Air New Zealand Air Points - Booking Class guide - Air NZ international services

There have been a number of changes to booking classes on NZ International services. Here is a summary of the latest booking classes in use,noting that:


First Class services cease from 10 June 2005.
Premium Pacific Class services commence from 7 August 2005.


F First Class
A First Class - Frequent Flyer Redemption and Industry Discount

C Business Class
D Business Class - Discounted
I Business Class - Frequent Flyer Redemption
R Business Class - Industry Discount
Z Business Class - Discounted or Frequent Flyer Redemption Upgrades

U Premium Economy Class
E Premium Economy Class - Discounted
O Premium Economy Class - Discounted

Y Economy Class
B Economy Class - Discounted (Fully Flexi Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
G Economy Class - Discounted (Smart Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
H Economy Class - Discounted (Fully Flexi Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
K Economy Class - Discounted (Smart Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
L Economy Class - Discounted (Smart Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
M Economy Class - Discounted (Fully Flexi Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
N Economy Class - Industry Discount
Q Economy Class - Discounted (Flexi Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
S Economy Class - Discounted (Smart Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
T Economy Class - Discounted (Flexi Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
V Economy Class - Discounted (Flexi Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
W Economy Class - Discounted (Flexi Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
X Economy Class - Frequent Flyer Redemption

Thanks airnzboy,
I take it this is a new order of Intl. Y fares from the highest to the lowest YBGHKLMQSVW. Or is it still YBMH/QVWT/LSGK ?

Just in alphabetical order, apart from the full fare for each class of travel :D

Generally the order of price is something like
YBMHTVW, with LSGK added on for 'the services formerly known as Express' ;)

Thanks airnzboy ^^

Great stuff, airnzboy! ^

Is there any chance we can also get the Tasman/Pacific Express and domestic fare types consolidated into one place? In particular, which fare buckets fall into Smart Saver, Flexi Saver and Fully Flexi categories would be extremely helpful.

Done and done! :D

Once again, thanks airnzboy

Done and done! :D

Fast work, airnzboy, ^ ^ once again.

BTW, are we missing T? (Which AFAIK is a flexi saver fare, domestically at least - if it's not, then I've been had!)

Oh, and can I suggest that this thread is a great candidate for 'sticky' status...

Is there an award category for premium economy or is that award the same number of miles as regular economy? How would one get such a seat with an award? I'd be using UA miles, one seat for a 1K and 2 seats for non-status folks.

Hi nor4

Based on airnzboy's post it looks like no awards for premium economy (hopefully we can still upgrade).

I am speculating that it is to do with limited number of premium economy seats, so maybe in future if additional premium economy seats are added this may change and allow awards.

In any case, using UA miles you would need to work through Mileage Plus.

Are these new booking codes effective immeadiately?

I have award tickets for March 23/April 04. Tickets are paper and printed on AC ticket stock. Fare Class is O for SEA-SFO, SFO-AKL, AKL-LAX and LAX-SEA. The tickets were issued January 05, 2005.
I am assuming I will not have a problem getting my F seats. NZ has already changed our seat assignements without telling us. I called to reserve 1JK on both segments in the 747 minutes after our reservation was made, out itin shows us in 1JK, when I called yesterday to confirm seat assignments, we have been changed to 3AB, why would this have happened? :confused:
I asked the NZ call centre agent about the booking code, she confirmed that O is for Premium Economy, but I was on a UA ticket, therefore O is correct for First Class, however my ticket clearly tells me it was issued by AC.

taupo, I'd assume that, while the booking classes are effective immediately, they'll remain as they used to be on 747 services until the 74R enters service.

AFAIK NZ itineraries don't show seat numbers - did you call AC? If you did, I'm willing to bet that AC requested the seats 1JK, however from memory Row 1 is blocked off for airport allocation due to having bassinets. When an AC agent requests seats from NZ, it will send off as "NN" (need need) status and NZ will send back a "KK" (konfirmed). Agents shouldn't confirm seat assignments that remain on "NN" status.

taupo, I'd assume that, while the booking classes are effective immediately, they'll remain as they used to be on 747 services until the 74R enters service.

AFAIK NZ itineraries don't show seat numbers - did you call AC? If you did, I'm willing to bet that AC requested the seats 1JK, however from memory Row 1 is blocked off for airport allocation due to having bassinets. When an AC agent requests seats from NZ, it will send off as "NN" (need need) status and NZ will send back a "KK" (konfirmed). Agents shouldn't confirm seat assignments that remain on "NN" status.

Thank you for the response.

I called NZ to get the seat assignements. I called them as soon as I got off the phone from making the res through AC's Aeroplan centre, I asked for 1J/K, and was given them. Unless NZ has changed the F seating in the 747 recently, the only F bassinet is 1A/B.
AC/AP cannot make seat assignments on NZ. Friends of mine learn't this the hard way. They had an award booking but no seat assignment, got the airport to ckin, all the bizz seats were taken, they had to sit in Y, the ckin agent explained that after making the AC/AP booking you need to call NZ for a seat assignement.

Thanks to a very helpful FTer, I now know why my seats were changed, seems AC's sytem changed them for me :(
Apologies to NZ for any insinuation that they may have been responsible for the change.

