Flying Air NZ first time - what FF should I join?

[digitalbath]

Hi there,

I am flying Air NZ for work for the first time (normally Qantas)

I am going economy

Should I join their FF ($50) or someone else in Star Alliance and claim the flight through them?

Tips/Ideas?

Cheers

 

[trooper]

You might find yourself with no choice here...

If the fare purchased is Discount Economy it is quite likely that the only credit available is to "Airpoints".. not to any other *A program.

It may even only give "Status Credits" on NZ's own program....

 

[anat0l]

If you fly the cheapest NZ fares - i.e. Smart Savers, Grab-a-Seat or seats obtained through NZ's sella auctions - these will earn status points with the NZ Airpoints program but will not give you Airpoints Dollars. Status points of course contribute towards status levels in the NZ loyalty program, but you need Airpoints Dollars to redeem for awards, upgrades etc.

Of course, flying isn't the only way to get Airpoints Dollars (Amex allow transfers into them, then there are hotels, etc.). So if you are doing a lot of flying with NZ on cheap Smart Savers or the like and don't really need / have another source of Airpoints, then joining NZ Airpoints might be a good idea.

Bottom line is - as trooper said - no other *A alliance will give you anything - status or miles/points - for NZ's cheapest fares. So you might just be backed into a corner if you aren't flying on flexible Economy or premium class fares.

 

[serfty]

In summary, it may not be worth joining Airpoints $$

Firstly find you booking class and then see how it earns with other *A carriers.