APD and Status earn on regionals
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE, Qantas Platinum, Accor Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 378
APD and Status earn on regionals
I know that NZ cut their regional earn rates in half for reasons only known to them - perhaps to clear out some of the Koru Lounges?
However, I have some travel regionally and the whole earn rates seem to be illogical. For travel in October:
DUD-CHC $65 fare earns AP$1 and 8SP
$118 AP$1 8SP
$141 AP$4 12SP
DUD-PMR $131 AP$1 4SP
$174 AP$1 4SP
$195 AP$1 4SP
$222 AP$1 8SP
$304 AP$2 10SP
CHC-TRG $125 AP$1 4SP non-stop flight
$146 AP$2 16SP via AKL
$173 AP$2 8SP non-stop
$173 AP$4 17SP via AKL
I have to pay three times a Grab-a-Seat rate to get the same earning. For $63 more I don't earn as much as an ATR trip to DUD. If I transit AKL I earn disproportionately more than on the non-stop.
The whole earn rate is a mess. I will still qualify for elite but this earn rate will distort my choice of flight and routing.
However, I have some travel regionally and the whole earn rates seem to be illogical. For travel in October:
DUD-CHC $65 fare earns AP$1 and 8SP
$118 AP$1 8SP
$141 AP$4 12SP
DUD-PMR $131 AP$1 4SP
$174 AP$1 4SP
$195 AP$1 4SP
$222 AP$1 8SP
$304 AP$2 10SP
CHC-TRG $125 AP$1 4SP non-stop flight
$146 AP$2 16SP via AKL
$173 AP$2 8SP non-stop
$173 AP$4 17SP via AKL
I have to pay three times a Grab-a-Seat rate to get the same earning. For $63 more I don't earn as much as an ATR trip to DUD. If I transit AKL I earn disproportionately more than on the non-stop.
The whole earn rate is a mess. I will still qualify for elite but this earn rate will distort my choice of flight and routing.
#2
Ever thought about just forgetting status and earn rates? Just fly. If need be, just buy koru?
If you're going to start putting yourself out by flying weird routings then it really is time to take a good hard look at what is worth it and what's not. I just think, at times there's plenty of other stuff that goes wrong with travel, trying to think your way through and around SP APD etc is just an added headache you probably don't need.
I'd probably prefer the jet from CHC-AKL then the short hop to TRG than the ATR direct but also depends on schedule etc.
I realise it doesn't fix NZ's earn formula but I really don't believe any postings here are going to change it either.
If you're going to start putting yourself out by flying weird routings then it really is time to take a good hard look at what is worth it and what's not. I just think, at times there's plenty of other stuff that goes wrong with travel, trying to think your way through and around SP APD etc is just an added headache you probably don't need.
I'd probably prefer the jet from CHC-AKL then the short hop to TRG than the ATR direct but also depends on schedule etc.
I realise it doesn't fix NZ's earn formula but I really don't believe any postings here are going to change it either.
#3
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Programs: Krisflyer, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Air NZ Airpoints, Koru, and former *G
Posts: 203
Welcome to the world of the regional flyer these days .. as NZbutterfly suggests I now focus on where I want to go and getting there as efficiently as I can, rather than maximising earn (which would drive me mad).
#4
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: NZ Elite *G, HHonors Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 3,971
I've said it before and I'll say it again. Airpoints is one of the most complex FPPs in the world and I don't even think Air NZ know how earn works.
APD and SP earn is a complex formula based on route, aircraft type and fare paid. I suspect even Einstein would struggle to understand it.
APD and SP earn is a complex formula based on route, aircraft type and fare paid. I suspect even Einstein would struggle to understand it.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE, Qantas Platinum, Accor Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 378
Ever thought about just forgetting status and earn rates? Just fly. If need be, just buy koru?
If you're going to start putting yourself out by flying weird routings then it really is time to take a good hard look at what is worth it and what's not. I just think, at times there's plenty of other stuff that goes wrong with travel, trying to think your way through and around SP APD etc is just an added headache you probably don't need.
I'd probably prefer the jet from CHC-AKL then the short hop to TRG than the ATR direct but also depends on schedule etc.
I realise it doesn't fix NZ's earn formula but I really don't believe any postings here are going to change it either.
If you're going to start putting yourself out by flying weird routings then it really is time to take a good hard look at what is worth it and what's not. I just think, at times there's plenty of other stuff that goes wrong with travel, trying to think your way through and around SP APD etc is just an added headache you probably don't need.
I'd probably prefer the jet from CHC-AKL then the short hop to TRG than the ATR direct but also depends on schedule etc.
I realise it doesn't fix NZ's earn formula but I really don't believe any postings here are going to change it either.
#6
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: NZ GE, QF
Posts: 233
I know that NZ cut their regional earn rates in half for reasons only known to them - perhaps to clear out some of the Koru Lounges?
