Air New Zealand Air Points - So how is the new converted program

Don't know much about the new program other then you no longer earn miles and now earn air currency for free flights is it :td: or ^
Thanks

That really depends on how you travel. The changes were generally bad for disc econ traveller who rarely/never fly Air NZ. But very good for premium travellers who fly Air NZ a lot.

As well as change to revenue base (rather than miles), the other major change is any seat can be purchased for award. Lots of info if you check out threads around the time it was announced and implemented (Nov 04).

That really depends on how you travel. The changes were generally bad for disc econ traveller who rarely/never fly Air NZ. But very good for premium travellers who fly Air NZ a lot.

As well as change to revenue base (rather than miles), the other major change is any seat can be purchased for award. Lots of info if you check out threads around the time it was announced and implemented (Nov 04).
Sound interesting.I look forward to examing the thread I hear they are going to upgrade their cabins.I am dumping Qantas and adding Virgin doing LHR to SYD with and looking at Air NZ possibilities
I will celebrate when the search on FT returns :)

Virgin is a partner of NZ Airpoints (can earn airbucks and do awards on VS), but doesnt count for status.

Thank You for all your kind replys and concern.
I was thinking of banking seperately in both program.
Virgin I am excited about too. I called them and they have Upper Class seats from LHR to Syd.
Qantas nothing except coach :mad:
And monster increases in redemption rates coming soon
I won't earn and pay revenue for seats in a program that makes it very difficult or next to impossible to redeem in.
Cheers

A selection of relevant threads (there's a lot more)

on changes to airpoints
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=370416
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=341228

on new longhaul product
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=399366
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=408701
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=387110
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=332668

Possibly a bit OT and covered off in a hundred other unsearchable threadsbut I´m still a newbie so what the heck.

I guess I understand the rationale behind the move from miles to revenue however in doing so I think the airlines and in particular the alliance programs have forgotten the whole value proposition of having frequent flyers.

Anyone buying C or F seats automatically get a good position on the plane and access to all the goodies like lounges, priority checkin & baggage so I don´t see anything of value to them in being loyal.

Surely the value is for the people who spend the time at the back of the bus but by virtue of being part of a program direct their spending to one particular airline / alliance to achieve status to get some of the nicer things in life.

The abscence of points and status on super economy flights (which I imagine most companies now buy as std) basically means there is nothing that will encourage regular flyers to direct their business one way or another.

Surely the sensible option would be to drop the airpoints on the cheap flights but continue to provide status so that those people who do stay loyal and do the airtime get the recognition without the cost to the Airlines Balance sheet by way of accrued airpoint liability.....or is this rambling because its late at night. :p

Not rambling. NZ has done this (in a very limited way). There is now an annual fee for Airpoints, but it is waived if you fly on Air NZ during the member year. Any NZ flight counts, regardless of whether or not you earn airbucks.

Anyone buying C or F seats automatically get a good position on the plane and access to all the goodies like lounges, priority checkin & baggage so I don´t see anything of value to them in being loyal.

I seem incredible value to J class pax being loyal to gain Gold Airpoints status's. extra Lugguage Allowance, Guest into departures lounge,better treatment when travelling domestically [just how much better is debatable] as their is no domestic J class [those were the days], et cetera.

I seem incredible value to J class pax being loyal to gain Gold Airpoints status's. extra Lugguage Allowance, Guest into departures lounge,better treatment when travelling domestically [just how much better is debatable] as their is no domestic J class [those were the days], et cetera.

Also, the focus of most FF programmes is to grant heavy business travellers the same luxuries and conveniences when they are on their leisure travel.

I seem incredible value to J class pax being loyal to gain Gold Airpoints status's. extra Lugguage Allowance, Guest into departures lounge,better treatment when travelling domestically [just how much better is debatable] as their is no domestic J class [those were the days], et cetera.

Apart from my wife how often would two pax exceed 64 Kg on a flight to or via the U.S or have i been living out of a 7kg carryon for to long. :)

Good point on guests, particularly on domestic flights however i think this adds weight to my hypothesis.

Most companies i know have a "cheapest fare" philosophy so a loyal domestic traveller may need to take over 100 flights to attain Gold status. Someone flying C/J on a return trip to Europe via the U.S. could achieve Gold in one go. How does this encourage loyalty.

