Air New Zealand / Virgin Australia Trans-Tasman Alliance Information
Sep 4, 2015, 7:01 am
#286
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: AKL
Programs: A3, AA, AF, AS, BA, SQ, UA, US, IHG, SPG
Posts: 352
Anyone tried buying trans-Tasman VA tickets with Airpoint Dollars to earn Velocity status and redeemable points? That would be pretty cool.
And I guess this glitch/loophole only works for trans-Tasman, not on other VA routes like Aussie domestic and AU-US?
Cheers
And I guess this glitch/loophole only works for trans-Tasman, not on other VA routes like Aussie domestic and AU-US?
Cheers
There is a "glitch" in the system for this alliance agreement, and I have actually proved it many times over the past 2 years.
In short, if you buy a TT ticket on NZ's site, NZ's flight number but on VA metal, as long as your Airpoints number is properly attached in the system (important: shows on the boarding pass), even if you pay with Airpoints dollars, you will earn Status Points AND Airpoints Dollars for whatever fare class it was booked into.
Worked every single time for me as recently as this year in April.
Also note that when travelling on such a flight, I check in with VA, NOT NZ. So the boarding pass is a VA issued one (not sure how important it is for this glitch to manifest itself). Because on these flights I've seen people board with NZ issued/printed boarding passes.
I am sure NZ is aware of this but seems not interested in fixing.
In short, if you buy a TT ticket on NZ's site, NZ's flight number but on VA metal, as long as your Airpoints number is properly attached in the system (important: shows on the boarding pass), even if you pay with Airpoints dollars, you will earn Status Points AND Airpoints Dollars for whatever fare class it was booked into.
Worked every single time for me as recently as this year in April.
Also note that when travelling on such a flight, I check in with VA, NOT NZ. So the boarding pass is a VA issued one (not sure how important it is for this glitch to manifest itself). Because on these flights I've seen people board with NZ issued/printed boarding passes.
I am sure NZ is aware of this but seems not interested in fixing.
Sep 4, 2015, 10:48 am
#287
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,597
You can only pay with Airpoints to book CX on AKL-HKG and VA trans-Tasman routes as if they are NZ flights. In all other cases, you will only be able to redeem reward seats which are booked in ineligible booking classes anyway so the loophole does not exist.
Sep 4, 2015, 8:08 pm
#288
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: AKL
Programs: A3, AA, AF, AS, BA, SQ, UA, US, IHG, SPG
Posts: 352
I see that tickets paid with Airpoint Dollars on CX AKL-HKG and VA trans-Tasman are booked in the same point-earning fare class as regular cash/card-paid, tickets.
It seems that CX, VA and NZ don't know/care how a ticket is paid in the point-earning fare classes, so if I change my FQTV from Airpoints to another (say CX Asia Miles or even BA Executive Club for AKL-HKG) at the airport check-in, there's a possibility I can earn BA Avios and status points instead of Airpoint Dollars and status points?
Likewise I wonder what happens if I change the FQTV on an Airpoint award ticket on VA SYD-AKL to Etihad Guest?
Not saying it's worthwhile doing so, but sometimes people just need a few status points to reach oneworld Sapphire/Emerald, etc.
It seems that CX, VA and NZ don't know/care how a ticket is paid in the point-earning fare classes, so if I change my FQTV from Airpoints to another (say CX Asia Miles or even BA Executive Club for AKL-HKG) at the airport check-in, there's a possibility I can earn BA Avios and status points instead of Airpoint Dollars and status points?
Likewise I wonder what happens if I change the FQTV on an Airpoint award ticket on VA SYD-AKL to Etihad Guest?
Not saying it's worthwhile doing so, but sometimes people just need a few status points to reach oneworld Sapphire/Emerald, etc.
Yes I have tried and I'm afraid this does not work.
You can only pay with Airpoints to book CX on AKL-HKG and VA trans-Tasman routes as if they are NZ flights. In all other cases, you will only be able to redeem reward seats which are booked in ineligible booking classes anyway so the loophole does not exist.
You can only pay with Airpoints to book CX on AKL-HKG and VA trans-Tasman routes as if they are NZ flights. In all other cases, you will only be able to redeem reward seats which are booked in ineligible booking classes anyway so the loophole does not exist.
Sep 5, 2015, 1:27 am
#289
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,597
In the case of Airpoints redemption on VA metal and trying to earn VA points, because the alliance arrangement says NZ coded flights across the Tasman will be treated as NZ flights, eventually VA will need NZ to pass the earning information. NZ know if it's a redemption ticket or not so that have control. My own experience proved this. No points earned. VA later said not eligible when I tried to claim.
Sep 6, 2015, 5:32 am
#290
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bne
Programs: Velocity Gold, AIRNZ Elite, Qantas Silver ,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,320
Earnings on Virgin compared with AIRNZ
Flew my first Virgin marketed TT flight and was very surprised what the difference in actuals earnings is
Auckland to Brisbane one way
AIRNZ (assuming I could pay the taxes with points) is about $200 so need to fly 200 times to get a free flight (earning 1 airpoint per flight)
Virgin its about 26,100 so 15 flights (earning 714 plus 1070 gold bonus)
and I believe a you get luggage too!
