Air New Zealand Air Points - Upgrade chances using UK * Upgrade Voucher

I have to go LHR-LAX in October (out 2/10 back 6/10).

I have the UK * Gold upgrade vouchers that allow upgrades from YBMH booking classes, standby only.

Found a good M Class flight on NZ.

How busy is the LHR-LAX service ususally? How do you rate my chances.

I appreciate that it is a gamble but if I have little chance I will book UA (as there is a double points promotion on).

Stephen

Hi Stephen,


I recently offered some of my UK Star alliance upgrade certificates to a travelling companion back in Economy. This was flying from LAX to Nadi, Although they had a H Economy fare, the supervisor on duty refused to accept these vouchers point blank! It appeared that no one at LAX was aware of these vouchers and they would not honnour them, nor would they provide a valid excuse. It errupted into a huge argument within the check-in area!

Upon my return, i complained to customer relations for the unwillingness to honnour these vouchers and also the totally unacceptable mannor in which i was addressed by their supervisor. I was given a sincere appology and $500.

The purpose of all this to all FF out there is do not allow the airline the push you about on these matters, they issue the vouchers and should therefore honnour them. Be prepared to stand your ground, especially in LAX!

Regards

Print out this page - it might come in handy!

Had no problem at LAX, although they are very finicky about the fare class - from reports UA is less particular, although it no doubt depends on who you get on the day and how the conversation proceeds.

But I am amazed that they were rejected point blank, but then the LAX staff have not been known as representative of the rest of the NZ network.

Mark

This really was the most negative Marketing campaign E V E R, how difficult would it have been for the *A members to make it a fully computorized - 24 hours in advance system. This would have prevented 'G'estapo 'A'gents being the final arbiter [ Assuming they even know about the offer ] of the upgrade and also ensured that enough meals were provided. As for Missing Vouchers and Membership cards that's a whole extra reason this campaign created more Bad Will than Good Will. :td:

My partner is still waiting for the upgrade vouchers.

Are these upgrade vouchers transferrable to those who have no status on Star Alliance? Also, are they only for UK flights, or are there some for SFO/LAX - SYD/AKL/CHC?

There are numerous threads on *A UK promotion earlier this year (now finished but vouchers still have some time to expiry). Vouchers may be used on any flight (provided fare class is high enough) on space available basis (ie may not be confirmed until at the gate).

See also the "How to Upgrade on *A carriers" thread (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329589)

KF, you should be charging me an hourly fee.

As for whether the vouchers are transferable, they are but only to people travelling with you. Each is personalised so you can't give them away to friends etc unless they happen to be on the same flight as you.

I'm hoping to use mine on some long haul SK and OZ flights coming up, plus maybe a UA transcon. I suspect that the further you are away from the UK, the more likely you are to run into some issues using these vouchers (but then again, the less likely you are to be competing with lots of other pax doing the same thing). From what I've heard, on airlines like UA (where upgrading is a way of life and there are loads of vouchers etc) the agents usually process them without blinking an eye, but an airline like NZ is far more cagey about upgrades and I would imagine the LAX gate agents are used to fending off pax trying to upgrade NZ flighs with UA SWUs etc etc. Having said that, it's no excuse for them to behave the way they did, especially given that the rules are very clearly written on the vouchers.

well, I have paid my money and I will take my chance.

I got LHR-LAX return out 2 October and back 6 October in M class for £574.20 via http://www.lufthansa.co.uk.

It was more expensive on all otehr sites I saw including the AirNZ site, expedia etc.

If there is a free seat in Business Class my *Gold UK voucher should work. if not, I suppose I have the delights of finding out what AirNZ Y is like (have only flown them in Business before).

Thanks for the information.

Stephen

Good luck, Stephen! I get the impression that LAX-LHR is generally a bit easier to upgrade on than the LAX-AKL flights. Let us know how you get on. And at least NZ in Y is not too bad. I'm contemplating using my vouchers for OS1 VIE-KUL-SYD on the Lauda 777... and the prospect of ending up at the back of the bus with 31" pitch, 10-across seating and scary FA's really has me worried!

I used my vouchers back in June/Jully on LHR-AKL return. I was booked in J trying to upgrade to F. On the way out didn't get anywhere was told that F was full, and that I could try again at LAX. A peak in F on the transatlantic sector revealed an empty seat.

In LAX I really had to fight to get into F. Gate agents had started to upgrade staff, when I made a bit of a scene, end result 2B and a good nights sleep.

On the return I checked in at AKL they accepted 2 vouchers and I enjoyed 1A all the way home.

Emma and mysefl are undertaking a rtw this december with SFO-AKL booked for the 17th Dec, it would be nice to be able to use the vouchers I have, but we can just about survive 14 hours in Bussiness, have opted for Virgins Upper Suite from LHR-SFO

Jon