Using Krisflyer Points for AirNZ - booking nightmare

[barneynorman]

We'd like to use our 110,000+ Krisflyer points to go on our honeymoon somewhere in the Pacific, we don't really mind where. I see by the conversion table that SWPacific to SWPacific is only 25k per person, but do you think I can find any availability at all? I've called Krisflyer so many times to check dates for various destinations and nothing - even though we're totally flexible. It's also really annoying because the connection is terrible and the wait on hold is long (30mins+). How am I ever going to use these points? Any suggestions? We're really not interested in going to Asia with them, we'd like to just have a beachy island honeymoon.
Thanks in advance.

 

[dajop]

Before calling try finding availability for when you want, online using another star alliance program. I use ANA mileage program (which you need to join/be member of, and when sign in need to search for a random route on ANA before you can search for star alliance awards). Others use Aeroplan (air Canada) and for awards on NZ, United's Mileage Plus (which you don't need to even join) may work.

Otherwise you could try redeeming in Virgin's Pacific Islands services either directly from krisflyer or via a transfer to Virgin Velocity at 1.35:1.

 

[barneynorman]

I did the whole ANA thing this morning only to find that it seems to have changed and no longer works? I might try United, thanks.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

How am I ever going to use these points? Any suggestions? We're really not interested in going to Asia with them, we'd like to just have a beachy island honeymoon.
Thanks in advance.

I think the problem is not so much singapore airlines, but rather that air new zealand does not release much availibility and in particular in business class.

While you do not want to go to asia...I have used krisflyer mainy times to easily book business awards to many destinations.
There are many great beaches and islands in asia. Thailand is excellent if you avoid the main tourist ghettos of coughet and the like.

 

[barneynorman]

Thanks love travellingoz. We're not worried about business class, economy is fine. We're really not interested in going to Asia, only the Pacific Islands.

 

[barneynorman]

Ok, I got onto the United system which looked to be showing availability. I called Krisflyer based on that - no go. They said to call back in 3 or 4 weeks when more seats might have been released.

 

[burmans]

Ok, I got onto the United system which looked to be showing availability. I called Krisflyer based on that - no go. They said to call back in 3 or 4 weeks when more seats might have been released.

That is seriously unfortunate, I've used United on a number of occassions to find NZ flights (to RAR or NZ) succesfully but maybe I was just lucky.

 

[777]

Definitely try Virgin Australia. Their availability seems a lot better than NZ.

 

[smit0847]

Id recommend RAR or APW for a honeymoon!

 

[smit0847]

I understand NZ dont release any award seats to partner on most routes, in any class, even SYD-AKL in Y. VA has much more generous availability and fly to many of the same destinations.