Air New Zealand Air Points - SFO-AKL in BP - few questions

We'll be travelling on Air NZ for the first time in about a week. Our routing is as follows:

- BOS-SFO (UA in United First), SFO-AKL (Air NZ in BP), and then AKL-NSN (Air NZ economy) on the way there.
- CHC-DUD (Air NZ economy) in the middle of the trip.
- ZQN-AKL (Air NZ economy), AKL-SFO (Air NZ in BP), and then SFO-BOS (United First) on the way home.

The itinerary was booked for us as a single ticket itinerary for the entire journey.

We had several questions regarding the trip:

1) Check-in on UA at BOS: I'm assuming UA will be able to print BPs for the Air NZ segments (barring any technical issues post-merger) in BOS. Or at least for the SFO-AKL segment. Is that correct? Or would we have to re-check in at the Air NZ counter in SFO to obtain BPs?

2) Lounge access in SFO: From what I understand, we would have access to the UA RCC in SFO's Intl terminal as well as the Eva lounge that's contracted by Air NZ. I've read that the Eva lounge can get crowded but is slightly better in terms of food/drink, but the UA lounge is more spacious, with neither being that great. Does this concur with people's experiences?

3) On board SFO-AKL in BP: Is the mattress memory foam like on the LAX-AKL 773 route or is it the old version of the mattress? Is the pillow full sized like on the 773? Also, for the IFE, is it touchscreen or using a wired remote? Finally, is there power access for a computer that doesn't require a plug adapter?

4) Checked baggage: I believe we're entitled to checking 3 pieces/person at 50 lbs each for the entire journey, including the NZ domestic segment mid-trip from CHC-DUD, but just wanted to confirm.

5) Carry-on baggage: I read that the carry on weight limit on Air NZ is 15 lbs. This would seem to preclude a decently packed rollerboard but just wanted to check how strictly this is enforced and whether others have carried on rollerboards.

6) We have an 1 hr 50 min connection in AKL to make it from the SFO-AKL flight to the AKL-NSN flight. Is this sufficient for clearing immigration/customs and transferring to the domestic terminal? I assume there is an Air NZ bag transfer drop-off desk after clearing customs in AKL - is that correct? Also, is it quicker to walk between the intl and domestic terminals in AKL or take the shuttle?

I know this is quite a number of questions but would appreciate help/info on any of them. Many thanks.

1) Check-in on UA at BOS: I'm assuming UA will be able to print BPs for the Air NZ segments (barring any technical issues post-merger) in BOS. Or at least for the SFO-AKL segment. Is that correct? Or would we have to re-check in at the Air NZ counter in SFO to obtain Bps?

Yes, they should be able to print your BP at BOS. Air NZ seem to like to reprint boarding passes on their own cards, but that can be done in the lounge or gate (at least, they do this at LAX).

3) On board SFO-AKL in BP: Is the mattress memory foam like on the LAX-AKL 773 route or is it the old version of the mattress? Is the pillow full sized like on the 773? Also, for the IFE, is it touchscreen or using a wired remote? Finally, is there power access for a computer that doesn't require a plug adapter?

The 744/772 now has the same mattress and (I think) pillows as the 773. The old IFE on the 744/772 does not have a touch screen, and the screen is smaller than the 773, and the software is slower. There is standard 110/220V AC power.

4) Checked baggage: I believe we're entitled to checking 3 pieces/person at 50 lbs each for the entire journey, including the NZ domestic segment mid-trip from CHC-DUD, but just wanted to confirm.

Yes, it should specify this on your eTicket confirmation if you booked through NZ. The highest allowance applies to the entire itinerary.

5) Carry-on baggage: I read that the carry on weight limit on Air NZ is 15 lbs. This would seem to preclude a decently packed rollerboard but just wanted to check how strictly this is enforced and whether others have carried on roller boards.

Shouldn't be a problem if a bit overweight in international BP. Could be an issue on the small domestic aircraft?

6) We have an 1 hr 50 min connection in AKL to make it from the SFO-AKL flight to the AKL-NSN flight. Is this sufficient for clearing immigration/customs and transferring to the domestic terminal? I assume there is an Air NZ bag transfer drop-off desk after clearing customs in AKL - is that correct? Also, is it quicker to walk between the intl and domestic terminals in AKL or take the shuttle?

I believe the AKL minimum intl-domestic connect time is 90 mins, so 1 hr 50 should be fine. They wouldn't have booked it if it wasn't!

