Hi Florian,
Did this pan out for you as expected? I'm planning to book with Air China in R for an itinerary including two NZ-operated flights with Air China flight numbers (CA5101/CA5102). I am an AirNZ FF, and wish to credit the points to my NZ account.
AirNZ's website is conflicted in that earning on "AirNZ Flights" requires the flight to be both ticketed & operated by AirNZ, while partner flights require the flight to be both ticketed and operated by the star alliance carrier. In this case, it's ticketed by Air China and has an Air China flight number, but is operated by AirNZ, i.e., it's AirNZ metal. I telephoned AirNZ but they don't seem to know what will happen, though are apparently going to get back to me. I'm leery because it wouldn't be the first time that AirNZ tell me something on the phone and then don't honour it.
If this "maps" to Z, as noted above, I could expect to earn well as an AirNZ FF. If it stays as R, as it says on the Air China website during the booking process, it would appear that this will not earn on NZ, as this is an upgrade/award fare type.
I'd love to have a bit more certainty on this before booking. Anyone else have experience with this issue?
I had a sort of similar experience - AKL-BNE-TSV (return) on an AirNZ issued ticket. AKL-BNE on NZ flight number and NZ metal, which I credited to my THAI ROP account. BNE-TSV was on NZ flight number and VA metal, which I credited to my NZ Airpoints account - only APD received and no SP. YMMV.