Does *G Still Get Free Seat Selection on NZ Domestic Flights?
Feb 12, 2026 | 3:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, BAEC Gold, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
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Does *G Still Get Free Seat Selection on NZ Domestic Flights?
It used to be you could call NZ and get free seat selection, including up front, on a Seat + Bag fare. Is that still true?
Thanks…
Thanks…
Last edited by Explore; Feb 12, 2026 at 3:22 pm
Feb 12, 2026 | 4:07 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,559
It was never a published or documented perk then or now.
Depending on who you get in the call centre they may or may not help and assign it for you. But think it is leaning more towards more no these days, seem to hear about more no than yes.
Depending on who you get in the call centre they may or may not help and assign it for you. But think it is leaning more towards more no these days, seem to hear about more no than yes.
Feb 12, 2026 | 4:54 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
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Posts: 12,706
There are reports of check-in staff at premium desks, or call centre staff, assigning HVC seats when asked. YMMV.
Feb 12, 2026 | 5:44 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, BAEC Gold, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,940
Last edited by Explore; Feb 12, 2026 at 5:49 pm
Feb 12, 2026 | 6:04 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
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Posts: 12,706
Thanks…alternatively I see that I can pay 40% less for seats by booking on the NZ site, since Air NZ doesn’t adjust ancillary fees to different currencies, at least those valued at more than the NZ dollar. I assume this wouldn’t apply for those valued less, such as the Japanese yen?
Feb 12, 2026 | 8:45 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NZ
Posts: 462
But not even premium seating anymore - it still makes you pay $10 to select any normal seat on manage my booking if you're *G.
Feb 12, 2026 | 8:53 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,559
It was only a bug in the past that meant *G were treated as AirNZ Gold for seat selection. The AirNZ web site text never said *G got any free seat select HVC or standard and *A doesn't have it as perk either.
Feb 13, 2026 | 1:26 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 386
NZ's system couldn't differentiate NZ*G and other *G - just all show up as Gold which is why back in the days you could select those HVC seats as non-NZ*Gs.
Then they patched it up halfway. The seat select tool now has the ability to filter off non-NZ*Gs. But if you call up call centre, what will happen is they won't be using the patched-up seat select front end, so theoretically they may continue to assign you HVC seats. However keep in mind recently the call centre staff started charging a $30 service fee for manually doing anything that can be done online, including seat assignment. So that basically amounts to the same as paying for seats in the newly opened paid "legroom" section (typically row 3 and 4).
Then they patched it up halfway. The seat select tool now has the ability to filter off non-NZ*Gs. But if you call up call centre, what will happen is they won't be using the patched-up seat select front end, so theoretically they may continue to assign you HVC seats. However keep in mind recently the call centre staff started charging a $30 service fee for manually doing anything that can be done online, including seat assignment. So that basically amounts to the same as paying for seats in the newly opened paid "legroom" section (typically row 3 and 4).