Air NZ flight booking thru Air NZ website

[kaz]

Hi

Needing some information so hoping someone can offer advice as I have never flown on a VA code share partner airline before.

If I book a flight Syd to Wellington via Virgin website flying on Air NZ metal I can't pre select my seat. However if I book the flight on the Air NZ website and enter my VA platnium FF number I can pre select my seat.

Would booking via the Air NZ website be the best option ? Not sure if by booking via Air NZ website I loose any other benefits that I would receive when booking on VA website travelling on Air NZ metal.

Also, I'm presuming I still get SC awarded to my VA membership when booking on Air NZ site when travelling in an eligible fare class after entering my VFF number and that family pooling of points and SC will still apply also.
Please advise if this is not the case as I will need the SC's and pooling from my wife for the return flight to re qualify for Platnium.

Any info would be appreciated.
tks

 

[notzac]

If I book a flight Syd to Wellington via Virgin website flying on Air NZ metal I can't pre select my seat. However if I book the flight on the Air NZ website and enter my VA platnium FF number I can pre select my seat.

This is the main reason I always book on the NZ website - there are anecdotal reports of convincing the NZ call centre to allocate seats on a VA coded booking, but it's never worked for me.

Also, I'm presuming I still get SC awarded to my VA membership when booking on Air NZ site when travelling in an eligible fare class after entering my VFF number and that family pooling of points and SC will still apply also.

I think most all revenue fare classes on trans-Tasman flights earn *something* - which means you'll get your SCs (including family pooled SCs). There's no difference between SCs earned on the VA code or the NZ code, but points earn is likely to be less. You also won't accrue eligible sectors when booking the NZ code.

 

[AdMEL]

Hi

Needing some information so hoping someone can offer advice as I have never flown on a VA code share partner airline before.

If I book a flight Syd to Wellington via Virgin website flying on Air NZ metal I can't pre select my seat. However if I book the flight on the Air NZ website and enter my VA platnium FF number I can pre select my seat.

Would booking via the Air NZ website be the best option ? Not sure if by booking via Air NZ website I loose any other benefits that I would receive when booking on VA website travelling on Air NZ metal.

Also, I'm presuming I still get SC awarded to my VA membership when booking on Air NZ site when travelling in an eligible fare class after entering my VFF number and that family pooling of points and SC will still apply also.
Please advise if this is not the case as I will need the SC's and pooling from my wife for the return flight to re qualify for Platnium.

Any info would be appreciated.
tks

This is the main reason I always book on the NZ website - there are anecdotal reports of convincing the NZ call centre to allocate seats on a VA coded booking, but it's never worked for me.



I think most all revenue fare classes on trans-Tasman flights earn *something* - which means you'll get your SCs (including family pooled SCs). There's no difference between SCs earned on the VA code or the NZ code, but points earn is likely to be less. You also won't accrue eligible sectors when booking the NZ code.

Having done this recently, I figured out, with a little help from friendly AFF members, that booking direct with Air NZ:

- is often cheaper (in my case for MEL-ZQN return, approx $40-$50) than booking the same flights via VA;

- allows you to select seats whereas this is not possible with VA;

- earns the same status credits;

- earns half the number of points for sale fares;

- provides the same lounge access.

I posted a thread on it.

 

[kaz]

thanks for the info guys. I'll now book through Air NZ website.

AdMEL; I tried to search for your thread as mentioned above but couldn't locate it.

 

[TomVexille]

Having done this recently, I figured out, with a little help from friendly AFF members, that booking direct with Air NZ:

- is often cheaper (in my case for MEL-ZQN return, approx $40-$50) than booking the same flights via VA;

- allows you to select seats whereas this is not possible with VA;

- earns the same status credits;

- earns half the number of points for sale fares;

- provides the same lounge access.

I posted a thread on it.

Pretty well sums it up. Although one more thing, no status bonus on points earned.

 

[Geoffm]

Just got back from Christchurch this Morning - booked on the ANZ site - lounge access was not an issue - but no bottled water, no headphones, no express pass, no hello , no nothing. When pushed call button to request express pass - was advised that it has all changed and that platinum velocity is not entitled to the onboard benefits ?

 

[Bolthead]

Pretty well sums it up. Although one more thing, no status bonus on points earned.

That's interesting....

 

[pythonisman]

Also worth noting for status pax - I'm pretty sure if you book a 'seat only' fare direct with NZ then no amount of status will give you a checked bag.
If you book a 'saver lite' fare with VA which codeshares onto NZ metal, you will get bags per your VA entitled status. (I've done this a couple of times before).

 

[TomVexille]

That's interesting....

You only earn bonus points on VA and EY flight numbers.

 

[get me outta here]

A bit OT, but wondering if I use VA points to book AirNZ to SFO. If so, which site or who to phone? If I have to buy a tkt, status is the lowest priority, more interested in comfort and points. Cheers

You only earn bonus points on VA and EY flight numbers.