However, I have some travel regionally and the whole earn rates seem to be illogical. For travel in October:
DUD-CHC $65 fare earns AP$1 and 8SP
$118 AP$1 8SP
$141 AP$4 12SP
DUD-PMR $131 AP$1 4SP
$174 AP$1 4SP
$195 AP$1 4SP
$222 AP$1 8SP
$304 AP$2 10SP
CHC-TRG $125 AP$1 4SP non-stop flight
$146 AP$2 16SP via AKL
$173 AP$2 8SP non-stop
$173 AP$4 17SP via AKL
I have to pay three times a Grab-a-Seat rate to get the same earning. For $63 more I don't earn as much as an ATR trip to DUD. If I transit AKL I earn disproportionately more than on the non-stop.
The whole earn rate is a mess. I will still qualify for elite but this earn rate will distort my choice of flight and routing.
However, I have some travel regionally and the whole earn rates seem to be illogical. For travel in October:
DUD-CHC $65 fare earns AP$1 and 8SP
$118 AP$1 8SP
$141 AP$4 12SP
DUD-PMR $131 AP$1 4SP
$174 AP$1 4SP
$195 AP$1 4SP
$222 AP$1 8SP
$304 AP$2 10SP
CHC-TRG $125 AP$1 4SP non-stop flight
$146 AP$2 16SP via AKL
$173 AP$2 8SP non-stop
$173 AP$4 17SP via AKL
I have to pay three times a Grab-a-Seat rate to get the same earning. For $63 more I don't earn as much as an ATR trip to DUD. If I transit AKL I earn disproportionately more than on the non-stop.
The whole earn rate is a mess. I will still qualify for elite but this earn rate will distort my choice of flight and routing.
I doubt you'll hear too many complaints from the main-trunk flyers about the issue because any changes would most likely disadvantage them, and I doubt NZ cares because of their virtual monopoly.
#7

Or do a massive status run some time during the year then cruise for the rest of it?
Alternatively if you enjoy the thought processes & planning around maximizing earn throughout your year then Air NZ just made the game a lot more interesting for you.
#8
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Programs: Krisflyer, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Air NZ Airpoints, Koru, and former *G
Posts: 203
It’s all crazy...!
I earned 10 SP today for a regional ATR flight, and will get 13 SP tomorrow for the return. Much more generous than recent trips, and these were not expensive fares.
Compare this with my next booking (ZQN to MEL) in a couple of weeks, the works, where I will only receive 12 SP each way for short haul international, which in dollar terms cost several multiples of todays domestic trip.
who can figure it ....
I earned 10 SP today for a regional ATR flight, and will get 13 SP tomorrow for the return. Much more generous than recent trips, and these were not expensive fares.
Compare this with my next booking (ZQN to MEL) in a couple of weeks, the works, where I will only receive 12 SP each way for short haul international, which in dollar terms cost several multiples of todays domestic trip.
who can figure it ....
#9
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: NZ Elite *G, HHonors Diamond, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 3,971
SP/APD earn excludes taxes. Remember the first $180 - $200 of your flight to Aussie is tax so for a $350 - $400 return flight the 8 SP you get each way is similar to domestic earn on a $75 - $100 O/W flight.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Twizel, New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand Gold
Posts: 64
Interestingly I brought cheap ($19) GAS WLG-ZQN-WLG, with both sectors earning 10SP...... Odd being that all other GAS seem to be 4SP
#11
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 5,513
Its just hard to be an loyal NZ FF these days at all, if only it was Qantas Link (not JQ) flighting the Q300s around the country. I've got to the point of really just taking the cheapest flight, there is little point being loyal to NZ anymore.
#12
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: Air NZ Koru, Air NZ ELT *G, IHG Rewards Spire Elite, Emirates, Flying Blue, QANTAS
Posts: 168
In the last 2 weeks I have noticed my actual earn per flights for A$ and SP have been higher than the potential earn indicated. This for jet flights. Probably by about 5% I reckon. But in saying that I have noticed a reduction in both A$ and SP for a long time booked and paid for Business and PE return freight AKL SGN 22/9 - 6/10.
#13
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ Silver
Posts: 1,659
I flew DUD-PMR (via WLG) on seat + bag recently and earned 1APD and 4SP....couple of days before that I flew DUD-AKL on a dirt cheap sale fare (seat only) and got 1.4APD and 8SP. DUD-PMR isn't cheap and 4SP is a bit of an insult.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: AKL
Programs: NZ Silver
Posts: 1,659
Are JQ even that bad, or any worse than NZ? I feel like they are get an unfair go these days as IME they have improved a lot in terms of reliability
#15
Did hear the idea for JQ to run Q300 between WLG/AKL so could up frequency. Slightly slower plane though faster boarding & disembarking makes up the time difference. Would mean they could handle IRROP better & get more Govt travelers who have to pick cheapest flight in hour window (think it's an hour), know some who pick travel times to ensure JQ not in window