Air New Zealand Air Points - Help with transfer from LAS-LAX-AKL on UA/NZ?

Hi - i'm booked on two seperate tickets, and wondering if the helpful folks on the NZ board can help here from perhaps personal experience. I usually do this completely on United so it's never an issue but Air NZ are now involved...

I fly out of Las Vegas on United, arriving into LAX United terminal 7 or 8 at 7:52pm. My flight leaves from Air NZ from LAX Terminal 2 at 9:30pm.

Couple of questions:

1/ Will United in Las Vegas tag my bags all the way through to AKL/SYD on Air NZ even though i'm flying on United on the first sector and it's in a completely different terminal?

2/ Am I allowing enough time from 7:52pm to a 9:30pm departure? If I get to Terminal 2 at LAX at about 8:40pm will that leave enough time to get a boarding pass, etc. I'm hoping all will be fine as my UA ticket from LAS-LAX is non refundable

As both NZ & UA are Star you will be able to get your bags ticketed to your final destination.

That should be suffcinet time to get from Terminal 7 or 8 to Terminal 2 - though you might want to walk thru the cap parking lot or wait for a inter terminal shuttle bus.

Have a great trip.

Absolutely - its an easy transfer that I've done myself a few times (although always on the earlier LAS flight because as a regular Heathrow user I suffer from missed-connection paranoia..)

The nice check-in staff at Las Vegas are more than happy to tag your bags - and provide boarding passes for the onward, seperately ticketed flight.. although you might get "what country is TBU in?" or similar as they don't seem to get many 'exotic' destinations checking in when I've been there.

Absolutely - its an easy transfer that I've done myself a few times (although always on the earlier LAS flight because as a regular Heathrow user I suffer from missed-connection paranoia..)

The nice check-in staff at Las Vegas are more than happy to tag your bags - and provide boarding passes for the onward, seperately ticketed flight.. although you might get "what country is TBU in?" or similar as they don't seem to get many 'exotic' destinations checking in when I've been there.

Can UA issue a boarding pass on NZ in LAS? Even though it has an NZ flight number (even if/if not it's a code share).

Can UA issue a boarding pass on NZ in LAS? Even though it has an NZ flight number (even if/if not it's a code share).

Absolutely.. it seems very, very easy for every UA location I've tried it at: seperately ticketed NZ operated, NZ flight number. Very occaisionally you will be paged to the NZ "service centre" in T2 to have a new NZ-stock bp issued to replace the yellow/gold coloured UA printed one (perhaps also to check visa status? not sure) but its pretty rare. AC and LH pax get the same call, seats don't change unless there is an upgrade they've missed.

Unrelated: How come I've never managed to get SQ at BKK or HKG to issue me a bp for NZ-operated flights departing SIN? It takes sooo long for them to print the buggers at the SIN transfer desk as they "log onto the other system" or something odd... plus it cuts into my swimming/drinking/shopping/sleeping time to sit there waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

Anyone else? Perhaps its just me vs. karma.

Absolutely.. it seems very, very easy for every UA location I've tried it at: seperately ticketed NZ operated, NZ flight number. Very occaisionally you will be paged to the NZ "service centre" in T2 to have a new NZ-stock bp issued to replace the yellow/gold coloured UA printed one (perhaps also to check visa status? not sure) but its pretty rare. AC and LH pax get the same call, seats don't change unless there is an upgrade they've missed.

Unrelated: How come I've never managed to get SQ at BKK or HKG to issue me a bp for NZ-operated flights departing SIN? It takes sooo long for them to print the buggers at the SIN transfer desk as they "log onto the other system" or something odd... plus it cuts into my swimming/drinking/shopping/sleeping time to sit there waiting. And waiting. And waiting.

Anyone else? Perhaps its just me vs. karma.

Stewardo - wow, thanks heaps for that, puts me at great ease on this trip. Unsure why the transfer desk in SIN is so slow. I've always had great speed with them, but have never asked them to issue a NZ BP only TG, SQ and UA.