 

[naggi]

Hi

Needing some information so hoping someone can offer advice as I have never flown on a VA code share partner airline before.

If I book a flight Syd to Wellington via Virgin website flying on Air NZ metal I can't pre select my seat. However if I book the flight on the Air NZ website and enter my VA platnium FF number I can pre select my seat.

Would booking via the Air NZ website be the best option ? Not sure if by booking via Air NZ website I loose any other benefits that I would receive when booking on VA website travelling on Air NZ metal.

Also, I'm presuming I still get SC awarded to my VA membership when booking on Air NZ site when travelling in an eligible fare class after entering my VFF number and that family pooling of points and SC will still apply also.
Please advise if this is not the case as I will need the SC's and pooling from my wife for the return flight to re qualify for Platnium.

Any info would be appreciated.
tks

Actually you can preselect your seat.

Once you've made your VA booking, call velocity and ask for the Air NZ PNR (separate from your VA PNR).
You can then log in to Manage My Booking on the Air NZ website and select your seat.
If your velocity number is in the booking all your status benefits in terms of the seats you're able to select will carry through.

Much better way to do it as you'll get status bonuses and twice the number of points on the cheapest fares.

 

[naggi]

A bit OT, but wondering if I use VA points to book AirNZ to SFO. If so, which site or who to phone? If I have to buy a tkt, status is the lowest priority, more interested in comfort and points. Cheers

If you're using VA points you need to contact VA

Not sure where you're going with "If I have to buy a tkt"??
Points are points and don't earn any more points when you travel
If you're buying with cash then obviously comfort and number of points are directly related to how much you pay.

 

[TomVexille]

A bit OT, but wondering if I use VA points to book AirNZ to SFO. If so, which site or who to phone? If I have to buy a tkt, status is the lowest priority, more interested in comfort and points. Cheers

You need to phone Velocity to book NZ flights.

 

[kaz]

Actually you can preselect your seat.

Once you've made your VA booking, call velocity and ask for the Air NZ PNR (separate from your VA PNR).
You can then log in to Manage My Booking on the Air NZ website and select your seat.
If your velocity number is in the booking all your status benefits in terms of the seats you're able to select will carry through.

Much better way to do it as you'll get status bonuses and twice the number of points on the cheapest fares.

Wow, thanks for that info Naggi, but unfortunately I have already booked on Air NZ website. Wish I had held off a few days now.

Will that same scenario apply to VA bookings made on VA site for Singapore Airlines metal.? As I am still to book that flight but was going to book directly with Singapore airlines to be able to select my seat.
If the same applies I'll book through VA site and then go to Singapore Airlines website with the corresponding PNR, Manage my Booking and select seat that way.
any ideas if that will work ??

 

[naggi]

Wow, thanks for that info Naggi, but unfortunately I have already booked on Air NZ website. Wish I had held off a few days now.

Will that same scenario apply to VA bookings made on VA site for Singapore Airlines metal.? As I am still to book that flight but was going to book directly with Singapore airlines to be able to select my seat.
If the same applies I'll book through VA site and then go to Singapore Airlines website with the corresponding PNR, Manage my Booking and select seat that way.
any ideas if that will work ??

While I've actually done this with an NZ flight and can guarantee it works, I don't have first hand experience with SQ.

In theory though there's no reason it shouldn't work.

 

[quick_dry]

While I've actually done this with an NZ flight and can guarantee it works, I don't have first hand experience with SQ.

In theory though there's no reason it shouldn't work.

which class did you book into? I was told they couldn't do that when I rang through to NZ a while back.

 

[twlopes]

I have a couple of questions about flying and booking through Air NZ for SYD-AKL-SFO and am VA Gold. I have been able to piece together some information but not 100% about any of it.

I am looking at the Air NZ 'economy flexi' ticket, is that considered a VA full fare economy ticket? As it is about the same price as VA's discount economy ticket but would get more status credits, plus flexibility...

Do VA Gold's get extra baggage when booking through Air NZ long-haul?

Do VA Gold's get priority boarding (maybe at Sydney for the trans-tasman leg but not at Auckland...)?


This is what I could see on the VA website for VA gold:

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

 

[pythonisman]

I have a couple of questions about flying and booking through Air NZ for SYD-AKL-SFO and am VA Gold.

Re: Fare class, you'd have to check the specific quoted fare bucket for your itinerary.
Velocity website states that only Y and B fare buckets will earn at full economy rate. The dummy booking I did had me in B for SYD-AKL (and the return) but for the longer haul leg from AKL-SFO and return it was in M/H, which is classed as discount economy on the velocity calculator.
You'd need to check your own situation and what you were being quoted. On the payment and passenger details page, click "view full itinerary" on the right in the itinerary box and it should bring up the fare codes it's booking into.

Re: the other questions, yes you'll get additional baggage and priority baggage (which works well in my experience). Not sure about priority boarding; it's not an advertised feature so I'd say possibly not?

Hope this helps.