Elite Priority One
#121
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite; QF Platinum; CZ Gold; MU Platinum; Marriott Titanium; Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,466
She had to slum it with us common folk!
On the other hand, while I am no fan of Helen Clark's politics, if Air NZ was going to invite anyone to EP1, she should be top of the list, certainly one of the most influential New Zealanders in the world.
Better than some of the jumped up locals Pols and overpaid CEOs who probably populate this programme...
On the other hand, while I am no fan of Helen Clark's politics, if Air NZ was going to invite anyone to EP1, she should be top of the list, certainly one of the most influential New Zealanders in the world.
Better than some of the jumped up locals Pols and overpaid CEOs who probably populate this programme...
#123
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SYD
Programs: QF LTG, VASG, NZ*S, OZD, IHG SpireAMB, HHD
Posts: 1,421
I think John Key should be top of the EP1 list and can think of many more deserving people than HC. Having said that, she should be part of that status and the apparent fact that she isn't nor John Key makes me question what Air NZ are really doing with this new status class.
#124
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 52
It has nothing to do with how famous you are or if your a politician. I know two people who have EP1. One is the CEO of a telco and the other manages that same companies travel spend.
What can JK or HC provide revenue wise... very little in reality.
In australia my old man was both chairmans lounge and ansett pass 15 years ago, kind of the same but better than EP1. He was also CEO of a big company. In ausie back then i would see politicians in those lounges all the time. But those politicians had choice between two airlines and what airline they chose added a certain status to the airline they chose. The same is not true in NZ. Whats JK going to do if he doesnt get EP1... fly jetstar? I think not.
So whay would NZ give him that status when it would provide no real benefit.
What can JK or HC provide revenue wise... very little in reality.
In australia my old man was both chairmans lounge and ansett pass 15 years ago, kind of the same but better than EP1. He was also CEO of a big company. In ausie back then i would see politicians in those lounges all the time. But those politicians had choice between two airlines and what airline they chose added a certain status to the airline they chose. The same is not true in NZ. Whats JK going to do if he doesnt get EP1... fly jetstar? I think not.
So whay would NZ give him that status when it would provide no real benefit.
#125
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SYD
Programs: QF LTG, VASG, NZ*S, OZD, IHG SpireAMB, HHD
Posts: 1,421
That was the subtle point I was trying to make. NZ are saving this as a bribe for those who control large companies' travel spending. I would assume this is in return for some commitment of a certain large level of NZ $ spend. Nothing wrong with this, I guess, as it is NZ's way of rewarding corporate loyalty. However, I imagine the actual benefit of this falls to only one or two people in the company, which may not correlate at all with how much those individuals travel.
QF's CL instead seems to be more about looking after VIPs (which includes major CEOs, etc).
QF's CL instead seems to be more about looking after VIPs (which includes major CEOs, etc).
#126
Join Date: May 2005
Location: SJC
Programs: NZ*G, QF NB, UA 1K, AA ExecPlat, IHG PlatAmb, HHonors Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, ZE1 PC
Posts: 2,636
That was the subtle point I was trying to make. NZ are saving this as a bribe for those who control large companies' travel spending. I would assume this is in return for some commitment of a certain large level of NZ $ spend. Nothing wrong with this, I guess, as it is NZ's way of rewarding corporate loyalty. However, I imagine the actual benefit of this falls to only one or two people in the company, which may not correlate at all with how much those individuals travel.
QF's CL instead seems to be more about looking after VIPs (which includes major CEOs, etc).
QF's CL instead seems to be more about looking after VIPs (which includes major CEOs, etc).
The rest of us who do the BIS don't tend to get there - although some folks do earn UGS (usually off last-minute US domestic travel).
#127
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite; QF Platinum; CZ Gold; MU Platinum; Marriott Titanium; Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,466
#128
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: NZ*G, United.
Posts: 194
That was the subtle point I was trying to make. NZ are saving this as a bribe for those who control large companies' travel spending. I would assume this is in return for some commitment of a certain large level of NZ $ spend. Nothing wrong with this, I guess, as it is NZ's way of rewarding corporate loyalty. However, I imagine the actual benefit of this falls to only one or two people in the company
#129
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Usually Auckland, NZ
Programs: NZ Elite (*G), QF S (OWR), UA 0.14MM
Posts: 690
Actually, just realised today that my boss is in this "uber-exclusive-EP1-club".
Saw the fancy "carbon weave" luggage tag on his backpack today as he was heading out of the office, half the width/tag size as Koru/Gold/Elite tags.
I should really ask him what he thinks about it, he's not much of a plane/flyer geek though.
Saw the fancy "carbon weave" luggage tag on his backpack today as he was heading out of the office, half the width/tag size as Koru/Gold/Elite tags.
I should really ask him what he thinks about it, he's not much of a plane/flyer geek though.
#132
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ*S plus various hotel programs
Posts: 945
#133
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: NZ*E, QF Gold
Posts: 23
#135
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,419