Air New Zealand Air Points - Upgrade between LAX and South Pacific

G'day NZ angels,

I need some suggestions and possibly some help here for an upcoming itineary to the beautiful South Pacific. I am in the process of planning a trip to PPT and NAN or AKL. Unfortunately, as this is leisure travel so only economy class for me this time. But the ticket isn't cheap nonetheless as my itineary is more than just a simple round-trip.

Due to the complexity of this itineary, I have to travel on NZ on most if not all sectors outside of North America. Now, this is both good news and bad. Good because I will finally set foot on NZ aircraft which I was supposed to try long time ago but ended up not doing it. Bad news is I am not used to travel in economy so would like to upgrade from economy. I did some research and my conclusion is that my options are quite limited:

1) Fly on free reward
2) Transfer Starpoints to a NZ Air Point account using an address located in an eligible country (e.g. UK), then redeem for upgrade vouchers to be used on a stand-by basis
3) Paid for the J seat with cash
4) Pray for operational upgrades
5) Make a deal with a NZ Gold Elite member

#1 is not considered because I want to earn status miles for elite qualification purposes.

#2 will be used as last resort only

#3 very unlikely

#4 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

#5 Here is the main point of my post I guess. I know the Gold Elite upgrade vouchers are quite limited in numbers so they are considerably precious. My question is are these specific vouchers confirmable in advance? In other words, can a Gold Elite member confirm an upgrade using voucher in advance other than having to stand-by at the airport? Finally, if so, would anyone be interested in trading 2 vouchers for something else of similar value?

I don't know what to offer specifically, but suffice to say I can give a variety of rewards from Oneworld and Star-Alliance carriers or Hilton/Starwood awards. There are some other goods that I can trade for so if you can and willing to help me out, please send me an e-mail including what you would like in return.

Please e-mail to: ptcc1998@hotmail.com

In the meantime, I would be looking forward to hear some answers to the above questions pretaining to the rules of NZ Air Point re: the upgrade window of Gold Elite vouchers here in Flyertalk as I think this information could be good reference for other people in the future.

Thanks,

Operational upgrades do happen but only if you have star alliance status and a very full flight down the back. Also almost unheard of on NZ 1/2 due to high loads upfront and the long line of people wanting to use points to upgrade. I would try for NZ5/6 for using upgrade certs, but loadings in the back are lighter so almost no chnace of an op.

Gold Elite vouchures are confirmable at time of ticketing and appear to have different inventory control to other upgrades/award tickets. That is what makes them so valuable. So I can book a flight on NZ2 from AKL to LHR (24 hours) and can relax in seat 8B all the way to LHR. And basically as long as there is a D class seat it is mine! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

The other option you missed is that gold elite members can gift awards to other people, who do not need to be part of the NZ APs system. So you could have a gold elite gift you some certificates for upgrades. Problem is that these are looked at at about the 24 hour window or at checkin, you do not get the gold elite's 72 window on these.

Lastly, economy on NZ will surprise you, okay no PTVs, but with a wonderful wine selection (esp. if you get the ex C/D wines loaded http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ), reasonable food, and 34" of seat pitch it is not too bad.

Hope that helps and good luck!

Mark

Operational upgrades are fairly difficult on NZ unless Y is filled and you're at the head of the line in terms of status.

That being said, I wouldn't worry too much about the seating in Y on NZ 747-400s. I've always found it bearable, and often quite comfortable. The pitch is much greater than United or the Red Rat. And, I think you'll be quite pleased with the service.

My advice is this: fly Y and accrue status miles. Then decide if you want J the next time you come back. And you'll definitely want to come back... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

David
Dunedin

Mark: we must have been typing at the *exact* same time.

How are you doing these days anyway?

David

Thanks for the information, Mark and David. Would any of you be interested in trading 2 of your Gold Elite upgrade vouchers? Please e-mail me if you are interested:

ptcc1998@hotmail.com

Parts of the problem with this trip is I will be travelling with somebody else who will be on a Business Class award ticket on the exact same itineary as me so we would love to be able to sit together. Not that I mind economy but I would appreciate the upgrade.

I would, Guava, but I collect all my point on Air Canada, even though I live in NZ. As a result, I have no certs to pass along.

Sorry, mate.

David

Hi Guava

Mark and David are right about AirNZ's economy class, it really is good although I guess that's not much of a help if you want to sit with your friend. I used both my GE certs about a week ago coming back from Fiji, if I'd known about your offer then I would have used points and traded you the certs, but again that's not much of a help http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif! There is one extra option for your return flight (if you choose to go to Fiji), in that you can buy upgrades for NAN-LAX at Nadi airport for around US$380, call the NZ reservations office in Fiji when you arrive for details. Unfortunately, I think they are only confirmed at checkin (of course you don't have to pay if you don't get upgraded), but biz isn't often full on the NAN-LAX flight and I'm pretty sure you'll earn full biz class miles. Whatever you choose, have a nice stay in (what I think is) the nicest part of the world and enjoy AirNZ.

Cheers, Zac

edited to add:

P.S. oh and should you not be flying NAN-LAX, they also offer the upgrades to Auckland (US$180) and I think also to RAR and PPT for about US$280

[This message has been edited by Zaco (edited 04-30-2002).]

Zaco - yes I forgot that upgrades could be purchased at NAN.

David - Yep I am doing fine these days, just back from a RTW, and used points/coupons for the two big legs (CHC/SIN and LAX/AKL) with operational upgrades on ORD/LAX and AKL/CHC so was not too bad going.

Although, was disappointed with NG (Lauda), and realised that I have been spoilt on NZ. Okay Lauda has PTVs and the same slimline seats as NZ, but with 31" (and hardly any recline!) instead of 34" pitch, there was no way that I sleep at all. Give me NZ in eco anyday! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Mark

Thanks to all who have replied and attempted to help. Your comments and information are well appreciated. I guess that means NZ won't get revenue dollars from me as there are too many variables I have to work with in planning this trip.

Thank you again,

Philippe