New Zealand master thread
Dec 21, 2017, 9:45 am
#466
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 9
Check with Apex:
https://www.apexrentals.co.nz/new-ze...aspx#locations
https://www.apexrentals.co.nz/new-ze...aspx#locations
We ended up choosing Hertz.
And it was a good choice.
Hassle free, good car, most importantly they are not nitpicky and finding faults.
As long as it is not a major damage (ie noticeable), you're good to go.
We had a blast in NZ
Dec 13, 2018, 12:38 am
#467
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BWI, PHL, IAD
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; Mileage Plus 1K, 1 MM; Global Entry
Posts: 1,516
We will be in NZ for most of March. We are planning to rent places in Aukland, Wellington and Christchurch for a few days each and do day trips from there. If we are mostly going to do organized trips and hit city highlights is it possible to get by with cabs/public transit, or do we really need a car? Is Uber active in NZ?
Also, any recommendations on wineries in the vicinity of those three cities?
How about an update on craft beers? I am a dark beer guy, porters and stouts.
Thanks.
Also, any recommendations on wineries in the vicinity of those three cities?
How about an update on craft beers? I am a dark beer guy, porters and stouts.
Thanks.
Dec 20, 2018, 4:09 pm
#468
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 1
We will be in NZ for most of March. We are planning to rent places in Aukland, Wellington and Christchurch for a few days each and do day trips from there. If we are mostly going to do organized trips and hit city highlights is it possible to get by with cabs/public transit, or do we really need a car? Is Uber active in NZ?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Enjoy the trips. It's one of the most spectacular places on earth.
Dec 20, 2018, 6:39 pm
#469
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,715
You can definitely survive without a car in the cities. We did (with a toddler too). However you are really missing out if you have a month and don’t visit Queenstown. It was my favorite place on the entire trip (though the glaciers were amazing too).
Dec 23, 2018, 5:36 am
#470
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: BWI, PHL, IAD
Programs: Marriott LT Titanium; Mileage Plus 1K, 1 MM; Global Entry
Posts: 1,516
Thanks to both of you for the intel.
Sounds like we will be able to get away without rental cars.
One other question; anyone know of laundries that offer wash and fold services in the cities?
Sounds like we will be able to get away without rental cars.One other question; anyone know of laundries that offer wash and fold services in the cities?
Mar 3, 2020, 10:03 am
#471
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: ATL/SLC
Posts: 3,540
In the US, there are tiers of car rental companies - Hertz and Avis tend to have the newest (and most expensive) rentals, and then there are tiers below that with slightly older cars for a bit less, and they keep working their way down.
How would you describe the tiers of campervan rental companies? Which companies are top-tier, mid-tier and the bottom-of-the-barrel?
How would you describe the tiers of campervan rental companies? Which companies are top-tier, mid-tier and the bottom-of-the-barrel?
Mar 3, 2020, 11:59 am
#472
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,987
In the US, there are tiers of car rental companies - Hertz and Avis tend to have the newest (and most expensive) rentals, and then there are tiers below that with slightly older cars for a bit less, and they keep working their way down.
How would you describe the tiers of campervan rental companies?
Which companies are top-tier, mid-tier and the bottom-of-the-barrel?
How would you describe the tiers of campervan rental companies?
Which companies are top-tier, mid-tier and the bottom-of-the-barrel?
Comparison site:- https://www.vroomvroomvroom.co.nz/campervans/
On this site look at the very bottom on the web page (on a laptop) https://www.apollocamper.co.nz/
But some campervans are bigger than others, so price can vary.
Feb 17, 2022, 3:38 pm
#473
Join Date: Feb 2022
Posts: 5
I generally prefer to get "pre dented' cars. A brand new one is the worst 
. Some brands offer older cars, i.e. Juicy's "El Cheapo". I've had these and took them on gravel roads. Never an issue. Most rentals in NZ are straight forward. By law they have to come with insurance. Without paying extra, the excess (deductible) tends to be high, i.e. NZD3000, but that's the most you ever pay. If you have a credit card or travel insurance that covers the excess, you are golden.
