New *A reward chart and online booking
Nov 7, 2018, 8:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,595
New *A reward chart and online booking
Without prior notice, finally NZ has destroyed the last valuable redemption option and changed zone based *A redemption chart to distance based, which has seem all long haul premium cabin rates significantly increased. For instance, Asia to Europe one way in Business used to cost APD 1215 and now it's likely APD 1750 depending on distance. Most other long haul flights that used to cost around APD 1500 will cost APD 2000 now. First Class long haul flights used to be only a few hundred APD more than Business and now we are seeing this doubled.
Due to Star Alliance requirement that asks all member airlines to bring partner redemption function online by the end of the year, NZ has been forced to revamp the reward chart. One of the reasons why NZ were reluctant to bring it online is that they didn't want members to redeem APD on partners because the rates were just too good compared to NZ's any seat for sale, especially in premium cabins. They wanted you to believe the advantage in redeeming on NZ services because you can always get the flight you want and *A redemption tickets are extremely limited. But now it's online and everything is visible so they increased the rates. They are really living up to the reputation of having the worst FFP in the world.
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/airl...r-reward-chart
Due to Star Alliance requirement that asks all member airlines to bring partner redemption function online by the end of the year, NZ has been forced to revamp the reward chart. One of the reasons why NZ were reluctant to bring it online is that they didn't want members to redeem APD on partners because the rates were just too good compared to NZ's any seat for sale, especially in premium cabins. They wanted you to believe the advantage in redeeming on NZ services because you can always get the flight you want and *A redemption tickets are extremely limited. But now it's online and everything is visible so they increased the rates. They are really living up to the reputation of having the worst FFP in the world.
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/airl...r-reward-chart
Nov 7, 2018, 10:48 pm
#3
Ambassador: Air New Zealand
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Wellington NZ
Programs: NZ Elite, EK Gold, Qatar Gold, Amex Plat, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,424
Online Booking results.
I used a range of locations. Most resulted in:
I did get:
WLG-MEL in Business APD700 + $54.04 taxes
I used a range of locations. Most resulted in:
Sorry, fares for the selected route are not available for purchase on the website. Please change locations and search again or call us on 0800 737 000 to complete your booking.
WLG-MEL in Business APD700 + $54.04 taxes
Nov 7, 2018, 11:26 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: Air New Zealand Elite
Posts: 445
So they’ve removed any sweet spots they had on their chart. Not that you could ever book any partner awards with air Nz. That *A requirement that they have online redemption functionality obviously flushed them out. Luckily there are other options...
Tried their *online redemption* function. Got that message about no availability and to ring the call centre. Wonder if that even qualifies as being online redemption booking system. There is minimal detail there unlike other airline sites. They must have access to the same award availability as United so would be interesting to see if UA is showing availability then will Air Nz let you book it?
Tried their *online redemption* function. Got that message about no availability and to ring the call centre. Wonder if that even qualifies as being online redemption booking system. There is minimal detail there unlike other airline sites. They must have access to the same award availability as United so would be interesting to see if UA is showing availability then will Air Nz let you book it?
Last edited by Ellice; Nov 7, 2018 at 11:31 pm Reason: Add detail
Nov 8, 2018, 3:05 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BNE
Programs: NZ*G, QF Bronze, VA Red
Posts: 563
Nov 8, 2018, 3:30 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,595
Nov 8, 2018, 3:31 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: NZ*G ELT, VA-G
Posts: 3,595
Nov 8, 2018, 4:05 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 644
Without prior notice, finally NZ has destroyed the last valuable redemption option and changed zone based *A redemption chart to distance based, which has seem all long haul premium cabin rates significantly increased. For instance, Asia to Europe one way in Business used to cost APD 1215 and now it's likely APD 1750 depending on distance. Most other long haul flights that used to cost around APD 1500 will cost APD 2000 now. First Class long haul flights used to be only a few hundred APD more than Business and now we are seeing this doubled.
