Checking In To NZ
 

Had a first today. US Passport flying AUS-NZ and was told that they needed to verify my return trip. Not only did they check the itinerary, they called in my UA eticket number to check it's validity. Is this normal? I've only had my return checked on arrival in NZ but never at check in.

Rather unusual to go to that detail - most agents are not as diligent.

Of course, such events should always be prepared for.

Had a QF agent ask me for proof of my return from NZ last week - but nothing to that extent!

If you were travelling on a passport other than AU/NZ, then the entry requirements for NZ ( as a tourist) require that there be an onward journey out of NZ

The airline is responsible to ensure that it does not knowingly transport passengers who do not meet the entry requirements , so the check in staff should always be verifying that a non AU/NZ passport holder is holding an onward ticket

Seems to have been a particularly diligent check in agent to verify the ticket details with UA

Yes. I had this every time that I flew to NZ.

When flying from Glasgow to Auckland I can check in on line but no boarding pass is issued. The supervisor at check-in has to confirm details of my return flight before releasing the issue of boarding passes.

Was this the first time you used a different airline for entry and exit? That may explain it.

We flew BNE to AKL back in Jan and couldn't OLCI (British passports). When we got to the QF desk the agent explained that there was an issue with Mrs EB's passport and they had to call NZ immigration to confirm that she'd be allowed in. Weirdly she'd used the same passport almost 10 years ago to enter NZ just after we were married.

IIRC we were able to print the BPs for the return trip at OLCI.

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QF was often slightly bizarre flying to NZ for me when I commuted the Tasman frequently. Every time I took QF (instead of NZ) they would ask to see my visa for NZ. In my NZ passport.