Air New Zealand Air Points - Just joined Koru :)

Hi all

I've just joined Koru for a few reasons - namely that I enjoy and fly solely with DJ domestically (Aus) and wanted Virgin Australia Lounge access, but really love NZ's international product and am going to RAR for my honeymoon, so joining Koru is pretty much the best option. Especially for being able to access the Koru Lounge in MEL, AKL and RAR.

The idea to join Koru had never crossed my mind and it was in fact Virgin Australia who suggested it, in order to be able to access the Lounge in Australia, but also while on my international legs.

I just had a question that seems to be somewhat ambiguous after doing some reading around the net. One of the benefits of Koru is that you're able to request a seat in Space+. The website notes that you have to have your Airpoints number in the booking, but my question is do you need to specifically request this, and if so, how/where/when? Is Space+ equivalent on Trans Tasman 777 flights (eg NZ124 MELAKL) Premium Economy? Do I have to be in a specific fare bucket? And if moved to Space+, does that include a partner travelling who's not in Koru/Airpoints?

Thanks heaps!

Liam0s

I think those seats should become automatically available when you go to choose a seat. In the 77W, IIRC some of the Y+ seats are Space+ while some are for Works Deluxe. Someone who actually flies it/is eligible for Space+ is probably able to help you better.

Space + automatically opens up for you, although you need to book a works fare to access them Trans-Tasman.

Also, bear in mind that this reciprocity doesn't extend to the Islands, so you'll only be able to use the lounges on your RAR trip if you're flying to/from RAR with Air New Zealand.

To pre-allocate a space+ seat you need to be booked on the The Works Product, Seat/+Bag can only select Space+ on day of departure if seats are lift. Although can select any other seat, where as non members can't.

When traveling with an non-member on the same booking they will get Space+.

On the 744/772/77W services Space+ is the Y+ cabin.

Just a further comment re Koru access to seating. Many of the NZ flights to the islands, including RAR, use 767s which do not have space+ but they do have a business class section.

Something to bear in mind when booking to RAR. Most of the flights there use A320s (which do have space+), once (or sometimes twice) weekly 777-200 (which has space+ in the PE cabin) and twice using 767s.

The Koru lounge at RAR is good, including food on offer. It does get very crowded and I suspect that 'rellies' are allowed access to the lounge when they shouldn't be.

Oh, and yes, you do need to book Works to be able to access space+. However, if it's a 767 I can't see why you couldn't access any seats in the economy section.

Hey all - thanks heaps for your replies! I'm very excited to check out the lounges as I've always been a fan of Air NZ and now have even more of a reason to fly them when I can.

For the flights to RAR, I was planning on using NZ anyway to get the 777 between AKL and MEL (favourite aircraft and great onboard product), and because I prefer the International A320 config over the DJ 738 config.

I have always been one to arrive at the airport at or before the time checkin opens, so if there are Space+ seats left on the day then I'll be lucky. Can't really afford to go Works Deluxe with house, wedding and honeymoon all happening at virtually the same time. And one of the reasons I wanted Koru was because of the late flight time out of RAR and early out of AKL, gives a nice quiet personal space to relax in, so I plan to make the most of it.

Thanks heaps to everyone for your quick responses!

Just received my Airpoints card - I was wondering - is there anything coming about Koru or is it all just implied and online?

Was expecting like a Koru welcome pack with the benefits etc - which I know are all online anyway, which is possibly why they don't do it.

And I assume that when one is going to enter the Koru lounge, or any other associated lounge (ie Virgin, partner lounges) they have to swipe to check your validity - there's no specific Koru Club card?

Thanks again for your help!

Just received my Airpoints card - I was wondering - is there anything coming about Koru or is it all just implied and online?

Was expecting like a Koru welcome pack with the benefits etc - which I know are all online anyway, which is possibly why they don't do it.

And I assume that when one is going to enter the Koru lounge, or any other associated lounge (ie Virgin, partner lounges) they have to swipe to check your validity - there's no specific Koru Club card?

Thanks again for your help!

You should get a pack sent to you. Also, I don't believe Koru get access to Virgin lounges and this page seems to back that up http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/partner-lounge-directory

This could be different in practice however....

You should get a pack sent to you. Also, I don't believe Koru get access to Virgin lounges and this page seems to back that up http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/partner-lounge-directory

This could be different in practice however....

Sure you do. Looking at the lounge directory it is for NZ operated international flights.

You get DJ Lounge access regardless, as long as you're flying DJ that day and a current Koru member. Flew MEL-ADL-MEL over the weekend and used the Lounge at both airports.

Thanks though - I'll keep an eye out for a Koru pack, the Airpoints one was quite minimalistic! Just card and a really tiny brochure!

Hi Liam0s, you definitely will be receiving a Koru welcome pack at some point soon - Usually it takes about a week but I noticed that you are living in Australia, so the delay is probably due to the time it takes for the pack to be shipped over as I believe that they are printed in New Zealand.

