Air New Zealand Air Points - New to forum, Q regarding premier econ...just booked it

Hi I'm new to this forum, my twin sister and I have just booked a holiday of a lifetime to disney world and have chosen to fly with Air New Zealand instead of qantas or united. We flew United econ plus last year and even though the leg room was good, the service was bad and there were no TV screens close to us and my head phone jack was broken thus no entertainment on a 19 hr flight!!! The plane was generally shabby too but it was ok. We heard about premier econ on ANZ and since I have had spinal surgery recently I thought it would be worth paying the extra to have leg room. We have been booked into row 23 (front rw I think) on a 777-200 plane on the leg between auckland and san fran (and on a 747 400 between melbourne and auckland). Are these seats ok? I thought they would be good due to the large space in front. Also can anyone tell me if you are able to go and get snacks during the flight like it says you can (on the 777 200) as on United we hardly got fed and were starving!!! Is the premier econ also curtained off? I am not too worried about the food, but would like some alcohol as I am very nervous flying and a glass of wine or some spirits helps me sleep and feel better. Any experiences of premier econ would be appreciated...have I made the right decision:) :) Thanks for your help!!! P.S what exactly is the food like that you get?

The seats are great.

You are entitled to have the snacks they leave out between Business Premier (BP) and Premium Economy (PE), but your meals will be the economy service.

You are entitled to the same booze as BP, but you will possibly have to ask for it: they often don't offer it to the PE passengers.

You should really enjoy it. You'll have your own personal on-demand video (even economy class does on Air NZ).

Basically Premium Economy is like a narrower version of Qantas domestic business class: acres of legroom and good booze. It's not by any means like a modern international lie-flat bed (Business Premier is) but if you got a good price (around A$3000 to San Francisco) you have done well.

I don't know whether United award any more points for PE than for Economy: if they don't you may want to join Air NZ Airpoints, as the 260 Airpoints your trip from Australia to San Francisco earns plus the 80 you would get for flying United from San Francisco to Orlando would be enough to upgrade from Premium Economy to Business on a future Australia to NZ return trip.

Welcome to Flyer Talk aussierach :)

I don't know whether United award any more points for PE than for Economy: if they don't you may want to join Air NZ Airpoints, as the 260 Airpoints your trip from Australia to San Francisco earns plus the 80 you would get for flying United from San Francisco to Orlando would be enough to upgrade from Premium Economy to Business on a future Australia to NZ return trip.

AFAIK NZ Airpoints is the only program that gives more credit to premium economy flying Air NZ than flying economy. Depending on the dates of the flights and the booking, may also get the 50% longhaul bonus offer (http://www.airnz.co.nz/airpoints/airpoints_news/default.htm).

AFAIK NZ Airpoints is the only program that gives more credit to premium economy flying Air NZ than flying economy.

I guess this sort of precise accounting will remain the exception until/unless premium economy becomes widespread on all carriers.
Over in another alliance, Qantas gives full economy QF status credits for BA WT+.

and 110% points.