Release of award seats (X)
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Release of award seats (X)
New to NZ forums. Long time UA flyer looking to book award travel to the South Island (NSN or CHC). Overwater segment is UA 917, SFO-AKL. No reasonable time X class available for the domestic segment at present so one way trip SFO- NSN or SFO-CHC prices out at 100K miles versus 40K miles.
Question......what methodology does NZ follow in releasing X fares? Is there is a possibility that additional award space will be released? TIA
Question......what methodology does NZ follow in releasing X fares? Is there is a possibility that additional award space will be released? TIA
#2
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,119
Air NZ offers up limited reward seats.
Depending on when you're flying you're potentially stupid to book an award flight though when both routes offer huge numbers of entry level fares from around US$35
Depending on when you're flying you're potentially stupid to book an award flight though when both routes offer huge numbers of entry level fares from around US$35
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,418
Are you purchasing with UA miles (sounds like it from the number involved)? I'm slightly confused, but if that's the case the NZ segments should not be directly affecting anything as partner metal is only ever available in partner (UA Saver - rbd X) level or not at all (cannot redeem miles). Sounds like the problem would be on the UA end.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lahaina, HI & Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 2,403
Are you purchasing with UA miles (sounds like it from the number involved)? I'm slightly confused, but if that's the case the NZ segments should not be directly affecting anything as partner metal is only ever available in partner (UA Saver - rbd X) level or not at all (cannot redeem miles). Sounds like the problem would be on the UA end.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,026
I am trying to book with UA miles. Pricing out on UA site is 40K SFO-AKL-NSN/CHC each way if X is available on the AKL-NSN or AKL-CHC segments. If X is not available, the trip prices out at 100K miles. Will pay cash price for the NZ domestic segment if I can't get the award to price out at 40K, subject to ability to check luggage through and protection in event of irregular opps. (I'm trying to save the cost of the final segment that would otherwise be free if X were available).
You have to clear immigration & customs with all your carry-on and checked baggage at AKL. Bags will not be through checked I to D at AKL. After immigration you take your bags to Air NZ check-in/bag drop area. Then walk the line or take the free bus over to the domestic terminal.
On separate tickets allow plenty of time. I would not be rely on Air NZ irrops protection. That may/may not happen.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,418
I am trying to book with UA miles. Pricing out on UA site is 40K SFO-AKL-NSN/CHC each way if X is available on the AKL-NSN or AKL-CHC segments. If X is not available, the trip prices out at 100K miles. Will pay cash price for the NZ domestic segment if I can't get the award to price out at 40K, subject to ability to check luggage through and protection in event of irregular opps. (I'm trying to save the cost of the final segment that would otherwise be free if X were available).
#8
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS), VA Platinum
Posts: 1,672
Or book paid flexitime - you can change your flight on the day of travel free of charge online and there are a lot of flights form AKL-CHC and reasonable number to NSN.
Book the cheapest flight on the day then after midnight on the day of travel change to the actual flight you want. You'll know if your flight's on time by then.