Constructive question to Gold Elites
Aug 30, 2016, 3:02 pm
#31
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,098
Does anybody know the real reason they won't serve champagne before takeoff? Years ago I was told by a crew member it was because of tax/duty reasons which I'm assuming is the reason but really shows how far cost cutting has gone when savings would be literally a few $
I found the switch to a plastic cup for the first PE drink another pretty cheap thing to do as well. I understand the logic (saves up to 44 dirty glasses on a 77W) but IMHO it's a cheapening of the soft product. The bubbly they're serving is an OK drop, but is just horrible in plastic.
I found the switch to a plastic cup for the first PE drink another pretty cheap thing to do as well. I understand the logic (saves up to 44 dirty glasses on a 77W) but IMHO it's a cheapening of the soft product. The bubbly they're serving is an OK drop, but is just horrible in plastic.
Aug 30, 2016, 3:18 pm
#32
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: NZ*E, One World
Posts: 38
Very pleasing to see that I am not the only one whom feels the slippage lets say. I do and always take on board as mentioned in one of the many great posts, flying an awful lot, we tend to pick up more bits n bobs etc, where by a typical flyer may well not...
No matter the vocation etc, people can always have a bad day. I am not writing re a one off, more so the overall feel of an airline that like many here, I am very passionate about.
I do hope some of this feedback is picked up by the team at Air NZ. The vast majority of comments are not slamming but being done in a manner to be constructive.
Nothing more constant than change.....
No matter the vocation etc, people can always have a bad day. I am not writing re a one off, more so the overall feel of an airline that like many here, I am very passionate about.
I do hope some of this feedback is picked up by the team at Air NZ. The vast majority of comments are not slamming but being done in a manner to be constructive.
Nothing more constant than change.....
Aug 30, 2016, 3:42 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand Elite (*A G), Qantas Silver, Alitalia Freccia Alata
Posts: 90
A friend of mine once said, how "similar personalities attract other similar personalities", in this case, I think there is a "bias" that Elites feel they always see/bump into other Elites, thus feeling that there are... way too many Elites amongst the ranks.
Of course that just my view and in no way scientific. But in other threads we have somewhat established that the number of Elites is perhaps 1%-1.5% of the NZ FFP base. To *me* I don't feel that there has been a swelling of the ranks over the years...
Also I think it's not as "easy" to get to Elite as we here on FT boards might think (again, we *are* the travel/flying savvy).
I constantly hear b!tch!ng from the sales exec. at work how they barely get to Gold on company dime, despite being sent Trans Tasman/main domestic NZ trunk route every week almost + 2-3 long hauls to the States a year. In fact apart from our CEO, I would be the only Elite, despite the fact I self-fund my travels (not in a travel/customer facing position) and fly no where NEAR as much as those sales execs.
Of course I seek the maximum $/SP (which means sometimes paying for premium cabins & tons of domestic Grab-a-Seat with minimum 8SP earn) along with any... tricks possible.
The point I am trying to make is that if even if company pays for Flexi-fares, in Y the earn is actually rather poor... which might help with culling the Elite herd a bit...
Of course that just my view and in no way scientific. But in other threads we have somewhat established that the number of Elites is perhaps 1%-1.5% of the NZ FFP base. To *me* I don't feel that there has been a swelling of the ranks over the years...
Also I think it's not as "easy" to get to Elite as we here on FT boards might think (again, we *are* the travel/flying savvy).
I constantly hear b!tch!ng from the sales exec. at work how they barely get to Gold on company dime, despite being sent Trans Tasman/main domestic NZ trunk route every week almost + 2-3 long hauls to the States a year. In fact apart from our CEO, I would be the only Elite, despite the fact I self-fund my travels (not in a travel/customer facing position) and fly no where NEAR as much as those sales execs.
Of course I seek the maximum $/SP (which means sometimes paying for premium cabins & tons of domestic Grab-a-Seat with minimum 8SP earn) along with any... tricks possible.
The point I am trying to make is that if even if company pays for Flexi-fares, in Y the earn is actually rather poor... which might help with culling the Elite herd a bit...
40% for elite is 120k spend in a year on top of earning 900 points by flying. When you're getting 12 SP each way on most trans Tasman fares that still equates to a massive amount of flying.
