Air New Zealand Air Points - Booking a 747 instead of the 777 to LAX

I'm off to the US in July, MEL-LAX return on AirNZ (plus other cities on other airlines).
I was hoping to fly in PE on the 747 from AKL-LAX and LAX-AKL.
However, when I book MEL-LAX, I'm only offered the 777 (NZ6 and NZ7), which in PE is nowhere as good as the 747, IMO.
The only way I can get the 747 is to do 2 separate bookings, MEL-AKL and AKL-LAX. Of course the AKL-LAX is in NZ dollars (no big deal) and I have separate e-tickets (good for points). There is also a small cost difference, no big deal.

If I can get confirmed upgrades, then I don't really mind which plane (though a preference for upstairs or in the first cabin on the 747). But this is a side issue, the post is about getting the plane one wants using the on-line booking engine.

The other thing I might do is use PE for MEL-AKL then BP for AKL-LAX (if I can't get confirmed upgrades in and out of LAX).
The booking engine doesn't allow for this under multi-city because PE is not an option.

Interesting to note that in BP, the 747 price (NZ2 and NZ1) is about NZ$500 less than the 777 price (NZ6 and NZ7) for AKL-LAX (one-way price).

The difference in fare will only be due to availability - ie NZ5 (not NZ7)/6 on your date has less availability than NZ1/2.

I would expect you could book a single ticket with change of flight numbers by calling Air NZ. That would be safer than having separate tickets (unless you want to stopover in AKL).

The limited selection of flights offered by the booking engine can be considered either a weakness or a feature. On one hand, offering only the cheapest and most logical combinations makes the booking process easier and less confusing for casual users. However, ideally they would add some kind of "see more flight options" button for those of us with special requirements.

Note that except in the odd case of a web special fare that isn't available through other channels, you can generally get the same price as well as more flexibility by booking through a travel agent or through Air NZ reservations (though the later option does carry a booking fee IIRC).

Yes NZ charge for booking over the phone.

Ring NZ reservations and explain the situation and they might waive the service fees. I had a similar situation ex SYD to LAX on PE. I wanted to fly the 767 ex SYD as I had a higher chance of getting my comp upgrade rather than on the A320. Once I explained the situation they were more than happy to book me on the 767 and waive charges.

Good luck and let us know how you go!

BTW....the comp upgrade on the 767 did clear so it was worth the call.