Surly a program which offers less airports for discount fares but still provides fair status for loyal customers would be more sensible. imvho a regular but loyal economy flyer will over time make the effort to spend more with an airline / alliance to keep status than someone who can afford C/J.

As someone who has earnt *G flying nothing but economy I now direct my travel to maintain status as I know the benefits. I just get the feeling that in the pursuit of revenue the airlines are forgetting the real drivers for attaining and keeping frequent flyers and will loose the loyalty of the people who while flying only discount economy are regular users, or perhaps NZ has such a dominant market position it doesn't really matter and my thinking is skewed by living in the UK.

Not rambling. NZ has done this (in a very limited way). There is now an annual fee for Airpoints, but it is waived if you fly on Air NZ during the member year. Any NZ flight counts, regardless of whether or not you earn airbucks.

Sorry KF but i wouldn't consider one flight a year being loyal. I am more thinking about the people doing 50+ domestic flights for business and who can't afford or the boss won't pay for koru membership and who struggle to make status because they have to fly discount. If they don't perceive they will ever achieve a higher status what will make them loyal. 300 air point dollars, I don't think so.

For Gold status I bet they would make sure they always flew *A, I know I do.

Apart from my wife how often would two pax exceed 64 Kg on a flight to or via the U.S or have i been living out of a 7kg carryon for to long. :)

I suppose it saves packing everything in tightly to your suitcase. I was more referring to the 20kg for other flights.

Sorry KF but i wouldn't consider one flight a year being loyal. I am more thinking about the people doing 50+ domestic flights for business and who can't afford or the boss won't pay for koru membership and who struggle to make status because they have to fly discount. If they don't perceive they will ever achieve a higher status what will make them loyal. 300 air point dollars, I don't think so.

For Gold status I bet they would make sure they always flew *A, I know I do.

But the domestic business traveller doesnt have much choice. On QF 50 cheap dom flights gets only Silver status - ie very little benefit and only 1 lounge pass. Other than between main cities there is no real competition.

QF's NZ Operation is an interesting one – I’m certain it’s unprofitable. I suppose they don't want to get off side with Air New Zealand but QF could try a bit harder within New Zealand. Firstly the status credit’s earning could be pulled into line with Australian domestic – add B H and K classes to Full Fare SC's.

JetConnect J class is a joke and could go so that JetConnect is just 1 class.

But the domestic business traveller doesnt have much choice. On QF 50 cheap dom flights gets only Silver status - ie very little benefit and only 1 lounge pass. Other than between main cities there is no real competition.

So the problem is that domestically they have insufficient competition and as such see no benefit in creating loyalty as they get it by default. :(

So the problem is that domestically they have insufficient competition and as such see no benefit in creating loyalty as they get it by default. :(

In actuality the question is for how much longer. QF could easily take the NZ market by storm. Alternativly Origin Pacific Airways could take a risk [The only way It wiill get anywhere],lease a pile of jets and fly with a simple full service domestic fare structure. PM for more info.

So the problem is that domestically they have insufficient competition and as such see no benefit in creating loyalty as they get it by default. :(

Not necessarily. If your business only/mainly travels between Auckland and Wellington then it can come down to price - what corp discount are NZ and QF prepared to offer.

I take it all back. Air Dollars are wonderful. :D

Having achieved maximum status with NZ (*G only as I no longer do enough on NZ tin to get GE) I put some points into my BMI account.

The comparisons are highly flattering to the new Air Dollars scheme.

One way full economy flight MAD to LHR 800 miles / 30 Air Dollars
Conversion rate 27 miles to the air dollar.

One way discount economy flight LHR to PMI 418 miles / 15 Air Dollars
Conversion rate 27 miles to the air dollar.

Air dollars therefore seems to work on short hauls around Europe on BMI economy and particularly on Discount economy. Of course this is pre supposes the 75 miles to the Air dollar was a fair conversion rate at the outset. :confused:

Yes earning on some short flights is pretty good in the new airpoints scheme.

Not sure that I'd equate 1 BD Diamond Club mile with 1 Airpoint (old).