Air New Zealand Air Points - NZ lounge computers stop Air NZ website from working

What stupidity - the settings on the Koru Club computers stop the NZ website from working. Can't book a flight, look up departure/arrival info, schedules and lots more.

:td:

What stupidity - the settings on the Koru Club computers stop the NZ website from working. Can't book a flight, look up departure/arrival info, schedules and lots more.

:td:

Is this the AKL International lounge? Never had problems there. In fact, that was their homepage. Same thing goes for the NZ LAX Lounge.

NZ domestic lounges (tried at 2 different airports so far today).

Thats weird because in the air nz's domestic in akl near check in there are 2 computers for customers to use there website.

There are more than 2 computers in AKL dom lounge ;)

Actually CHC lounge computers seem to not have the same set up, and the website is working from there.

AKL & DUD were the lounges I couldn't get the website working from.

Rather than start a seperate thread may as well put this in here.

The Air NZ lounge at Auckland is a dump, worse than any of the United lounges I have visited and a joke when compared to Melbourne.

Even Los Angeles was just above average.

Which one, domestic or international?

Both have reasonable amenities IMO, certainly better than UA RCCs. However, the domestic lounge in particular gets very overcrowded at peak times (early morning and evening weekdays).

Rather than start a seperate thread may as well put this in here.

The Air NZ lounge at Auckland is a dump, worse than any of the United lounges I have visited and a joke when compared to Melbourne.

Even Los Angeles was just above average.

You think AKL is bad - try the RCC at LHR. A complete s**t hole.

Rather than start a seperate thread may as well put this in here.

The Air NZ lounge at Auckland is a dump, worse than any of the United lounges I have visited and a joke when compared to Melbourne.

Even Los Angeles was just above average.

This begs the question as to which United lounges you have visited and what criteria you use to assess them. Not questioning you AndDee but very curious

Jeff

I agree with AndDee, everyone loves to talk about how bad the RCC's are and how wonderful the Koro Clubs are in comparison. Take the new Koro Club at LAX. Sure it is new, the food is certainly better than any RCC I have been in.... BUT as a room I find it without merit. It has little design, BAD lighting, and feels like a long featureless waiting room. I never enjoy it. If I could grab the food and alcohol and sit in the LAX RCC.... I would. Maybe it has something to do with watching 6 people share one stick of deodorant during my last visit...... I thought I was back home in NZ already:) The Sydney, and especially Melbourne Koro Clubs are, however, fantastic.

I can't see the comparison myself.

I've visted UA RCCs in LAX, SFO, PDX, SEA, LHR, and JFK. All of them had their problems, starting with having to pay (and tip!) for beverages.

PDX is feels like a closet, while SEA is buried in the bowels of the terminal.

I like the AKL koru club. Sure, it's not perfect, but the food that's always available; a wide selection of beverages; free internet access; OK (but not great) views; it's a whole world away from any of the UA RCCs I've visited. And the UA matrons? yeesh! :)

I like MEL, but it gets exceptionally cramped on Fridays - worse than AKL does IMHO; and the hot food just stops around 7pm, but there are still flights that haven't yet boarded, so it's annoying...

Rather than start a seperate thread may as well put this in here.

The Air NZ lounge at Auckland is a dump, worse than any of the United lounges I have visited and a joke when compared to Melbourne.

Even Los Angeles was just above average.

Spoken like a true infrequent traveler :rolleyes:
If you think the Air NZ lounge is a 'dump', you seriously need to widen your traveling experience before posting such rubbish again.

One feature makes Air NZ international lounges stand out, compared with UA's RCC.
The shower.
For business class and * Gold on long haul, Air NZ lounges have showers, RCC do not.
Take SFO. The UA lounge is really nice, but no way can one shower before the SFO-AKL NZ flight.
Typically, I am working right up to when I start my journey home. Flying into SFO or LAX, from DEN or SEA for example, and then connecting through. To shower and change clothes makes a huge difference.
Some other airlines have great lounges, SAS in CPH is one of my favourites and the two storey TG lounge in the old BKK airport was great (will try the new TG lounges in BKK in May)

To me, there is no comparison, NZ international lounges win hands down (can't really comment on domestic as I don't use them very often).

