OPO-FRA-SIN-AKL-DUD advice?
Aug 23, 23, 5:14 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand Airpoints - Gold Elite, Velocity - Platinum, Qantas - Gold
Posts: 180
OPO-FRA-SIN-AKL-DUD advice?
Just hoping for any advice around booking this hellish trip from Porto back to Dunedin for mid next year. My preferred option would be with Lufthansa for the first leg, Singapore Airlines for the next, then Air NZ metal from SIN-AKL-DUD. 35 hours all up. I've got Airpoints I'm keen to use, but my understanding is that can only be for the Air NZ operated legs. So does anyone have any advice on the best way of booking this? I'm guessing it's too tricky to do online and probably needs to be done through a travel agent? If I want to use Airpoints will I have to book the Air NZ legs separately? Ideally, it would be good to be all on the same ticket to allow for any delays/missed connections.
Aug 23, 23, 5:36 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: NZ*E, Accor Gold
Posts: 97
You could try the partner airlines portal which allows you to book tickets on other airlines using airpoints. Looks like limited availability, but FRA/SFO/AKL/DUD for example is available late Oct.
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/partner-reward-flights
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/partner-reward-flights
Aug 23, 23, 1:32 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 9,591
Just be careful on using a mix of Airpoints and real money (Flexipay) as the SP earn is only 20% irrespective if the cash/$APD split.
Might need separate tickets and accept the need to build in a long layover.
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/airpoints-flexipay
Might need separate tickets and accept the need to build in a long layover.
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/airpoints-flexipay
Yes, you can earn Airpoints Dollars and Status Points on all eligible Airpoints Flexipay flight bookings.
You will earn Airpoints Dollars and Status Points at 20% of the standard earn rate that applies to Air New Zealand and partner airline flights.
For more information, please refer to our Airpoints calculatorand the Airpoints Flexipay terms and conditions. Note Grabaseat terms apply to Grabaseat bookings made with Airpoints Flexipay (New Zealand).
You will earn Airpoints Dollars and Status Points at 20% of the standard earn rate that applies to Air New Zealand and partner airline flights.
For more information, please refer to our Airpoints calculatorand the Airpoints Flexipay terms and conditions. Note Grabaseat terms apply to Grabaseat bookings made with Airpoints Flexipay (New Zealand).
Last edited by Thai-Kiwi; Aug 23, 23 at 1:37 pm
Aug 23, 23, 2:46 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: YYZ/SFO/AKL
Programs: NZ*G, back of the bus UA, corner of the MLL AC.
Posts: 373
Basically no way of using flexipay on anything but ex-NZ tickets last time I checked, cash fare probably the best option.
Have you already booked/flown an outbound? There's some pretty attractive LH fares ex-NZ that you could use to do this.
I'd also try and get on SIN-CHC if your dates line up to avoid AKL altogether, unless you need NZ stock for an RU or something which is probably $$$ more anyway.
Have you already booked/flown an outbound? There's some pretty attractive LH fares ex-NZ that you could use to do this.
I'd also try and get on SIN-CHC if your dates line up to avoid AKL altogether, unless you need NZ stock for an RU or something which is probably $$$ more anyway.
Aug 23, 23, 2:57 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand Airpoints - Gold Elite, Velocity - Platinum, Qantas - Gold
Posts: 180
You could try the partner airlines portal which allows you to book tickets on other airlines using airpoints. Looks like limited availability, but FRA/SFO/AKL/DUD for example is available late Oct.
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/partner-reward-flights
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/partner-reward-flights
Aug 23, 23, 2:58 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand Airpoints - Gold Elite, Velocity - Platinum, Qantas - Gold
Posts: 180
Just be careful on using a mix of Airpoints and real money (Flexipay) as the SP earn is only 20% irrespective if the cash/$APD split.
Might need separate tickets and accept the need to build in a long layover.
