AKL-LHR on NZ best options
Feb 27, 2019, 4:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Wellington
Programs: AirNZ Airpoints Elite
Posts: 121
AKL-LHR on NZ best options
Gidday
Planning a trip in May/June, probably via LAX.
I’m *G so don’t mind a few hours sampling longes there, one flight option gives us about 4 hrs. What is the terminal/security:time situation for this?
Will also want to upgrade Y- PE one or both legs with OneUp or RU’s - any advice on days:times which have more availability for this?
Also any good options for a return (pretty much any Euro airport) on Star Alliance with NZ earn?
Cheers
Planning a trip in May/June, probably via LAX.
I’m *G so don’t mind a few hours sampling longes there, one flight option gives us about 4 hrs. What is the terminal/security:time situation for this?
Will also want to upgrade Y- PE one or both legs with OneUp or RU’s - any advice on days:times which have more availability for this?
Also any good options for a return (pretty much any Euro airport) on Star Alliance with NZ earn?
Cheers
Feb 27, 2019, 5:16 pm
#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
I always prefer a Nz6 to NZ2 or 1 to 5 connection, simply because it gives time for a shower and some fresh LA air.
If you have bags you will need to collect them and drop at the connection bag drop.
If you have bags you will need to collect them and drop at the connection bag drop.
Feb 27, 2019, 5:45 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,638
Lounges? I thought there was only the one lounge which is the *A lounge. Sure there is the air side connection to the UA lounges but not sure they are worth the walk.
Feb 27, 2019, 7:16 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,100
A walk for the Polaris may be worth it for BP pax but IMHO it's pretty hard to beat sitting outside on a nice afternoon or evening at the *A lounge.
Feb 28, 2019, 12:40 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: NZ Silver A3 Gold Qantas Gold Accor Platinum
Posts: 223
When booking oneway I generally look at flights out of Milan, Amsterdam, Munich or Frankfurt. Have just booked a PE with Singapore Munich/Auckland 6 day stopover Singapore for $2100 NZD . Last year got Milan/Auckland Business on Thai $2300 NZD which included a 7 day stopover. On a consistant basis have found that Milan gives the best price point if flexible on dates.
Feb 28, 2019, 1:47 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Wellington
Programs: AirNZ Airpoints Elite
Posts: 121
Yes, *Lounge looks good.
No tips from from you Flytalkers on other ?’s?
Prices still good around mid-May one way (Y&PE) even after the last big sale, could be good indication of loads I guess.
What would be a good strategy for upgrade, RU vs OneUp? Don’t see many posts on either on these legs.
No tips from from you Flytalkers on other ?’s?
Prices still good around mid-May one way (Y&PE) even after the last big sale, could be good indication of loads I guess.
What would be a good strategy for upgrade, RU vs OneUp? Don’t see many posts on either on these legs.
Feb 28, 2019, 1:58 am
#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
There isn't much to say about OneUp's.
There would be no reason to ever bid via OneUp if you have RUs available, or if you don't have OneUp's can access APD upgrades from an Elite.
Availability of upgrades comes down to luck so there is very little else to say in the topic.
There would be no reason to ever bid via OneUp if you have RUs available, or if you don't have OneUp's can access APD upgrades from an Elite.
Availability of upgrades comes down to luck so there is very little else to say in the topic.
Feb 28, 2019, 2:35 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,638
What lounges are you wanting suggestions on? As people have said there isn't really other options. Unless in business and want to hike down to the UA Porlaris lounge via the airside bridge and tunnels
Feb 28, 2019, 4:30 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NZ
Programs: NZ Gold, BA Gold, QF Silver, IHG Platinum Elite Ambassador, Accor Diamond
Posts: 1,048
Very generally your chances of upgrades are better on mid-week flights than on Fridays or Saturdays, and you can't really know availability until a week or so beforehand because you can't anticipate bookings too far out. Scandinavia typically is cheap for business class and not bad for premium economy to Australia/NZ usually on SQ (sometimes SK codeshare), as long as you are flexible about where you fly to (Sydney and Auckland are harder to get compared to Melbourne or Adelaide, but depends how much you're willing to pay to get from there to your final destination). In Y if you want to earn and have a chance at upgrades, just stick to NZ via LHR.
Feb 28, 2019, 10:12 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Wellington
Programs: AirNZ Airpoints Elite
Posts: 121
Very generally your chances of upgrades are better on mid-week flights than on Fridays or Saturdays, and you can't really know availability until a week or so beforehand because you can't anticipate bookings too far out. Scandinavia typically is cheap for business class and not bad for premium economy to Australia/NZ usually on SQ (sometimes SK codeshare), as long as you are flexible about where you fly to (Sydney and Auckland are harder to get compared to Melbourne or Adelaide, but depends how much you're willing to pay to get from there to your final destination). In Y if you want to earn and have a chance at upgrades, just stick to NZ via LHR.
Anyone here flown PE on SQ A350 & can comment on comparison with any NZ PE?
Feb 28, 2019, 10:21 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Wellington
Programs: AirNZ Airpoints Elite
Posts: 121
There isn't much to say about OneUp's.
There would be no reason to ever bid via OneUp if you have RUs available, or if you don't have OneUp's can access APD upgrades from an Elite.
Availability of upgrades comes down to luck so there is very little else to say in the topic.
There would be no reason to ever bid via OneUp if you have RUs available, or if you don't have OneUp's can access APD upgrades from an Elite.
Availability of upgrades comes down to luck so there is very little else to say in the topic.
Accessing APD Upgrades would involve an Elite friend/family member having me on gifting register or is it more simple?
Feb 28, 2019, 10:43 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Wellington
Programs: AirNZ Airpoints Elite
Posts: 121
As an aside...
Was only at LAX twice - inbound from LHR in Y on a near empty NZ 74(?) after a work trip to Denmark/Germany/UK - an hour after an El Al checkin agent was shot. Outbound after a Hunter S Thompson - esque 4 days in LA/Hollywood. Got an OpUp to the old Business Class by agreeing to a 2 or 3 hour delay for next flight. As I recall NZ had own lounge there then- pre Star Alliance days maybe?
Those were the days.. 2002 or something I guess.
Little security, paper tickets...
Was only at LAX twice - inbound from LHR in Y on a near empty NZ 74(?) after a work trip to Denmark/Germany/UK - an hour after an El Al checkin agent was shot. Outbound after a Hunter S Thompson - esque 4 days in LA/Hollywood. Got an OpUp to the old Business Class by agreeing to a 2 or 3 hour delay for next flight. As I recall NZ had own lounge there then- pre Star Alliance days maybe?
Those were the days.. 2002 or something I guess.
Little security, paper tickets...
Mar 1, 2019, 7:39 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DEN
Programs: UA Silver, whatever the Amex plat gets me and somehow still IHG Diamond after 3 years of no nights
Posts: 693