Air New Zealand Air Points - Frequent Flyer: not permitted?

First, I don't like flying...but...

I am New Zealand living in the USA and I am trying to schedule a flight back to AKL from BOS this summer for 5 (3 adults + 2 children). I am hoping for the cheapest fare possible since this will be rather expensive and I have been watching the Air New Zealand website for specials.

Anyway, the question is I see under restrictions: Frequent Flyer: not permitted.

What does that mean? That I can't accrue miles or you can't spend miles to get a ticket? This is important on whether I order the tickets via Air New Zealand or United. Air New Zealand offers a discount for children.

So far, I signed up for a United Mileage Plus program, plus got a Visa card with 20,000 miles (I didn't know about the 25,000 miles version). I am guessing I can charge about $30,000+ on the card/year to help me accrue miles. Hopefully, I get over the flying and hopefully take my family on more vacations to New Zealand or other places around the world.

Anyway, the question is I see under restrictions: Frequent Flyer: not permitted.

What does that mean? That I can't accrue miles or you can't spend miles to get a ticket? This is important on whether I order the tickets via Air New Zealand or United. Air New Zealand offers a discount for children.


This means that the fare will not earn miles or airpoints. Most of the "web special" fares that NZ offers in the North American market are in fare classes that do not earn miles. This is unfortunate, IMO, as other carriers typically offer similar fares to Aus/NZ that do earn miles.

In particular, the G, K, L and S fare classes will not earn miles (there may be others).

Welcome to FlyerTalk galroc :)

Yes they are non-mileage earning (on any FFP not just Airpoints). GKLS and P are non-earning, plus NR (travel industry) and IX (awards).

Hey, thanks for the responses everyone!

Ok, sounds like I should try and order via United which will earn miles.

Ok, sounds like I should try and order via United which will earn miles.

Since UA doesn't fly into New Zealand, that'll be difficult.

The only alternative to NZ would be AA/QF.

Of course, you can take UA to SYD and track back to AKL on NZ. Doesn't sound reasonable for a family of 5, not to mention the extra cost and the fact that you don't like flying and hence want to keep the trip as short as possible.

I can book all the way into NZ with UA. They are UA flights numbers operated by Air New Zealand (renumbered).

For example: United Airlines 9550 (Operated by Air New Zealand Limited)

Take UA to SF or LAX, then UA flight to AKL (operated by Air New Zealand)

And I get booking class W. If I did the same and booked the same flight via Air New Zealand, I get a different booking class and I wouldn't get air miles.

I am still working the prices..classes...etc.

I can book all the way into NZ with UA. They are UA flights numbers operated by Air New Zealand (renumbered).

NO miles for flights operated by NZ, as the flight will also get a NZ booking class representing the original flight number. The UA booking class is not relevant.

bummer...so United says it is booking class W...how do I found out Air New Zealand's booking class for that seat?

This is what I found:
Air New Zealand serves over 51 destinations in 18 countries and is one of 14 globe-spanning members of the Star Alliance network. Simply present your Mileage Plus® number when making your reservations and you can earn:

* Economy Class—100% of actual, paid miles*
* Business Class—125% of actual, paid miles
* First Class—150% of actual, paid miles

*0% accrual in L, G, S, and K class on Air New Zealand flights. This change is effective June 3, 2005.

bummer...so United says it is booking class W...how do I found out Air New Zealand's booking class for that seat?


I don't think you can, unless maybe you call United and ask them.

However, If you book on United.com I would expect that you would get 100% miles. It may be prudent to call United and confirm this, but a United fare should book into a corresponding, mileage earning class on Air NZ. W class earns miles on United flights, so I'd be very surprised if it somehow didn't just because it was an NZ codeshare.

W class earns miles on United flights, so I'd be very surprised if it somehow didn't just because it was an NZ codeshare.

Piles of FTers have been surprised, just look at countless rants. :cool:

Anyway, this is a question for the UA forum.