There have been a number of changes to booking classes on NZ International services. Here is a summary of the latest booking classes in use,noting that:


First Class services cease from 10 June 2005.
Premium Pacific Class services commence from 7 August 2005.


F First Class
A First Class - Frequent Flyer Redemption and Industry Discount

C Business Class
D Business Class - Discounted
I Business Class - Frequent Flyer Redemption
R Business Class - Industry Discount
Z Business Class - Discounted or Frequent Flyer Redemption Upgrades

U Premium Economy Class
E Premium Economy Class - Discounted
O Premium Economy Class - Discounted

Y Economy Class
B Economy Class - Discounted (Fully Flexi Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
G Economy Class - Discounted (Smart Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
H Economy Class - Discounted (Fully Flexi Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
K Economy Class - Discounted (Smart Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
L Economy Class - Discounted (Smart Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
M Economy Class - Discounted (Fully Flexi Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
N Economy Class - Industry Discount
Q Economy Class - Discounted (Flexi Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
S Economy Class - Discounted (Smart Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
T Economy Class - Discounted (Flexi Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
V Economy Class - Discounted (Flexi Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
W Economy Class - Discounted (Flexi Saver Domestic/Tasman/Pacific)
X Economy Class - Frequent Flyer Redemption

I used the "Air New Zealand ITN Tool" linked to on the flyaow.com website and searched a couple of itineraries of interest. My question is this, I'm planning on xfering points from VS FC for 2 RT BC tix LAX to NZ (I don't really care where in NZ: AKL/CHC, etc.) Which of the codes listed above would apply in this case? I assumed 'I' but the 'I' code doesn't appear anywhere in the availabilities that the tool spits out (i.e. it doesn't spit out I0, it just doesn't spit out 'I' anything). Do I have the right code or am I missing something here?

Finally, how reliable is the info that the ITN tool reports?

Thanks for any help!!!

Welcome to FT spot8myhw :)

As posted by airnzboy I is the right code for business class awards on NZ. Air NZ, like most airlines, doesnt allow the award and upgrade codes to appear on the various availability tools.

At the moment there are no tools I am aware of that are publicly available and allow to view this, except Aeroplan's award lookup tool (need to be Aeroplan member) which FTers have reported mixed success.

AFAIK the availability information is reliable but requires careful interpretation.

Thanks for the quick reply. Now it all becomes clear (sort of).

Based on my conversation with the VS FC Special Services folks, to book an Air NZ flight using miles, I give VS my departure & return dates, wait 24 hours and call back to see if there were any BC award seats available. If not, you try again. They said that they have no way of checking Air NZ award availability. This could take weeks to find tix! Please tell me that there is a better way. Also, is any of this specific to VS, i.e. if I xfered my AMEX MR points to US Airways or some other carrier and use *A, does that make it any easier to actually find award seats?

hmmm sounds like VS Flying Club (FC confused me for a moment thinking first class!) doesnt have link to the NZ system which is surprising for an Airpoints partner. They (and all the other partners of NZ eg *A) should have something they can look up while you are on the phone. Maybe they dont get many redemptions on NZ so you got someone who doesnt know how to do it? Other partners, particularly United, would have more experience with this.

Thanks - that makes me feel a little better.

So, for the record, in theory I should be able to call up and ask them to check availability of award seats for certain dates and if I like it, book it. The fact that VS couldn't do this doesn't mean others can't/won't.

I'm going to give Air Canada/Aeroplan a try since they are both AMEX MR partners and *A. Any particular reason you feel United would be a good choice?

I'm going to give Air Canada/Aeroplan a try since they are both AMEX MR partners and *A. Any particular reason you feel United would be a good choice?

My recent experience with Aeroplan was pretty good - they were efficient, helpful and had real time access to NZ award availability. Their rules are a little less restrictive than UA when it comes to awards as well - UA have a very strict "most direct routing" rule, which can be painful at times.

If I were you I'd take a look at the award charts for the exact flights you want - AC is cheaper for some, UA is cheaper for others.

got someone asking for SFO-AKL for Jan 2006 today at work, and saw those class of svc. :p

Forgot the exact date of request, but I saw O-class gone on 1xJAN06

I have been trying since Feb to get 2 bus award seats on NZ using UA miles for travel in Feb 2006. We have called nearly every day since then, and NZ has not released any business award seats for the LAX/SFO-AKL/CHC flights over the last 5 months for Feb 06 travel.

In one of my calls the UA agent (and the intl res agents at UA are among the best) said they may not release any seats. :confused:

I think the problem is that the new NZ bus product is in high demand, it's high season and NZ has no history of how many revenue seats they will sell so they are being conservative until they can figure out whether/how many seats to release. In addition, I suspect they will make award seats available to NZ elite members before making them available to other *A members.

So as I said above, not to rain on the parade, but things look a little slim right now. It may be as time passes and NZ gets a better fix on sales, they will release seats. But don't forget that folks like me are calling every day, so if seats open up they will disappear fairly quickly I would bet.

BTW UA agents can look up availability directly, which helps a bit. I ended up booking XC seats via SYD to CHC as a backup and will pay the change fee if NZ seats open up. I am curious about the new business seats on NZ. They sound great, just like the VS business seats, but not sure of how they'll be scattered about the cabin. ;)

Interesting.

