 

Please update this thread on your efforts so others can read this thread sometime down the road and perhaps it will help them decide whether to take the same steps. Too often there are questions asked but no updates or answers given.

 

Ugh. Sillly me. I should have searched first!

I sent an email off last night, and I *promise* to post their answer.

TBH, I'm not as optimistic as everyone else on here seems to be. The only time I have ever contacted Aeroplan about anything was when I was only a few miles short of earning a threshold bonus at the end of a year. I asked if they would consider giving me the bonus anyway, and they said no. That seemed like a much more reasonable request than this one... but, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

Hi, this is my first post. About an hour ago I sent an email to the provided address in hope to secure SE status for 2009 even though I am short miiles. I have had a knack for flying like 80,000 miles in a few months leading up to year end, only to get knocked back to zero. I was SE for 2008, and sent a nice letter outlining my situation, specific information about previous years, as well as plans for 2009.

I am not optimisitic, but will happy to share their reply when the time comes.

 

Welcome to FT, chunkd.

 

An update.

I sent an email and received a reply asking for a scanned copy of my daughter's birth certificate. I sent it, and the *next day* received an email saying that my status will be extended for 2009!

I am shocked, amazed and very, very impressed. I really didn't believe AC did things like this. I have a BA flight booked next month to Canada, and am even thinking of cancelling it and rebooking on AC. For the first time in *years* I feel goodwill towards them.

Thank you Aeroplan!

 

That's great news!!! Its always nice to have a "good news" story for a while on this board. Kudos to AP for doing this.^^

 

Congratulations, and thanks for sharing the results with us! ^

 

Gender bias. This is definitely a Charter case for us males.

 

Have you tried telling them you took paternity leave and were off work as a result and couldn't fly? :-)

 

I'm shocked. I will have to reevaluate my view that AP is nothing but a heartless entity.

Congratulations.

 

Well - sorry, no. My husband did the same and he also got his status extended in 2009 due to his paternity leave last year. (I didn't include this in my update, as it is more for him to tell people than for me... but), SO THERE!!!

In fact, I would say they did him a much bigger favour than me, since his paternity leave was only a few months, not a full year, and because he hasn't been Elite on AC as long as I have (he is a Brit)... So, if anything, the gender bias is more in the male's favour in this case.

Anyway, wow, some people are grumpy!!!!! I'm sure I now I'll hear about how people who decide to have children..., yada yada yada. well, to preempt, my children will be responsible for contributing to future pensions... so it all evens out doesn't it??

I thought it was something nice to report.. i guess I was wrong.