Air New Zealand Air Points - Air New Zealand Black - A step above Gold Elite?

Earlier this morning I was working on a small app to show all my FFP balances in one place, and when pulling the data from myairnz.com I came accross this in one of their scripts:

<tierBreaks>
<tierBreak>
<name>JADE</name>
<displayName>Jade</displayName>
<retainPoints>0</retainPoints>
<upgradePoints>450</upgradePoints>
</tierBreak>
<tierBreak>
<name>SILVER</name>
<displayName>Silver</displayName>
<retainPoints>405</retainPoints>
<upgradePoints>900</upgradePoints>
</tierBreak>
<tierBreak>
<name>GOLD</name>
<displayName>Gold</displayName>
<retainPoints>810</retainPoints>
<upgradePoints>1500</upgradePoints>
</tierBreak>
<tierBreak>
<name>GOLD_ELITE</name>
<displayName>Gold Elite</displayName>
<retainPoints>1350</retainPoints>
</tierBreak>
<tierBreak>
<name>BLACK</name>
<displayName>Black</displayName>
</tierBreak>
</tierBreaks>


What is Black, and more importantly, why don't you have it yet, KF? :D

I should learn to search better (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=10467881).

What is Black, and more importantly, why don't you have it yet, KF? :D

The tier above Gold Elite which to my knowledge was only in the pipelines, and FYI, has been for at least 2 years. I would say Rob's top 200 list will be shifted into this tier asap.
Airpoints will notify Golds and Gold Elites prior to the go-live date i'm sure.

... Rob's top 200 list ...:confused:

The tier above Gold Elite which to my knowledge was only in the pipelines, and FYI, has been for at least 2 years. I would say Rob's top 200 list will be shifted into this tier asap.
Airpoints will notify Golds and Gold Elites prior to the go-live date i'm sure.
I thought this was launched last year along with the new domestic check in.:confused:
Also does this replace the GE with that special writing in one of the corners.;)

The tier above Gold Elite which to my knowledge was only in the pipelines, and FYI, has been for at least 2 years. I would say Rob's top 200 list will be shifted into this tier asap.
Airpoints will notify Golds and Gold Elites prior to the go-live date i'm sure.

So if you could just slyly put my name on the "Black List" 77Wguy then that would be much appreciated...;)

So if you could just slyly put my name on the "Black List" 77Wguy then that would be much appreciated...;)

Hint! All of us please.

Surely Kiwiflyer is on Robs list of 200

Are you sure Rob isn't Rob in disguise?! :eek:

I thought this was launched last year along with the new domestic check in.:confused:
Also does this replace the GE with that special writing in one of the corners.;)

Na I don't think so....GE's would know about it if that was the case, believe me, NZ would want nothing more than to get them up there, then get them to try and retain it. :eek:

So if you could just slyly put my name on the "Black List" 77Wguy then that would be much appreciated...;)

Hint! All of us please.

Haha....if only aye.....i'd be putting my questionably loyal name up on that list too....:p
Scoot over Kiri Te Kanawa..... :D


Surely Kiwiflyer is on Robs list of 200

Surely!

Kiwi Flyer: Do you credit many flights to NZ these days? Or just enough to maintain GE and/or the 2500 SP's required for the new free gift?

No set target level. I try to optimise my earning (both miles and status) across the various *A FFPs I actively use. I'll likely hit 2500 this year before I have even used the gift from last year (it is valid for 1 year).

So hypothetically if you earned 2850 SP's (all on NZ metal) in one year starting from 0. You would earn GE, requalify for GE plus be entitled to the free gift.

If you earnt GE on 1 April 2009 it would be valid until 31 March 2010. You requalify for GE which means you now have GE until 31 March 2011. Can you choose the gift of one extra year at GE to extend GE until 31 March 2012?

So hypothetically if you earned 2850 SP's (all on NZ metal) in one year starting from 0. You would earn GE, requalify for GE plus be entitled to the free gift.

No. The GE+ gift is 2500 status points subsequent to (re)qualifying. It is based on membership year not calendar year.

Eg if member year starts 1 May then need 2500 status points after that (and before following 30 April) to get the GE+ gift.

It seems to me that having a top 'Black' status is largely unnecessary - what exactly could they be given in terms of further benefits? Other than signifying that airline staff should be nice to them (when evidentially they should be nice to all passengers, particularly those whom are already gold elite), what is there?

It seems to me that having a top 'Black' status is largely unnecessary - what exactly could they be given in terms of further benefits? Other than signifying that airline staff should be nice to them (when evidentially they should be nice to all passengers, particularly those whom are already gold elite), what is there?