So get off your elitist attitudes.
And yes - I got probably 200 of my 1500 points off CC. Still earned the vast majority doing a .... load of flying every week...
Aug 30, 2016, 3:51 pm
#34
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: NZ*Elite *G, QF*G, SPG*Platinum, Accor*Platinum, Hilton*Gold
Posts: 1,006
As one of those who travel weekly I've seen the service deterioriate like others have mentioned over the years. Markedly around the Mar/Apr time period it became obvious. Although of late I've seen things starting to improve with boarding process and accomodating requests.
Consistency is the big factor here, I have always received great service from a small subset of the crew and observed them extend the same to other passengers. Majority are forgettable
Consistency is the big factor here, I have always received great service from a small subset of the crew and observed them extend the same to other passengers. Majority are forgettable
Aug 30, 2016, 4:19 pm
#35
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 31
I recently moved up to Elite after about 5 years as Gold.
I maximise the Westpac World benefits, put all of my personal expenses on it and a lot of corporate expense too. It got to the point that my monthly earn wasn't adding on to my balance!
As others have mentioned you still need to do a lot of flying. What got me over the line were a couple of last minute (very pricey) business class fares that earned lots of SP. Relying on full CC benefits and "normal" travel won't get you there.
I must say as a new Elite member I haven't noticed anything special over Gold. The only real benefit I see is the $100 upgrade to PE when flying across the ditch. As a result I wouldn't book flights or do SP runs purely to keep the Elite status.
Agree though that the amount of Koru, G and E are visibly growing. Last couple of times I was at AKL Dom Koru they had the "no guests due to limited capacity" signs out.
I maximise the Westpac World benefits, put all of my personal expenses on it and a lot of corporate expense too. It got to the point that my monthly earn wasn't adding on to my balance!
As others have mentioned you still need to do a lot of flying. What got me over the line were a couple of last minute (very pricey) business class fares that earned lots of SP. Relying on full CC benefits and "normal" travel won't get you there.
I must say as a new Elite member I haven't noticed anything special over Gold. The only real benefit I see is the $100 upgrade to PE when flying across the ditch. As a result I wouldn't book flights or do SP runs purely to keep the Elite status.
Agree though that the amount of Koru, G and E are visibly growing. Last couple of times I was at AKL Dom Koru they had the "no guests due to limited capacity" signs out.
Aug 30, 2016, 4:32 pm
#36
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: NZ*E, One World
Posts: 38
I too have not been able to get into the Koru Club on a long-haul flight, far from good enough...
Be interesting to get some factual numbers of Gold Elites to see if in fact it is growing of late...
Be interesting to get some factual numbers of Gold Elites to see if in fact it is growing of late...
Aug 30, 2016, 6:07 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand Airpoints - Gold Elite, Velocity - Platinum, Qantas - Gold
Posts: 180
Towards this credit card discussion id like to add.
40% for elite is 120k spend in a year on top of earning 900 points by flying. When you're getting 12 SP each way on most trans Tasman fares that still equates to a massive amount of flying.
So get off your elitist attitudes.
40% for elite is 120k spend in a year on top of earning 900 points by flying. When you're getting 12 SP each way on most trans Tasman fares that still equates to a massive amount of flying.
So get off your elitist attitudes.
+1
Aug 30, 2016, 6:17 pm
#38
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Auckland, NZ
Programs: NZ Gold Elite, BA, UA, QF..
Posts: 222
My GE status has never been recognised by crew that I can recall, including on any of about 20 long-haul flights in the last 18 months. But they do occasionally ask "shall I show you how your seat works?" I fly almost exclusively to the US now, so until a couple of months ago, was completely captive for direct flights. Virgin Atlantic would always recognise status and bring champagne etc if stick in Economy.
Aug 30, 2016, 6:53 pm
#39
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ*S plus various hotel programs
Posts: 945
The fact that he wasn't given any special treatment made me doubt it was him until I confirmed it with a staff member after he had got off.
I've also flown in the seat next to an ex-head of Air NZ engineering and he too was treated just like any other person.
Of course things may be different for international flights.
