Originally Posted by
FlyingFam4
Hey, Yes based in NZ (NPL, so it's a long trip to Europe!)
Funny you mention that, I actually had that as my original flight as I had a meeting in Sydney so was going to do a night there. But that has been postponed so I changed to AKL direct... and it didn't change my calculated Tier Miles which I thought was odd.
Tier miles are generally based on regions and not on actual miles flown. For instance whether I fly CPT/DXB/LGW or CPT/DXB/AMS makes no difference in tier miles (or Skyward miles) as LGW and AMS are in the same region.
I assume it is the same with AKL and CHC (as SYD is just a layover and even at a stopover at the same fare it would have no effect on tier miles). You can check it on the mileage calculator on the website (It's under Loyalty'). Of course if you bought different tickets (CHC/SYD - I assume there is a fifth freedom right there - and SYD/DXB/AMS) you would get additional tier miles. But that of course comes at a cost.
There seem to be a few Emirates branded credit cards (in the USA and UAE if I am not mistaken) which may have an influence on tier miles. I am not at all certain as I don't live in either of those regions and therefore have never checked this up. Apart from that I am not aware of any opportunity to earn tier miles apart from 'bums on seat'.