Air New Zealand Air Points - Upgrade to Premium

Im sure this has been covered - sorry to repeat... but getting sore shoulders from searching the website.

Im flying home to NZ next week (from San-Fran) and was curious if there is some secret way of getting a good deal as far as upgrading to premium?

Like - check at airport on arrival, call inadvance....

Thanks so much for any ideas...

Nicky :p

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

No secrets - the only technique available is to upfare to Premium Economy or Business Premier. Best done before the day of travel.

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

No secrets - the only technique available is to upfare to Premium Economy or Business Premier. Best done before the day of travel.

Welcome to Flyer Talk nicky44441

As jjclancy has mentioned, NZ do not do cheap upgrades on the day of travel like US-based airlines do. If you want to upgrade with cash you will need to pay the fare difference between Y and Y+/BP plus a change fee (though you could get this waived for an upgrade). Your only other ways to upgrade are either with NZ Airpoints Dollars, using miles from another *A carrier through the *A Upgrade scheme or by complimentary upgrades if you are an NZ Silver, Gold or Gold Elite member.

Or with their Airbucks as the "nominee" of an NZ Gold/Gold Elite member... (or certs from a Gold Elite member too IIRC)

Know any? :D

Don't know how well that works... have put two friends in for that very upgrade for a flight next month (AKL-LAX).. Am intensely curious to see how that goes!!! ;)

Or with their Airbucks as the "nominee" of an NZ Gold/Gold Elite member... (or certs from a Gold Elite member too IIRC)

Don't want to hijack, but if a GE member uses a comp upgrade on someone else, is the upgrade processed based on the giftees GE status or the recipients status?

GE status

Don't want to hijack, but if a GE member uses a comp upgrade on someone else, is the upgrade processed based on the giftees GE status or the recipients status?

So if the GE member 'gift's' his complimentary and is NOT traveling with the recipient, the recipient will get upgrade confirmation based on GE status.