One of the main things I've noticed that has changed is that planes are just not as clean as they used to. For domestic flights they always seemed to have cleaners go through after each flight to do a quick clean, but now it seems normal to have things like crumbs over tray tables and rubbish in the seat pockets. For international this also seems to be an issue, just look around the BP seat and you'll see that they need a good clean.
As others have said, some staff are great and others, well they just show how good the others are.
Aug 30, 2016, 7:36 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE, Qantas Platinum, Accor Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 955
I fly NZ about three times a week and have zero expectations. The amount of flying makes me realize I am an input to an industry that lives on volume. As most of my flying is domestic, and regional I am rarely surprised because of my low expectations.
All my Tasman flying is on QF as there is an acknowledgement of service and as a QF platinum am always acknowledged.
Last week I made the mistake of booking a Works fare to SYD (but back on QF) and ended up on a VA aircraft where you only have entertainment if you have a device and the app (and a choice of about 6 films) and are prepared to have a drained device by the end of the trip given the lack of USB port. So an additional $50+ for a $3 meal. It is this sort of smart-arse, too clever by half thing that NZ and VA thrive on and that winds me up more.
All my Tasman flying is on QF as there is an acknowledgement of service and as a QF platinum am always acknowledged.
Last week I made the mistake of booking a Works fare to SYD (but back on QF) and ended up on a VA aircraft where you only have entertainment if you have a device and the app (and a choice of about 6 films) and are prepared to have a drained device by the end of the trip given the lack of USB port. So an additional $50+ for a $3 meal. It is this sort of smart-arse, too clever by half thing that NZ and VA thrive on and that winds me up more.
Aug 30, 2016, 8:20 pm
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: NZ*E, One World
Posts: 38
I doubt there is much the airline can do for their CEO on an WLG - AKL flight accept maybe 2 cookies 
, of which am sure you will agree.
Would suggest should Christopher Luxon be on a long haul, treatment would be vastly different and the BP seat would be as clean as a whistle..
Agree though, some planes need a dam good Spring Clean....
, of which am sure you will agree.Would suggest should Christopher Luxon be on a long haul, treatment would be vastly different and the BP seat would be as clean as a whistle..
Agree though, some planes need a dam good Spring Clean....
I've been on a flight from WLG to AKL with Christopher Luxon sat in the aisle seat and me in the window seat. He was treated exactly as any other passenger by the staff, with the only possible difference being the middle seat was empty which could have been blocked out or it could just have been empty.
The fact that he wasn't given any special treatment made me doubt it was him until I confirmed it with a staff member after he had got off.
I've also flown in the seat next to an ex-head of Air NZ engineering and he too was treated just like any other person.
Of course things may be different for international flights.
One of the main things I've noticed that has changed is that planes are just not as clean as they used to. For domestic flights they always seemed to have cleaners go through after each flight to do a quick clean, but now it seems normal to have things like crumbs over tray tables and rubbish in the seat pockets. For international this also seems to be an issue, just look around the BP seat and you'll see that they need a good clean.
As others have said, some staff are great and others, well they just show how good the others are.
The fact that he wasn't given any special treatment made me doubt it was him until I confirmed it with a staff member after he had got off.
I've also flown in the seat next to an ex-head of Air NZ engineering and he too was treated just like any other person.
Of course things may be different for international flights.
One of the main things I've noticed that has changed is that planes are just not as clean as they used to. For domestic flights they always seemed to have cleaners go through after each flight to do a quick clean, but now it seems normal to have things like crumbs over tray tables and rubbish in the seat pockets. For international this also seems to be an issue, just look around the BP seat and you'll see that they need a good clean.
As others have said, some staff are great and others, well they just show how good the others are.
Aug 30, 2016, 10:07 pm
#42
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,098
Towards this credit card discussion id like to add.
40% for elite is 120k spend in a year on top of earning 900 points by flying. When you're getting 12 SP each way on most trans Tasman fares that still equates to a massive amount of flying.
So get off your elitist attitudes.
And yes - I got probably 200 of my 1500 points off CC. Still earned the vast majority doing a .... load of flying every week...
40% for elite is 120k spend in a year on top of earning 900 points by flying. When you're getting 12 SP each way on most trans Tasman fares that still equates to a massive amount of flying.