. Some brands offer older cars, i.e. Juicy's "El Cheapo". I've had these and took them on gravel roads. Never an issue. Most rentals in NZ are straight forward. By law they have to come with insurance. Without paying extra, the excess (deductible) tends to be high, i.e. NZD3000, but that's the most you ever pay. If you have a credit card or travel insurance that covers the excess, you are golden.
Dec 22, 2022, 6:10 am
#474
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: QF WP, SQ PPS
Posts: 16
CHC Transfer
Hi all! I’m flying MEL-CHC in late Feb on QF133, landing 1430 NZT then connecting to NSN on either NZ5852 (dep. 1610) else NZ5856 (dep. 1800). I’ll be traveling with checked luggage. Is 1h enough to clear immigration, bag reclaim, and customs - and get to the domestic check in hall for bag drop by 1540 NZT? It seems ambitious, especially given QF133 sometimes lands late… but grateful for any thoughts.
Dec 22, 2022, 6:10 am
#475
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: QF WP, SQ PPS
Posts: 16
CHC Transfer, Int’l - Domestic
Hi all! I’m flying MEL-CHC in late Feb on QF133, landing 1430 NZT then connecting to NSN on either NZ5852 (dep. 1610) else NZ5856 (dep. 1800). I’ll be traveling with checked luggage. Is 1h enough to clear immigration, bag reclaim, and customs - and get to the domestic check in hall for bag drop by 1540 NZT? It seems ambitious, especially given QF133 sometimes lands late… but grateful for any thoughts.
Dec 22, 2022, 10:25 am
#476
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,987
Hi all! I’m flying MEL-CHC in late Feb on QF133, landing 1430 NZT then connecting to NSN on either NZ5852 (dep. 1610) else NZ5856 (dep. 1800). I’ll be traveling with checked luggage. Is 1h enough to clear immigration, bag reclaim, and customs - and get to the domestic check in hall for bag drop by 1540 NZT? It seems ambitious, especially given QF133 sometimes lands late… but grateful for any thoughts.
NZ5852 closing at 15:40 and 1:40hr departure-arrival (16:10 14:30) is a risk I would take on separate tickets if a later flight that could change to.
If separate tickets schedule changes between now & February a risk.
As a user of QF133 flight often arrives early. With e-gate & checked bag I can be out within 20 minutes.. But at times more or less. Depends on how many international flights arrive about the same time. Air NZ SYD flight NZ226 and Air NZ MEL NZ212 flight can arrive about the same time.
Its a 2 minute walk international arrivals to domestic checkin/bag drop. To the right exiting arrivals hall.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Dec 22, 2022 at 10:54 am
Jun 2, 2023, 2:29 pm
#478
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,987
Not sure I understand your question. More details would help. How many hours as transit?
AKL is small. In 15 minutes you will have seen it all.
So just doing a transit at AKL? International to international or international to domestic?
If 1 PNR/ticket any checked bags will be interlined on international flights.
If separate tickets or wanting to go land side will need to clear immigration, customs & bio-security.
-->NZeTA required from 1 October 2019 to visit or transit New Zealand
Jun 2, 2023, 8:17 pm
#479
Join Date: May 2023
Location: NYC
Programs: UA, AC, BA, AA
Posts: 26
AKL airport web site--> https://www.aucklandairport.co.nz/
Not sure I understand your question. More details would help. How many hours as transit?
AKL is small. In 15 minutes you will have seen it all.
So just doing a transit at AKL? International to international or international to domestic?
If 1 PNR/ticket any checked bags will be interlined on international flights.
If separate tickets or wanting to go land side will need to clear immigration, customs & bio-security.
-->NZeTA required from 1 October 2019 to visit or transit New Zealand
Not sure I understand your question. More details would help. How many hours as transit?
AKL is small. In 15 minutes you will have seen it all.
So just doing a transit at AKL? International to international or international to domestic?
If 1 PNR/ticket any checked bags will be interlined on international flights.
If separate tickets or wanting to go land side will need to clear immigration, customs & bio-security.
-->NZeTA required from 1 October 2019 to visit or transit New Zealand
Jun 2, 2023, 8:22 pm
#480
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,987
Allowing for the time to get off the aircraft, go through I to I security, and the time to board before scheduled departure you will have maybe 60-80min in the departures area.
Guess you are on Air NZ.
Depending on your passport you may need an NZeTA visa even for air side transit.
