flexitime vis flexiplus on domestic routes?
#1
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Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
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Posts: 11,874
flexitime vis flexiplus on domestic routes?
Quick question for the NZ regulars:
Does he flexiplus fare include all the benefits of the flexitime fare, i.e. most importantly to change to any earlier or later flight without paying a change fee or fare difference?
I've booke d a flexiplus fare on a morning flight that I most definitely will not be able to take, but my thinking is that:
1) I can go online at midnight and change to any of the later flights without paying a fee or
2) change to a flight the following day if absolutely necessary (and presumably also do the free same-day change?) or
3) cancel the ticket for a full refund if absolutely necessary
Are these assumptions correct?
If so, does a same-day change require positive space or it is sufficient if NZ is willing to sell two seats on the desired flight?
Thanks in advance!
Does he flexiplus fare include all the benefits of the flexitime fare, i.e. most importantly to change to any earlier or later flight without paying a change fee or fare difference?
I've booke d a flexiplus fare on a morning flight that I most definitely will not be able to take, but my thinking is that:
1) I can go online at midnight and change to any of the later flights without paying a fee or
2) change to a flight the following day if absolutely necessary (and presumably also do the free same-day change?) or
3) cancel the ticket for a full refund if absolutely necessary
Are these assumptions correct?
If so, does a same-day change require positive space or it is sufficient if NZ is willing to sell two seats on the desired flight?
Thanks in advance!
#2
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,100
You can change any time after midnight to any flight with free seats. You cannot wait-list or standby on a flexi fare for a full flight unless you're at the airport to do this.
If you change a Flexiplus to a later day (which obviously does incur paying the fare difference if there are no flights with a fare the same or cheaper price than the one you paid) it is still flexi so you can then do a same day change for free any time after midnight on that new date. The trick to avoid paying the fare difference is to pick a fare that is the same price and then change it same day to the flight you want - obviously all subject to the usual blah blah about doing this and being aware of the risks of trying to game the system.
If you change a Flexiplus to a later day (which obviously does incur paying the fare difference if there are no flights with a fare the same or cheaper price than the one you paid) it is still flexi so you can then do a same day change for free any time after midnight on that new date. The trick to avoid paying the fare difference is to pick a fare that is the same price and then change it same day to the flight you want - obviously all subject to the usual blah blah about doing this and being aware of the risks of trying to game the system.
#3
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
I'd book the FlexiPlus. For the extra $20 per sector it's worth it. FlexiTime still doesn't let you change the date of travel on the day of departure. I booked a FlexiTime for work today thinking I'd be fine - first time I'd not booked a FlexiPlus in many months (was about $350 one way) and work went to custard so have to overnight instead of fly out tonight so that $350 goes down the train and have to book another flight for another $350. An extra $20 would have saved a lot.
Although sbiddle - I always call Air NZ and they are more than happy to waitlist you if on a FlexiTime/Plus fare if the flight you want to change to on the day is full (did it today) - but at the airport they always say it's not possible.
Although sbiddle - I always call Air NZ and they are more than happy to waitlist you if on a FlexiTime/Plus fare if the flight you want to change to on the day is full (did it today) - but at the airport they always say it's not possible.
#4
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,100
I'd book the FlexiPlus. For the extra $20 per sector it's worth it. FlexiTime still doesn't let you change the date of travel on the day of departure. I booked a FlexiTime for work today thinking I'd be fine - first time I'd not booked a FlexiPlus in many months (was about $350 one way) and work went to custard so have to overnight instead of fly out tonight so that $350 goes down the train and have to book another flight for another $350. An extra $20 would have saved a lot.
#5
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
Can't date change a FlexiTime on the day of departure
#6
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Zealand
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#7
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,100
#8
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,100
The only change you can make online is to product types is to change the fare basis (ie convert a seat to a seat+bag). You can't change between product types.
#9
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
Yeah I'm kicking myself as it's about the only time in a year I haven't booked a FlexiPlus and murphy's law of course the one time I actually need to use it I've been a cheapskate and booked a FlexiTime.