Baggage allowance on Air NZ for VFF Platnium

[kaz]

Hi

Going to book a Air NZ flight via with Air NZ website (& entering my VFF in the booking). Was wondering if being a VFF Platnium do I get a baggage allowance on Air NZ flights booked thru Air NZ site as I'm thinking of selecting the 'seat only' pricing if I'm allowed 1 x 23kg baggage allowance due to status.

I've looked at Air NZ site but can't locate any definite details
Any advise greatly appreciated.

 

[pblackie]

Looking on the velocity website (Platinum benefits: International Partner) you don't get additional baggage allowance for Tasman flights and for Air NZ domestic flights it specifies the extra 23kg is excluded from seat only fares

 

[TomVexille]

To get the extra bag you need to buy one first.

 

[kaz]

Thanks for the info, I'll make sure to book a seat + baggage

 

[Johnno101]

Don't think you guys are correct as I have as a VFF plat been given the extra allowance the last two times I have travelled seat only. Will look up why and get back to you

 

[pblackie]

Don't think you guys are correct as I have as a VFF plat been given the extra allowance the last two times I have travelled seat only. Will look up why and get back to you

The Velocity website is pretty clear about it, maybe you were lucky the last two times?

- Air New Zealand (Tasman) · Priority Check-in · Priority Baggage · Priority Boarding · Advanced Seat Selection · Lounge Access

- Air New Zealand (Non-Tasman - including NZ domestic and international**) · Priority Check-in · Priority Baggage · Additional checked baggage of one piece up to 23kg^ · Lounge Access **Excludes Pacific Island flights with Air New Zealand. Find out more. ^Excluding domestic itineraries where a 'Seat Only' fare has been purchased

 

[Johnno101]

Yes reading that it appears I was lucky. I know the last time I had to go across to ticketing to persuade them. They agreed and I got two bags on. Thanks for bringing this up because I have another flight with Air NZ later in the year.

 

[roby]

The rules are: If you book with NZ, no elite benefits above the fare allowance. If you book with VA, allowance applies as if it were VA metal.

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Looking on the velocity website (Platinum benefits: International Partner) you don't get additional baggage allowance for Tasman flights and for Air NZ domestic flights it specifies the extra 23kg is excluded from seat only fares

To get the extra bag you need to buy one first.

You are both correct.

To summarise for future reference:
- If you've booked a Tasman itinerary operated by NZ and marketed with a VA flight number, the Virgin Australia domestic & international short haul allowances will apply including any complimentary baggage entitlements for Velocity Status members.

- If you've booked a Tasman itinerary operated by NZ and marketed with a NZ flight number, you will be required to purchase a Seat + Bag fare as a minimum to travel with checked baggage and there is no additional allowance for Velocity Status members.

- On all other NZ services, with the exception of domestic New Zealand services where a Seat Only fare has been purchased which once again means no checked baggage will be permitted, Velocity Gold and Platinum members can enjoy an additional piece of checked baggage weighing up to 23kg.

Hope that helps.

 

[roby]

You are both correct.

To summarise for future reference:
- If you've booked a Tasman itinerary operated by NZ and marketed with a VA flight number, the Virgin Australia domestic & international short haul allowances will apply including any complimentary baggage entitlements for Velocity Status members.

- If you've booked a Tasman itinerary operated by NZ and marketed with a NZ flight number, you will be required to purchase a Seat + Bag fare as a minimum to access any additional baggage entitlements. Unfortunately, in line with what AirPoints members experience, you will not be able to travel with any checked baggage on a Seat Only fare. If you've purchased a Seat Only fare, you will not be able to subsequently add baggage to your booking and you will be required to change your fare to a Seat + Bag fare before you can access any checked baggage entitlements.

- On all other NZ services, with the exception of domestic New Zealand services where a Seat Only fare has been purchased which once again means no checked baggage will be permitted, Velocity Gold and Platinum members can enjoy an additional piece of checked baggage weighing up to 23kg.

Hope that helps.

According to NZ, when you book with NZ (NZ flight number) on the trans-Tasman routes you will not receive any additional baggage allowance even if you book Seat + Bag fares.

 

[serfty]

According to NZ, when you book with NZ (NZ flight number) on the trans-Tasman routes you will not receive any additional baggage allowance even if you book Seat + Bag fares.

That has been the case:

As indicated, there is no cross carrier allowance.

Jan 14 - Alliance Trade Brochure

I was thinking there may have been some at the beginning but no:

Sep 2011 - Alliance Trade Brochure

Page 13:	Page 14:
IMPORTANT – Please note that a NZ Premium customer who books on a DJ and DJ8000 series flight will not be entitled to any additional checked baggage allowance over and above what is included as part of the DJ fare	IMPORTANT – Please note that a DJ Premium customer who books on a NZ or NZ7000 series flight will not be entitled to any additional checked baggage allowance over and above what is included as part of the NZ fare.

 

[roby]

That has been the case:

As indicated, there is no cross carrier allowance.

Jan 14 - Alliance Trade Brochure

Precisely. The additional baggage allowance apparently only applies to NZ long haul services.

On page 14 of the alliance booklet:

IMPORTANT – Please note that a VA Premium customer who books on a NZ
or NZ7000 series flight will not be entitled to any additional checked baggage
allowance over and above what is included as part of the NZ fare.

 

[Velocity Frequent Flyer]

Thanks all, the earlier post has been amended to clarify.

 

[notzac]

Hi VFF,

The last few posts in this thread are a great example of how incredibly confusing the trans-Tasman alliance is for your pax (premium or otherwise) .. wondering whether it might be a good idea to get together again with NZ to see if the whole thing could be made much much much simpler..?

 

[roby]

Hi VFF,

The last few posts in this thread are a great example of how incredibly confusing the trans-Tasman alliance is for your pax (premium or otherwise) .. wondering whether it might be a good idea to get together again with NZ to see if the whole thing could be made much much much simpler..?

Absolutely. But good luck with that given NZ themselves can't understand the rules of their own Star Alliance.

 

[TomVexille]

Absolutely. But good luck with that given NZ themselves can't understand the rules of their own Star Alliance.

What makes you say that?

 

[roby]

What makes you say that?

NZ is the only carrier within Star Alliance that does not allow at least one checked bag on the Seat Only fares for status holders. Star Gold status however allows at least one bag on carriers in North America, LX's Geneva Express fares and A3's lowest fares that have no bag allowance. VA is more Star Alliance compatible than NZ in that regard. I think VA will need to give NZ a bit of a lesson on how to treat their best customers.

 

[TomVexille]

NZ is the only carrier within Star Alliance that does not allow at least one checked bag on the Seat Only fares for status holders. Star Gold status however allows at least one bag on carriers in North America, LX's Geneva Express fares and A3's lowest fares that have no bag allowance. VA is more Star Alliance compatible than NZ in that regard. I think VA will need to give NZ a bit of a lesson on how to treat their best customers.

I thought that's what you were getting at.

That doesn't mean NZ don't understand the rules, it's just that they are openly flaunting it and *A has said okay.

 

[roby]

I thought that's what you were getting at.

That doesn't mean NZ don't understand the rules, it's just that they are openly flaunting it and *A has said okay.

So I doubt VA can talk any sense out of NZ. Anyway, NZ has said that some changes are coming to the VA alliance later in the year and let's wait and see.

 

[TomVexille]

So I doubt VA can talk any sense out of NZ. Anyway, NZ has said that some changes are coming to the VA alliance later in the year and let's wait and see.

If anything, NZ tells VA what to do. As that's where a fair chunk of their backing comes from.