I'm pretty sure it doesn't matter if you're getting elite through HE or not, you have to activate it before the 13th to get Founder status

The website says "The MW3 Hardened Edition includes a 1 year Call of Duty Elite membership and Founder status."  It does not say that you have to activate before November 13.  It seems like you only have to activate before November 13 if you only pre-order Elite. 

@CallOfDutyElite im geting #mw3 3 days later but its hardend do i still get everything or do u have to do stuff on the first day it comes ou

 

@Darown95 Hardened Edition guarantees you Founders status, so you're all set

http://twitter.com/#!/CallOfDutyElite/status/114110844933128192

@CallOfDutyElite so as long as you have pre ordered the hardened edition and sign up for it by the 13 your guaranteed founders status???

 

@Posolethief Hardened are guaranteed regardless of when they sign up.

http://twitter.com/#!/CallOfDutyElite/status/113639872903917568

It sounds like we are in the clear...

The whole 13th of November thing is so that Founder Status is limited. If you do not have the Hardened Edition you have to activate your subscription to Elite before that date. If you buy Hardened Edition, you are securing Founder status, irrespective of when you activate it.

So to summarise, Founder status goes to those who pay a year subscription to Elite before 13th Nov. OR those who have Hardened Edition (date irrelevant). Without Hardened Edition you can still subscribe to Elite after 13th Nov. but won't get Founder Status, although you'll get the DLC etc. or you can just buy the game and get on with it anyway!

If you have the hardened edition, you can get founder status after the deadline of the 13th. That's why the card with the code is there, it has a web address on the back to go to.  You Will still get Founder Status!!!!!!!