I just noted that my upcoming (pre-confirmed gold elite upgrades) biz tickets show class 'R' - is this normal?

I received an e-mail from NZ apparently stating there would be just one business type of fare (not including frequent flyer, etc.).

Is this true?

Just got off the phone with Aeroplan asking about BC award seat availability on NZ, LAX or SFO to AKL. They had 0 availability in November. As the very helpful agent said, "well, since the situation can't get any worse than it is right now, why don't you try back in a week or two and see if NZ has added any seats."

If I really want to travel to NZ in Nov, does anyone have any suggestions for a backup plan that would ensure that I had tix (that I bought for $) but that I could get refunded if BC award seats did magically appear? Does that make sense?

Thanks!

Just got off the phone with Aeroplan asking about BC award seat availability on NZ, LAX or SFO to AKL. They had 0 availability in November. As the very helpful agent said, "well, since the situation can't get any worse than it is right now, why don't you try back in a week or two and see if NZ has added any seats."

If I really want to travel to NZ in Nov, does anyone have any suggestions for a backup plan that would ensure that I had tix (that I bought for $) but that I could get refunded if BC award seats did magically appear? Does that make sense?

Thanks!

Try UA via SYD connect on NZ to AKL or others in Kiwiland.

I have been trying since Feb to get 2 bus award seats on NZ using UA miles for travel in Feb 2006. We have called nearly every day since then, and NZ has not released any business award seats for the LAX/SFO-AKL/CHC flights over the last 5 months for Feb 06 travel.

In one of my calls the UA agent (and the intl res agents at UA are among the best) said they may not release any seats. :confused:

I think the problem is that the new NZ bus product is in high demand, it's high season and NZ has no history of how many revenue seats they will sell so they are being conservative until they can figure out whether/how many seats to release. In addition, I suspect they will make award seats available to NZ elite members before making them available to other *A members.

So as I said above, not to rain on the parade, but things look a little slim right now. It may be as time passes and NZ gets a better fix on sales, they will release seats. But don't forget that folks like me are calling every day, so if seats open up they will disappear fairly quickly I would bet.

BTW UA agents can look up availability directly, which helps a bit. I ended up booking XC seats via SYD to CHC as a backup and will pay the change fee if NZ seats open up. I am curious about the new business seats on NZ. They sound great, just like the VS business seats, but not sure of how they'll be scattered about the cabin. ;)


I'm facing almost the same predicament as you on a trip I would like to take to New Zealand and Australia this upcoming December, January, or February: holding onto UA XC seats, but praying for a gift from NZ.

Good analysis, by the way.

Here's hoping that some NZ business class inventory is eventually released. I just hope it doesn't come too late for me after I have already committed to my hotels and intra-Australia flights.

PM me if you ever hit the jackpot. After you grab seats from yourself, of course. ;)

I am looking at a fare on Air New Zealand. The fare basis is C2. Does that mean 1 way or return?

The fare says C - BUSINESS CLASS UNRESTRICTED NORMAL FARE FARE.

How do you tell?

Never mind, I figured it out :)

Do U, Y, B, H, M fall into Economy Global Flexi fares?

I am looking at booking some flights for some family, they have Airbucks, I want for them to get the confirmed upgrade. Does the Economy Global Flexi qualify?

Thanks in advance.

those booking classes are all airbucks earning on all routes

note for longhaul all paid booking classes are now airbucks earning (although not necessarily earning to partner FFPs on the cheapest fares), however the cheapest fares on domestic tasman and pacific are still non-earning

Do U, Y, B, H, M fall into Economy Global Flexi fares?

I am looking at booking some flights for some family, they have Airbucks, I want for them to get the confirmed upgrade. Does the Economy Global Flexi qualify?Yes - those should be the flexi fares and they should be ticketed into those classes. U is the premium economy full fare class (OEU in ascending order).

My NZ segments in a certain CMB-JFK routing ;) are in booking class J. I see no reference to this booking class in this thread. Could someone please enlighten me on where this falls in the hierarchy of business fare classes on NZ?

Thanks in advance ^

My NZ segments in a certain CMB-JFK routing ;) are in booking class J. I see no reference to this booking class in this thread. Could someone please enlighten me on where this falls in the hierarchy of business fare classes on NZ?

Thanks in advance ^J is the lowest of the lowest Business fare - it fits in below C D & Z in the hierarchy [but of course above I & R]. Not sure what difference that makes... there are other things to worry about with the CMBJFK then availability on NZ.

J is the lowest of the lowest Business fare - it fits in below C D & Z in the hierarchy [but of course above I & R]. Not sure what difference that makes... there are other things to worry about with the CMBJFK then availability on NZ.

I guess the only difference it makes is in terms of availability in case I want to/am allowed to make changes to the itinerary. My question was just for curiosity's sake.

I'm not especially worried - everything seems to be going smoothly with paper tickets from xp.uk.

Assuming that E, U and O are still the Y+ fare codes, how do you find their availability on KVS? I'm finding lots Econo and Bizz fare codes there but no Y+.