I agree with AndDee, everyone loves to talk about how bad the RCC's are and how wonderful the Koro Clubs are in comparison. Take the new Koro Club at LAX. Sure it is new, the food is certainly better than any RCC I have been in.... BUT as a room I find it without merit. It has little design, BAD lighting, and feels like a long featureless waiting room. I never enjoy it. If I could grab the food and alcohol and sit in the LAX RCC.... I would. Maybe it has something to do with watching 6 people share one stick of deodorant during my last visit...... I thought I was back home in NZ already:) The Sydney, and especially Melbourne Koro Clubs are, however, fantastic.

Exactly my thoughts, I like it when other people drop in here and start to abuse the other person calling me an "infrequent traveller".

I really like how other people know my travels and tell me that I am not allowed to call a place a dump beacuse it was old, run down, little food, wi-fi while free kept dropping out as well on two different days!

Spoken like a true infrequent traveler :rolleyes:
If you think the Air NZ lounge is a 'dump', you seriously need to widen your traveling experience before posting such rubbish again.

Welcome to the Forums to you as well :)

Kiwi Flyer: The AKL International lounge!

I still stand by what I said in that it is a dump when compared to Mel or even LAX. Interesting that Air NZ home base lounge is the worst out of the 3 that I have seen in the past few months!

As I just posted above:
Tired carpet
Dark rooms
Old lounges
Wifi kept dropping out was funny seeing all the laptops screen on the same "Connecting to Wifi" screen!

It just doesnt' feel anywhere near as Nice as Mel or even Lax, but Lax was above average at best. Struggled to get a seat, and food kept running out!

This begs the question as to which United lounges you have visited and what criteria you use to assess them. Not questioning you AndDee but very curious

Jeff

No probs :)
LAX - Very friend staff member made this stand out and a nice feeling in the lounge, or maybe that was after the 20 hours flight from MEL...
JFK - Small but clean and a few more snacks for breakfast
LGA - Not too bad
DEN - Big, and had just had a minor makeover

So clearly not all of them, but enough to compare and still say that the AKL Int lounge is worse than them. Fair enough I can get some noodle and other rubbish, free wine too is nice but would have prefered a better feeling lounge, with wi-fi that works. It was dropping out for everyone on two seperate days I visited

I was more than happy to pay in the UA RCC for Wi-Fi because it worked!

No probs :)
LAX - Very friend staff member made this stand out and a nice feeling in the lounge, or maybe that was after the 20 hours flight from MEL...
JFK - Small but clean and a few more snacks for breakfast
LGA - Not too bad
DEN - Big, and had just had a minor makeover

So clearly not all of them, but enough to compare and still say that the AKL Int lounge is worse than them. Fair enough I can get some noodle and other rubbish, free wine too is nice but would have prefered a better feeling lounge, with wi-fi that works. It was dropping out for everyone on two seperate days I visited

I was more than happy to pay in the UA RCC for Wi-Fi because it worked!

Its not often I see a post that is so far from my view.

I can't say for JFK but I have been to all the other UA lounges and AKL Int would destroy all of them.

The wireless works there for me and its free. Maybe they were having tech issues at the time (did you report it?)

They have good snacks (love the Kiwi shortbread), they have a full range of wine beers and spirits available for free (again love Kiwi 42 below)

They have a range of international papers, decor is good, they did have PSP's available you could borrow, assuming they still do.

RCC is no where near, at DEN you can't even free pour a soda you have to tip for it!

simong: I see your point and how you feel that way, I just didnt like the way the Air NZ lounge felt. It felt old and I guess was expecting alot more as it's their "home town" as such. I didnt report the WiFi as I didn't have anythign urgent to do on my computer, I was just doing some last minute holiday planning.

MEL lounge is sensational and I wish all lounges were of that modern look and standard. The old guy who greeted me at the MEL Air NZ lounge wasn't too happy and made a issue of me using my United RCC card to gain access. He was trying to say that I still needed a Business ticket to get it. But the girl sitting down at the desk corrected him.

Everyone has different views and I respect yours and your "nice" response to my thoughts. :)

Air NZ though is by far my favourite airline, and for the doubters I have had 10 return international flights on QF, 2 return flights on Air NZ & 8 return flights on UA in the past 10 years. Not alot by some of the standards on here, but far more than a standard holiday maker.

