Air New Zealand Air Points - Newbie Questions - NZ vs DJ

Hi All

I am a relatively new Silver member and have recently used a comp upgrade to go from Works to Business on a 767 between SYD and AKL.

I really only fly NPE-AKL-SYD return with the occasional domestic to Queenstown or Auckland.

Anyway, to cut a long story short I now realise the benefits of being able to work in a comfortable lounge and have internet access.

Unfortunately, work won't spring for a Koru membership ($761 in first year) and I am put off (although not entirely) by the price. I told them that our company gets the corporate rate with Virgin in Australia but they wouldn't let me get the corporate rate for Koru.

Is there any reason not to just get a Virgin lounge membership for $270? This will give me lounge access in SYD/AUK/NPE which is pretty much all I am after, although premium check in and access to space + would be nice

Am I missing something? Why is Koru so much more expensive?

Additionally, is status easier to obtain on Virgin as a velocity member?

Thanks

Hi All

I am a relatively new Silver member and have recently used a comp upgrade to go from Works to Business on a 767 between SYD and AKL.

I really only fly NPE-AKL-SYD return with the occasional domestic to Queenstown or Auckland.

Anyway, to cut a long story short I now realise the benefits of being able to work in a comfortable lounge and have internet access.

Unfortunately, work won't spring for a Koru membership ($761 in first year) and I am put off (although not entirely) by the price. I told them that our company gets the corporate rate with Virgin in Australia but they wouldn't let me get the corporate rate for Koru.

Is there any reason not to just get a Virgin lounge membership for $270? This will give me lounge access in SYD/AUK/NPE which is pretty much all I am after, although premium check in and access to space + would be nice

Am I missing something? Why is Koru so much more expensive?

Additionally, is status easier to obtain on Virgin as a velocity member?

Thanks

If Gold is unattainable in the immediate future, definitely go for the Virgin lounge membership. It won't get you space+, but you will get everything else Koru gets ( I think, not sure about premium checkin but I presume so).

And yes, status is easier to obtain on Virgin than Air New Zealand and I would recommend going for status there if NZ Gold is unattainable (as NZ Gold gives you A* Gold as well)-just make sure you book your flights to Australia on the Virgin site, rather than the NZ site to maximise status credit earnings. Also, it's far more generous in terms of redemption miles compared to Airpoints.

I would note though that domestic saver fares on Air New Zealand earn no status credits with Virgin, so you'd have to watch for that.

...

Additionally, is status easier to obtain on Virgin as a velocity member?

ThanksIf travel is within the region, then yes - however there are no Worldwide *A benefits.