Seat selection on NZ

[tuapekastar]

I'm a little confused (not all that uncommon a situation).

I have a couple of domestic flights on NZ over Easter which I booked ages ago (last year).

I booked the cheapest I could (there are three of us travelling), which turned out to be 'grabaseat plus bag' (checked luggage unavoidable).

This does not come with complimentary seat selection, but I though I'd look anyway, and to my surprise I was able to select seats for both legs (AKL-CHC-AKL) for all of us, and they were designated Space+ seats (Row 3 out, Row 2 back). There was no request for payment.

Anyway got a reminder/hints/tips email the other day from NZ and it stated "seats not selected" so I hopped back into the booking and according to that we still had rows 2 and 3 (I was even able to trigger an email to myself confirming the seats).

This is what the website says re seat selection (also, the bottom two fare buckets - of which ours was one - need to pay, the top two do not):

Airpoints Gold / Gold Elite and Koru members can select Standard seats for all fares for no charge and also enjoy access to designated seating areas.

Expert Flyer also has our seats showing as allocated to someone.

It is only a 1:20 flight each way so I'm not too fussed, but I'm confused because a) I was able to select them in the first place, and b) getting conflicting messages re confirmation.

I am VA plat and wondering if that may be related? Also, do not want to show up at the airport and somehow get slugged $$$ for selecting the seats.

Most likely scenario IMHO will be we'll just sit in the seats selected without additional payment, but interested if anyone has had a similar experience.

 

[Altair]

If your VA Plat is in the booking it should allow you to select standard seats without charge. This will include Space+ seats to status passengers.
For preferred seats they are a different colour on the selection map, you will be notified of the charge before it sticks.
Regarding it not showing up online....it happens to me all the time.
Enjoy your time in NZ.
Note the main KC lounges have a decent food offering. Regional lounges, and I include DUD as one, has only packaged snacks and limited drinks.

 

[tuapekastar]

If your VA Plat is in the booking it should allow you to select standard seats without charge. This will include Space+ seats to status passengers.
For preferred seats they are a different colour on the selection map, you will be notified of the charge before it sticks.
Regarding it not showing up online....it happens to me all the time.
Enjoy your time in NZ.
Note the main KC lounges have a decent food offering. Regional lounges, and I include DUD as one, has only packaged snacks and limited drinks.

Cheers for that.

 

[highflyingkiwi]

VA Gold get the same perks AirNZ treat VA FF better than VA IMHO

 

[tuapekastar]

For the record, we were issued BPs for the seats selected. Oh, and they 'weighed' my hand luggage at the gate! Weighing consisted of a chap lifting the bag and saying 'it's OK' (it would have been a close thing and I had already removed a netbook and heavy pullover in the lounge :shock.