Air New Zealand Air Points - How many Gold Elites?

Hi

Was idly talking to someone today about the Airpoints programme and he asked me how many GEs there were. I realised I had no idea and wondered if anyone on FT would know the answer?

On a recent flight (in J) from Perth to Auckland the attendant told me I was the only GE on board (wasn't clear if only one in J or J and Y) which surprised me somewhat. Having said that the business cabin was only about half full.

As an aside, the reason she told me was to indicate that as the only GE on board I could have my choice of main before anyone else!

Anyone know how many Gold Elites and Gold members there are?

I know there are over 1 million airpoints members. I wonder how many of those ever earn more than 100 APD in their lives.

There was an investor presentation at the end of November - http://asx.com.au/asxpdf/20111125/pdf/422t2z4rwrkc9d.pdf

Slide 5 has membership of Airpoints at over 1 million, with premium tiers accounting for 3.5% of the total.

Assuming that "premium tiers" covers silver, gold and gold elite and there are 1 million members, this implies there are about 35,000 people across these tiers.

Only a small proportion of these will be gold elite. I'd guess at possibly 10%? 3,500?

There was a similar thread about a year ago - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-new-zealand-air-points/1174914-gold-elite-numbers.html

This suggested 14,000 people are gold / gold elite, with perhaps 3,000 being gold elite.

If there are say 3500 GE's, do you think NZ currently recognizes the value of these customers?
Surely they add a higher % margin of revenue than other pax. My feeling is NZ is letting GE's drift off or try the opposition & are not communicating well enough with this group.
Maybe I am misguided in my thoughts...

I wonder if they were an increasing, or decreasing number. I highly doubt NZ would let that sort of thing get out, but it would be interesting to know.

As an aside, the reason she told me was to indicate that as the only GE on board I could have my choice of main before anyone else!

This is normal, they always come around and ask the Gold Elites what they want for their meal first, then serve them. They then wheel out the trolleys for everyone else.

It is usually a good way of discerning how many GEs are on any one flight, well in business anyway, where you can see the whole cabin, except the 747s.

I wonder if they were an increasing, or decreasing number. I highly doubt NZ would let that sort of thing get out, but it would be interesting to know.I would suggest decreasing given last years introduction of the ability to carry over GE requalification SP's and even "bank" GE status years.

I would suggest decreasing given last years introduction of the ability to carry over GE requalification SP's and even "bank" GE status years.

But are these changes enough to retain existing GE numbers or to increase them?

What GE changes would make a difference? More recognition upgrades? Lifetime statuses? Additional baggage allowances?

But are these changes enough to retain existing GE numbers or to increase them?

What GE changes would make a difference? More recognition upgrades? Lifetime statuses? Additional baggage allowances?

Tier bonus for sure. That in a way IS more recognition upgrades as you have these bonus points to pay for your subsequent upgrades. So the more you fly the more points/bonus you earn. In terms of baggage allowance, perhaps free bag even on Seat Only fares?

It is usually a good way of discerning how many GEs are on any one flight, well in business anyway, where you can see the whole cabin, except the 747s.

There are two J cabins on the 77W.

There are two J cabins on the 77W.

Dead right, I didn't even think of them...

About 11500 up from about 6500 a few years back

Heaps have been given out or extended although I believe their is now a push to drive it back down so they can get some value back into the program