Thai-Kiwi

I think you overstate the case for NZ's actions (but not saying saying you are an apologist for their actions!). A3 is not the easy *G path that it once was, and as is noted above NZ presumably 'charge back' to which ever *A carrier the pax accessing the lounge is with. Likewise I agree that as a *G holder, there other bits about priority check-in, an extra bag etc are reasonably standardised across *A and don't 'cost' NZ a bean.

To require that points/miles are credited to the program that one is already a status holder is counter-intuitive (to me) for bringing over the HVC on the other FFP to NZ's system. Do they really want HVC on other FFPs to start from scratch? That, too, is counter-intuitive as you may as well do that with another alliance (ST or OW).

In my case (with an already renewed TG*G status through to Dec 20), this approach gives me no incentive to use and accrue into AirPoints at all (I do have an account for share points mainly with the family). I will watch its interest how this unfolds.

ukflyer1

I guess the definition of "milking the system" vs making the most of various FFP whilst playing within the rules is one that is somewhat subjective. Having a varied travel schedule and multiple FFP programmes has enabled me to credit to those that earn the most points, which has been beneficial historically (*G or Oneworld, or Skywards). When I fly domestic on AirNZ it gets nothing on other *G but a tiny amount in Airpoints. When I fly other *G carriers internationally it often earns no Airpoints (or minimal).

I chose to keep *G outside of AirNZ, and my incentive for accruing any Airpoints is now diminished (or accelerated). In a similar situation to Thai-Kiwi, my lounge access etc problems would be solved if I just use my existing *G, forget about Airpoints, and I forgo earning any points on domestic travel. Also then a pain to use the AirNZ app. Alternatively I switch all travel to Airpoints in order to earn NZ*G, likely at the expense of my other *G membership.

ieuan1

I eventually heard back from Air NZ (after 6 weeks although I suspect it wasn't the fault of the person who replied, who was very courteous). This was in response to my complaint above about having miles credited to United whilst getting lounge access via my Asiana Gold card. The crux of the response was

I have got some feedback from our Loyalty Specialist who confirms yes, you are entitled to access the lounge with your Asiana Airlines card even though your United Frequent Flyer number is in your booking.

This seems pretty clear and in accordance with what is in the Star Alliance website. [Dear Moderator, you might want to combine this thread with the thread entitled 'Star Gold Recognition by Air New Zealand which started on 18/3/18 - which deals with similar issues]

drajknox

Xiaotung

Is that Loyalty Specialist aware of the recent changes in the Airpoints T&C's as outlined in the beginning of this thread? If yes, then they should change it back. Case closed.

ieuan1

But in my case Airpoints aren't involved. It's United and Asiana. Airpoints have nothing to do with it.

Xiaotung

Understood. But it's the same involving 2 programmes.

Thai-Kiwi

I have flights WLG-DUD-WLG. I used my TG*G number when making the booking to ensure best seat selection. The following is my experience yesterday and today (20-21 May).

WLG-DUD. Bag only (P), straight to lounge, scanned barcode on email printout to enter lounge. For the first time I noted on the app that this lounge entry process checked me in for the flight. Once in lounge, I used the app to 'manage my booking' and change the frequent flyer information to my NZ account. I wanted to do this on the lounge kiosk, but I note the kiosk has gone. All seemed to go well, although no SP/APD posted yet. The amounts don't matter, just curious about the process.

DUD-WLG. Flexi-Plus (P). Flight delayed prior to trying to use the app. App 'manage my booking' just went to an alert page about the delay - fine, I get the value in that. However, it never 'cleared from the app despite many and various 'clearing' the alert (relaunch app through to re-boot phone). The numerical alert did clear, but the landing page was always just the notification. This seems to be a bug.

So I approached the lounge staff, explained I wanted to changed the request flyer number to my NZ number, and this was done in 90 seconds. I noted that this required the lounge staff to acknowledge a warning a BP had already been issued.

So it clearly remains possible to amend a frequent flyer number from one program to another once checked in.

dand99

Was looking for information and came across this thread, thought I'd add my recent experience (Not NZ, but still *Alliance...)

Flew with LOT recently. Used my UA *G for an extra bag. Tried to change to A3 later, was not possible - the system threw up a charge for the extra bag. Tried both outgoing and incoming, same result (both times GA contract staff not LOT).

So not always possible...

Xiaotung

Some airlines now build the Star Gold allowance in their system so that human intervention is no longer needed. This makes changing programmes more difficult. In case of UA, more often nowadays you work on a kiosk and print tags before a check in staff will help you. If you check in with a number with status, their system will refuse to make any change. Check in staff won't help you either. I find the only way is to change the number in UA lounges but you may be out of luck if there is no lounge.

akl_cat

If you changed your ffp through the button in “manage my booking” after you have checked in for a flight, then doing so won’t actually change the ffp for that checked-in flight.


Since you checked in with your TG ffp, the TG number is stuck against your flight. Even when you have changed the ffp on the reservation to NZ, it won’t sync to these checked-in flights. As such they won’t post to AP. You have to do a manual claim later.

Thai-Kiwi

Staff were able to do this quickly and easily in the lounge, as I posted above - they just updated the FQTS and FQTV fields. Things may have changed in the past 18 months.

mad_atta

That's interesting - I had an experience like this with United a few months ago. The UA 'Manage my booking' function on the website would no longer give me the option of changing my FFP, and I really didn't face ages on hold to UA's call centre, so I figured I'd do it at the airport (but went ahead and checked in online anyway). It was incredibly difficult to change FFP after that, though the agent eventually managed it.

akl_cat

No you are right staff at airports can still change ffp of a checked-in flight. You just won't be able to do it yourself using "manage my reservation" as that will only change the ffp on your res but will not sync to any flights already checked-in. So no things have not changed in the past 18 months on that front.