So get off your elitist attitudes.
And yes - I got probably 200 of my 1500 points off CC. Still earned the vast majority doing a .... load of flying every week...
When you're only paying 1.42% convenience fee to Westpac and getting roughly 90% of that back in APD accrual it becomes a lot cheaper to gain status rather than the typical $15k or so you'd need to spend with Air NZ to get Elite.
Aug 30, 2016, 11:16 pm
#43
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS), VA Platinum
Posts: 1,672
I know a handful of people putting 100k + per year on their cards from PAYE and GST payments which gives them max SP earn from cards. I suspect there are a lot of people who have realised this is possible and now reaping the benefits.
When you're only paying 1.42% convenience fee to Westpac and getting roughly 90% of that back in APD accrual it becomes a lot cheaper to gain status rather than the typical $15k or so you'd need to spend with Air NZ to get Elite.
When you're only paying 1.42% convenience fee to Westpac and getting roughly 90% of that back in APD accrual it becomes a lot cheaper to gain status rather than the typical $15k or so you'd need to spend with Air NZ to get Elite.
The cc discussion always goes down the "oh there's too many elites etc" path
I don't particularly care about the number of koru members or elites or how they got there. I had koru the first year and if I need to go back to it at some stage I will gladly do so. If it's a travel day I plan meals around lounge etc and it totally cuts down on my grocery bill and breakfast certainly isn't worse than the toast or cereal I may have at home. The lounge may crowd for a wee while but it clears. If it's less $$ out of my back pocket I don't really care how it affects anyone else because let's be real - no other flyer really cares about my life. And when everyone stops working are you all going to keep elite or buy koru or go back to the main terminal? First year I flew the full 1500 and was completely happy with my ANZ Cashback rewards cc then found FT somewhere in there and changed to the airpoints cc so I can now keep elite and stick a foot in the One World camp and another with VA to get benefits with EY.
If there's a way to make full use of the system you should
From memory most people posting in this thread were posting in the cc thread so are also benefiting in some way from cc SP. As for the soft product stuff - I dread the day I need someone to say hello to me to make me feel valued. I generally don't expect anyone to run around after me and those expectations don't change just because I got on a plane. I'm happy with the service I receive and when I fill out the surveys I say so.
Consider this elite happy.
Aug 30, 2016, 11:56 pm
#44
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 644
Chocolates aside, NZ has really cut to the bone on catering (and from what I am reading, cleaning, service, etc...)
If United can spend decent money on Godiva, I think we all agree here that NZ can do better and so they should. From some of the other threads here on NZ pricing, they price at a premium level, they should deliver premium.
My nieces/nephews sell these Cadbury chocolates as part of school fundraising. I buy them as a means of "donation" and try to give them back but they won't eat them either.
I've seen Valrhona, Lindt on other airlines.
My experience has been that the service levels have been reduced.
Also, like many here, I find that the crews vary enormously. This is very apparent when flying the longer routes.
The wine served is pretty much an insult. For this reason alone, I started flying with other carriers.
(I re-qualify pretty quickly each year, and now, instead of sticking with AirNZ, I fly with other carriers. I never used to do this, but I find the cost cutting has gone to far).
Recently, Qantas Business has been my preferred carrier. I had a flight up to Hong Kong with them from Brisbane. The cabin was excellent, the seats and bed and screen much, much better than the Air NZ BP. There was actually an excellent selection of Champagnes and Wines, the food was great and the crews were excellent.
Flying Air NZ BP for the return Hong Kong to Auckland. A sparkling wine before take off, one Champagne offered, average wines offered, poor food, small, cramped seat and bed, small screen that must be kept latched closed for the take off, uninterested cabin crew.
I would have blissfully stuck with Air NZ, but, they reduced the quality far too much, and I now enjoy the other carriers.
Also, like many here, I find that the crews vary enormously. This is very apparent when flying the longer routes.
The wine served is pretty much an insult. For this reason alone, I started flying with other carriers.
(I re-qualify pretty quickly each year, and now, instead of sticking with AirNZ, I fly with other carriers. I never used to do this, but I find the cost cutting has gone to far).