Additional free upgrades, the ability to have upgrades confirmed immediately if there is a seat available, free airport transfers to name a few. Nothing really major but there could definetly be extension and improvement on current G/GE benefits.

It seems to me that having a top 'Black' status is largely unnecessary - what exactly could they be given in terms of further benefits? Other than signifying that airline staff should be nice to them (when evidentially they should be nice to all passengers, particularly those whom are already gold elite), what is there?

One of the things talked about when it first was released was that these Black Members would be treated the same as NZ's VIP customers. Such as been given a escourt to help you get from check in to your seat.

It seems to me that having a top 'Black' status is largely unnecessary - what exactly could they be given in terms of further benefits? Other than signifying that airline staff should be nice to them (when evidentially they should be nice to all passengers, particularly those whom are already gold elite), what is there?


Ability to earn A$ on all flights :D

status bonus
discounted awards
extra upgrade certs

Interesting selection of suggestions - but how many of these are of interest to NZs say top 200 flyers?

Interesting selection of suggestions - but how many of these are of interest to NZs say top 200 flyers?
Logically you would say not at all. If you have that much money why would it matter BUT people love status, look at the reintroduction of titles like Sir in NZ and some of the richest people love to get every possible benefit going.:o

Hi all my first submission, in fact I did not know this site existed until now. I’m a Gold Elite and normally go around the clock a couple of times within my membership year. I agree with Hubba for me to obtain my 2500 + a year, I mostly fly LH in BP. This means the upgrade credits are of very little use to me and normally go to waste. I have taken this up with airnz on a number of occasions; they give you the free gifts which are nice, but not really necessary. What I would like is discounts on my flights and no penalties when I need to change flight days to fit in with my business requirements. Two trips to HKK in the last two months required a $1400 penalty to change my flight back by one day both times. This is what gets up my nose, as a most loyal and what I would think a good individual customer, I get stung outrageous fees for a small change?
What do you all think?

Welcome to Flyer Talk Kocama :)

$1400 penalty to change a flight to Hokitika (HKK) seems especially steep. Perhaps you meant Hong Kong (HKG)?

I have similar problem with upgrade vouchers and mainly use them to upgrade others. Since so few are available (cf it would take 8 to upgrade from economy to business for AKL-LHR return) they are greatly appreciated by the recipients.

LoL, yeah I meant Hong Kong. So is there a black status? I will easily rack up +3000 with airnz this membership year, so I would think I would be close? Or perhaps I’m not up in the air as much as I thought, should get airnz to tell my wife that!

LoL, yeah I meant Hong Kong. So is there a black status? I will easily rack up +3000 with airnz this membership year, so I would think I would be close? Or perhaps I’m not up in the air as much as I thought, should get airnz to tell my wife that!

If you could get Black with 3000~ points, Kiwi Flyer would be blacker than Black. :rolleyes::D

LoL, yeah I meant Hong Kong. So is there a black status? I will easily rack up +3000 with airnz this membership year, so I would think I would be close? Or perhaps I’m not up in the air as much as I thought, should get airnz to tell my wife that!

Black status (if there ever is one) will most likely be via invite only. Same sort of membership requirements as QF Chairman's Lounge, BA Premier and UA United Global Services.

BTW: isn't one of the gifts offered upon reaching 2500 status points in a year another free year at Gold Elite. They would be pretty useful I would have thought?

Yeah, last year they offered me another free year, but I did not see much point for as long as i keep flying with AirNZ i will continue to be Gold Elite. I got them to give me 2 comps instead which I gave to my wife. was this a bad idea? am i missing something with the extra free year of GE?
This is only my third year flying airnz after returning from 10 years in Australia flying Qantas, so still working my way around the rules etc.

[QUOTE=NZ_Flyer;12258435]Black status (if there ever is one) will most likely be via invite only. Same sort of membership requirements as QF Chairman's Lounge, BA Premier and UA United Global Services.

I had a business associate in NZ who i used to travel with around Australia, who had QF Chairman's Lounge access. However he only had because of a friend he had high up in the airline who gave it to him!!

Yeah, last year they offered me another free year, but I did not see much point for as long as i keep flying with AirNZ i will continue to be Gold Elite. I got them to give me 2 comps instead which I gave to my wife. was this a bad idea? am i missing something with the extra free year of GE?
This is only my third year flying airnz after returning from 10 years in Australia flying Qantas, so still working my way around the rules etc.

I think the free year would be good if they let you keep it and decide which year to apply it to. So if one year you don't qualify then you have the free year up your sleeve which you can use. But if you managed to get them to give you another couple of comps instead that thats worth a lot as well especially if used long haul.