DSC Dash across the Ditch for a Long Weekend in the Land of the Long White Cloud.

[Flyfrequently]

Of course when the email landed in February for DSC's, I put on my thinking cap and started tallying up SC's in my sleep to retain WP for my 2027-28 year

By August I would have 660 SC's from GT x 2 and February promo flights to Singapore, so I booked J to Sunny Coast for Christmas Day to visit my brother - anything to get out of hosting Christmas Lunch.
This will add another 240.
But in the meantime, next question was where to for Mr Flyfrequently's birthday in September??

Haven't been to NZ in 10 years so Auckland it is.

Booked MEL-AKL-BNE-MEL this will give 225 SC's x 2 = 450 and probably my last LB.
Wanted to try the Dreamliner AKL-BNE but alas now subbed for A330.
T24 and have checked in.

 

[VPS]

Enjoy - looking forward to following along

 

[Flyfrequently]

With flights locked in, it's time to sort accommodation.
As usual, I head to the Accor app and settle on SO/Auckland. Good location and it has a Lounge
Light bulb moment and I touch base with Fora agent. He comes back with HERA rate, includes a free night, USD100 credit and is ~AUD 100 cheaper.
Done deal.
Now, to have a think about what we would like to do over our 4 days
As my sister Party Aunty scoots over the ditch about 3 times a year, I seek her counsel.
Not surprisingly, she's a bit of a thrill seeker, so I rule out her suggestions of a hike up Mt Taranaki Summit, jetboating, white water rafting and helicopter winery tours.

Will wait till we get there, weather dependant might take a ferry to Waiheke, Devonport, Half Moon Bay, stroll the Saturday market - who knows!

 

[Flyfrequently]

Since booking in February, we've knocked out a few trips, Brisbane, Jakarta, Bali, Singapore and Thailand and bingo, time to get cracking.

Booked Ibis Styles Melbourne Airport instead of our usual choice of Novotel due to $70 price difference.
Apart from the slightly smaller room, all the facilities and Platinum benefits are the same.

Kept an eye out for a RHR - no luck, so stuck with $203 for the night.
Previously, have had RHR at Novotel for a very reasonable $126!
Honestly, for our pre/post travel overnighters think price will now be our deciding factor.

Fast forward, as it's only New Zealand
Travel folder is only a printout of our hotel reservation and e-ticket, yay no medication permits


For this short jaunt, I'm happy to tackle HLO but seeing Mr Flyfrequently is bringing a guitar, gonna be waiting at a carousel anyway!

Though to my credit, I have eliminated my usual cabin wheelie, and taking a very small backpack.
Feeling confident that I can leave most of my "just in case medications" behind and only take the "if I get crook quickly " meds with me, all systems go.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Up to town late Thursday afternoon after our volunteer commitments and greeted by Ms Putri on Ibis front desk.
She has checked us in several times and noticed it was nearly Mr Flyfrequently's birthday and found a special treat for him



Friday : Early start from Ibis on the 5.40am shuttle.
Qantas First Check in and still dark outside.

At check-in proactively offered a 7.30am spa spot - yes thank you!
Guitar to oversize next and up to the FLounge to catch the sunrise


Breakfast was still the winter menu but very happy with my buttermilk pancakes

And an early morning bevvy

Foot massage in the Spa


With no notification from Qantas to the contrary, tootled down the the gate only to find incoming flight had been delayed by very strong headwinds and was yet to land.
Back up to the FLounge.
I did suggest to Mr Flyfrequently that we nick into Amex Centurion as it would be our last opportunity ............ wasn't worth trying to explain why, as he doesn't even realise we have access.

Finally able to board 30 minutes later

Wheels up ~ 50 minutes late with the Captain explaining the delay.
Great crew greeted us all by name and 2 pax were given cards, guessing P1/CL.


Beef was very tender and the noodles were tasty, not spicy though

It was a full flight and the NZ crew did an excellent job of turning Y pax back from the loo (exception being a pax from row 4 and a lady on a walking stick with a mask)

Must say, the economy plus legroom looks really good, better than J row 2!

To our advantage those pesky inbound headwinds became our tailwind


and we arrived into AKL pretty much at our scheduled arrival time - good effort.

Given Express sticker on our passports

and out to Uber pick up within 20 minutes


Uber (NZD66) took an hour to get to CBD due to the traffic and the rain.
Could have paid triple the price to have the hotel transfer - nah


Quick easy check-in, everything well explained. Lots of glass, black shiny walls, marble and mirrors and this spectacular chandelier