Was reviewing long haul travel for Jul today, and looked for change fees. Whilst doing so I noted that for tickets booked from 10 Dec 2025, AirNZ increased change and cancellation fees for Global Saver fares. Anybody notice these, or other increases around this time?

Cancellation fee per one way journey (Global Saver only)
Economy $150 now $200
Prem Ec $200 now $300
Business $250 now $400

Booking Change fee per one way sector
Econ & Prem Ec $50 now $100 (Global Sale & Saver)
Business $100 unchanged (Global Sale and Saver)

I didn't notice this, but I don't think they seem too excessive either. J cancellation fee is a bit harsh though...

Domestic Change Fees have also gone up - from $50 to $60

surely the price of oil doesn't affect cancellation fees

General cost of living. Power bills for the datacentres?

That�s why there was a ��

they already use those reasons for increased flight costs

Prior to COVID, I only boight Global Saver fares or sale fares, and these were, as far as I recall, were non-refundable. I was cheap. Then COVID hit, I had a non refundable ticket to EZE. Since NZ eventually cancelled the route, I was refunded my fare.

This did teach me a lesson to buy refundable tickets - which to me were the fully flex fares.

I noticed recently that Global Saver are now refundable, I don't know when this happened or if in deed it was always the case. While many people bemoan that NZ tickets are expensive compared to other airlines, having refundability and changeability on a saver fare with at a reasonable price (even with these price increases) is nice piece of mind.

I looked at China Eastern fares and while these were cheap. and saw the cancellation fee for Y and J was $1,500!

I had a Global Sale fare to SFO in March 2020 which was refunded in full (not a credit) upon my request. I'm not sure if that was because of DOT rules or maybe I was just lucky?

DOT Rules. I got the same for a LAX flight.

DOT rules I would think, but who knows. Have a read at what is in here: https://www.airnzagent.co.nz/refund-...ts-under-usdot

A friend of mine booked a RT global saver ticket recently. He had to cancel for personal (but not compassionate) reasons and was able to get a credit for the full amount he paid (rather than a refund less $300 cancellation fee).

I thought that was rather generous, but is something I would proactively seek if I was ever in that situation.

I had a hold on a global saver fare in the new year sale. But then saw its non refundable. So elected to pay $400 more to get a refundable fare.

I assume this was a global sale fare (like the New Year sale and other advertised sales through email etc) which is non-refundable. F class fares are even more restrictive (no upgrades).

Global saver fares are refundable, minus a fee.