Air New Zealand Air Points - Since when have the airbucks for star alliance awards increased?

Looked this morning at the partner award table, and noticed that the airpoints dollars required for awards on partner airlines have increased substantially for the second time in 12 months.

I notice NOW to go from AUS to North America requires 740 Airbucks. Last time I looked it was 575 (and this time last year was 480). That's a 28% increase just now and 54% increase in 12 months.

Frankly I am appalled. I was just getting close enough to have two return flights to the US and now my points will only get 1 there and not even a second person one way.

And worse no notice of the changes, something I just happened to find. At least QF give you 6 months notice.
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Edited this post because just discovered elsewhere (http://www.airnz.co.nz/airpoints/airpoints_news/default.htm) ..

Fuel and Insurance surcharges are now incorporated within our fares, so these will be covered when you choose to use Airpoints Dollars to pay for your fare. This means that you no longer need to pay for these with your credit card. Airpoints Terms and Conditions apply.

Airpoints Companion, Airline Partner, and Discounted Long-Haul Business Award fares have increased 10%

:(

A possible factor in award levels for Australian and Norfolk Islands is the use of Australian airbucks as currency rather than (NZ) airbucks, which I presume means periodically the airbucks exchange rate is adjusted in line with real exchange rates.

But that wouldn't make sense here as A$ has strengthened a lot against NZ$.

Shocking while typical Airpoints manner who claim Airpoints is based on fare paid. I don't see the rise of earning rate when fares increase. Under Airpoints news section, they state partner award rates increase is in line with the 10% Air NZ fare increase. I fail to see how they are relevant.

This post is bad news for me. I have been watching the cost of the return BC flight from Melbourne to the West Coast of USA go from 2500 to 2700 and now 3180 Aussie Airbucks. I don't see what the cost of an airfare increase has to do with the cost of redemption as we don't earn any more airbucks with the increased fares so why should the redemption go up.

This is a 17% increase far more than what they have put the fares up. They went up less than a year ago.

And the 3180 excludes charges like fuel and taxes which you have to pay with real money. So I don't see why they had to put up the redemption levels.

Even if I use Air NZ metal, it still totals 2970 - But I can't get this if I include an internal flight in the ticket.

Bah Humbug.

This is bad news for me as well!! :-(

I've been sitting on about $3000 airbucks which I had intended on using for a RT in SQ F from SFO/JFK-SIN. However, now, that barely gets me a RT in business!!

I've seen the price of this award increase from A$1300 each way to $1540 each way, to now A$1925 each way. All in the span of 12 months!!

Well, at least now I'll be able to find award inventory on the flights I want!

Maybe I'll try the nonstop EWR-BKK or EWR-SIN instead now that I can only get business.

Though I will be certain to never give NZ any business after this. A 48% increase in 12 months is really a bit over the top in my opinion. :td:

Don't forget Air NZ charges $100 per Star awards booking on top of that.

The booking for partners (at least in the AUS program) used to be $50 or 50airbucks. So that has increased as well. And I can't find any reference to fuel surcharges being included in the quote any more, and everywhere says taxes and surcharges must be paid in cash.

The booking for partners (at least in the AUS program) used to be $50 or 50airbucks. So that has increased as well. And I can't find any reference to fuel surcharges being included in the quote any more, and everywhere says taxes and surcharges must be paid in cash.

Fuel surcharges were never included. Earlier this year when domestic flights were priced as all inclusive fares, airpoints bookings changed so that airbucks covered the full price for domestic. However international remains as taxes, fees and surcharges must be paid in cash.

Fuel surcharges were never included. Earlier this year when domestic flights were priced as all inclusive fares, airpoints bookings changed so that airbucks covered the full price for domestic. However international remains as taxes, fees and surcharges must be paid in cash.

I am a bit happier ... rang up last night to check this with Air NZ. They quoted 1480 (Australian airbucks) + $134AUD in taxes and surcharges for a return flight SYD-LAX on UA, so it does seem that they are including fuel surcharges in the airpoints. (Much better than the $441 in surcharges that Zuji are quoting!)

I think you'll find it is lower because it is on UA (who don't charge fuel surcharge). I am sure it will be a lot more for SYD-AKL-LAX on NZ.

I think you'll find it is lower because it is on UA (who don't charge fuel surcharge). I am sure it will be a lot more for SYD-AKL-LAX on NZ.

You are correct about it being a lot more on NZ, but flying on UA much better deal anyway as the codes from SYD go all the way to ORD & NYC.

UA do charge a fuel surcharge out of SYD/MEL (but not for flights ex-US to SYD/MEL). I suspect has something to do with the (lack of) competition at this end, and reacting to what the red rat does. Both Zuji & travel.com.au are quoting $441 in taxes on return UA flights from SYD to LAX. Or is it just to be competitive that they have these. On online TA's quoting a base fare of $1600 does not look attractive compared to a base fare of $1300 even though it may net to the same.