NZ seat selection as *G
Nov 2, 2022, 8:27 pm
#31
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,200
As recently as 24 Aug I was flying CHC-WLG and put my TG*G number into the booking to access the lounge. I was NZ*S at the time (but not far off NZ*G).
Leaving the lounge I stopped by the service desk and asked staff ti change to ff# to NZ. They wanted to know if I’d been in the lounge, and if so then they were not willing to make the change. I said I had, but was unaware of any publicised AirNZ policy forbidding this, and that I was trying to build status on NZ. They made the change.
Nov 2, 2022, 10:03 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 184
Well, that is either a very recent policy change, or a mistake. I have seen the internal memo issued to staff in that provided direction to not allow this (can’t recall exactly when).
As recently as 24 Aug I was flying CHC-WLG and put my TG*G number into the booking to access the lounge. I was NZ*S at the time (but not far off NZ*G).
Leaving the lounge I stopped by the service desk and asked staff ti change to ff# to NZ. They wanted to know if I’d been in the lounge, and if so then they were not willing to make the change. I said I had, but was unaware of any publicised AirNZ policy forbidding this, and that I was trying to build status on NZ. They made the change.
As recently as 24 Aug I was flying CHC-WLG and put my TG*G number into the booking to access the lounge. I was NZ*S at the time (but not far off NZ*G).
Leaving the lounge I stopped by the service desk and asked staff ti change to ff# to NZ. They wanted to know if I’d been in the lounge, and if so then they were not willing to make the change. I said I had, but was unaware of any publicised AirNZ policy forbidding this, and that I was trying to build status on NZ. They made the change.
Be good to hear from anyone else if they're in the same position in the near future.
Nov 2, 2022, 11:02 pm
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,200
No idea when the change was made. I wonder if it's a case that you wanted to change the FFP # linked to the booking, but if you had your NZ number in the booking from the start, and flashed your TG*G card whenever needed, that would've been fine.
Be good to hear from anyone else if they're in the same position in the near future.
Be good to hear from anyone else if they're in the same position in the near future.
More data points would be good as you say. Thanks for posting your experience.
Mar 5, 2024, 8:41 pm
#34
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: VA Silver, NZ Gold
Posts: 327
My recent experience with this. I have Gold with NZ but want to accrue with a different program. I asked the lounge agent and she said "That's no problem I'll just put your Airpoints number in the service line." aka FQTS. Very accommodating I thought and because I did this in between segments Domestic to International. My domestic flight stayed on Airpoints and the accrual was adjusted in my account from 10 to 8 status points. So it didn't treat the first segment as an international add-on, as the international flight disappeared from Airpoints earn. Now United is a whole other story... they said that using the lounge with my Airpoints Gold and accruing to another programme was considered double dipping...
Mar 6, 2024, 1:19 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,200
My recent experience with this. I have Gold with NZ but want to accrue with a different program. I asked the lounge agent and she said "That's no problem I'll just put your Airpoints number in the service line." aka FQTS. Very accommodating I thought and because I did this in between segments Domestic to International. My domestic flight stayed on Airpoints and the accrual was adjusted in my account from 10 to 8 status points. So it didn't treat the first segment as an international add-on, as the international flight disappeared from Airpoints earn. Now United is a whole other story... they said that using the lounge with my Airpoints Gold and accruing to another programme was considered double dipping...
The email from AirNZ in mid-2022. This was after CHC lounge entry drama…
Kia ora Mr Tha-Kiwi,
Thanks for getting in touch regarding your Frequent flyer benefits.
I am sorry to hear of your disappointment at not being able to access the lounge.
The information provided by the lounge staff is correct. The Airpoints terms and conditions advise (section 10):
When you book your travel, you may only specify one Airline's loyalty programme or frequent flyer programme in your booking. Your loyalty or frequent flyer points will be credited to your chosen programme and you may only access the benefits of the chosen programme for that travel. For example, you cannot earn Airpoints Dollars or Status Points and use the benefits of another Airline's loyalty programme or frequent flyer programme.