There is a domestic bag drop at the international terminal (hard left U-turn immediately after exiting customs area), but there is often long queues so it can be better to walk over to domestic and check in there if time is short. It's always quicker to walk unless there happen to see a shuttle leaving exactly when you get there.

Many thanks for the info/tips, really appreciate it.

2)
I was in SFO last week, i would recommend the UA lounge, its much nicer, they have a bar (when you go up the stairs its directly behind you) and a few nibbles, its a much nicer lounge then the EVA, the EVA is tiny and not at all comfortable

More often then not a domestic port will issue an Air NZ boarding pass HOWEVER, expect a call to the gate lounge to have it re-issued. Air NZ gate staff will want to check your NZ visa status directly.

2)
I was in SFO last week, i would recommend the UA lounge, its much nicer, they have a bar (when you go up the stairs its directly behind you) and a few nibbles, its a much nicer lounge then the EVA, the EVA is tiny and not at all comfortable
The nibbles and drinks in the Eva lounge tend to be marginally nicer (real cheeses, better quality vodka, wine, etc) and are self-pour so no tipping required.

The WiFi works better in the Eva lounge than the UA lounge, but the UA lounge has more power outlets than the Eva lounge.

The nibbles and drinks in the Eva lounge tend to be marginally nicer (real cheeses, better quality vodka, wine, etc) and are self-pour so no tipping required.

The WiFi works better in the Eva lounge than the UA lounge, but the UA lounge has more power outlets than the Eva lounge.

I went in 30 minutes after it opened (Previously was sitting in UA lounge for 3 hours) and all the cheese and snacks were gone.. Also I personally thought it was of lower standards (US standards of lounges are pretty low already) such as it was very small and seats were packed in so elbows were touching. No space to stretch out and relax.

You are right about the WIFI, i had abit of trouble getting onto it in the UA lounge, but once i did i didn't have any issues after that.

I went in 30 minutes after it opened (Previously was sitting in UA lounge for 3 hours) and all the cheese and snacks were gone.. Also I personally thought it was of lower standards (US standards of lounges are pretty low already) such as it was very small and seats were packed in so elbows were touching. No space to stretch out and relax.

You are right about the WIFI, i had abit of trouble getting onto it in the UA lounge, but once i did i didn't have any issues after that.
The BR lounge does get pretty crowded on full flights but it isn't always like that. Certainly the food can disappear, and if there's nobody around from NZ (rather than BR) it may not be restocked. It's definitely a weak option compared to any other NZ lounge (or indeed, compared to UA in HKG, or the Star lounge in LHR), but I struggle, as a very regular visitor to the UA Clubs in SFO, to say that the UA lounges are better!

More often then not a domestic port will issue an Air NZ boarding pass HOWEVER, expect a call to the gate lounge to have it re-issued. Air NZ gate staff will want to check your NZ visa status directly.

Since many of the domestic airports have been issuing bp's on the larger paper stock, I haven't had to exchange them. Maybe I've just been lucky recently!

The BR lounge does get pretty crowded on full flights but it isn't always like that. Certainly the food can disappear, and if there's nobody around from NZ (rather than BR) it may not be restocked. It's definitely a weak option compared to any other NZ lounge (or indeed, compared to UA in HKG, or the Star lounge in LHR), but I struggle, as a very regular visitor to the UA Clubs in SFO, to say that the UA lounges are better!

:) I have only been into SFO the one time, usually LAX, so i havnt seen it when it wasnt full. But being so close to everyone and not having space to put my feat up was the main deal killer for me. UA lounge had 10x the space and seating, which I place high on my list of things (food wise they both sucked in my first time opinion)

Steve

Thanks, everyone, for the responses - they are most helpful.

One additional question is as follows. What's the best way to inquire about changing seat assignments - at the ticket counter in SFO or the Eva lounge? We have a long layover in SFO so it's not an issue to leave the secured area to the ticket counter if needed. Just in case better seating opens up on the day of departure. If at the ticket counter, does anyone know what time the Air NZ counter opens?

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I'm in the United Club now, at 1725 on a Friday night. It is surprisingly deserted, so it might be a better choice than the BR lounge if you're looking for some space or a group of seats together.

One additional question is as follows. What's the best way to inquire about changing seat assignments - at the ticket counter in SFO or the Eva lounge? We have a long layover in SFO so it's not an issue to leave the secured area to the ticket counter if needed. Just in case better seating opens up on the day of departure. If at the ticket counter, does anyone know what time the Air NZ counter opens?

I'd suggest you go to check in. Last time I was in the Eva lounge in SFO the NZ agent didn't have access to a computer, the agent at the desk seems to be all about validating entry and not really dealing with the flight.