Air New Zealand Air Points - First time LHR-LAX-BNE . . . .

I'm planning to go LHR - BNE for our silver wedding anniversary around mid - 2006. I'm looking at ANZ because they should have the 777 doing the LHR-LAX-AKL route by then, which allows best width and 34" pitch in Y, with a possibility of going premium economy for more pitch. Other airlines offering 34" pitch will still be using 744 at that time; and ANZ pricing seems very competitive.

My questions; We are pretty flexible on dates ( say 01 June to 15 sept dep. dates), and I wondered if there was a "low" season through those months?

How bad is the cattle pen at LAX? Do you have to be in J/F or Premium economy to be allowed into the Lounges? What if I'm in Y but have a Priority Pass Lounge card?

I do not belong to any FF scheme just now, but have 12k Emirates points from an trip to Oz last year, and am thinking about joining the QF scheme as I can generate some points with my Aussie CC. Can I use any of these points with ANZ? If not, I suppose I could always use the QF points for some domestic flights within Oz.....

I'm looking at ANZ because they should have the 777 doing the LHR-LAX-AKL route by then, which allows best width and 34" pitch in Y, with a possibility of going premium economy for more pitch.

Errr, not quite.

Firstly, NZ's 777 fleet will have 32" pitch (the same as the 767's it will replace).

BUT, the 777 won't be going to LHR, which will retain the 747.

As far as the 747 goes, by 2006 it will be in the reconfigured state. From a Y perspective the main difference is that you'll have a PTV. The seat pitch will remain the same as it is now - 34". From a Y+ perspective not only will you get increased pitch, but also increased width (2+3 at the back of the upper deck). Oh... you get the premium wine selection as well.

Happy travels.

Just remember trans-tasman flights only have J and Y classes. If you book a U [Pacific Premium Economy] class tix, you can use 200 NZairbucks for a confirmed upgrade each way per person.

If you join the NZ Airpoints scheme you can earn points with an ozzie credit card for use on NZ.

The Cattle Pen at LAX is only for pax in J/F class; but by 2006 I should think that this problem will be alleviated.

You can join the NZ Koru Club [NZ$745 pa] which allows access to NZ Lounges.

My mistake. The new 3-class service will roll out to LHR eventually, but not the 777. So NZ1 will still be 744 all the way to AKL?

And going Y+ will let us out of the pen at LAX and into a lounge?

Using my NAB goldcard allows me to earn QF points, but I don't think I can use these on ANZ; I have applied for an Amex Maximiser which awards FFpoints, maybe those are accepted / redeemable on ANZ? Not mentioned on the ANZ website, though.

One last question; Is it better to book ANZ all the way through to BNE on one ticket, or just NZ1 to AKL, and use my QF points to go AKL-BNE?

Thanks for all the advice.

One last question; Is it better to book ANZ all the way through to BNE on one ticket, or just NZ1 to AKL, and use my QF points to go AKL-BNE?

That depends on the cost of the tix. But you would not want to have any tight off-line connections.

Y+ is still an Economy product so no lounge's unless your *G or Koru.
NZ are not a AmEx MR partner.

That depends on the cost of the tix. But you would not want to have any tight off-line connections.

Y+ is still an Economy product so no lounge's unless your *G or Koru.
NZ are not a AmEx MR partner.

Thanks for the info. That's useful to know.

Phillipas, may I ask about the source of your info on the new Y+ config? I'd be interested in having a browse.

In the meantime I've found out that NZ schools go back about mid June, so the fortnight before that may be best avoided. That should miss U.K. school hols starting, too.

The source of my info. Quite honestly I can't remember, but I'm pretty sure it's correct.

For the record the 'new' product will be operating on all LHR flights from 5th November this year, though it will probably put in an apperance on selected flights before then.

Just one things, and veering into the tourist side of things rahter than the flying side of things. Make sure you spend the bulk of your time in NZ rather than Oz - It's much better on the Eastern side of the ditch.

I take it you're a Kiwi!

