Air New Zealand Air Points - Help for a novice

We are leaving to go to Adelaide Nov 23rd and in reading some of the info that is out there I have become increasingly confused as to what the process is for changing planes customs etc.

Our flight path is SLC to SFO to AKL to ADL
The SLC to SFO is on United. The other two flights are on Air New Zealand. We have the same route just reversed coming home. All flights were bought through Air New Zealand.

I guess I just need a brief synopsis of what to expect and what we should be prepared for for this journey.

I assume that we check our luggage with United in SLC and then upon arriving in SFO pick up the luggage and re-check-in with Air New Zealand. Show Visa and Passport and go through security again.

When we get to AKL I get confused with the whole fee for people being there over 24 hours and getting an exemption sticker etc. Can someone please explain the procedure here as we will be going on to Adelaide.

The on the way back through AKL what our procedure will be.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!!!!!!

From SLC to ADL you should be able to check bags all the way through to ADL, assuming you aren't spending more than 24 hours in SFO or AKL along the way. If all on one ticket then this should be automatic. If on separate tickets then show the onward ticket when you check in at SLC.

At SFO you will need to go to the counter at the gate to get your boarding pass reissued. Air NZ reissue all BPs issued by other airlines, in order to check entry/visa requirements for themselves.

If you are connecting directly to the ADL flight at AKL and not wanting to go landside then don't worry about exemption stickers - just head for transfer security (it is on the right hand side at the base of the pier on arrival, just before the duty free on arrival shops). Bags are xrayed and walk through WTMD and up to departures level. Very simple.

The departure tax/exemption sticker is only relevant if you go landside. If you are, then clear immigration both going in and out of airside.

Same applies in the reverse direction EXCEPT that at SFO you will need to collect any checked bags to take through USA customs and then redeposit with United (can be done just after customs or at the United check in counters to the left after immigration).

I hope this helps.

SFO has a "Star Alliance Bus" that can be used when connecting from domestic flights on UA, AC or US to *A carriers' international flights:

http://www.united.com/page/article/0,6722,1121,00.html

While the shuttle can save some walking and a trip through security, I usually walk. I like checking out the airport museum's current exhibits along the way. There are also a couple great places to eat landside in the international terminal. The airside part of the terminal is pretty boring, including the Red Carpet Club.

You can't use the shuttle when going Intl -> domestic though, because you have to go through immigration and customs.

For connecting to/from UA domestic and *A international at SFO I always walk. The distance isn't very far and as Quokka points out there are lots of interesting displays along the way.

Thanks for all the information. This trip was thrown at me pretty much a week ago and everything has been a little overwhelming. Your info has definately made sense of all the things I was reading.

Thanks!