Air NZ Domestic: Using Flexitime to save money
Jul 14, 2016, 5:44 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 7
Air NZ Domestic: Using Flexitime to save money
Hi everyone,
I am not sure if this is possible but I don't see why not. I want to fly out from Auckland on a Thursday evening flight at 7:30 p.m. but they are about $179 just for the seat. On that same Thursday, a 7:10 a.m. flight is for $99 for the Seat and ~$129 for flexitime.
So my question is, Can i buy the earlier flight on flexitime and just before that flight takes off, change it to the evening one or one of the other evening ones depending how quick we can get off work. Is this possible?
I am not sure if this is possible but I don't see why not. I want to fly out from Auckland on a Thursday evening flight at 7:30 p.m. but they are about $179 just for the seat. On that same Thursday, a 7:10 a.m. flight is for $99 for the Seat and ~$129 for flexitime.
So my question is, Can i buy the earlier flight on flexitime and just before that flight takes off, change it to the evening one or one of the other evening ones depending how quick we can get off work. Is this possible?
Jul 14, 2016, 6:41 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,119
Yes.
It's something myself (and a lot of others I know) do very frequently.
You just need to be fully aware of the risks and consequences. If you gamble you don't always win..
It's something myself (and a lot of others I know) do very frequently.
You just need to be fully aware of the risks and consequences. If you gamble you don't always win..
Jul 14, 2016, 6:44 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Programs: NZ Silver, NZ Koru, Accor Silver
Posts: 127
Flexitime conditions on Air New Zealand's website are:
So if you book the earlier flight and the later flights fill up, you would be stuck with the 7:10 am flight.
flexitime includes the flexibility of being able to change your flight to an earlier or later flight that same day of travel when available*
...
*Subject to availability on the day and please be aware that for domestic routes where we operate only 2-3 flight times per day, the ability to change to an earlier flight or later flight will be reduced.
...
*Subject to availability on the day and please be aware that for domestic routes where we operate only 2-3 flight times per day, the ability to change to an earlier flight or later flight will be reduced.
Jul 14, 2016, 6:57 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wellington
Programs: QFWP (LTSG), NZ (Jade), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 4,669
Are you taking check in, if so add at least $10?
My advice is for $50 you will have a guaranteed seat on the flight you want rather than risk not being on the flight you want.
Would I do it on regional flight? No due to lack of schedule.
Remember you must make the change before the flight closes or you will be further out of pocket as the change cannot be made after the flight has closed.
My advice is for $50 you will have a guaranteed seat on the flight you want rather than risk not being on the flight you want.
Would I do it on regional flight? No due to lack of schedule.
Remember you must make the change before the flight closes or you will be further out of pocket as the change cannot be made after the flight has closed.
Jul 14, 2016, 9:30 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,119
If you really want to be playing this game I'd highly recommend checking availability the day before and it possible changing your flight at midnight when the change option becomes available.
Jul 14, 2016, 9:37 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: NZ G, QF Bronze
Posts: 326
I always set my alarm and change at 12.01am.
Never failed - would have saved a fair bit of cash using this method.
But as others have said - it is all down to (bad) luck - you may miss out as sometimes flights are sold out.
Jul 14, 2016, 10:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,119
Jul 15, 2016, 12:14 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS), VA Platinum
Posts: 1,672
I'll chime in and say I do this to save a few bob. Haven't had it fall through yet. I also change it just after midnight, too scared I'll forget otherwise.
Taking the gamble depends on if I can afford it time wise, the likelihood of a flight selling out eg peak season, popular flight times and routes, and whether the back up plan is acceptable.
Taking the gamble depends on if I can afford it time wise, the likelihood of a flight selling out eg peak season, popular flight times and routes, and whether the back up plan is acceptable.
Jul 15, 2016, 6:05 pm
#10
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Evening flights can sometimes be 100% full. E.g. if there were flight cancellations earlier in the day. There have been times when I've been booked flexi on the last flight of the day and unable to switch to any of 3 earlier flights as they were all full.
Jul 16, 2016, 1:29 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS), VA Platinum
Posts: 1,672
Changing at midnight should negate any flight cancellations throughout the day though as they wont have occurred yet.
Jul 16, 2016, 4:10 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,119
It's only an opportunity to save money if you're fully aware the time will come where you do get burnt. I've been lucky it hasn't happened to me yet, but it's safe to say it will happen. I would never do it for $50 because I see no point.
It's like buying flexiplus tickets to get free date changes to the same class. You can save by doing this and then changing flights on the day to the one you want. But like all exploits the day will come when it comes unstuck.
It's like buying flexiplus tickets to get free date changes to the same class. You can save by doing this and then changing flights on the day to the one you want. But like all exploits the day will come when it comes unstuck.
Jul 16, 2016, 8:00 pm
#14
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Yes for the OP but not for me. The recent instances I refer to were all when I was arriving on separate tickets on other airlines. No point in switching to an earlier flight only to miss it if the flight into AKL is running late or get held up at immigration/customs.