Air New Zealand Air Points - NZ sniping with WIAL

Air NZ have sent out cards to their Wellington based Koru Club members whining about how Air NZ decreased the space avaliable and then increased the rent of the parks on NZ, and are now trying to move Koru Valet to a non-exclusive uncovered area. You can see a copy here (http://publish.orcon.net.nz/gnz) (if your browser scales it you might need to zoom in by clicking on the picture once it's loaded).

Imagine if we were to send cards like these to our customers complaining that NZ was leveraging their monopolistic position so not as to treat us with respect, and give all the benefit's they say they will.

You know, while I see your point, I kind of agree with Air NZ in this case.

WLG is making a killing in every imaginable way. The current expansion seems to model itself after AKL and LHR, i.e., putting a shop in every possible corner and in every possible corridor.

The parking situation is a disgrace. They've basically taken away 90% of the covered parking and called it 'Premium parking', i.e., charge a bit more simply because it's covered. This is not to mention the high charge they already have for normal parking.

One side of me thinks that despite putting more car park spaces, they don't put more exit lanes. So in rush times, you'll be queuing in your cars for 5+ mins. What does this mean? 5 more mins of parking charges they can charge you.

When the airport first opened, it was a nice open airport that you can enjoy some quiet time people watching and plane spotting. Now, it's like a shopping mall.

I wasn't aware that 'Premium parking' was all that popular.

Perhaps I'm just jaded from waiting too long for my bags.

You know, while I see your point, I kind of agree with Air NZ in this case....This is not to mention the high charge they already have for normal parking.
I too agree with NZ in this case. WLG are deliberately doing their best to remove the competive advantage that Koru Clb Valet parking has, location, number of spots etc. :td:
Oh I still like WLG to people watch and plane spot, although quite over the 737 and that it now feels harder to see any special liveries....oh when is NZ going to change their colour scheme that has been talked about for nearly a year?

Imagine if we were to send cards like these to our customers complaining that NZ was leveraging their monopolistic position so not as to treat us with respect, and give all the benefit's they say they will.
I will do what NZ suggests and contact WLG about this. I will also cc NZ in it but I will also point out how NZ leverages its monopolistic position, dropping routes for codeshares to gain a monopolistic position, reducing the attractiveness of the Airpoints scheme, taking forever to fix parts of the Koru Club etc. :td:
NZ cannot have it both ways.... :p

I wasn't aware that 'Premium parking' was all that popular.

Perhaps I'm just jaded from waiting too long for my bags.Seems to be every time I've walked through there -- plenty of Porsche, BMW 7-series, Mercedes of various pedigree (plenty of AMGs), Range Rover, all seem to appear there.

I've never used it myself tho.

I wasn't aware that 'Premium parking' was all that popular.

Popularity has nothing to do it. :) They took the space anyway.