Yeah, I'm thinking along the same lines.  While ideally I'd be able to see and use my credit directly, at least this way I can book a flight/price on the day, without needing to involve the call centre at the time

Does anyone know what happens if you book a flexidate ticket with your credit and decide to cancel later on? Do you just get another credit? - (as opposed to the full cash refund as normal)

Sorry if I've missed this previously in the thread.

https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/covid19-refunds-flight-credit

If you use a credit to purchase a refundable fare, any refund claimed will be returned to the form of payment used to purchase that refundable fare. Any portion paid using a credit will be returned to you as a credit and be available to be used for as long as the credit remains valid.

GregV:

 

https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/covid19-refunds-flight-credit

 

If you use a credit to purchase a refundable fare, any refund claimed will be returned to the form of payment used to purchase that refundable fare. Any portion paid using a credit will be returned to you as a credit and be available to be used for as long as the credit remains valid.

 

What were you expecting Air NZ do do?

I was answering Nate001's question

Thanks - I suspected this was the case but last time I looked I couldn't find the exact answer as GregV was able to. I just wanted to confirm the situation.

And no I did not expect some loop hole where if you cancel it would magically refund you cash in place of credit. I was more curious about the terms of the refunded credit eg does it have a new expiration date, but the linked answer is clear it retains the same conditions.

Thanks for the help!

GregV:

 

I was answering Nate001's question

 

Oops totally missed seeing his post!

itxtme:

 

DaveDog:

 

I would suggest the fine print doesn't help you at all.

 

Air New Zealand can argue that at level 2, they're obliged to reduce capacity to confirm to social distancing - therefore your flight being cancelled is outside of their control as they've had to reschedule and rebook to apply to those rules under Level 2.

 

 

Not so sure about that.  They are not not obliged to cancel flights under level 2, in fact more flights would mean more capacity to spread people out. Lets not kid ourselves here, its a financial decision as many of those flights are likely very empty.  I would say there argument for forcing credit is on very shaky ground under level 2, and equally somebody may have an argument for compensation under the CAA act as legally there is nothing forcing Air NZ to not fly those routes. 

I have to say I have been underwhelmed with the general approach, communication and execution by Air NZ through Covid.

 

And there we have it - someone took them through the disputes tribunal process and won

 

And there we have it - someone took them through the disputes tribunal process and won

 

Watch the flood of others who will also now ask for a cash refund vs a credit. If they don't appeal this, take it as a indication that cash refunds will be offered. Thats seriously going to put a spanner in the works. I recall the amount to be refunded was in excess of $1 billion. The company themselves said it could be make or break to whether they remain in business. Guess the government will come to the rescue with another massive bailout. 

gmball:

 

Watch the flood of others who will also now ask for a cash refund vs a credit. If they don't appeal this, take it as a indication that cash refunds will be offered. Thats seriously going to put a spanner in the works. I recall the amount to be refunded was in excess of $1 billion. The company themselves said it could be make or break to whether they remain in business. Guess the government will come to the rescue with another massive bailout. 

 

Not necessarily as there are two issues here. Some flights were cancelled by Air NZ for operational reasons, others could not be operated due to government-imposed restrictions.

 

Not necessarily as there are two issues here. Some flights were cancelled by Air NZ for operational reasons, others could not be operated due to government-imposed restrictions.

 

The only flights affected by government imposed restrictions were those to mainland China during the initial outbreak of the virus when the government mandated the suspension of all direct flights to and from China. 

All other destinations were still available, albeit Air NZ made operational decisions to cease flying there. The vast majority of customers wanting cash refunds would have been affected by operational decisions vs government restrictions?

It’s an interesting ruling. It would be interesting to know how many people are through the process and have accepted credits and how many are left not having taken credits, instead preferring refunds. It might not be a huge issue in real terms.

Unless people who reluctantly took credits are now going to take on a Disputes Tribunal case to change to a refund.