Assuming that E, U and O are still the Y+ fare codes, how do you find their availability on KVS? I'm finding lots Econo and Bizz fare codes there but no Y+. Consider using Expertflyer instead. Enter NZ for the airline and E, U and O in the "Class code(s)" query fields:

Example:

Departing Flights
Search: Departing LAX on 02/05/08 5:00 AM ± 3 Day(s) for AKL
Flying NZ on booking class E U O

Shows E2 U9 O0 for NZ 5 on 02/02

Thanks Q.

Assuming that E, U and O are still the Y+ fare codes, how do you find their availability on KVS? I'm finding lots Econo and Bizz fare codes there but no Y+.You need to select the [Galileo] Method in the KVS Tool, and enter E/U/O in the [Class:] field:

[KVS Availability Tool 3.0.2/Platinum - Galileo: ETR/JP] (http://KVS.UnrealNetwork.com/Tool/?R)
AKL Auckland Int'l NZ [NZAA]
LAX Los Angeles Int'l CA US [KLAX]
FRI 01 Feb 2008

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- ------------
NZ 6 AKL 19:15 LAX 10:10 744 0 E7
NZ 2 AKL 23:00 LAX 13:55 744 0 E7

I get this.

[KVS Availability Tool 3.0.2/Platinum - Galileo: ETR/JP] (http://KVS.UnrealNetwork.com/Tool/?R)
YVR Vancouver Metro / Vancouver Int'l BC CA = CXH YVR [CYVR]
AKL Auckland Int'l NZ [NZAA]
WED 23 Jan 2008

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- --------------------------------------
There is(are) no applicable flight(s).

I get this.
There is(are) no applicable flight(s).


It means there is no availability in the requested booking class (pls see KVS Tool FAQ for more info).

I'm still trying to find ways to fly business from lax/sfo/yvr to akl in business class without flying thru SYD.

As it appears almost impossible to get award space in business, I was looking for the use of upgrades or 2/1.

Does anyone know what buckets are used for:

upgrades using LH miles?

Companion tickets using NZ Airpoints?

Amex 2/1 tickets?

Since we usually connect from the eastern part of the US, the idea is to avoid the 30 + hour flights.

Is it easier to get awards from LHR to AKL?

You need to either be very lucky or look 330+ days out. Sounds like you are looking for 2 seats, which doesn't help matters (assuming you'd like to travel on the same flights or at least on the same days).

How would you find out the Fare Type while booking online at AirNZ?

If using the NZ version of the website you can tell (roughly) from the fare categories.

Grab-a-seat and some sales is P
Smart Saver is LGSK
Fully Flexi is YBMH
Flexi Saver is the other economy booking classes
Premium Economy is UEO
Business is CDZJ

Thanks Kiwi Flyer.. This is really helpful!

So Is J class the new I class?
Why I want to know is I booked a G class smart saver fare SYD-AKL on the 777 and have requested a standby upgrade, want to know the odds of that happening... and which code i should be looking for on seatcounter

C Business Class
D Business Class - Discounted
I Business Class - Frequent Flyer Redemption
R Business Class - Industry Discount
Z Business Class - Discounted or Frequent Flyer Redemption Upgrades

Welcome to Flyer Talk runtothehills :)

J on NZ is a paid business class, used for specials.
I are redemptions in business class.

If a flight is showing C4D4Z4J4 the odds of an upgrade are much better than if it is showing C0D0Z0J0.

If using the NZ version of the website you can tell (roughly) from the fare categories.

Grab-a-seat and some sales is P
Smart Saver is LGSK
Fully Flexi is YBMH
Flexi Saver is the other economy booking classes
Premium Economy is UEO
Business is CDZJ

P is also used for the cheapest domestic smart saver fares. I've purchased a few domestic flights lately that weren't on special but still booked into P class. Of course with these new E-tickets you can't see booking class anymore.

If using the NZ version of the website you can tell (roughly) from the fare categories.

Grab-a-seat and some sales is P
Smart Saver is LGSK
Fully Flexi is YBMH
Flexi Saver is the other economy booking classes
Premium Economy is UEO
Business is CDZJ

Is Economy Global Saver (booked for MEL-AKL-SFO) the same as Smart Saver?

Is Economy Global Saver (booked for MEL-AKL-SFO) the same as Smart Saver?

No. Global Saver is a long haul fare and Smart Saver is a short-haul fare.

No. Global Saver is a long haul fare and Smart Saver is a short-haul fare.

Sorry--I should have been more specific. Does Global Saver book into the same fare classes as Smart Saver or different ones?

I thought that :
Global Saver Max = Smart Saver (e.g. LGSK)
Global Saver = Flexi Saver (e.g. TVQW)
Global Flexi = Flexi (e.g. YBMH)

ajnz - you are right.

Sorry, I shouldn't have relied on my memory. :o

Great, so if my ticket says "Economy - Global Saver Fare" without Max, I should expect my ticket to be in TVQW class? (Which would be eligible for 100% accrual on other *A FFP such as US (http://www.usairways.com/pv_obj_cache/pv_obj_id_845FA700156BBDE728CDEB2074311204A40E0100/filename/staraccrualchart.pdf) [opens as PDF]?)