Due to Star Alliance requirement that asks all member airlines to bring partner redemption function online by the end of the year, NZ has been forced to revamp the reward chart. One of the reasons why NZ were reluctant to bring it online is that they didn't want members to redeem APD on partners because the rates were just too good compared to NZ's any seat for sale, especially in premium cabins. They wanted you to believe the advantage in redeeming on NZ services because you can always get the flight you want and *A redemption tickets are extremely limited. But now it's online and everything is visible so they increased the rates. They are really living up to the reputation of having the worst FFP in the world.
Due to Star Alliance requirement that asks all member airlines to bring partner redemption function online by the end of the year, NZ has been forced to revamp the reward chart. One of the reasons why NZ were reluctant to bring it online is that they didn't want members to redeem APD on partners because the rates were just too good compared to NZ's any seat for sale, especially in premium cabins. They wanted you to believe the advantage in redeeming on NZ services because you can always get the flight you want and *A redemption tickets are extremely limited. But now it's online and everything is visible so they increased the rates. They are really living up to the reputation of having the worst FFP in the world.
But what else is NZ to do? ...since you earn F* all APD flying anyway.
People could earn all the NZ APD they need on their CC spend, then fly a far superior airline, with far better food without having to put up wtih cringe worthy inflight safety videos.
Last edited by poopbunny; Nov 8, 2018 at 3:57 pm
Nov 8, 2018, 4:21 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BNE
Programs: NZ*G, QF Bronze, VA Red
Posts: 563
That's because you cannot book award seats online. At all. You must call the contact centre, like it says on the website.
Nov 8, 2018, 6:56 am
#11
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 908
I've got an Aussie Airpoints account and the new online booking link just ends up on a page saying "Partner Redemptions aren't available in your country".
A bit disappointing but as the rates are so poor anyway it doesn't really make a huge difference.
A bit disappointing but as the rates are so poor anyway it doesn't really make a huge difference.
Nov 8, 2018, 11:57 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 7
Without prior notice, finally NZ has destroyed the last valuable redemption option and changed zone based *A redemption chart to distance based, which has seem all long haul premium cabin rates significantly increased. For instance, Asia to Europe one way in Business used to cost APD 1215 and now it's likely APD 1750 depending on distance. Most other long haul flights that used to cost around APD 1500 will cost APD 2000 now.
I'm not sure paying 1750 APD + Taxes and surcharges is good value in comparison :
Nov 8, 2018, 1:17 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,100
You can use the new online booking engine to book flights and no extra fees or surcharges apply other than taxes (ie you don't pay the $100 any longer).
I played with it yesterday and found plenty of availability on lots of random routes but nothing in anything but economy class.
I played with it yesterday and found plenty of availability on lots of random routes but nothing in anything but economy class.
Nov 8, 2018, 2:32 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BNE
Programs: NZ*G, QF Bronze, VA Red
Posts: 563
You can use the new online booking engine to book flights and no extra fees or surcharges apply other than taxes (ie you don't pay the $100 any longer).
I played with it yesterday and found plenty of availability on lots of random routes but nothing in anything but economy class.
I played with it yesterday and found plenty of availability on lots of random routes but nothing in anything but economy class.
Still, localised Air New Zealand websites all say you must call the contact centre for all bookings. New Zealand's website says you can book simple point to point journeys (i.e. no multi-city, no layovers, no transfers). Probably why xiaotung found nothing when searching.
Nov 8, 2018, 3:19 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: AKL
Programs: A3, AA, AF, AS, BA, SQ, UA, US, IHG, SPG
Posts: 352
Bye bye Lufthansa/Asiana/ANA First Class. I will miss you a lot. 
Hello short-haul economy class! Airpoints just became the Avios of the South Pacific - sector & distance based, and probably more values lie in cow (or Fonterra?) class.
Airpoints' search engine and the programme value Make America (translation: United Mileage Plus) Great Again!
Hello short-haul economy class! Airpoints just became the Avios of the South Pacific - sector & distance based, and probably more values lie in cow (or Fonterra?) class.
Airpoints' search engine and the programme value Make America (translation: United Mileage Plus) Great Again!