Air New Zealand Airpoints Complimentary Upgrades: use it soon!

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freitasm

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#18997 1-Feb-2008 09:32

Arghhh...

As the holder of a Silver status I had one complimentary upgrade available. I then received the news I was going to Gold level, with two complimentary upgrades.

Great, I thought - I have to buy tickets for the Microsoft MVP Summit in Seattle, so I will use those two upgrades, and keep the third one for later.

Not so fast! The complimentary upgrades are only valid for one year - or less because if you move up or down the status you lose any current benefits.

I didn't know that. I should have bought my tickets yesterday, and requested one upgrade, then wait for this morning for my Gold status to kick in and then request the return upgrade.

Arghhh. Air New Zealand you don't help people being loyal!

nzbnw

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#107942 1-Feb-2008 11:01

Mmm that’s got to suck.

Unlike a few people around here, I actually enjoy travelling on Air New Zealand, and will proactively seek to travel with them when I can, and I am considering joining their Koru Club, just to have access to the lounges, priority check-ins and priority baggage etc (not that I really need it).

I hope I won't regret it, as I would find it hard to make myself fly Qantas (just because it's an Aussie Airline, and why should I support them if the National Carrier doesn't give me a reason to).

That’s not to say I wouldn’t fly Qantas, just not in New Zealand.

nzbnw

freitasm

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#107949 1-Feb-2008 11:39

nzbnw: ...and I am considering joining their Koru Club, just to have access to the lounges, priority check-ins and priority baggage etc (not that I really need it).

The Koru Lounge is great. Being able to have a shower while in transit in LAX, Hong Kong or Auckland is a good thing.

But their ground staff at check in are close to useless.

I have just checked in now to Auckland. I printed my boarding passes at home, and went to drop the bag. The guy doesn't look on the ticket to see the Gold and Koru labels printed - he just slaps the baggage sticker and can't be bothered sticking the Priority tag.

If you ask for the tag he looks at you like "You prick". Because it happened to me before I don't even ask anymore. And now my bag is flying without that sticker that helps you fly out of the airport...

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#107952 1-Feb-2008 12:01

This is interesting:

http://www.airnz.co.nz/aboutus/mediacentre/pressreleases/airnz_judged_best_passenger_service29jan08.htm

How come we are never satisfied with their service and with their loyalty program? :)

Anyway since December I am flying with Qantas, I am satisfied with their service and I am collecting my points.
That's what matter to me. I am really sorry to not being loyal anymore.

To Air NZ: "Points do matter."

(ahh corrected my Hunglish) :)

I is a kollege stoodent. Bee nice.

nzbnw

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#107995 1-Feb-2008 15:30

Aloha:
To Air NZ: "Points does matter."

I agree, Air NZ should offer air points on Smart Saver fares. I guess one could join another Star Alliance Carriers programme, such as United or Air Canada and still get the Air Points.

I just like Air NZ's long haul product.

nzbnw

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#108074 1-Feb-2008 22:20

Air Canada's Aeroplan seems to be the best for me; You earn 500 miles for any trip of 500 miles or less in duration and you earn 125% of the miles you actually fly with Air New Zealand. It takes 35000 miles to become a Star Alliance Gold member, which means that when I fly to Kelowna (and back) once a year, together with all of my other flying around, I clock up Star Gold status pretty quickly.

WLG - AKL - SFO - YVR - YLW - YVR - SFO - AKL - WLG = 16265 miles + 3419 miles as a 25% bonus for flying with Air New Zealand = a total of 19684 miles

With the new direct to Vancouver services I earn a total of 19421 miles per return trip, it's a little bit less, but I think I can cope seeing as I don't have to go through US immigration. (They should set up the pre-clearance facilities in Auckland like they have in Canadian airports...)

While I don't get the partner card that Air New Zealand gives out to it's gold members, I do get access to every UA lounge if and when I travel stateside as well as the Air Canada lounges and the Koru club back here. All in all, I think it's a better deal.