Great, so if my ticket says "Economy - Global Saver Fare" without Max, I should expect my ticket to be in TVQW class? (Which would be eligible for 100% accrual on other *A FFP such as US (http://www.usairways.com/pv_obj_cache/pv_obj_id_845FA700156BBDE728CDEB2074311204A40E0100/filename/staraccrualchart.pdf) [opens as PDF]?)
Yes, you should be fine. Of course, if you really want to check, just give the NZ call centre a call and ask them what booking class your ticket is in. They will be happy to tell you.

As a UA FF member, I am struggling with the fare codes on NZ. I am looking at a Tasman Smart Saver fare SYD-AKL return for an end of year MR :D. I was hoping to book tonight as the 72 HOUR sale ends at midnite...ah well.

The conditons of fare say this:
"No Airpoints Dollars accrual
Eligible for Status Points accrual except when purchased with Airpoints Dollars
Not eligible for Airpoints Confirmed Upgrades or Companion Tickets"

My concern is will this fare be eligible for status eqms on UA? It is not clear whether it would earn on UA or if its just for Airpoints members only.

I am confused re the names of the NZ fares and how exactly they correspond with the other *A airline's fare buckets ie LGSK etc? If you book a Smart saver award how do you which actual fare bucket it will fall into for UA purposes of working out allowable status :confused:

The conditons of fare say this:
"No Airpoints Dollars accrual
Eligible for Status Points accrual except when purchased with Airpoints Dollars
Not eligible for Airpoints Confirmed Upgrades or Companion Tickets"

My concern is will this fare be eligible for status eqms on UA? It is not clear whether it would earn on UA or if its just for Airpoints members only.



It will earn nothing on UA if a Smart Saver. It will earn status points (equivalent of EQM) in NZ Airpoints, but no Airpoints (equivalent to RDM).

Right. If you want to credit to anything other than Airpoints you need the next higher fare category.

Thank you both for your help ^! I am glad I didnt bite the bullet on the 72 hour sale fares then. As it turns out the distance between SYD and AKL is NOT enough for the EQMs I am short for status on UA anyway :(.

Back to the drawing board in my quest for status ;).

Something like SYD-NAN via AKL should get you enough miles. Will cost about $1000 though, so not cheap. You'd get more bang for buck by doing a quick trip to US.

Something like SYD-NAN via AKL should get you enough miles. Will cost about $1000 though, so not cheap. You'd get more bang for buck by doing a quick trip to US.

Thanks for that ^. Yes I see that would be a good option, however I dont have a spare $1000 right now and going to USA ex SYD is very expensive so that is definitely out. I have resigned myself to the fact that I will be a GM by FEB 09 - it is what it is :(.

I will be a GM by FEB 09 - it is what it is :(.
Yes, sad - that! Maybe you can find an FT'er who will nominate you to 3P if you try, tho.

Dave

A slightly cheaper option would be a trans-Tasman flight to CHC or WLG via AKL - the price is usually the same whether you go nonstop or via AKL, and you will of course earn extra miles. With no 500 minimum miles per segment CHC is probably preferable (463 miles vs 298). Still likely to cost around $850 once taxes etc are factored in...

Another option would be if you could find a cheap sale fare (non points earning) to a Pacific destination you could use that in one direction with a flexi saver fare in the other, assuming the distance is enough. E.g. SYD-AKL-RAR is 3,218 miles one way, and the flexi saver fares on the Pacific routes are usually only a small step up in price from the smart saver fares so it could be reasonable value.

Or what about a sale fare to Asia on TG or OZ?

Thanks mad_atta ^ - you have made some good suggestions that I will certainly consider if my budget allows.

bseller - hmmm, know anyone who is that generous with their benies ;) :D??

Ok, same old issue as ever.

I have a GLOBAL FLEXI FARE booked in to B outbound and M back. I need to move dates so I was looking to cancel this ticket and book a new one.

However the dates I am trying come up with a fare one way thats not refundable / may not earn miles on BMI DC.

Is there an advanced booking page for the UK site, I can't find it. As ever I want to give NZ more money, but cant find a way to do it...

Would there be a fee to call and change the dates?

tht

Yes, you should be fine. Of course, if you really want to check, just give the NZ call centre a call and ask them what booking class your ticket is in. They will be happy to tell you.

Finally got around to ringing ANZ and was told my fare class was KSPC1YC (I think they got it confused with fare code). I'm going to think that means I'm booked into K class, which I hope isn't the case as K earns 0% on US Airways, despite earlier reports all paid international flights on ANZ earn miles on other FFP.

For the record, I'm flying MEL-AKL-SFO on a Global Saver Fare.

Any help would be much appreciated. :)

Finally got around to ringing ANZ and was told my fare class was KSPC1YC (I think they got it confused with fare code). I'm going to think that means I'm booked into K class, which I hope isn't the case as K earns 0% on US Airways, despite earlier reports all paid international flights on ANZ earn miles on other FFP.

For the record, I'm flying MEL-AKL-SFO on a Global Saver Fare.

Any help would be much appreciated. :)That would be your fare basis, and the first letter is generally what your segs will be booked into (there can be some exceptions to this).