Air NZ will continue to get my $ for the future and looking forward to making the move from premium economy on my last two trips to Business Prem in Jan 2008.

No probs :)
LAX - Very friend staff member made this stand out and a nice feeling in the lounge, or maybe that was after the 20 hours flight from MEL...
JFK - Small but clean and a few more snacks for breakfast
LGA - Not too bad
DEN - Big, and had just had a minor makeover

So clearly not all of them, but enough to compare and still say that the AKL Int lounge is worse than them. Fair enough I can get some noodle and other rubbish, free wine too is nice but would have prefered a better feeling lounge, with wi-fi that works. It was dropping out for everyone on two seperate days I visited

Not been to the LGA or DEN RCC's but I find the JFK RCC dirty (did you use the toilets?) although I did think the LAX RCC was ok (although I far prefer the NZ lounge at LAX). Agree with ajnz's comment about the SEA RCC (even though bowels is a rather unfortunate term). In places where there are both (e.g LAX, SYD) I pretty well always prefer the NZ lounge

One feature makes Air NZ international lounges stand out, compared with UA's RCC.
The shower.
For business class and * Gold on long haul, Air NZ lounges have showers, RCC do not.
Take SFO. The UA lounge is really nice, but no way can one shower before the SFO-AKL NZ flight.
Typically, I am working right up to when I start my journey home. Flying into SFO or LAX, from DEN or SEA for example, and then connecting through. To shower and change clothes makes a huge difference.
Some other airlines have great lounges, SAS in CPH is one of my favourites and the two storey TG lounge in the old BKK airport was great (will try the new TG lounges in BKK in May)

No the "domestic" RCC's have no showers. However the international ones do including LHR, NRT, SYD, and HKG which are the ones I have been in. Right now in the F lounge in BKK and it is stunning (and I would say far surpasses the F SKL in SIN) but the C lounges look pretty good too)

I do however take your comments on board AndDee and think there is much that NZ could do to improve things

Jeff

However the international ones do including LHR, NRT, SYD, and HKG which are the ones I have been in.
Jeff

The gateways for NZ flights out of the US, LAX and SFO, AFAIK the RCC do not have showers (*gold and Business). If you know where they are, please tell me! (Must be well hidden:) )
Air NZ at LAX do, which is why I try to transit via LAX when coming home.
You're correct SYD RCC has showers, I've used those, very welcome before the long haul on UA to LAX.
Pity RCC at DEN doesn't, as I use the domestic UA lounge a lot.

Agree with ajnz's comment about the SEA RCC (even though bowels is a rather unfortunate term) :D Sorry Jeff! :) Forgot about the connotations there.

In all honesty, comparing the JFK (or LAX) RCCs to the AKL koru club is just not possible. What I got in JFK and LAX for breakfast (6am and 7am flights, respectively) was a stale bagel and (horrid) orange juice.

Compare this to my 15 minute rush visit to the AKL KC on Tuesday, where I got a nice fruit plate, toast, decent OJ & apple juice, coffee, and a friendly greeting (not a grilling over using NZ*G to access on a domestic ticket). Admittedly AndDee has said the MEL bouncers have not been pleasant with a UA RCC card for access, but the consistently rude UA staff at the RCCs surprised me!

I do think the AKL KC could do with an enhanced food offering - the current food service area is too small in rush hours and I feel that WLG and the AKL domestic offer better food. IMHO.

I honestly just can't see the comparison of UA RCCs to NZ KCs though....

There are more than 2 computers in AKL dom lounge ;)

Actually CHC lounge computers seem to not have the same set up, and the website is working from there.

AKL & DUD were the lounges I couldn't get the website working from.

I was a bit slow yesterday. cavemanzk is referring to the computers between check in and jet baggage claim, which I've yet to see anyone use.

AndDee - just goes to show what different people think are important in a lounge ;)

For you it seems to be wifi and a nice look.

For me showers, computer terminals and free food and drink are more important (probably in that order). On my criteria there is no comparison. There are a couple of RCCs overseas (eg NRT) that are not too bad. But all the ones that I've visited in US have been fairly dire.

Kiwi Flyer: Very true, agree that the showers are great, but as you have probably read rumors that the RCC may be upgraded to include showers at some stage.