Inside the pack is your Koru bag tags, your Koru membership card, and a booklet outlining your Koru benefits (which as you have rightfully assumed, are mostly on the AirNZ website anyway). There used to be some Koru passes as well but this was discontinued mid-last year with a flat +1 guest at AirNZ owned and operated lounges instead.

If you want, you could give the Koru Customer Service team a call and ask them if your pack has been sent - They are very friendly and helpful so should be able to give you an update. I am unsure if there is an Australian toll free number but I would assume if you call the AirNZ Australian Airpoints number (1800 803 298) they should be able to transfer you if required - Which will save you having to make an international toll call!

Hi Liam0s, you definitely will be receiving a Koru welcome pack at some point soon - Usually it takes about a week but I noticed that you are living in Australia, so the delay is probably due to the time it takes for the pack to be shipped over as I believe that they are printed in New Zealand.

Inside the pack is your Koru bag tags, your Koru membership card, and a booklet outlining your Koru benefits (which as you have rightfully assumed, are mostly on the AirNZ website anyway). There used to be some Koru passes as well but this was discontinued mid-last year with a flat +1 guest at AirNZ owned and operated lounges instead.

If you want, you could give the Koru Customer Service team a call and ask them if your pack has been sent - They are very friendly and helpful so should be able to give you an update. I am unsure if there is an Australian toll free number but I would assume if you call the AirNZ Australian Airpoints number (1800 803 298) they should be able to transfer you if required - Which will save you having to make an international toll call!


Thanks heaps for your reply! My Koru pack did finally turn up yesterday which was quite exciting :)

Out of interest though, where does everyone keep their ePass - if you keep it on you at all? I know it's only for domestic NZ travel, but the fact that it has to be stuck to something strikes me as odd and I can't figure out where I would put it when I do go over to NZ.

Out of interest though, where does everyone keep their ePass - if you keep it on you at all? I know it's only for domestic NZ travel, but the fact that it has to be stuck to something strikes me as odd and I can't figure out where I would put it when I do go over to NZ.

I've got mine on my mobile, but I've also seen people just put it in their wallet.

Yeah I stuck mine on the back of my cellphone-which helped when I lost my phone on a flight to ROT. It ended up in WRE and someone there rang up home to say they had my phone.

In my wallet.
I was not going to take part in the DYKWIA/Guerilla Advertising that NZ undertook when they "suggested" putting it on you mobile phone.

Wallet ...

I'll chime in here as well :) With my old Nokia I had it stuck to the back of the phone, however when I changed to a proper smart phone which sits in a case most of the time (or a cradle, if in the car) I didn't want to have it on the back of the phone as it would not be so practical.. So now it sits in my wallet.

Have to be careful though, as there is also a Snapper card in there and as both use NFC, I have to have the AirNZ ePass on one side and my Snapper on the other side - Making sure to put the correct side to the reader so that the information can be read properly.

All comes down to personal preference I guess! :)

I did use it in my wallet but now use mPass on my iPhone.

Hi Liam0s,

I'm planning to join KC before my next trip. I want to make sure I get the info pack and tags, etc before I leave. From the dates of your posts it looks like it took 3 weeks to get your package. Was that correct?

Other than KC members, who else has access to space+? Just trying to figure out if there are likely to be some of these seats left a few weeks before the flight.

Thanks

Other than KC members, who else has access to space+? Just trying to figure out if there are likely to be some of these seats left a few weeks before the flight.

Thanks

NZ Gold, NZ Gold Elite, Star Alliance Gold, works deluxe on short haul Trans-Tasman/Pacific flights. Remember too you can only access those seats on booking if you book the works.

The works are only for Pacific and Tasman flights, right?
I'm flying to LHR via HKG. When do you think these seats would get booked up?

The works are only for Pacific and Tasman flights, right?
I'm flying to LHR via HKG. When do you think these seats would get booked up?

The space+ seats are only available on Pacific and Trans-Tasman flights.

The space+ seats are only available on Pacific and Trans-Tasman flights.
And domestic jet services (737 and A320);)

Sorry, looks like I was a bit confused.

The travel agent told me that there were some "better" seats in economy that were blocked off. He thought they'd be available to KC or G. Maybe these are not space+ seats but just exit row, bulkhead or something like that. Does that sound right?

Yep, Koru or G/GE is the only way to access seats 53B and 53J on the 777-200 aircraft (which have unlimited legroom effectively).

I think some of the front rows of economy are blocked too? Not sure.

Hi jamcro

I think 3 weeks is about right, from my memory. I'm glad the other members chimed in regarding space+ seats, because I still haven't gone on a flight yet with NZ since having Koru membership.

I have taken a few Virgin Australia flights though, having the Koru card and they barely even gave me a second glance, so if you're planning on travelling to/through Australia, definitely worth checking out.

Thank you. Sounds like there is no advantage to joining much earlier than a few weeks before I travel.