When have there ever been reports that all paid international flights on NZ earn miles on other FFP?

Ok, same old issue as ever.

I have a GLOBAL FLEXI FARE booked in to B outbound and M back. I need to move dates so I was looking to cancel this ticket and book a new one.

However the dates I am trying come up with a fare one way thats not refundable / may not earn miles on BMI DC.

Is there an advanced booking page for the UK site, I can't find it. As ever I want to give NZ more money, but cant find a way to do it...

Would there be a fee to call and change the dates?

thtIf you explain the circumstances the CSR can waive the 'service fee'.

Finally got around to ringing ANZ and was told my fare class was KSPC1YC (I think they got it confused with fare code). I'm going to think that means I'm booked into K class, which I hope isn't the case as K earns 0% on US Airways, despite earlier reports all paid international flights on ANZ earn miles on other FFP.

Where did you hear/read that all NZ fares earn miles on all partner FFPs? That has not been the case for many years. Indeed, until recently some fares were not even earning on Air NZ Airpoints - this changed earlier this year.

K is indeed non-earning on all FFPs except for NZ, and yes the first letter of fare basis is normally the booking class.

If you explain the circumstances the CSR can waive the 'service fee'.

I did ask about this, but she wanted to charge me GBP20 local services fee.. so I took the risk.. I looked at seatcounter.com and all the seats seemed to be in buckets that earned miles. Canceled my original ticket online (no fee for this) and brought a new one at over GBP300 less... its a GLOBAL SAVER FARE, so it will cost me GBP150 to cancel, but I called after I booked and it is in Q out and W back, both of which earn miles 100% with BMI DC....

tht

When have there ever been reports that all paid international flights on NZ earn miles on other FFP?

Ah, it seems there haven't. :(

I read this:
note for longhaul all paid booking classes are now airbucks earning (although not necessarily earning to partner FFPs on the cheapest fares)

and skipped over the key part in parenthesis. Oh well, ANZ was still the cheapest by far and I guess I could earn with Air Points and use them for a Tasman flight or something.

Thanks everyone. ^

How do you search for NZ metal award seats on KVS?

How do you search for NZ metal award seats on KVS?
Via the [Awards/StarAlliance] Method, just like for all other *A carriers, e.g.:

[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.3/Platinum - SNT: Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA] (http://www.KVSTool.com/?R)
LHR London Heathrow UK [EGLL]
AKL Auckland Int'l NZ [NZAA]
SAT 01 Aug 2009 / 1 Seat

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C Availability
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- -------------
NZ 1 LHR 16:15 AKL 05:25 +2 744 FS/ CS- YS+
NZ 38 LHR 21:05 AKL 09:00 +2 772 FS/ CS- YS+

It asks for an ANA number. What is an ANA number?

It would be nice if the KVS tool had a search function for awards - realizing that C (business class) award space on Air NZ intercontinental routes is not as easy to find as similar space on many other Star Alliance carriers, I wonder if you can one day design the tool to do a search for C (or F) class over the appropriate range of dates (perhaps over a month, if not more) over a given route- all at once, and then see if there are such awards. Right now, it is quite tedious to go over (esp for C class awards on Air NZ esp. on intercontinental routes - such as NZ to North America) for any given route for each given date, manually -using the KVS tool.

See the other thread (link: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-new-zealand-air-points/898660-does-air-nz-ever-have-business-class-seats-accessible-other-alliance-ffps-awards.html) for the rationale as to why I am asking this question.

Via the [Awards/StarAlliance] Method, just like for all other *A carriers, e.g.:

[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.3/Platinum - SNT: Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA] (http://www.KVSTool.com/?R)
LHR London Heathrow UK [EGLL]
AKL Auckland Int'l NZ [NZAA]
SAT 01 Aug 2009 / 1 Seat

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C Availability
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- -------------
NZ 1 LHR 16:15 AKL 05:25 +2 744 FS/ CS- YS+
NZ 38 LHR 21:05 AKL 09:00 +2 772 FS/ CS- YS+

It would be nice if the KVS tool had a search function for awards - realizing that C (business class) award space on Air NZ intercontinental routes is not as easy to find as similar space on many other Star Alliance carriers, I wonder if you can one day design the tool to do a search for C (or F) class over the appropriate range of dates (perhaps over a month, if not more) over a given route- all at once, and then see if there are such awards. Right now, it is quite tedious to go over (esp for C class awards on Air NZ esp. on intercontinental routes - such as NZ to North America) for any given route for each given date, manually -using the KVS tool.

See the other thread (link: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-new-zealand-air-points/898660-does-air-nz-ever-have-business-class-seats-accessible-other-alliance-ffps-awards.html) for the rationale as to why I am asking this question.
Yes, this is something that is 'in the works', at least in the long term...

In the meantime, you can make the process significantly less tedious using the existing KVS Tool features -- from http://FAQ.KVSTool.com/:

# Q: Is there a way to request availability across multiple dates? What if I am looking for a specific class (or classes)?
# A: Not directly, but you can use the <Ctrl> + <PgDown> keyboard shortcut to quickly check availability for subsequent dates. If you are looking for availability in a specific class (or classes), you may also wish to do this in conjunction with the appropriate [Filter] options.

