Air New Zealand Air Points - AKL NZ Premium Int'l Check-In is fantastic

I've never had such an effortless Int'l check-in experience. I'm *G traveling AKL-SYD today, and I was directed to the *G Premium Check-In NZ operates. It's in a separate room/area to the right of the international check-in in AKL. It has its own check-in agents, and its own customs officer! There was no one in line when we arrived and we checked 2 bags, completed immigration forms, cleared immigration and finally security in a TOTAL of 15 minutes check-in to lounge.

Unbelievable service. I know this is old news to folks who have been through AKL countless times, but I'm now totally spoiled by this! :) ^

- T

Is there any similar *Gold help on arrivals?

Yes, it's a great service.

No arrivals service unfortunately.

Is this *G only, or do they have a similar service for J class passangers?

Is this *G only, or do they have a similar service for J class passangers?

F & J pax on NZ only ;)

F & J pax on NZ only ;)

NZ dont have F any more ... so just NZ J and *A gold . I agree that it is a very civilized way to check-in ...in fairness so is the QF business class check-in area down the other end of the terminal ^

Still not quite as good as the LH First Class Terminal in FRA :p

F & J pax on NZ only ;)
I used it for economy as *G. This was a few years ago though.

NZ dont have F any more ... so just NZ J and *A gold . I agree that it is a very civilized way to check-in ...in fairness so is the QF business class check-in area down the other end of the terminal ^

actually the air NZ check-in area may seem plain in its interior design concept compared with QAntas but im of the opinion that the QF check-in area in AKL tends to be crowded at times and usually there are quite a few aussie QF qantas club members who use this facility and they tend to make a fuss when they have to wiat for long or when someone who is holding a F or J ticket gets served before them and so on...

Yes the premium check in at AKL is great. *G and business pax on NZ metal (+ the airshares with Aircalin and Eva) flights only though.

The NZ one is better than QF/OW one IMHO - can pay departure fee in cash with NZ but only credit card with QF/OW, much more direct route through terminal, no need for the double immigration check that QF/OW has (once in the premium check in area and again in special line upstairs which is often slow as they also process other pax), seems to have less queue problems, better staff (in my experience).

Yes the premium check in at AKL is great. *G and business pax on NZ metal (+ the airshares with Aircalin and Eva) flights only though.
And Koru Club?

them too

Yes, it's pretty awesome ^^^! I was there about three weeks ago, and it was a very pleasant surprise to me—I was completely unaware of it :o

A good way to start a long day of travel...

I could have sworn "Premium Economy" was also etched into the doors on the Premium Check-In lounge as well. I believe they can use it as well, but you should confirm it first.

I could have sworn "Premium Economy" was also etched into the doors on the Premium Check-In lounge as well. I believe they can use it as well, but you should confirm it first.That is correct.

Maybe one day they might even accidentially etch "Airpoints Silver" on the glass, instead of over the McDonald's outlet :D

A big hello from the AKL Air New Zealand lounge. The premium check in area is indeed very nicely done. A managed check in for NZ107 to lounge in approx 20 minutes (arrived extra early because I've been a bit paranoid about my first ETA).

Where are there internet ports in the AKL NZ intl lounge? I couldn't get a strong enough wifi signal when i was back in Dec and Jan.

goodo

Where are there internet ports in the AKL NZ intl lounge? I couldn't get a strong enough wifi signal when i was back in Dec and Jan.

goodo


There are wall jacks scattered few and far between - just scope them out. They are labeled.

There are wall jacks scattered few and far between - just scope them out. They are labeled.

Yes, and in the business centre

Do you have to pay to use these or is it free?

Do you have to pay to use these or is it free?

Free.

I am currently in the AKL lounge and have just used the Premium check-in area. Frankly, I was not impressed with it whatsoever.

This is no BA Zone R T1 LHR check-in

Sure, it is its own room but quite small and barely adequate for all the *G using it and attempting to sort out upgrades at the desk. I found it to be cramped, the lines moved slowly as nearly ever passenger I saw check-in required the agent to make phone calls, and I would be amazed if the 'service' provided by the agents is at all superior to that afforded to non-status economy passengers.

I would give it 2/10 and that two is solely for the fact that there is a immigration/customs officer to expedite your exit. YMMV.

I am currently in the AKL lounge and have just used the Premium check-in area. Frankly, I was not impressed with it whatsoever.

This is no BA Zone R T1 LHR check-in

Sure, it is its own room but quite small and barely adequate for all the *G using it and attempting to sort out upgrades at the desk. I found it to be cramped, the lines moved slowly as nearly ever passenger I saw check-in required the agent to make phone calls, and I would be amazed if the 'service' provided by the agents is at all superior to that afforded to non-status economy passengers.

I would give it 2/10 and that two is solely for the fact that there is a immigration/customs officer to expedite your exit. YMMV.

I used it Wednesday, and I flew through

Sure, it is its own room but quite small and barely adequate for all the *G using it and attempting to sort out upgrades at the desk. I found it to be cramped, the lines moved slowly as nearly ever passenger I saw check-in required the agent to make phone calls, and I would be amazed if the 'service' provided by the agents is at all superior to that afforded to non-status economy passengersI would agree on that point - if they turfed out the mass's of Koru Club, Star Alliance Gold and Pacific Premium passengers into their own check-in queue in the main terminal, leaving it solely for Gold Airpoints and Business Premier passengers the staff could provide a much better service at the busy times (well maybe not...).

I've noticed it's getting more crowded lately.

Hmmm.. how about waiving the departure fee for those who check in online and print their own BP, and turning one of the desks into a bag drop? Dump the bags, swipe the passports, and off. Surely less expensive for NZ than expanding the room and adding staff.

justakiwi

I've noticed it's getting more crowded lately.

Hmmm.. how about waiving the departure fee for those who check in online and print their own BP, and turning one of the desks into a bag drop? Dump the bags, swipe the passports, and off. Surely less expensive for NZ than expanding the room and adding staff.

justakiwiIMO the Slow(TM) Bag Drop, is the silliest “enhancement” NZ have ever offered. It saves no staff time, compared to if check-in desks were fitted with the facility to swipe the airpoints card and automatically call up the booking. Even more time could be saved by the installation of a doohickey that fits priority tags to luggage routing tags as they roll out of the printer or by printing baggage receipts onto the boarding pass

It can be certain that NZ paying the departure fee of all those whom check-in online (plus knowing NZ IT, the development of such a check-in tool would run into many thousands of dollars) would cost more than hiring extra staff. (PS – I don’t think it would kill the rabble that is Koru Club and Star Gold members to have their line outside with everyone else).

(PS – I don’t think it would kill the rabble that is Koru Club and Star Gold members to have their line outside with everyone else).


I will take it that you just missed your smiley face there? Or do you really want to take away a *G ben?

I will take it that you just missed your smiley face there? Or do you really want to take away a *G ben?

On re reading I realised you mean we should still have a line just outside? Hmmm... :rolleyes: