Air New Zealand Air Points - Koru Club vs. Airpoints

Hi Guys,

I am thinking about becoming a Koru Club Member because I don't travel that often but when I do want priviliges like the Gold & Elites.. The priviliges are not that different but anyone apart of Koru Club and your experiences with Lounge Access, Uprgrade Privileges etc..

Thanks

Henry E.

Koru Club is great for Air NZ Lounges, however it doesn't give the same Lounge privileges as Gold/Elite which gives *G Access to the lounges World Wide.

very true, I am a Koru Club member but on my flight to Mumbai could not get into the Koru Lounge at the Auckland International Airport, because I was not flying with Air New Zealand, - even though I'm flying with a star alliance flight. :td:

I think that it's well worth it. I usually make 1 or 2 domestic return trips a month on NZ in addition to 2 or 3 trans-tasman returns per year. Most of the time on Smart Saver fares. I usually miss out on making Silver as well. I will be joining the Koru Club fairly soon I think. You get lounge access, priority check-in, Space+ seating and a few other perks. So for $500 per year I can easily make my money back.

very true, I am a Koru Club member but on my flight to Mumbai could not get into the Koru Lounge at the Auckland International Airport, because I was not flying with Air New Zealand, - even though I'm flying with a star alliance flight. :td:

I also find that frustrating

If it's just lounge access you are after, consider joining the UA Red Carpet Club. They have reciprocal access with most (all?) Star airlines, so as long as you're departing on Star you should have lounge access. At USD$525 it's a little more pricey than Koru Club (NZD$900 today), but may be worth it.

The downside is no space+, no priority checkin, no priority baggage, when traveling on NZ.

OT a bit, but perhaps KC for NZ domestic and if flying Air NZ internationally, backed up be Priority Pass for other lounge access: http://www.prioritypass.com/

Mr Fleet7 is a koru member and seems to get great treatment. He's often upgraded, always given the space + seats, or the front of plane domestically. Priority luggage, priority check in etc. I was Gold Elite for a while and honestly it felt like he was better looked after than me - we were sitting in Y trans tasman once when I was *E and the Purser walked down the plane and offered him a newspaper and not me!! He told me to stop being such a woman!! The downside has already been mentioned - not great lounge access internationally.

Thanks Guys! Will take your thoughts into consideration!