Unrelated: How come I've never managed to get SQ at BKK or HKG to issue me a bp for NZ-operated flights departing SIN? It takes sooo long for them to print the buggers at the SIN transfer desk as they "log onto the other system" or something odd...I'd guess it has to do with systems compatibility issues...

I had similar connection last year. UA flight was late so had a bit of a sprint through the parking lots to T2 to make the flight. Fortunately security queue was short so even had time for very quick shower in the NZ lounge.

Just a couple more things to add...make sure you have a printout of the NZ itinerary for the UA staff to see, for the baggage check in, because it is a different itinerary. When you get to T2 ANZ will want you to change the tickets to their paper, so do it at the service center or in the lounge they do it when you enter, usually they will just tell you to go get comfy and they work on it while you relax. The only thing is that they will need to see your return tickets to issues the boarding passes. I almost had a problem last time because my tickets are electronic and I didn't have paper tickets. Luckily I printed the e-mail I received from United with the ticket number.

On the return flight, if you are flying the same route, NZ will check your bag through, but probably won't issue the BP.

This is just my experience.

Scott

Oh, about the time...I would go straight from the United terminal to T2, 8:40 is probably fine, but I wouldn't wait that long.

As MrSydney and Kiwi Flyer both suggest, you're probably better off walking through the parking lot than waiting for the inter-terminal shuttle. The walk will probably take you about 10 minutes. The shuttle seems to be on its own schedule, arriving who knows when, and then in bunches (2 buses in 5 minutes, then nothing for another 25 minutes). Additionally, the bus is often full by the time it arrives at Terminal 7/8.

As MrSydney and Kiwi Flyer both suggest, you're probably better off walking through the parking lot than waiting for the inter-terminal shuttle. The walk will probably take you about 10 minutes.

Just be careful when you do it - I got horribly lost (don't ask me how!) last time I tried this and walked for about 20 minutes before finally finding where I was supposed to be.

I also the echoes of others re the connection - I did this same thing about 18 months ago and had UA offer to tag the bags etc for me. I said no as I didn't trust them to get it right. :)

Hi all, so i'm now back in Sydney, here is the outcome!

- Arrived as LAS aiport about 4:30pm, waited about 30 mins for an agent (in the premier/first line) for UA for the Ted flight (seems they all knock off at 5pm alot of the staff, leaving about 200 or so passengers stranded, except for 2 checkin agents).

- Agent i got was efficent (took him all of 4-5 mins to issue boarding passes and tag bags). Asked for bags to be checked through to SYD (no probs) and asked for BP's through to SYD (said you'd need to get from NZ in LAX) however the system spat out the BP's for all flights (great!)

- Got luggage tagged and took to the xrays and went to the D gates

- D gates - queue was NUTS (like 300-500 people - granted it was a late Sunday a/noon). Can you use the First queue if you're a prem ex? NZ gold elite? - this was empty. Took me 45 mins to clear security. I made it just in time for their schedule boarding of 6:15pm at the gate (after arriving at the airport at about 4:30pm! - that's like nearly 2 hours for a domestic flight)

- Flight did not take off until 7:25pm (was set for 6:48pm).

- Arrived into LAX at 8:15pm.

- Practiced via a dry run a few weeks earlier going from T7/8 to T2. Took about 15 mins. Did the dash this time (thanks for the tips on going through the carpark!)

- Arrived and went straight to security with my UA issued NZ BP's. No probs, thankfully the queue was ZIPPO, empty! so went straight through in a couple mins.

- Went straight to NZ lounge (about 8:45pm). Boarding at 9pm. Dude with grey hair at the lounge was pretty unwelcoming, so to were the two other staff there. Starting asking for an "NZ e-ticket" I told them this is a UA mileage plus booking, I do not have those paper NZ e-ticket printouts (am aware of this as i've gone on an NZ e-ticket b4). Anyhow, at this point they say well we don't think you may be able to fly. Cutting to the chase they took the US immigration cards out, and about 25 mins later issued the boarding passes. At no point did they offer to ask us to wait in the lounge but just stand there. Anyhow, we just went in.

