Online check-in or not (re airnz recognition upgrades)

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shacknasty

29 posts

Geek

#196681 9-Jun-2016 01:21

Hi all,

I have a slightly complicated question about an RU on Air New Zealand (have read the other thread but it is now locked). I'm flying home from work in HKG tomorrow and have requested a recognition upgrade from PE to Business (requested it last week 7ish days ago before my flight over). After my flight over to HKG last week my airpoints status was upgraded to gold and is now active, which should hopefully bump me a little up the queue for upgrades.

Since its within 24 hours of the flight back, and online check in is open, I was wondering if it is better to check in now, or at the airport for the best chance of the upgrade going through (I've had limited success using RUs in the past). I've heard (from other GZ threads) that its mostly dependant on spare seats at time of check-in but not really sure.

Advice appreciated. Hoping to be able to have a good nap on the way home.

Thanks!

aschteev

80 posts

Master Geek

#1568354 9-Jun-2016 07:08

I was of the understanding that when you went up a tier i.e from Silver to Gold that it wasn't valid until the next month. I have been caught out by this before when trying to use an ANZ lounge. It may have changed since.

My experience with RU's has varied in the past in terms of when you receive confirmation. On some occasions it has been 3-4 days prior to travel that I have received notification, a couple of times at check in when the upgraded ticket is just handed to you. Usually though, it hasn't been until they call out a list of names just prior to boarding that I have received my upgraded ticket. However, last month when flying back from Houston it wasn't until I scanned my boarding pass and it went red that the upgraded ticket was printed.

My suggestion is to check in at the counter and ask the staff if it has gone through. Otherwise, cross your fingers that your name is one of the ones called out at the gate!

sbiddle

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#1568355 9-Jun-2016 07:14

Whether you check-in online or not makes zero difference in relation to an RU clearing. The vast % of RU's only clear at some point between airport check-in and the gate.

Batman

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#1568442 9-Jun-2016 09:23

Are RUs FOC or deduct from airpoint dollars?

Kyanar

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#1568636 9-Jun-2016 12:52

joker97:

Are RUs FOC or deduct from airpoint dollars?

They're Recognition Upgrades, not APD Upgrades (which are Gold Elite only). You have a limited number of them, and it's a bit of a lottery, but there's no cost to using one.

MikeAqua

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#1568650 9-Jun-2016 13:09

I just go to the premium check in counter and they usually confirm the upgrades there.

Mike