what’s the right time to apply for membership pause?

[JeeJee]

I am wondering what’s the right time to apply for membership pause on parental leave in Velocity?

I am expecting my first child in February and my platinum is due for expiry in early December. What would be the best time to apply for membership pause if I want to extend the platinum status?
I read through the conditions and it doesn’t give much sense to me

 

[trippin_the_rift]

My understanding by the T&C is that you're best off applying right before your existing Platinum is due to expire.

The way I read the T&C - your membership would be paused for 6 months (ie: you cannot use Platinum benefits at all in this time), and after 6 months, you'll be granted an additional 12 months of Platinum.

 

[AIRwin]

Just found this thread:

Baby Bonus

Was looking at the Velocity parental pause which looks great as we wont be able to do as much OS or Work travel for a bit. From what i can see both you and your partner can take a pause of six months (within 2 yrs of having a kid) and then have you status level maintained for 12 mths after...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[sometime_flyer]

You can use use Membership Pause at any time you choose up until your infant is 2 years of age and you can continue to use Plat benefits in that period including lounge access and redeeming Complimentary Upgrades.
You will be maintained in the tier you are in at the time of your request so in your case it would make sense to apply for the pause period in December.
When you exit Pause after since months, you will be maintained at Plat and your membership review year will recommence.
Its important to note that members may be required to provide verification to complete the application

 

[MattA]

Just to echo what others have said -- am currently on a parental pause and can confirm you keep your current status and all its benefits during the six month period while you are paused. I'm paused Gold and have used the VA lounge plus received the bonus VA miles for my travel during the pause.

The only things you can't do during the pause are:
- move to a higher status (e.g. if you were silver or gold and qualified for the next tier up during the 6 month pause your status wouldn't be reassessed until the end of the pause). Obviously this doesn't affect the OP as you're already plat.
- ask them to stop the pause early.

TL;DR: if you're not going to re-qualify for platinum, then apply for the pause in late November and you'll get an extra 18 months of platinum status for free (if you are already going to re-qualify for platinum then you'd be better waiting and potentially using the benefit to extend your next year of platinum as you have up to 2 years from the birth to use the benefit).