Using the above approach, all you have to do is keep pressing <Ctrl> + <PgDown> mechanically, until you see a non-blank results 'screen'.

It asks for an ANA number. What is an ANA number?
Pls use the direct link at http://Help.KVSTool.com/#Methods to sign-up for a [free] ANA account.

Yes, this is something that is 'in the works', at least in the long term...

In the meantime, you can make the process significantly less tedious using the existing KVS Tool features -- from http://FAQ.KVSTool.com/:

# Q: Is there a way to request availability across multiple dates? What if I am looking for a specific class (or classes)?
# A: Not directly, but you can use the <Ctrl> + <PgDown> keyboard shortcut to quickly check availability for subsequent dates. If you are looking for availability in a specific class (or classes), you may also wish to do this in conjunction with the appropriate [Filter] options.

Using the above approach, all you have to do is keep pressing <Ctrl> + <PgDown> mechanically, until you see a non-blank results 'screen'.

Yes, I was doing that - but looking at award availability every day over 1 route over a 2 month period (which I was doing), is still very tedious.

Pls use the direct link at http://Help.KVSTool.com/#Methods to sign-up for a [free] ANA account.

OK, done it.

Does this mean that FS/ is not offered, CS+that business class is available and YS- that economy service is offered but not available?
[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.3/Platinum - SNT: Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA] (http://www.KVSTool.com/?R)
YVR Vancouver Metro / Vancouver Int'l BC CA = CXH YVR [CYVR]
AKL Auckland Int'l NZ [NZAA]
TUE 13 Jan 2009 / 2 Seats

Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C Availability
--------- ------ ---- --------- ---- --------- ---- ---- -------------
AC 562 YVR 14:30 SFO 16:44 E90 FS/ CS- YS-
-> NZ 7 SFO 19:00 AKL 05:10 +2 772 FS/ CS- YS-
AC 554 YVR 14:10 LAX 16:57 E90 FS/ CS- YS-
-> NZ 5 LAX 19:30 AKL 05:25 +2 744 FS/ CS- YS-
AC 33 YVR 23:45 SYD 10:05 +2 77L FS/ CS- YS-
-> NZ 118 SYD 15:30 +2 AKL 20:30 +2 763 FS/ CS+ YS-

OK, done it.

Does this mean that FS/ is not offered, CS+that business class is available and YS- that economy service is offered but not available?
Correct.

With many thanks to the KVS Tool I have been able to find seats on NZ 5 and can now avoid SYD on the outbound.
Again kudos to NZ for realeasing award seats closer to departure, in this 13 days out, Jan 11.

How do I and can I pull up NZ seat maps on KVS?

With many thanks to the KVS Tool I have been able to find seats on NZ 5 and can now avoid SYD on the outbound.
Again kudos to NZ for realeasing award seats closer to departure, in this 13 days out, Jan 11.

How do I and can I pull up NZ seat maps on KVS?
You cannot currently access NZ seat maps via KVS Tool; this is a carrier-specific issue.

With many thanks to the KVS Tool I have been able to find seats on NZ 5 and can now avoid SYD on the outbound.
Again kudos to NZ for realeasing award seats closer to departure, in this 13 days out, Jan 11.

How do I and can I pull up NZ seat maps on KVS?

C'mon Taupo, there is a starter for 10 in the KVS FAQ, and more info is shown in the comparison between membership levels !! See here:

http://www.kvstool.com/Screenshots.php#SeatMapApolloG

Scroll around and you'll see a range of seatmap screenshots of various systems.

Cheers, TK

It should be a moot point now your NZ trip is booked - just plug the PNR into NZ's website and fiddle with your seats to your hearts content!

It should be a moot point now your NZ trip is booked - just plug the PNR into NZ's website and fiddle with your seats to your hearts content!

Thanks, didn't know that was possible.

If others who are reading this have an AC booking reference for NZ metal, call NZ to get the NZ booking reference, it is different to the AC one.

It seems that some premium economy is now being booked in to 'A' class from what I can tell.

Yes that has been the case for a few months. There are now 4 booking classes in premium economy.

It has been effective since December 1 (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/10762411-post3344.html)

United Mileage Plus does not show 'A' code in its Air New Zealand earning chart. http://www.united.com/page/article/0,,1181,00.html


Does Premium Economy A fare earn 100% EQM and 100% RDM with Mileage Plus?

It should do, the other premium economy booking classes do.

Hey,

Am trying to get AKL-NRT business class flights sorted out for September using BD miles. Do they book into I inventory or Z (upgrade) inventory. I have a feeling its I for *A redemptions. If so who gets to use the Z bucket? *A upgrade systemwide upgrade vouchers?

I for awards.
Z is paid heavily discounted fares (and NZ elite u/g vouchers?).

There is no *A upgrade systemwide upgrade vouchers.

How many airports/status points does a trans-tasman fare usually give? (Say AKL-SYD or BNE)

How many airports/status points does a trans-tasman fare usually give? (Say AKL-SYD or BNE)

Details on status point (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/airpoints/status_points/airnz-status-points-earned.htm) and airpoints dollars earning (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/airpoints/earning_airpoints_dollars/airnz_earn_accrual.htm) at the Air New Zealand website.

