Air New Zealand Air Points - Discount Bus. Class, SFO-AKL?

Greetings, folks. I'm planning a cycling trip to the south island in January. I'm hoping to fly long haul, SFO-AKL or SFO-SYD, then connect to Christchurch.

Does AZ ever sell business class seats for under $3k for SFO-AKL? Are there any consolidators I should check? Thanks in advance for your time.

I've no idea about ex-SFO fares, but ... AZ = Alitalia ! (NZ = Air New Zealand). ;)

I imagine AZ (Alitalia) wouldnt. As for NZ (Air NZ) I am not familiar with pricing ex-US (mine are always the other way), perhaps airnzboy may help? Are you looking at one-way or return?

As you are cycling I guess you are coming over southern summer (ie Jan/Feb)? Note this is peak season (esp Jan).

Starting Nov there is also LAX-CHC option on NZ, although personally I would find it much easier connecting at AKL (for SFO-AKL-CHC) than at LAX.

I've no idea about ex-SFO fares, but ... AZ = Alitalia ! (NZ = Air New Zealand). ;)

zinzan, look at a globe. The shortest route to Aukland from San Francisco is through Florence.

...Are you looking at one-way or return? ...
Starting Nov there is also LAX-CHC option on NZ, although personally I would find it much easier connecting at AKL (for SFO-AKL-CHC) than at LAX.

Round trip.

LAX might not be more convenient, BUT thank you for alerting me to the LAX-CHC flight. Not too likely, but just maybe I could get an award ticket for that with my United miles.

Thanks to you, Kiwi Flyer, I'm half way there! To my great surprise, United had availability for a business class award ticket on NZ (nothing on AZ, though ;) ) for the return (Jan. 20), CHC-LAX. Nothing on the outbound (Jan. 9), though. I booked an outbound date in December (certainly can't use it) in order to hold the return.

So, I've got a three day hold on this. My plan is to ticket this and to keep working on the outbound. Worst case, I'm out $75 to redeposit the miles if I can't get the appropriate outbound.

The agent said it would also be okay for the outbound to be SFO-AUK, LAX-SYD or LAX-AUK.

It's a shame that the award availablity on United.com is not reliable. I don't like pestering the humans every day, but that is really the only option if I want this to work.

I'd be grateful for any other thoughts you experts have on this. Thanks again, Kiwi Flyer!

I would expect the odds for CHC-LAX are better than AKL-LAX, given it is a new route.

Although as I said, Jan is peak season so you may have to be lucky to get anything. Award availability on NZ shown here (http://www.airnz.co.nz/resources/airpoint_expiry.pdf)

I would expect the odds for CHC-LAX are better than AKL-LAX, given it is a new route.

Although as I said, Jan is peak season so you may have to be lucky to get anything. Award availability on NZ shown here (http://www.airnz.co.nz/resources/airpoint_expiry.pdf)

Wow, the useful info. just keeps coming!

My plan, KF, is to keep trying on the four possible outbound routings on Jan. 9: SFO-AKL, LAX-SYD, LAX-AKL and LAX-CHC. I would imagine that I'll need a cancellation from someone who was holding an award. If I haven't hit by the end of October, I'll just go to Plan B (bite bullet and buy economy ticket).

Ask your travel agent to contact www.cnhintl.com (your travel agent will get commission from them)

They usually have discounted fares on NZ in Business Class to both AKL and LHR.
(Ticket must be issued through www.cnhintl.com)

dhuey, use the KVS availability tool and check for NZ award seats. First Class award code is O, Business Class is I, I have good luck picking up seats closer to the time. NZ appears to release more award seats closer to departure times.
To find the availability tool, do a search in Travelbuzz.
As I think KF mentioned, Jan is peak season in NZ. If your sched allows, I would opt for Feb, kids are back in school, roads and accomodation will be quieter.
Enjoy the warm NZ hospitality (Both in the air and around the country)