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/airpoints-flexipay
Might need separate tickets and accept the need to build in a long layover.
https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/airpoints-flexipay
Aug 23, 23, 3:15 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dunedin, New Zealand
Programs: Air New Zealand Airpoints - Gold Elite, Velocity - Platinum, Qantas - Gold
Posts: 180
Basically no way of using flexipay on anything but ex-NZ tickets last time I checked, cash fare probably the best option.
Have you already booked/flown an outbound? There's some pretty attractive LH fares ex-NZ that you could use to do this.
I'd also try and get on SIN-CHC if your dates line up to avoid AKL altogether, unless you need NZ stock for an RU or something which is probably $$$ more anyway.
Have you already booked/flown an outbound? There's some pretty attractive LH fares ex-NZ that you could use to do this.
I'd also try and get on SIN-CHC if your dates line up to avoid AKL altogether, unless you need NZ stock for an RU or something which is probably $$$ more anyway.
Aug 23, 23, 3:39 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,482
One way trip?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porto_Airport
Start from another EU airport? Not OPO.
You may get better options with non Star Alliance airlines.
Air NZ routes are very limited, AU & USA (&YVR) focused
Freq flyer points/status etc are not everything.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porto_Airport
Start from another EU airport? Not OPO.
You may get better options with non Star Alliance airlines.
Air NZ routes are very limited, AU & USA (&YVR) focused
Freq flyer points/status etc are not everything.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Aug 23, 23 at 6:20 pm
Aug 23, 23, 4:40 pm
#10
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK / NZ
Programs: NZ*G, BAEC Gold
Posts: 20
I've booked a few business fares through the portal on different star carriers - sometimes it can be great value, sometimes not... The portal should show every class that is available on star carriers + some partners - try booking a close in LH trip e.g. FRA to SIN next monday and you will see availability in Y/J/F (LH tends to release a lot of availability in all cabins just before departure). I find it's generally easier to search for star alliance availability using the United award search tool, the availability on there for star partners should be the same as Air NZ has access too even if the tool doesnt show them.
Aug 23, 23, 4:48 pm
#11
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE, Qantas Platinum, Accor Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 847
I've recently booked a Turkish/Air NZ combo fare because the rate in J-class was so goo. Two other people I know have grabbed TK ticketed flights to NZ via SIN, flying TK from Europe via IST then Air NZ from SIN to AKL.
I think TK is hard-currency hungry these days so is dropping some good fares into the market.
My Fare XXX-AKL-SIN-IST-XXX and back was NZ$7,500.
People I know are paying similar amounts.
I think TK is hard-currency hungry these days so is dropping some good fares into the market.
My Fare XXX-AKL-SIN-IST-XXX and back was NZ$7,500.
People I know are paying similar amounts.
Aug 24, 23, 12:26 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ Elite, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 864
I've recently booked a Turkish/Air NZ combo fare because the rate in J-class was so goo. Two other people I know have grabbed TK ticketed flights to NZ via SIN, flying TK from Europe via IST then Air NZ from SIN to AKL.
I think TK is hard-currency hungry these days so is dropping some good fares into the market.
My Fare XXX-AKL-SIN-IST-XXX and back was NZ$7,500.
People I know are paying similar amounts.
I think TK is hard-currency hungry these days so is dropping some good fares into the market.
My Fare XXX-AKL-SIN-IST-XXX and back was NZ$7,500.
People I know are paying similar amounts.
I find that my business travellers don't want to use them as their schedules don't work for their needs. Leisure clients on the other hand jump at the chance for J return when they're around the $8K mark - especially for those who are used to paying for PE on NZ...
Aug 24, 23, 10:05 pm
#14
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE, Qantas Platinum, Accor Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 847
I like that they have real business class seats for their European flights and many flights have widebody business class (I flew HAM-IST on an A330 last year).
Stick to the A350/787 for a newer J-class seat where they have single seats - the 77W seats are lie flat but 2x3x2 - so not great for the single traveller.