The free food & drinks in MEL were great for breaky, but lack of food at LAX was a let down, basically pizza slices and panini's, both of which were empty for extended periods (20-30 mins each time)

jswong: Yes used the JFK RCC toilets both standing and sitting. They were old but clean, previous automatic sensor flush devices had been removed and covered up with a piece of metal and handles installed to flush the toilets though which was intersted.

The LAX Air NZ lounge & toilets were far too busy, with only two urinals and two toilets. Someone had been smoking a cigar in the toilet, the toilet seat was broken along with two of the hand basins (covered in plastic wrap with "out of order on them"

lack of food at LAX was a let down, basically pizza slices and panini's, both of which were empty for extended periods (20-30 mins each time)

You mean the NZ or UA lounge? Every time I've used NZ lounge at LAX there has been considerably more food on offer than this (note the food quality improves once VS flight leaves). Last time I used UA lounge at LAX the only food on offer were potato crisps and shortbread :td:

I have to throw my 3 cents in........SYD is fantastic: Large, comfortable, not overly crowded and sensational views.

I tend to agree with AndDee about AKL International is looking decidely tired and its gets horribly crowded late afternoon/early evening. Still, at least you get something of a view.

LAX is better than it used to be but it has a cramped feel about it with a tendancy to get pretty crowded. Nice showers and failry good tarmac views. Let's face it - anything is better than lurking in grim/depressing Terminal 2!!.

PMR has a very pleasant regional Koru Lounge that recently had a makeover with the bach theme. Nice views again.

The gateways for NZ flights out of the US, LAX and SFO, AFAIK the RCC do not have showers (*gold and Business). If you know where they are, please tell me! (Must be well hidden:) )
Air NZ at LAX do, which is why I try to transit via LAX when coming home.
You're correct SYD RCC has showers, I've used those, very welcome before the long haul on UA to LAX.
Pity RCC at DEN doesn't, as I use the domestic UA lounge a lot.

Nope you're quite correct. By domestic I meant the RCC's located in the US

Jeff

You mean the NZ or UA lounge? Every time I've used NZ lounge at LAX there has been considerably more food on offer than this (note the food quality improves once VS flight leaves). Last time I used UA lounge at LAX the only food on offer were potato crisps and shortbread :td:


Sorry Kiwi Flyer: The Air NZ LAX lounge!

The VS flight left about 10 mins before we were asked to make our way down ! So didnt' see any change except basically ther lounge empty completly

UA Lounge = paid drink and barely existing food.

NZ lounge (even domestic) = hot food in the evening and a good selection of complementary booze.

Oh, and the UA lounge in London isn't that bad (it does actually have complimentary booze to save the embarrassment of customer laughing their socks off).

I've always found the staff at the LAX NZ lounge to very good while at Auckland they sometimes can't be bothered to call a flight until the last and final panic boarding call (not nice when you're trying to find a space for your "single piece of hand luggage on an airline with such a liberal allowance).

Never heard any flight calls at the NZ AKL Int lounge, for standard flight.

We had a last min plane change due to faulty lights in the economy cabin, so we had a 2 hour wait for that. They did call us to go the the replacement flight at the last minute

Never heard any flight calls at the NZ AKL Int lounge, for standard flight.

Huh? All flights are called in the lounge, generally twice (sometimes 3 times).

Personally I like how the calls are late in the boarding process. Why spend time queueing up at the gate, on the airbridge and extra time sitting in the a/c when you can be enjoying the lounge? I've never had a problem with space for carry-ons (on NZ flights).

Sorry Kiwi Flyer: The Air NZ LAX lounge!

The VS flight left about 10 mins before we were asked to make our way down ! So didnt' see any change except basically ther lounge empty completly

RE: The VS flight, I passed through LAX AIR NZ lounge a couple of times at xmas, when the VS passengers were in the lounge there was also a VS staff (looked like an FA), who did a tidy up when they left. Anyone else seen this?

RE: AIR NZ lounges vs. UA lounges.

While I agree that the International AIR NZ lounge in Auckland is one of the least modern (probaly owing to the fact that many of the other mentioned are new) I would still rate it either on a par with or above all UA RCC's that I have visisted (JFK, LHR, BOS). And that comment would go in general for all AIR NZ vs. UA lounges that I have visited.

