Air New Zealand Air Points - Web site question

Hi all,

We're traveling to NZ in January on UA award tickets. I'm nesting a paid domestic ticket during our time there: WLG-CHC and ZQN-AKL. Trying to book it on the ANZ Web site. Strange thing is, when I use the .com site, I get quoted an all-in fare of $452.40 USD for two tickets. When I use the .co.nz site, I get all-in for $450 NZD. When you try to ticket on .co.nz, they require a NZ address. Since they're e-tickets (as opposed to only paper tickets on the .com site), I figure I can just give them my hotel address in WLG.

Seeing as there is about a $150 USD difference between the two fares, it's obvious I want to use .co.nz.

Anyone know of any reason I can't do it that way? Any danger of being ``found out?'' And why the huge fare discrepancy?

Thanks!

Any address works.

The main disadvantage of booking this way is if the flights connect through to your international flights (coming or going) and there is an issue (delay of some sort) then you arent protected. Note the t&c of the cheapest fares include a use it or lose it clause. So for example if your incoming international flight was delayed and you miss the domestic flight then it would be tough and you'd need to purchase another ticket.

Most folk figure this protection isnt worth the extra $ and so book on NZ's NZ site anyway (esp if stopping over at the NZ arrival/departure point), but its up to you.

The only other noticeable difference is that since your domestic tix are on a separate itinerary, you will only get the domestic baggage allowance (20kg), as opposed to the '2 piece' international allowance that applies to flights to/from the USA. If you're star gold you get an additional 20kg.

Also beware the restrictive rules on changes / cancellations if you're buying cheap domestic fares.

Provided you bear that in mind, plus Kiwi Flyer's points above (i.e. make sure you don't have a tight connection to/from your international flights) then you should be fine using the NZ site.

Thanks for the responses. I feel better now.

We're not traveling same-day international, so connections shouldn't be a problem. Plus I'm *A Gold, so I"ll get the additional baggage allowance. ^

Thanks for easing my mind!!!

You're welcome.

We're not traveling same-day international, so connections shouldn't be a problem. Plus I'm *A Gold, so I"ll get the additional baggage allowance.

Don't forget that *G's guests aren't allowed in the Regional Lounge in ZQN. Make sure you get a door code on Check In, i've found the staff at ZQN very good at forgetting to give you the door code.

Don't forget that *G's guests aren't allowed in the Regional Lounge in ZQN. Make sure you get a door code on Check In, i've found the staff at ZQN very good at forgetting to give you the door code.

True but I´ve never had anyone check how many people you take into the lounge ;)

I don´t think they make a fuss out of it, only when it´s busy.

On a different note, I flew AKL-SCL yesterday (on LanChile) having arrived into AKL on SQ in the morning, and the friendly NZ staff let me use the lounge after I explained my situation ^

Excellant and noted for possible future use. ^