If you wish to use your Thai membership to access the lounge then you will need to ensure this is the membership entered to your booking and not your Airpoints membership.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact Air New Zealand.
Ngā mihi,
Rebecca
Gold Service and Support - Email
Air New Zealand
Thanks for getting in touch regarding your Frequent flyer benefits.
I am sorry to hear of your disappointment at not being able to access the lounge.
The information provided by the lounge staff is correct. The Airpoints terms and conditions advise (section 10):
When you book your travel, you may only specify one Airline's loyalty programme or frequent flyer programme in your booking. Your loyalty or frequent flyer points will be credited to your chosen programme and you may only access the benefits of the chosen programme for that travel. For example, you cannot earn Airpoints Dollars or Status Points and use the benefits of another Airline's loyalty programme or frequent flyer programme.
If you wish to use your Thai membership to access the lounge then you will need to ensure this is the membership entered to your booking and not your Airpoints membership.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact Air New Zealand.
Ngā mihi,
Rebecca
Gold Service and Support - Email
Air New Zealand
Last edited by Thai-Kiwi; Mar 6, 2024 at 1:25 am
Apr 8, 2024, 4:14 pm
#36
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
I entered the FF program where I have *G status when making my domestic booking on NZ. Interesting the seat map doesn't reflect that status in that they want to charge for seats. I guess I'll have to call in.
Will my boarding pass reflect that status for lounge entry? If not, will a digital membership card with Air Canada be sufficient?
Thanks....
Will my boarding pass reflect that status for lounge entry? If not, will a digital membership card with Air Canada be sufficient?
Thanks....
Apr 8, 2024, 4:34 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,200
I entered the FF program where I have *G status when making my domestic booking on NZ. Interesting the seat map doesn't reflect that status in that they want to charge for seats. I guess I'll have to call in.
Will my boarding pass reflect that status for lounge entry? If not, will a digital membership card with Air Canada be sufficient?
Thanks....
Will my boarding pass reflect that status for lounge entry? If not, will a digital membership card with Air Canada be sufficient?
Thanks....
Your AC*G should show on the boarding pass for lounge access.
Apr 8, 2024, 4:39 pm
#38
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAS, ZQN
Programs: UA PP (2MM), BA gold
Posts: 2,199
I did use my UA *G FF# and not my NZ Airports# when making the bookings.
Apr 8, 2024, 5:20 pm
#39
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,117
I entered the FF program where I have *G status when making my domestic booking on NZ. Interesting the seat map doesn't reflect that status in that they want to charge for seats. I guess I'll have to call in.
Will my boarding pass reflect that status for lounge entry? If not, will a digital membership card with Air Canada be sufficient?
Thanks....
Will my boarding pass reflect that status for lounge entry? If not, will a digital membership card with Air Canada be sufficient?
Thanks....
Some *A airlines do give you better seats if you ask but this is certainly not guaranteed and should not be expected.
Apr 9, 2024, 5:37 pm
#40
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 187
Sounded like you had a nice agent who did that as a favour, as many have pointed out HVC seating is not a *G benefit (albeit it had been a loophole in NZ's system for a long time)
Apr 9, 2024, 7:23 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,117
Just one thing to be aware of is that this potentially swapped your FQTV and FQTS to your AC FF# by doing this.
You'll get lounge access if it stays like this but if you are an Airpoints member and had any plans to accrue to Airpoints you'll need to check your Airpoints number gets loaded before the flight and as a consequence you will not get lounge access.
You'll get lounge access if it stays like this but if you are an Airpoints member and had any plans to accrue to Airpoints you'll need to check your Airpoints number gets loaded before the flight and as a consequence you will not get lounge access.
Apr 9, 2024, 9:59 pm
#42
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
Calling worked, with a bit of persistence. The agent initially asked if I'd reviewed the standard Star Gold benefits. She said I should select a seat online, and her screen showed there would be a fee. Then she thought to refresh her screen, and was able to assign a seat up front for free.