Auckland to Brisbane one way
AIRNZ (assuming I could pay the taxes with points) is about $200 so need to fly 200 times to get a free flight (earning 1 airpoint per flight)
Virgin its about 26,100 so 15 flights (earning 714 plus 1070 gold bonus)
and I believe a you get luggage too!
Sep 6, 2015, 6:02 am
#291
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,597
Flew my first Virgin marketed TT flight and was very surprised what the difference in actuals earnings is
Auckland to Brisbane one way
AIRNZ (assuming I could pay the taxes with points) is about $200 so need to fly 200 times to get a free flight (earning 1 airpoint per flight)
Virgin its about 26,100 so 15 flights (earning 714 plus 1070 gold bonus)
and I believe a you get luggage too!
Auckland to Brisbane one way
AIRNZ (assuming I could pay the taxes with points) is about $200 so need to fly 200 times to get a free flight (earning 1 airpoint per flight)
Virgin its about 26,100 so 15 flights (earning 714 plus 1070 gold bonus)
and I believe a you get luggage too!
Sep 6, 2015, 6:08 am
#292
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 929
Flew my first Virgin marketed TT flight and was very surprised what the difference in actuals earnings is
Auckland to Brisbane one way
AIRNZ (assuming I could pay the taxes with points) is about $200 so need to fly 200 times to get a free flight (earning 1 airpoint per flight)
Virgin its about 26,100 so 15 flights (earning 714 plus 1070 gold bonus)
and I believe a you get luggage too!
Auckland to Brisbane one way
AIRNZ (assuming I could pay the taxes with points) is about $200 so need to fly 200 times to get a free flight (earning 1 airpoint per flight)
Virgin its about 26,100 so 15 flights (earning 714 plus 1070 gold bonus)
and I believe a you get luggage too!
Sep 6, 2015, 9:22 am
#293
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS), VA Platinum
Posts: 1,672
Flew my first Virgin marketed TT flight and was very surprised what the difference in actuals earnings is
Auckland to Brisbane one way
AIRNZ (assuming I could pay the taxes with points) is about $200 so need to fly 200 times to get a free flight (earning 1 airpoint per flight)
Virgin its about 26,100 so 15 flights (earning 714 plus 1070 gold bonus)
and I believe a you get luggage too!
Auckland to Brisbane one way
AIRNZ (assuming I could pay the taxes with points) is about $200 so need to fly 200 times to get a free flight (earning 1 airpoint per flight)
Virgin its about 26,100 so 15 flights (earning 714 plus 1070 gold bonus)
and I believe a you get luggage too!
Sep 6, 2015, 1:26 pm
#295
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: VA Silver, NZ Gold
Posts: 327
Flew my first Virgin marketed TT flight and was very surprised what the difference in actuals earnings is
Auckland to Brisbane one way
AIRNZ (assuming I could pay the taxes with points) is about $200 so need to fly 200 times to get a free flight (earning 1 airpoint per flight)
Virgin its about 26,100 so 15 flights (earning 714 plus 1070 gold bonus)
and I believe a you get luggage too!
Auckland to Brisbane one way
AIRNZ (assuming I could pay the taxes with points) is about $200 so need to fly 200 times to get a free flight (earning 1 airpoint per flight)
Virgin its about 26,100 so 15 flights (earning 714 plus 1070 gold bonus)
and I believe a you get luggage too!
Sep 6, 2015, 2:55 pm
#296
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: bne
Programs: Velocity Gold, AIRNZ Elite, Qantas Silver ,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,320
How many trips to get a free TT flight
I have been hypnotized for years from airnz by the ability to get the seats on the 777 300 buying off the airnz site but now that we can't choose these seats I have now started to buy on the Virgin website site.
Quite a difference and it will get larger on the next status tier!
Aug 18, 2017, 11:00 pm
#297
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ Silver
Posts: 1,817
Last week I flew PER-MEL on VA684 in business (I fare). My AP number was on the booking, but AP didn't show...I tried to do a claim online but I got a message saying it was ineligible. According to NZ's website, they should accrue AP?
If you travel on Virgin Australia flight numbers (e.g. VA101 or VA8000) across the Tasman or on a flight operated by Virgin Australia domestically within Australia you will earn Airpoints Dollars based on the earning rates in the Partner flights section of the Airpoints Dollars earning rates look up table
Aug 20, 2017, 1:44 am
#298
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS), VA Platinum
Posts: 1,672
I know I've earned APD on VA domestic previously in Y a long time ago. Sometimes things didn't accrue and I was too lazy to chase up for a few APD. Try contacting NZ via twitter direct message and see if they can help. Easy enough loading pics there too.
Aug 21, 2017, 5:46 pm
#299
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ*S plus various hotel programs
Posts: 945
Aug 25, 2017, 1:41 pm
#300
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ Silver
Posts: 1,817
Thanks - I'll send them a DM and see how I get on