Air New Zealand / Virgin Australia Trans-Tasman Alliance Information
Dec 15, 2011, 4:26 am
#226
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: Amex Plat, CX Gold, VA Gold, BA paeon, VS rabble, NZ A$ bru
Posts: 235
If it is another "they've got it all wrong" moment, then the "they" is one of Virgin's savviest media people who knew exactly what I'd be doing with the information. That person also checked twice (after I initially expressed skepticism) with the Virgin-side alliance team, who had been providing answers to specific questions all week and would also have had to get it wrong. Of course, that's not an iron-clad guarantee. Things could change next week! American Airlines could merge with Air New Zealand!
But...to the best of my endeavours in making sure that it's right, that's what Virgin told me. I would be super-interested (and not inconsiderably disappointed) to learn differently.
Dec 15, 2011, 5:11 am
#227
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,598
I was as deeply skeptical as you -- perhaps more so, since obviously anything like this (especially things that fly in the face of established and published information) is delved into very deeply by people who fly on the alliance far more regularly than I. (Hi guys.) I hate getting things wrong, and hate even more when people give us wrong information that we (and our readers) then rely on.
If it is another "they've got it all wrong" moment, then the "they" is one of Virgin's savviest media people who knew exactly what I'd be doing with the information. That person also checked twice (after I initially expressed skepticism) with the Virgin-side alliance team, who had been providing answers to specific questions all week and would also have had to get it wrong. Of course, that's not an iron-clad guarantee. Things could change next week! American Airlines could merge with Air New Zealand!
But...to the best of my endeavours in making sure that it's right, that's what Virgin told me. I would be super-interested (and not inconsiderably disappointed) to learn differently.
If it is another "they've got it all wrong" moment, then the "they" is one of Virgin's savviest media people who knew exactly what I'd be doing with the information. That person also checked twice (after I initially expressed skepticism) with the Virgin-side alliance team, who had been providing answers to specific questions all week and would also have had to get it wrong. Of course, that's not an iron-clad guarantee. Things could change next week! American Airlines could merge with Air New Zealand!
But...to the best of my endeavours in making sure that it's right, that's what Virgin told me. I would be super-interested (and not inconsiderably disappointed) to learn differently.
Of course when it comes to NZ domestic Seat to Suit fares which is only a new thing, I would be very surprised if NZ allowed DJ elites to check in a bag without paying the $10 extra. If they did, I would be the first to complain as NZ*GE. And I am sure it's just a matter of a phone call to get NZ to pick up the phone to DJ to clarify.
Dec 15, 2011, 9:57 am
#228
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: BNE/OOL temporarily-permanently at CAK/PIT
Programs: UA*1K & UA Club, National Ex. Elite, Hertz Pres. Circ., Amex Plat., CLEAR
Posts: 1,703
The one thing that your DJ contact may have gotten wrong is DJ elites only get their usual DJ baggage entitlement if they book with DJ with a DJ flight number even if the flight is on a NZ plane. When they say Seat Only perhaps they really mean their own Saver fares without the need to purchase a bag, hence Seat Only? If a DJ elite book with NZ with a NZ flight number, I am pretty sure they will get nothing above what the fare permits in terms of baggage.
Of course when it comes to NZ domestic Seat to Suit fares which is only a new thing, I would be very surprised if NZ allowed DJ elites to check in a bag without paying the $10 extra. If they did, I would be the first to complain as NZ*GE. And I am sure it's just a matter of a phone call to get NZ to pick up the phone to DJ to clarify.
Of course when it comes to NZ domestic Seat to Suit fares which is only a new thing, I would be very surprised if NZ allowed DJ elites to check in a bag without paying the $10 extra. If they did, I would be the first to complain as NZ*GE. And I am sure it's just a matter of a phone call to get NZ to pick up the phone to DJ to clarify.
Dec 15, 2011, 7:19 pm
#229
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,995
Feb 21, 2012, 5:39 pm
#230
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: LCY
Posts: 1,222
Feb 21, 2012, 8:20 pm
#232
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,598
Officially you shouldn't be able to as it will be treated as if it was a NZ operated flight but I suspect you can get away with it.
