Air NZ Domestic Overzealous Check-In

[ps107]

Whenever I use the self-check in booths, I end up with a boarding pass for the trip back as well as the flight down. I also get caught out some times after chosing a seat online when I click the 'send email confirmation' button, thus inadvertently checking myself in. This means if I want to change my flight, I have to ring up the call centre and pay the $20 service fee instead of being able to do it for free on the net.

I will aim to be more careful with turning seat selection online into a boarding pass, but is there a way to only get one boarding pass with the self-check kiosks?

Anyone else have the same gripe?

 

[anat0l]

With Air NZ Domestic, you are already "checked in" as soon as you buy a ticket.

That is, when you arrive at the airport, you do not need to check-in - you only need to have a BP (or equivalent means) and turn up at the gate. NZ considers you "checked in" when you purchase a ticket; the only way not to be is to change flights.

You should be able to change seats online without charge any time you like as many times as you like. I know I can / could. Changing flights, however, is a different story. I don't know if changing flights is possible online, otherwise it may seem you would have no choice but to call Air NZ to change your flight.

You can not select a seat after you purchase a ticket and elect to choose a seat when you get to the airport (depending on what is left) using the kiosk, which will also give you a BP. It still doesn't change the fact that you are automatically checked in.

 

[ps107]

I am able to change flights online (providing it doesn't cost more than the one I bought) after I get my e-Ticket but before I check in. Check in seems to happen without warning after choosing a seat and selecting email confirmation of seat selection. After this, I am no longer able to change flights.

When I was in CHC last week, I wanted to change my flight back to AKL to a later one but couldn't because I'd already checked in to the return flight (inadvertently) so had to ring up to get them to uncheck me in and change it - meaning a long wait on the phone and a $20 fee. After this, though, I was able to change the flight (again) online.

Is it possible to make the kiosks only check me in for the flight I'm about to catch and not the return flight?

 

[anat0l]

I am able to change flights online (providing it doesn't cost more than the one I bought) after I get my e-Ticket but before I check in. Check in seems to happen without warning after choosing a seat and selecting email confirmation of seat selection. After this, I am no longer able to change flights.

I believe "check-in" is achieved when you select your seat. This is why you get sent a confirmation email with your seat on it, which you can print and simply walk to the gate (as long as you have no bags to drop).

When I was in CHC last week, I wanted to change my flight back to AKL to a later one but couldn't because I'd already checked in to the return flight (inadvertently) so had to ring up to get them to uncheck me in and change it - meaning a long wait on the phone and a $20 fee. After this, though, I was able to change the flight (again) online.

Is it possible to make the kiosks only check me in for the flight I'm about to catch and not the return flight?

I guess I can't think of a way to do it.

Firstly, don't select seats online, so you will not be auto-checked-in.

You could try talking to a service desk when you check-in for the first flight and tell them you want to leave yourself unchecked for the return flight but check-in for the first flight.

I thought changes are made difficult online after you have started using a ticket (e.g. if a ticket has two sectors - one outbound and one return - once you fly the outbound it becomes difficult to change your booking, except to call Air NZ or go to an Air NZ service point (e.g. airport)).