Air New Zealand Air Points - Upcoming Trip

Hello Seasoned Flyers,

We will be making our first trip LAX-AKL-MEL this Saturday NZ5 in PE. Anyone have any tips to help make the trip more enjoyable and less stressful. My wife is more of a traveler then me, so she is used to the long flights. How about the time changes from Oregon to Mel, any good way to overcome the jet lag. We will be staying with my daughter in Melbourne and she has some sights planned out, but anything that is a must see we should not miss? Any comments welcome. I will be making a report on PE when I return. Stay tuned. Also, I have access to NZ lounge in AKL and Mel, is it worth a few dollars for such a short layover in AKL?

LAX-AKL is, in my experience, relatively easy to adjust to. Leave at night. Long overnight flight - hopefully you get a decent sleep (a free nightcap or two might help), arrive AKL early morning. Unfortunately NZ tends to serve breakfast fairly early so try to get to sleep straight after the dinner service.

Not sure what you mean by a few dollars for AKL & MEL lounge? Lounge access (plus 1 guest) is free if you have *Gold or RCC membership. LAX, AKL & MEL all quite good lounges - better than RCCs. The lounges may be moderately full however, LAX is busy in the evening with all the NZ departures, AKL has several Australia departures and MEL is smaller lounge.

For advice on Melbourne, I would visit the Australia, NZ and South Pacific destination forum (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=461).