Recently, Qantas Business has been my preferred carrier. I had a flight up to Hong Kong with them from Brisbane. The cabin was excellent, the seats and bed and screen much, much better than the Air NZ BP. There was actually an excellent selection of Champagnes and Wines, the food was great and the crews were excellent.
Flying Air NZ BP for the return Hong Kong to Auckland. A sparkling wine before take off, one Champagne offered, average wines offered, poor food, small, cramped seat and bed, small screen that must be kept latched closed for the take off, uninterested cabin crew.
I would have blissfully stuck with Air NZ, but, they reduced the quality far too much, and I now enjoy the other carriers.
QF has nice First lounge plus access to other OW First lounges, to me it is of greater value than the exclusive EP1. (AFAIK, EP1 or NZ*E does not give access to SQ First lounge for example). I divert some flying now to OW instead of the higher qualifying gift, past Elite threshold.
For those who fly frequently I also find the menus quite repetitive.
I have mentioned the decline (as I am sure some of you might have done the same) to the odd Inflight Service Manager who takes the time to chat. They almost always do their part and fill in a report. Over the couple of years, I have yet to see any major changes. I am now resigned that nothing will change and have stop bothering.
That is ok. Like you, I just take my business elsewhere.
I actually find it very liberating..
Law of Diminishing Returns
Aug 31, 2016, 12:41 am
#45
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: NZ GE, QF
Posts: 388
Well you'd be an idiot if you knew about it and didn't.
The cc discussion always goes down the "oh there's too many elites etc" path
I don't particularly care about the number of koru members or elites or how they got there. I had koru the first year and if I need to go back to it at some stage I will gladly do so. If it's a travel day I plan meals around lounge etc and it totally cuts down on my grocery bill and breakfast certainly isn't worse than the toast or cereal I may have at home. The lounge may crowd for a wee while but it clears. If it's less $$ out of my back pocket I don't really care how it affects anyone else because let's be real - no other flyer really cares about my life. And when everyone stops working are you all going to keep elite or buy koru or go back to the main terminal? First year I flew the full 1500 and was completely happy with my ANZ Cashback rewards cc then found FT somewhere in there and changed to the airpoints cc so I can now keep elite and stick a foot in the One World camp and another with VA to get benefits with EY.
If there's a way to make full use of the system you should From memory most people posting in this thread were posting in the cc thread so are also benefiting in some way from cc SP.
As for the soft product stuff - I dread the day I need someone to say hello to me to make me feel valued. I generally don't expect anyone to run around after me and those expectations don't change just because I got on a plane. I'm happy with the service I receive and when I fill out the surveys I say so.
Consider this elite happy.
The cc discussion always goes down the "oh there's too many elites etc" path
I don't particularly care about the number of koru members or elites or how they got there. I had koru the first year and if I need to go back to it at some stage I will gladly do so. If it's a travel day I plan meals around lounge etc and it totally cuts down on my grocery bill and breakfast certainly isn't worse than the toast or cereal I may have at home. The lounge may crowd for a wee while but it clears. If it's less $$ out of my back pocket I don't really care how it affects anyone else because let's be real - no other flyer really cares about my life. And when everyone stops working are you all going to keep elite or buy koru or go back to the main terminal? First year I flew the full 1500 and was completely happy with my ANZ Cashback rewards cc then found FT somewhere in there and changed to the airpoints cc so I can now keep elite and stick a foot in the One World camp and another with VA to get benefits with EY.
If there's a way to make full use of the system you should
From memory most people posting in this thread were posting in the cc thread so are also benefiting in some way from cc SP. As for the soft product stuff - I dread the day I need someone to say hello to me to make me feel valued. I generally don't expect anyone to run around after me and those expectations don't change just because I got on a plane. I'm happy with the service I receive and when I fill out the surveys I say so.
Consider this elite happy.
I don't really mind if I get greeted specially. But when you pay business class and miss out on food or drink because of low staffing levels (767) it is less than thrilling.
I generally find the business class wines OK, but I'm not much of a wine buff. The meals can be OK, or they can be very poor. The service can be excellent, or occasionally pretty bad, in both short-haul and long-haul. It is very variable.
But if you ask anyone who has been around a while you will hear the same story, there has been a deterioration in the quality of the NZ product, which is very sad.