Airpoints Annual Fee

[BlacKnox]

You left out Swiss and South African

No I didn't ...

Future members

* America West Airlines will merge with US Airways in the next three years, with network integration having started 2nd-Half of 2005. The merged carrier will still operate under the US Airways title.
* South African Airways will join in 2006
* Swiss International Airlines will join in 2006

Other Possible future members

* Aegean Airlines (regional), to be sponsored by Lufthansa
* Air One (regional), to be sponsored by Lufthansa
* Luxair (regional), to be sponsored by Lufthansa
* Slovak Airlines (regional), to be sponsored by Austrian Airlines
* Air India, already partnered with Asiana Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines and Thai Airways International.
* Qatar Airways, cooperates with ANA, bmi, Lufthansa and United Airlines

 

[hesky1992]

The annual fee of 20 or 30 airpoint dollars, depending on how you receive your statements, is an absolute rip-off. I was a member before airpoint dollars came in and I remember when they said they were changing to dollars there would be NO ANNUAL FEE. Last year I get my statement and see that 30 dollars had been taken away, I ring them up in Sydney and got this absolutely rude individual on the phone, Which I might add I wrote a letter of complaint about her (email and letter) and never received a reply or an apology! This year I get another 20 dollars taken away. So I've booked a flight to use the remaining dollars and then I'm closing it. So much for no annual fee huh.........

 

[oz_mark]

The annual fee of 20 or 30 airpoint dollars, depending on how you receive your statements, is an absolute rip-off. I was a member before airpoint dollars came in and I remember when they said they were changing to dollars there would be NO ANNUAL FEE. Last year I get my statement and see that 30 dollars had been taken away, I ring them up in Sydney and got this absolutely rude individual on the phone, Which I might add I wrote a letter of complaint about her (email and letter) and never received a reply or an apology! This year I get another 20 dollars taken away. So I've booked a flight to use the remaining dollars and then I'm closing it. So much for no annual fee huh.........

Did you fly on Air New Zealand? My understanding is that if you flew a sector each year on ANZ you would not have an annual fee. If you did not fly, you would be charged.

 

[hesky1992]

Apparently they only brought the fee in last year. Prior to that when the programme was changed to dollars, there was no mention of an annual fee. So when I signed up for airpoints, I did so because there was no annual fee of any kind. No I didn't fly with them. I mean I guess for them it's a great business tool to say fly with us or we'll deduct a fee.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

The once a year flight on NZ doesnt even need to be mileage (err airbuck) earning. Any flight will do.

The fee was introduced November 2004 at the same time as airpoints dollars. The material they sent out made very clear there is only an annual fee if you dont fly NZ at least once in your member year.

 

[BlacKnox]

The material they sent out made very clear there is only an annual fee if you dont fly NZ at least once in your member year.

Seems reasonable to me.

 

[hesky1992]

It's a pretty steep annual fee. I have Qantas Frequent Flyers and they don't 'penalise you' for not flying with them every year.

 

[BlacKnox]

It's a pretty steep annual fee. I have Qantas Frequent Flyers and they don't 'penalise you' for not flying with them every year.

Under normal circumstances I'd agree that a user-pays system is more equitable. Yet given this is a FF site & FF costs need to be absorbed/ recouped somewhere, I believe this "non-user" policy is fair.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I also think its fair, although I could envisage some circumstances that might warrant a waiver.

Instead of reducing the benefits for everyone due to the cost of maintaining accounts for members who dont contribute (much) to Air NZ, make a charge to cover the admin cost of keeping the account open.

 

[justinbrett]

I am a member of airpoints - did a lot of international travel (to UK, USA, NZ and Fiji) back in 96/97.

Used up most of my points going to NZ - and since the Ansett collapse haven't flown with them. I don't think I'm being charged any fees at all, I still get a statement every now and again.

However, most of my travel nowadays is domestic, and with my QF status I doubt I will fly with NZ or other Star carriers.

Shame, they were a really good airline when I flew with them. However, without a domestic partner here in Australia, they've lost my business.

 

[justinbrett]

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