Feb 23, 2012, 4:26 am
#233
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,598
Air New Zealand (Non-Tasman - including NZ domestic and international**)
Priority Check-in
Priority Baggage
Additional checked baggage of one piece up to 23kg ***
**Excludes Pacific Island flights with Air New Zealand
*** Excluding domestic itineraries where a 'Seat Only' fare has been purchased
Feb 26, 2012, 1:34 pm
#234
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
Has anyone had trouble getting into the KC automatically with a Velocity Gold or Platinum card? Whenever I put a DJ number into a domestic booking and then scan my BP at the lounge it comes up red and the agent needs to manually put my details in from the Velocity card.
Feb 26, 2012, 2:28 pm
#235
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: QF Gold
Posts: 1,242
Has anyone had trouble getting into the KC automatically with a Velocity Gold or Platinum card? Whenever I put a DJ number into a domestic booking and then scan my BP at the lounge it comes up red and the agent needs to manually put my details in from the Velocity card.
Mar 11, 2012, 8:11 pm
#236
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: BNE, CIC
Programs: A3*G, UA, QF
Posts: 57
*G Benefits on AirNZ Metal if Booked through DJ?
After searching through this thread and some others, I still cannot find the answer. I am *G (non-AirNZ) and am looking to book a flight via DJ (DJ8xxx number) operated by NZ across the Tazman (BNE-AKL). Not expecting any miles or status credits with the *G program, but would like to use the lounge and possibly priority checkin. Would book through AirNZ but have some DJ credit left over from the ash cloud mess. Any thoughts or experiences would be appreciated.
Mar 11, 2012, 9:06 pm
#238
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,338
OK.. should have reported back sooner to this thread...
Flew CBR-SYD-SIN-BKK booked on SQ website. At CBR check in (went to the Biz class/elite desk) very friendly and competent young lady checked both bags all the way, with priority tags and no question about entitlement. When I asked about Lounge access she told me "their system" had me listed as "Platinum" and I could access the lounge AND take 5 guests in..
She then asked if I'd like the exit row for "a bit more legroom"...
Great experience all round actually. Lounge was nice.. and uncrowded (early morning flight out).. aircraft (ATR-72 - a first-on-type for me) was spotless.. probably because it seemed, and smelt, brand new...
Seat 1A is excellent.. especially as 1C is placarded "Not to be occupied on take off or landing"... so room to spread out....
I know who I'll be flying domestically now!^^
Flew CBR-SYD-SIN-BKK booked on SQ website. At CBR check in (went to the Biz class/elite desk) very friendly and competent young lady checked both bags all the way, with priority tags and no question about entitlement. When I asked about Lounge access she told me "their system" had me listed as "Platinum" and I could access the lounge AND take 5 guests in..
She then asked if I'd like the exit row for "a bit more legroom"...
Great experience all round actually. Lounge was nice.. and uncrowded (early morning flight out).. aircraft (ATR-72 - a first-on-type for me) was spotless.. probably because it seemed, and smelt, brand new...
Seat 1A is excellent.. especially as 1C is placarded "Not to be occupied on take off or landing"... so room to spread out....
I know who I'll be flying domestically now!^^
Nov 1, 2012, 1:22 am
#239
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: AKL
Posts: 446
Just did a couple of DJ legs ticketed with NZ flight numbers. DJ checkin girls seem to have taken an unhealthy interest in Velocity bag tags of late and took it upon themselves to log the membership number at check in. Now the DJ legs have credited to my Velocity account instead of Airpoints. Can't be bothered arguing about it, but just be careful it doesn't happen to you!
Nov 1, 2012, 1:56 am
#240
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 929
Just did a couple of DJ legs ticketed with NZ flight numbers. DJ checkin girls seem to have taken an unhealthy interest in Velocity bag tags of late and took it upon themselves to log the membership number at check in. Now the DJ legs have credited to my Velocity account instead of Airpoints. Can't be bothered arguing about it, but just be careful it doesn't happen to you!
NZ changed / removed my FQTS (status field) on a NZ TT flight, my DJ*E was not shown on the inflight pax sheet.
