To the US with NZ

[bass_ke]

Good morn fellow flyers.

I'm about to jump on the recent USA deals with air nz and was wondering if there are any pitfalls to look out for with using my VA status, it's my first NZ flight with status.

Would you folks recommend SFO or LAX for entry/departure? I'm mighty tempted by the new *A lounge in LAX but have no other need to hang around LA

Thanks!

 

[jetlagger]

Good morn fellow flyers.

I'm about to jump on the recent USA deals with air nz and was wondering if there are any pitfalls to look out for with using my VA status, it's my first NZ flight with status.

Would you folks recommend SFO or LAX for entry/departure? I'm mighty tempted by the new *A lounge in LAX but have no other need to hang around LA

Thanks!

Which class of travel were you looking at?
I had a flight BNE/LAX on NZ last year in PE & Y & was less than impressed.
Also IIRC nil points on the sale tickets.
Cheers,
jl

 

[notzac]

Good morn fellow flyers.

I'm about to jump on the recent USA deals with air nz and was wondering if there are any pitfalls to look out for with using my VA status, it's my first NZ flight with status.

Would you folks recommend SFO or LAX for entry/departure? I'm mighty tempted by the new *A lounge in LAX but have no other need to hang around LA

Thanks!

I'm not sure whether NZ have moved to TBIT for departures from LAX yet -- if they haven't, you'll get to use their mostly underwhelming lounge in T2. That said, if you're flying in Premium Economy and want the newer seats, you'll need to fly via LAX (I don't believe SFO gets the 773 as yet).

If you're flying Y or J, SFO wins hands down for a more pleasant Immigration experience.. however, NZ use the SQ lounge at SFO, so you may not have lounge access (VA elites only get access to NZ operated lounges when travelling on NZ).

My vote is LAX as your entry and departure point - for me, having a lounge (even if it's not shiny and new) is more important than the immigration thing.

 

[darraghk]

Darn I have been trying to figure this out, flying PE to SFO return with NZ. Looks like no lounge access on the return leg.
I do have an internal Delta leg before the NZ flight I presume I can't pop into the Skyteams lounge in SF when I arrive?

 

[kevrosmith]

I did NZ to USA back in Aug 2012 in J, and combined with being VA Platinum, was well looked after.

MEL-AKL on 773
AKL-SFO on 747

LAX-AKL on 773
AKL-SYD on 773

The upgraded J product on 773 cf. 747 was far better: bedding, IFE. Just small things were better.

Entry into SFO was great: didn't wait at Immigration at all. Though I've never arrived into LAX, so can't compare.

Had a VX flight SEA-LAX before my LAX-AKL flight, so had to exit terminal (T3?) and go to check-in (T2?) to get boarding passes. (Never found out if this was the right procedure, but SEA VX assured me they couldn't issue my boarding passes.. I was skeptical). Luggage was tagged from SEA-SYD, though wasn't surprised when I got to SYD and bags were still in LAX (was annoying, as I had separate flight through to CNS on QF when I arrived into SYD. Fortunately, QF handle NZ's lost baggage in Oz). Considering I had to go to NZ check-in anyway, I should've just got luggage from SEA-LAX, and checked it myself.

My first experience departing from LAX was painful, compared to departing Australia, that is, though I get the sense this is typical of USA. They closed the Priority Security lane 1 minute before I got there, and wouldn't let me jump over, so took ages to get airside. NZ Lounge was busy and crowded, so not a relaxing place to be.

NZ J was great service and product. As VA Platinum, seemed to get extra attention, especially on the TT sectors (e.g. got asked meal choice before other pax around me, greeting from CSM).

Transfers through AKL both ways was easy and pain-free. Enough time to use the showers in the AKL Lounge, and the shower facilities were great. Lounge was pretty busy both times too, but not as much of a zoo as LAX.

 

[bass_ke]

Folks, thank you for all your valuable input, it's very much appreciated!

Decided to in/out of lax as the nz booking engine seems to allow an o/nite in AKL on the way back.

Checked the fare classes and they definitely earn SC's, still have to check or points!

Now a couple of last things before I pull the trigger, will my velocity number allow me any additional perks seating wise whilst booking online or will I have to ring NZ? And people's preferences on a Y seat on the NZ 773?

Thanks again!

 

[bass_ke]

Also, which IHG property is best for one night near lax?/ in n out burger?

 

[rioter]

Also, which IHG property is best for one night near lax?/ in n out burger?

