flying Air New Zealand out of YVR using miles
Oct 23, 2017, 3:25 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2007
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LOL. I nabbed two J/C seats on NZ's inaugural flight from YVR-AKL years ago. I literally think the seats were loaded as I was on the phone with the AP agent. Since then, have batted zero, trying to replicate the journey.
Last edited by ACYYZ/SD; Oct 23, 2017 at 3:39 pm
Oct 23, 2017, 7:15 pm
#18
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
on pretty much all na - oceania routes in business class, unless there's a rare opening of award space which happens with new routes and such
Oct 23, 2017, 7:25 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: aeroplan
Posts: 158
I nabbed two in J LAX-AKL in 2002 - like you batting zero since.
Oct 24, 2017, 12:19 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
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OK definitely good to know. Don't mind the YVR --> SFO --> AKL routing so much, but the YVR --> SYD --> AKL routing just seems like torture (to have to hop on another 3+ hour flight to AKL after spending 14+ hours in the air). Pretty sure there would be family mutiny if I did that to them!
They used a Dreamliner on my flight out of SYD and the service was superb. Pods are much better than AC. Felt roomier in the cabin.
Oct 24, 2017, 9:02 am
#21
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: Aeroplan, FlyingBlue
Posts: 289
On the bright side, AP rewards are a great way to visit brand new destinations you hadn't considered. Our AKL trip includes NY, ICN, SYD, HND, KIX, and TPE.
That said, there were quite a few NZ flights from AKL to HND and other Japanese cities (I think KIX?) in J during the winter holidays, if you need any suggestions for the routing home.
That said, there were quite a few NZ flights from AKL to HND and other Japanese cities (I think KIX?) in J during the winter holidays, if you need any suggestions for the routing home.
Oct 24, 2017, 10:28 am
#22
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). Basically nothing in economy, only date I see there is November 5 AKL-YVR (AKA less than two weeks away now).It's not "impossible", but it is so extremely improbable, especially for four award seats on the same flight, that I would not expend a lot of effort looking for it. As well, any alternate options might disappear in the intervening time period waiting, if it ever becomes available at all. OP, my best advice is to book alternative options so you have something, and be prepared to pay to switch in case a near miracle occurs and four seats are released on the same flight for a day that works for you.
Last edited by TheBOSman; Oct 24, 2017 at 10:35 am
Oct 25, 2017, 2:33 am
#23
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,414
I’ve done it. Not so bad as I thought. Being upfront helped. You can use their lounge or SQ lounge in SYD because there’s a bit of a layover. Can’t remember how long.
They used a Dreamliner on my flight out of SYD and the service was superb. Pods are much better than AC. Felt roomier in the cabin.
They used a Dreamliner on my flight out of SYD and the service was superb. Pods are much better than AC. Felt roomier in the cabin.
Oct 26, 2018, 10:31 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2013
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If one has a confirmed award reservation with SQ-NZ, the SQ flight being in J and the NZ flight being in Y (because J was not available at time of booking), is it possible if later on, the NZ flight becomes available for miles in J that I could change the Aeroplan reservation without paying more miles? Because after all, a SQ-NZ combo all in J costs the same number of miles as SQ in J and NZ in Y.
I guess this question is not specific to SQ/NZ... that situation might happen with any airline combo or even within the same airline on two different flights.
But the portion of my question which is specific to NZ: do they make J redemptions available at the last minute? Clearly, booking J in advance with miles is nearly impossible, but what happen less than one week before, if J is wide open? Do they remain stingy?
I guess this question is not specific to SQ/NZ... that situation might happen with any airline combo or even within the same airline on two different flights.
But the portion of my question which is specific to NZ: do they make J redemptions available at the last minute? Clearly, booking J in advance with miles is nearly impossible, but what happen less than one week before, if J is wide open? Do they remain stingy?
Oct 27, 2018, 6:05 pm
#26
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If one has a confirmed award reservation with SQ-NZ, the SQ flight being in J and the NZ flight being in Y (because J was not available at time of booking), is it possible if later on, the NZ flight becomes available for miles in J that I could change the Aeroplan reservation without paying more miles? Because after all, a SQ-NZ combo all in J costs the same number of miles as SQ in J and NZ in Y.
I guess this question is not specific to SQ/NZ... that situation might happen with any airline combo or even within the same airline on two different flights.
But the portion of my question which is specific to NZ: do they make J redemptions available at the last minute? Clearly, booking J in advance with miles is nearly impossible, but what happen less than one week before, if J is wide open? Do they remain stingy?
I guess this question is not specific to SQ/NZ... that situation might happen with any airline combo or even within the same airline on two different flights.
But the portion of my question which is specific to NZ: do they make J redemptions available at the last minute? Clearly, booking J in advance with miles is nearly impossible, but what happen less than one week before, if J is wide open? Do they remain stingy?
Oct 28, 2018, 10:32 am
#27
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Oct 28, 2018, 10:56 am
#28
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I called and was told there is still no J award space even though there are J seats available, and that I should ask again at check-in at the airport.
Oct 28, 2018, 1:08 pm
#29
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Oct 28, 2018, 1:49 pm
#30
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At the airport I was told that there were J seats available but that I had to call Aeroplan to find out if there were award J seats available. I answered that Aeroplan told me I had to ask at the airport because within 24 hours they cannot do anything. Not only the aircraft departed with empty J seats, but NZ tried to up-sell me J, then Y+, then the Y couch seats, all of which I refused because I had already paid for a J seat on this ticket with miles and felt I would be double-paying NZ and as a matter of principle I am not inclined to reward an airline for being stingy.