- NZ lounge in LAX is great, slightly larger than last time I went with the biz centre, food selection is improved with salmon, fruits, and shepherds pie plus other snacks, coleslaw, etc.

- Got to the gate just as the last passengers were getting ushered on

- The flight was awesome, first time i've taken the flat bed on NZ biz, last time I flew biz on them they had the old seating which was good, but this flat bed and the personal service was amazing. It's worth going on NZ to the US via AKL just for this rather than taking UA.

- Bags missed NZ1 and came on NZ5 and came in about 8 hrs later, delivered home.

- NZ flights all arrived on time or before schedule (unlike most of my UA flights on this trip!).

:-)

In theory you should have been able to use elite security line at LAS. As with most US airports any shiny card seems to work.

In practice, when I visited LAS I and many others were rejected. The staff on elite security line just wanted a break and they couldn't care less about the huge queues.

- Went straight to NZ lounge (about 8:45pm). Boarding at 9pm. Dude with grey hair at the lounge was pretty unwelcoming, so to were the two other staff there. Starting asking for an "NZ e-ticket" I told them this is a UA mileage plus booking, I do not have those paper NZ e-ticket printouts (am aware of this as i've gone on an NZ e-ticket b4). Anyhow, at this point they say well we don't think you may be able to fly. Cutting to the chase they took the US immigration cards out, and about 25 mins later issued the boarding passes. At no point did they offer to ask us to wait in the lounge but just stand there. Anyhow, we just went in.

Same problem that I had with NZ and a printout of the return ticket with the flight numbers, except that the woman was very friendly. Warning to all with E tickets on NZ, bring a printout of the flights.

Scott

Same problem that I had with NZ and a printout of the return ticket with the flight numbers, except that the woman was very friendly. Warning to all with E tickets on NZ, bring a printout of the flights.I'm very curious about this. Was there any specific reason they asked to see it?

Were the (already issued) BP's not acceptable? Were they concerned about visa issues?

I'm interested.

I've gotten this when travelling with the other half to NZ (both on NZ and on QF).. my understanding from the staff is that for non-AU or NZ passport holders evidence of a return or onward ticket is required to gain entry to the country -- and those airlines would rather not have to return you back to whence you came if you're rejected at the border.

Unsure though whether it has anything to do with the advance passenger screening/no fly list thing that NZ (the country) uses before you even board the flight down - any immigration experts on the board?

What stewardo said.

Unless you're a returning resident, always carry printouts of your onward ticket. Never assume that the airline or immigration will be able to look it up on a computer.

I'm very curious about this. Was there any specific reason they asked to see it?

Were the (already issued) BP's not acceptable? Were they concerned about visa issues?

I'm interested.

The others already gave the answer, but it is because it's for customs becuase they need proof of an onward ticket. This actually happens in any place, not just the US. I had the same issue in Sydney for a flight to Wellington. That time it was a one way ticket so even if they though it was a NZ ticket they didn't have any proof that I was continuing onward. Also, every time I've been to NZ the customs person asks to see the same info.

Oh, by the way, I had a ticket issued from United, but NZ always reprints the ticket on their paper. That's when they ask for it.

For NZ residents this is probably not an issue.

Scott

It's not an issue for NZers (or Australians).

It would have been immigration that is interested, not customs.

That's what I had figured. I'm just surprised - in my travels (admittedly, not as varied as some), I've never been asked for proof of a return ticket.

That said, a friend of mine recently got denied boarding on Lufthansa FRA-NYC due to not having proof that he was flying onwards from NYC to AKL (the NYC-FRA-NYC was nested)... Lufthansa rejected him, but when he finally made it to NYC, immigration had no issue with it.