Air NZ trans tasman flight - class H earns as discount economy?

[xrrazr]

Hey everyone, has any one else experienced this. When flying Trans-Tasman on AirNZ metal, status credits are only earned at discount economy rate for class H.

I frequently travel to NZ for work departing Adelaide and the A320 with AirNZ is the only direct flight. Recently I booked a works deluxe which is the highest class for this aircraft and route costing $800+ 1 way. However Velocity treats this as discount economy and only earns 20 SC...

 

[Ewing]

Did you get a Works Deluxe Smart Saver? You need to add the flexi bundle to earn full economy SCs IIRC.

 

[xrrazr]

It was a Tasman Flexi Fare with Works Deluxe option. Called Air NZ, and they said is definitely not classed as discount economy on their system, but obviously VA doesn't think so.

 

[Fruitcake]

It was a Tasman Flexi Fare with Works Deluxe option. Called Air NZ, and they said is definitely not classed as discount economy on their system, but obviously VA doesn't think so.

There's a communications breakdown going on somewhere then. The Airpoints website says that H class fares are discount economy:
Air New Zealand Status Points Earned - Status Points - Airpoints - Air New Zealand - Australia Site

Discount Economy/
Smart Saver/
Flexi (H Q)/
Global Saver/
grabaseat™

 

[xrrazr]

Thanks for your reply Fruitcake. It's crazy, I could have spend circa $250-300 on a seat only fare and earned the same amount of status credits! Instead I spend almost 3 times as much for the highest class available on that flight.

Even the link you posted for AirNZ's website is not clear, when reading the fine points:
"6. Discount Economy means Smart Saver, Flexi Saver, Global Saver fares and grabaseat™ fares.
7. Full Economy means Flexi fares and Global Flexi fares."

I guess I will speak with the Velocity team and see what they have to say. I wonder if in future I book these flexi flights on the VA website, if that would make a difference.

 

[pythonisman]

I wonder if in future I book these flexi flights on the VA website, if that would make a difference.

It is a bit iffy, and sounds irritating.

I just had a quick look through the VA website, choosing 'flexi' fares on AirNZ metal resulted in:

var productElement = 'SYD-AKL_M_M,AKL-SYD_M_M';
var fareFamily = 'M,M';

Indicating they were booking into 'M' fare class -- which is under the Discount Economy bucket for "Air New Zealand Trans Tasman flights", BUT, under full fare economy for Virgin Australia International Short Haul. (These flights had DJ flight numbers). Not sure which bucket you'd land in unfortunately!

 

[Major]

As per the Velocity site only classes Y & B are Economy. All others are classed as Discount Economy. I'm not sure how you book full Economy if these classes are not available
Points Earn with Airline Partners | Velocity Frequent Flyer

 

[pauly7]

As per the Velocity site only classes Y & B are Economy. All others are classed as Discount Economy. I'm not sure how you book full Economy if these classes are not available
Points Earn with Airline Partners | Velocity Frequent Flyer

Via a TA or similar service who can see and book the code.