Air New Zealand Air Points - UG vouchers to premium economy or to business?

Maybe this is anyone's guess, but do people here have a view on whether the Silver and Gold/elite UG vouchers will still be from Y to C (i.e. not Y+)?

Thanks

Yes thats my guess - note there is no mileage upgrade to Y+ so it makes sense that vouchers also are full class upgrade rather than 1/2 a class.

Yes thats my guess - note there is no mileage upgrade to Y+ so it makes sense that vouchers also are full class upgrade rather than 1/2 a class.

I think changes will be on the way when system wide fleet upgrades have been completed.

I am hoping they maintain the status quo. The current elite benefits need improvement, not devaluation. Alienating your regular customers is not a good strategy for any business.

justakiwi

I am hoping they maintain the status quo. The current elite benefits need improvement, not devaluation. Alienating your regular customers is not a good strategy for any business.

justakiwi


I hope so too, but fear the worst. My guess is that the free upgrades will be devalued to half a class, and that paid (ie Airbucks) upgrades will follow the same track.

I am hoping they maintain the status quo. The current elite benefits need improvement, not devaluation. Alienating your regular customers is not a good strategy for any business.

justakiwi

This is Air New Zealand's strategy. Remember the Koru Club guest incident or the removal of proper trans-tasman Business Class.

At the risk of being more unpopular here - I hope they do make upgrades limited to Y -> U and U --> J. Don't forget there is going to be a reduction in J class seats with the new 74R config. By removing Y --> J upgrades there will be more availability for those pax willing to pay for It, moreover this will make J more exclusive and comfortable. The current elite benefits could be improved with proper Priority servicing, real rental car & hotel privileges and adjacent seat blocking on domestic flights.

At the risk of being more unpopular here - I hope they do make upgrades limited to Y -> U and U --> J. Don't forget there is going to be a reduction in J class seats with the new 74R config. By removing Y --> J upgrades there will be more availability for those pax willing to pay for It, moreover this will make J more exclusive and comfortable. The current elite benefits could be improved with proper Priority servicing, real rental car & hotel privileges and adjacent seat blocking on domestic flights.

Mmmhhh but then they would certainly lose a bunch of frequent fliers, including this one!

Mmmhhh but then they would certainly lose a bunch of frequent fliers, including this one!

How many exactly is a bunch ? Those that leave will simply be replaced by new higher-yielding customers straying from other airlines.

The NZ upgrade scheme will still be better than the QF one allowing elite's upgrades to be confirmed in advance. I maintain improving the current elite benefits with proper Priority servicing, real rental car & hotel privileges and adjacent seat blocking on domestic flights would work more in Air New Zealand's favour.

All you say may be true (although I doubt it) but personally I choose the NZ programme in large part because of the 2 UG vouchers (for Gold). If they were to replace that with some silly hotel vouchers I'd be gone. Then again, who cares?

All you say may be true (although I doubt it) but personally I choose the NZ programme in large part because of the 2 UG vouchers (for Gold). If they were to replace that with some silly hotel vouchers I'd be gone. Then again, who cares?

I'm not suggesting they remove the 2 UG vouchers for Gold Airpoints members, mererly remove the direct Y --> J upgrade option on longhaul flights [especially as U class is not all that expensive to purchase]. I'm suggesting they remove the hotel/rental car vouchers and replacing them with elite status at a hotel and special discount rates to rent cars.

I'm not suggesting they remove the 2 UG vouchers for Gold Airpoints members, mererly remove the direct Y --> J upgrade option on longhaul flights [especially as U class is not all that expensive to purchase]. I


Yes, that's what I thought you meant and that's what would push me away. What good is a Y to Y+ upgrade (especially if, as you say, Y+ is not expensive)? I like being rewarded with a comfortable flight after all that long-haul economy class travel that I have to do. If they take that away it will be very negative for me.

Yes, that's what I thought you meant and that's what would push me away. What good is a Y to Y+ upgrade (especially if, as you say, Y+ is not expensive)? I like being rewarded with a comfortable flight after all that long-haul economy class travel that I have to do. If they take that away it will be very negative for me.

Flyer's will just purchase a U class ticket and upgrade from there, with the additional insurance of U if the upgrade falls through. AFAIK there is no airline which offers double upgrades ?

I agree that the current elite benefits are terrible and could be improved but I don't see NZ listening.

SAS for the moment still allow upgrades from any paid Y fare to either Y+ or C (subject to setas, meals etc etc).

Mark