There is a crown plaza in LAX. Never stayed there know it exists.
If you have IHG status the intercontinental in century city is nice, got upgraded to a suite it is not exactly close to the airport, but what in LA is.

 

[rioter]

I have had no problem with my SC's or points with Airnz even on the sale fares.

With seat selection i have always been able to select my seats in advance. Most of my travel has been in J.
Apparently if you are in Y you can get the priority seats for free if you call(front of plane, and some times more leg room).

As for how you will be treated, it will be great. The CSM will greet you personally, offer you a drink, your choice of food before the other pax. He even got the G.H. Mumm i am used to in J and if you need them noise cancelling headphones for the IFE.

LAX lounge gets very crowded pretty early, so if you want a seat best to arrive a little early although the lounge is nothing to write home about. Fairly average selection of food and horrible wifi.
The AKL lounge is nice, and usually has plenty of space.

Also, remember there is one up if you have some spare cash.

Enjoy the flight.

 

[Dinsy]

Now a couple of last things before I pull the trigger, will my velocity number allow me any additional perks seating wise whilst booking online or will I have to ring NZ? And people's preferences on a Y seat on the NZ 773?

Hi Bass_ke,
Over Christmas/NY period I flew BNE->AUK->YVR on AirNZ as a VFF Gold in economy (Booked through Air NZ website). So while not exactly the same routing, I assume that my experience will be similar.

Booking online, my velocity number allowed me to select (without charge) Y+ seats (which were amazing on their 777-300)​ for the BNE-AUK & AUK-BNE legs which was fantastic & unexpected.

Regarding the AUK-YVR, I was given the opportunity to select seats in the front few rows of Y which had been highlighted as "Reserved" for frequent fliers, similar to the domestic Y seat selection with status. I didn't notice these seats having any extra leg room, or particular benefit other than being close to the front.

*Edit: I should note that Y+ seat prior to the ~14hrs AUK-YVR was such a tease, leaving me scowl a little at the reduced legroom once back in regular old Y. However on the return leg Y+ seat and a shower in the AUK lounge was heavenly after 23-odd hours of planes and airports.

 

[jetlagger]

I have had no problem with my SC's or points with Airnz even on the sale fares.

With seat selection i have always been able to select my seats in advance. Most of my travel has been in J.
Apparently if you are in Y you can get the priority seats for free if you call(front of plane, and some times more leg room).

As for how you will be treated, it will be great. The CSM will greet you personally, offer you a drink, your choice of food before the other pax. He even got the G.H. Mumm i am used to in J and if you need them noise cancelling headphones for the IFE.

LAX lounge gets very crowded pretty early, so if you want a seat best to arrive a little early although the lounge is nothing to write home about. Fairly average selection of food and horrible wifi.
The AKL lounge is nice, and usually has plenty of space.

Also, remember there is one up if you have some spare cash.

Enjoy the flight.

Sounds very different to my PE & Y experiences on NZ:

Sure had a choice of the priority seats, though had already paid for exit seats so no win.
The NZ lounge in BNE is not overly impressive & as for the NZ lounge in AKL, nice lounge though was ridiculously crowded.
No menu available in PE TT.
Limited IFE choices.
Surly matured FA's on some of the sectors.
Mediocre food.
The only recognition I received as a SQ*G was on the last sector AKL/BNE was an express card.
Just my experiences & I did not bother to compile an unimpressive TR or flight review.
IME: NZ used to be much much better.
Have booked SQ for the next USA visit.

 

[flycop]

I'm thinking of booking an NZ flight to the USA with the current sale in PE. Pretty good value at $2600 from Sydney.

What are the seats on the 777-300 like? I can't seem to find much about the recline on the Spaceseat. The seat looks large but sleeping might not be as easy.

I've been in VA PE many times to the USA and its pretty good but is pricey compared to NZ.

Is VA PE better or should I give NZ a go?

 

[AdMEL]

I'm thinking of booking an NZ flight to the USA with the current sale in PE. Pretty good value at $2600 from Sydney.

What are the seats on the 777-300 like? I can't seem to find much about the recline on the Spaceseat. The seat looks large but sleeping might not be as easy.

I've been in VA PE many times to the USA and its pretty good but is pricey compared to NZ.

Is VA PE better or should I give NZ a go?

I thought VA recently announced a sale for PE and J? Seem to recall the PE price was less than $3k and J less than $5k!