If your account is Australia-based you will need to check the AU version of the website for details.

I wonder if someone (kiwiflyer?) can update page 1 of this thread - isn't J a new biz class category as is A for premium economy? - there was some mention of this in another thread not too long ago and I find it very helpful when searching on expert flyer - thanks

What fare class does trans tasman business saver book into?

On June 21, AKL-MEL, there are no business saver tickets available, but on expert flyer but I can see for NZ725 - C4 D4 Z3 J1

Thanks

Business saver on the website is Z or J depending on the sale.

Note availability tools may give misleading impression for lots of reasons
- point of sale (eg Z available for someone buying AKL-MEL-AKL but not for someone buying MEL-AKL on the same flight)
- married segment (eg Z available for LAX-AKL-MEL but not for AKL-MEL on the same flight, or Z available for AKL-MEL but not for LAX-AKL-MEL)
- sub-booking class limits (eg Z available for certain fares but not for other fares, both of which book into Z)

I knows they are "sale" fares, but would like a business saver on MEL - ??? on June 19 - don't care which city, just one of them (preferred CHC, but will go via AKL or WLG). Some are showing Z & J availability but Web site doesn't give fare option, so just keep trying to see if availability shows up(?), as putting in a flight alert won't help as Z & J is available now.

Worst case, will book flexi saver and then upgrade using points, but prefer to buy business saver.

AFAIK there is currently no business class sale on Air NZ ex-Australia. When there are no sales then nothing will show up under business saver fare category.

Availability can be there for other reasons - eg to allow people who already are booked in Z to change flights, to allow people to buy circle pacific fare, etc.

I knows they are "sale" fares, but would like a business saver on MEL - ??? on June 19 - don't care which city, just one of them (preferred CHC, but will go via AKL or WLG). Some are showing Z & J availability but Web site doesn't give fare option, so just keep trying to see if availability shows up(?), as putting in a flight alert won't help as Z & J is available now.

Worst case, will book flexi saver and then upgrade using points, but prefer to buy business saver.

...Or could just buy Y and sit in Space+ for the 4 hours :p

how can you tell / where can you find out what booking fare code you booked into? its not on the e-ticket not my air nz, cheers

...Or could just buy Y and sit in Space+ for the 4 hours :p

:td:

:eek:

:td:

The horror of the idea.

I am only going the be about 30 points off making Gold Elite, sadly due to frequent trips to NZ to visit my sister in hospital.

But still - 4 hours in economy class :eek:

how can you tell / where can you find out what booking fare code you booked into? its not on the e-ticket not my air nz, cheers

If you want to know the exact booking class then you need to call Air NZ to get definitive answer, or know from fare rules what the particular fare books into. Easy for sales, not so easy for non-sale fares.

You can tell the approximate booking class by knowing the relationship between fare categories (smart saver, flexi saver, fully flexi, business saver etc) and booking classes.

But still - 4 hours in economy class :eek:Someone buy this man a Beer!

I spend significant amounts of time trying to convince people that shorthaul J is justified.

Like Kiwi I can't find any shortlife business trans-tasman fares at the moment.

Could someone in the know update this thread please with a list of all the booking codes?

Could someone in the know update this thread please with a list of all the booking codes?

I can help you with that:
C = Long term published Business
D = Long term published Business
Z = Short term published Business
J = Short term published Business
I = Business Award/Redemption (ie UA mileage member into Business)
R = Airpoints Business Award Upgrade class

U = Long term published Premium Economy
E = Long term published Premium Economy
O = Long term published Premium Economy
A = Short term published Premium Economy/Premium Economy Reward upgrade class

Y = Full Economy Flexi
B = Economy Flexi
M = Economy Flexi
H = Economy Flexi

Q = Economy Flexi-Saver
V = Economy Flexi-Saver
W = Economy Flexi-Saver
T = Economy Flexi-Saver

L = Economy Smart Saver
S = Economy Smart Saver
G = Economy Smart Saver
K = Economy Smart Saver
P = Economy Smart Saver (Domestic Grab-A-Seat/Trans Tasman short term Economy Sale) - Generally not valid for Longhaul.
F = Economy Smart Saver (Domestic Grab-A-Seat special ie $1 specials) - short term
X = Economy Redemption/Award (ie Star carrier economy redemption class)
N = staff category - subload/non-subload

Hope this helps.

Yes that has been the case for a few months. There are now 4 booking classes in premium economy.

Kiwi Flyer is right - Alpha class is long term now.
Thanks.

Whats with too classes for GAS now. Ive got a "F" class one, first time ive had one in "F"

Nice see booking classes on the e-tickets again!

IIRC that came in a while ago. Some posts about it on the mileage run forum from people thinking they'd found fantastic first class fares!

IIRC that came in a while ago. Some posts about it on the mileage run forum from people thinking they'd found fantastic first class fares!

LOL to be fair the e-tickets don't say what service class you are booked in now duh!

So they add one thing in, take the other away!

Whats with too classes for GAS now.

The F is the special grab-a-seat class - the $1 fares etc. P is standard.