I have been waiting for this announcement for some month or even years. It is seriously underwhelming. Currently I am Elite (10yrs +) and being retired and live regionally, a significant amount of travel is undertaken with AIRNZ to reach that tier each year. However, in recent months, given the airlines procrastination about announcing an overhaul to the airpoints program, we have wondered about the real benefits of travelling that extensively with AIRNZ, rather than just go for the best deal/time on whatever airline suits the task. We also have Priority Pass cards (as part of our cc) so potentially switching to the best deal scenario could save $100's if not more over a year for international travel, and still have lounge access if we slipped below Gold after another year. As someone mentioned, this "upgrade" to the program was first muted in 2019. How many surveys have we all filled out on this subject since then? How many survey results would have said keep the status quo for all tiers as long as theres a new "higher" tier?

AIRNZ seem wrapped up in their own hype - the previous CEO was quoted that the "secret sauce" to the airlines ongoing appeal was the cabin crew service. A friend who travels very extensively (for work & leisure) & I always compare flight notes, and we both agree that cabin crew service can, at best, be summed up as "patchy". I've had better on BA economy LH service, and they aren't noted for their exceptional service. Thats before we even get to their OT performance (or lack of). The friend mentioned 4/4 flights on AIRNZ he undertook in the last month were all significantly late.

I have enough points to be Gold for next year's membership and could make Elite (Platinum) with a few more flights, but with basically a retention of current benefits such as parking vouchers that are unable to be used, there is no incentive to chase retaining my current status. (this is supposed to be an incentive program isn't it?)

Cam Wallace & Qantas will continue to eat AIRNZ's lunch