We lived in Brisbane for 8 years, took citizenship, and although we had to move to the U.K. for a couple of years, "I still call Australia home" as the song goes. Also. my son wants to check out U.Q.; so I'm afraid we'll be in BNE most of the time. Wondered about a stopover in LA on the way back, but only momentarily.

Wondered about a stopover in LA on the way back, but only momentarily.

studyolic I wouldn't bother stopping over in LA - i go their for family reasons often and to be honest, its a bit of dump and not worth the hassle of stopping over. As for LAX..what a nightmare but at least NZ arrives/departs from Termnal 2 which is , at least, slightly saner than the others.

I take it you're a Kiwi!

Sadly not, I'm a Brit. I spent a year and half working in NZ a couple of years back and it truly impressed me. Australia impressed me as well, just not as much.

And to Mr Sydney's comment about LA being a dump, I'll agree with him. What I would recommend though is stopping off at LAX and heading down to San Diego. It's only a couple of hours and is a really great place.

When I said L.A., I really meant getting out at L.A., but then staying over somewhere like San Diego. Only problem is, I am limited as to how long I can devote to the whole trip, and BNE with a flip to Perth for a couple of days is really our main objective, so San Diego would really have to be worth losing 2 days over. Perhaps on the return leg it could make a nice diversion?

We lived in Brisbane for 8 years, took citizenship, and although we had to move to the U.K. for a couple of years, "I still call Australia home" as the song goes. Also. my son wants to check out U.Q.; so I'm afraid we'll be in BNE most of the time. Wondered about a stopover in LA on the way back, but only momentarily

Hello Studyolic,

I am currently studying at the University of Queensland. Even though it's my first year I still might be able to help you with things. I know the International Student coordinator really well so msg me if you want to know anything.

Cheers
David

Hi QF NB,

I'll message you re U.Q.

FF points - wise, do you know if NZ recognise Amex member rewards points (or whatever they're called)? I have a NAB gold card that I'm trying to generate some points on that I can exchange for QF points, (BNE - PER - BNE), but I don't think NZ will recogise QF points. I am also trying to get an aussie Amex Maximiser, whose Member Award points seem slightly more acceptable across a few airlines, (SQ for example). What I'm trying to do is get enough points together to upgrade from Y to the new NZ premium Y next year.
Thanks.

FF points - wise, do you know if NZ recognise Amex member rewards points (or whatever they're called)? I have a NAB gold card that I'm trying to generate some points on that I can exchange for QF points, (BNE - PER - BNE), but I don't think NZ will recogise QF points. I am also trying to get an aussie Amex Maximiser, whose Member Award points seem slightly more acceptable across a few airlines, (SQ for example). What I'm trying to do is get enough points together to upgrade from Y to the new NZ premium Y next year.
Thanks.

I have already answered that - NZ are not an AmEX MR conversion partner. Currently NZ are not offering Y to U upgrades.

Sorry, I thought I had seen a post indicating that NZ would deal with Amex Member Reward points from a NZ / Australian issuer. It seemed unlikely. I'll just sign up with BAEC and get a BA Amex, and go BA/QF.
Thanks.

Sorry, I thought I had seen a post indicating that NZ would deal with Amex Member Reward points from a NZ / Australian issuer. It seemed unlikely. I'll just sign up with BAEC and get a BA Amex, and go BA/QF.
Thanks.

Pre November last year AmEX was a NZ conversion partner but not any more. If your going to fly BA WTP consider signing up to AA and doing the PLT challenge. LHR - SIN one way in WTP will get you platinum [oneworld sapphire] which is 3x mileage accrual for WTP.

I take it you're a Kiwi!

We lived in Brisbane for 8 years, took citizenship, and although we had to move to the U.K. for a couple of years, "I still call Australia home" as the song goes. Also. my son wants to check out U.Q.; so I'm afraid we'll be in BNE most of the time. Wondered about a stopover in LA on the way back, but only momentarily.

Ive just finished studying at UQ too and know just about everything about it. Will be glad to help you out in anyway.

ozziegumby

you have mail.