And with regard to LAX AIR NZ lounge, I have only good things to say:
- Clean showers.
- Free wifi.
- Great views of the tarmac
- Free drinks
- Good selection of food.


tht

Huh? All flights are called in the lounge, generally twice (sometimes 3 times).

Personally I like how the calls are late in the boarding process. Why spend time queueing up at the gate, on the airbridge and extra time sitting in the a/c when you can be enjoying the lounge? I've never had a problem with space for carry-ons (on NZ flights).

Definately no flights were called out on January 22nd when I was there. As I said only a late call for our delayed flight to confirm the final departure time.

Agreed that the late call is good, it's not like anyone is going to take your seats, and in PE upperdeck heaps of storage :)

On the return we were only in the lounge for about 30 mins so didn't hear any calls

Definately no flights were called out on January 22nd when I was there. As I said only a late call for our delayed flight to confirm the final departure time.

Agreed that the late call is good, it's not like anyone is going to take your seats, and in PE upperdeck heaps of storage :)

On the return we were only in the lounge for about 30 mins so didn't hear any calls

I had an experience last year when I was travelling AKL - MEL, when I definitely didn't get a call, had carry on baggage, checked with the front desk because the boarding should have been passed, only to be abused by the rather hardnosed bird at the entry to the lounge, and sent on my way, and nearly missed the close off.

I had an experience last year when I was travelling AKL - MEL, when I definitely didn't get a call
Happened to me on AKL-NRT last year as well. I was certain that there had been no call, even though the staff on the desk insisted that there had.

I began to doubt my hearing until there was a call for 8 missing passengers and I realised that at least two of them had left the lounge in a hurry at the same time as we had :rolleyes:

I stand corrected. I am surprised that differs from my experience. In the last few years I have had dozens of international flights out of AKL each year, mostly on *A, so I visit the lounge a lot.

If anything, I notice that the first calls seem to be made earlier than they used to. As in, used to be sure that boarding was underway by the time reach the gate if leave the lounge on the first call. Now I can have time for toilet stop, stop by a shop/whatever on the way, amble to the gate and boarding may not have even started yet. Hence now I mainly wait for the second call.

I wonder if there is a problem with the sound system - not reaching some corners of the lounge?

The AKL int definitely has a problem with sound in the men's toilets - I've become quite paranoid after nearly missing a call once about two years ago...

Not sure about the rest of the lounge - they seem to actually call flights too often, although I guess I've been 'spoiled' by domestic UA RCCs where nothing is called.

Kiwi Flyer: Glad you see that I wasn't wrong now :)

I was in the main part (Middle) of the lounge right next to the food area and the magazine rack etc.

As said was in the lounge for at least 5 hours (due to the delay) and not one flight was called, except for the re-boarding of our flight due to a change of aircraft.

Not really a concern as announcments would annoy me, if I want to hear that I'll sit down near the gate. I am happy to set an alarm on my mobile and check the monitors just before departure, but it's a few min walk to the gates from the AKL Int lounge.

Kiwi Flyer: Glad you see that I wasn't wrong now :)


Not wrong, but certainly unusual!

In many years of regularly visiting the AKL int lounge I've certainly never missed out on hearing a constant stream of announcements for NZ flights, as well as all of the partner airlines that use the lounge as well.

Perhaps they were doing some kind of maintenance on the PA system for the five hours? I'm surprised they didn't warn passengers individually as its really quite irregular.

I am happy to set an alarm on my mobile and check the monitors just before departure, but it's a few min walk to the gates from the AKL Int lounge.

The monitors are unreliable in my experience. They have preset messages based on scheduled departure time allowing way too much time to go to the gate (so you can do more shopping), and very slow to be updated for delays. Information about flight delays only seems to be updated about every 30 minutes.

Well you can always wait for a very personal announcement in the last few mins before the plane is meant to depart :) You also get to deal with the evil stares of fellow passengers who are all seated and waiting for u :)

RE: The VS flight, I passed through LAX AIR NZ lounge a couple of times at xmas, when the VS passengers were in the lounge there was also a VS staff (looked like an FA), who did a tidy up when they left. Anyone else seen this?Yes, there was certainly a VS uniform in the LAX Koru Club tonight, standing guard just a little further beyond the entrance than the podiums.

grrr computers in NZ international lounge can't book flights on NZ's own website.

still a problem - cannot book an NZ flight using domestic lounge computer

guess I have to book QF :(