How to upgrade with Air New Zealand

[mella2007]

There are 12 of us flying in July from MEL to LAX. I am a member of Mileage Plus and also Airpoints. I am looking for an upgrade just for myself!
I have been told that Air New Zealand (even though part of Star Alliance) do not let you use points fpr upgrade rewards.
Any ideas anyone?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

There are 12 of us flying in July from MEL to LAX. I am a member of Mileage Plus and also Airpoints. I am looking for an upgrade just for myself!
I have been told that Air New Zealand (even though part of Star Alliance) do not let you use points fpr upgrade rewards.
Any ideas anyone?

Currently NZ has not joined the *A mileage upgrade program. They have to at some stage, but holding off as long as possible (unsurprisingly given on most routes they can sell the business class at high fares).

The current ways to upgrade on NZ:
1) pay for business/premium economy
2) use airpoints to upgrade - depending on fare class and status this may be confirmable in advance or standby
3) use airpoints elite member complimentary upgrade voucher - confirmable in advance subject to availability, note 2 vouchers are needed per flight to upgrade from economy to business premium, and IIRC MEL-LAX is treated as 2 flights ( ) as is AKL-LHR
4) get lucky with an op-up, this is rare especially if you don't have NZ*E, NZ*G or *G status

Note NZ allows upgrades to be combined with awards.