Booking direct with Air NZ

[Warks]

Was going to start a new thread but found this one.

I've done the same as the OP booking via Air NZ rather than VA owing to a $200 difference. I added all my VA details when booking but my booking doesn't show up on Velocity. I'm betting I only get points and SCs for my SYD-AKL and return flights and not the internals which is what happened last time. But how do I get the Air NZ booking to show up on Velocity? Short of calling them anyway. The booking number isn't recognised as it's not from VA.

 

[ajobbins]

Was going to start a new thread but found this one.

I've done the same as the OP booking via Air NZ rather than VA owing to a $200 difference. I added all my VA details when booking but my booking doesn't show up on Velocity. I'm betting I only get points and SCs for my SYD-AKL and return flights and not the internals which is what happened last time. But how do I get the Air NZ booking to show up on Velocity? Short of calling them anyway. The booking number isn't recognised as it's not from VA.

None of mine showed up on the VA site either - but I wouldn't expect them to as it's not a VA booking, The booking is still with NZ. My booking that had both my NZ and VA numbers showed in my NZ login, but with only a VA number you would need to use the PNR to 'retrieve booking' on the NZ site to view or amend.

Regarding internal NZ flights, I got points and SC for one let but not the other, which I knew would be the case as it depends on fare class. One of mine was a sale fare so got nothing, the other (AKL to NPE) got 10SC and a massive 51 points. See here

 

[serfty]

VA use SABRE, AirNZ use their own system.

A bit like AA & QF ... book with AA and have your QFF number in the booking and unless there are flights in it with an airline that uses Amadeus (e.g. BA) it won't show on Qantas.com.

 

[Warks]

Well I was pleasantly surprised to find my internal flight gave me SCs along with a tiny number of points. Last year I booked the same class fare and didn't get SCs for AKL-Nelson. I queried it and was told it didn't qualify. No difference this time but I'm not complaining.

What surprised me again (on SYD-AKL-SYD) was that I was the only one in Y I could see who got no meal and was supposed to pay for movies. But the next fare up was at least another hundred bucks. That's one expensive beef curry.

 

[Warks]

Points are dreadful!
SYD-AKL: 336 points.
SYD-NPL: 36 points!

I almost got more points from the ticket purchase.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

At least. If you book direct with (Air) NZ you can do OLCI and probably just get passport swiped onto the NZ system.
With VA TT
you have to do the whole checkin process at the airport, and only ever fly a sardine can 737.

 

[AviationNZ]

What surprised me again (on SYD-AKL-SYD) was that I was the only one in Y I could see who got no meal and was supposed to pay for movies. But the next fare up was at least another hundred bucks. That's one expensive beef curry.

It's a fixed cost to go from Seat+Bag to The Works, and believe it is $20-25 across the Tasman per person, so not sure where couple of hundred bucks comes from.

 

[ajobbins]

It's a fixed cost to go from Seat+Bag to The Works, and believe it is $20-25 across the Tasman per person, so not sure where couple of hundred bucks comes from.

I never bother. I'd rather eat in the lounge anyway, and always take a tablet with my end entertainment.

 

[Muppet501st]

Flying BNE-LAX via AKL, no idea if we'll receive any food on the BNE-AKL sector ?

 

[AviationNZ]

Flying BNE-LAX via AKL, no idea if we'll receive any food on the BNE-AKL sector ?

Yes, all Tasman flights include meals/drinks/movies (The Works) when booked along with long haul sectors.

 

[NZflygirl]

You can add the works etc prior to check-in if you change your mind.

On board you can order food on board via the online menu. Toasted sandwich, pie, soup, regular sandwich etc and wine! Just swipe your credit card (or preferably someone elses).

If you decide on board you want to watch movies you can swipe the cc at your seat and it's only $10. There is other free IFE.

cc thingy is located on the edge of the remote.

 

[Muppet501st]

Yes, all Tasman flights include meals/drinks/movies (The Works) when booked along with long haul sectors.

Thanks for that,
Do they still offer VA WP's noise cancelling headphones in Y ?

 

[AviationNZ]

Do they still offer VA WP's noise cancelling headphones in Y ?

I don't think it's a hard and fast rule as such, but have read it is fairly common. However, some others here might be better placed to comment on their recent experiences as I've never reached WP.

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Do they still offer VA WP's noise cancelling headphones in Y ?

They did on Sunday!

But at the last minute, they also sat an NB in the shadow between myself and an NZ elite in the first "frequent flyer" row, while there were plenty of empty seats up the back... so I guess you win some you lose some.

 

[Warks]

It's a fixed cost to go from Seat+Bag to The Works, and believe it is $20-25 across the Tasman per person, so not sure where couple of hundred bucks comes from.

Just the columns of fares I was looking at when booking. The higher rated fares seemed to be way more. It might have been a case of the window I was booking. If I'd booked through VA it was at least $120 more and I'd probably have got the same seat and deal (no food etc). Upgrading the fare is a different matter I would think. Not that it was offered.

Anyway I can't see the value even at $25. Pretty poor not even getting a coughpy VA style snack though. Boiled lolly of course as it's NZ!

 

[NZflygirl]

Just the columns of fares I was looking at when booking. The higher rated fares seemed to be way more. It might have been a case of the window I was booking. If I'd booked through VA it was at least $120 more and I'd probably have got the same seat and deal (no food etc). Upgrading the fare is a different matter I would think. Not that it was offered.

Anyway I can't see the value even at $25. Pretty poor not even getting a coughpy VA style snack though. Boiled lolly of course as it's NZ!

With both VA and NZ they do say in the fares what you're getting so it really shouldn't be a surprise. It says you have VA Gold so - eating in the lounge is a good option! I've had no snacks on my last 2 TT VA flights but wasn't expecting anything either.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

With the news that (Air) NZ will now use a larger jet part of the year from ADL - AKL, booking direct with NZ will be a plus, ie, being able to do OLCI.
Probably old news on here by now, but just saw the snippet on the Adelaide Now website.
Bliss! All my wishes have come through.
Not to mention, easier to get 60/80 VFF in J straight away, close to VFF PS without going via MEL/SYD/BNE/PER, and also have the VA the Lounge guaranteed access, $65 an entry is still good value.

 

[AviationNZ]

With the news that (Air) NZ will now use a larger jet part of the year from ADL - AKL, booking direct with NZ will be a plus, ie, being able to do OLCI.
Probably old news on here by now, but just saw the snippet on the Adelaide Now website.

It only got announced today, so definitely new news!

 

[Warks]

I unexpectedly flew on a Dreamliner from SYD-AKL last week which was a nice bonus. First time for me.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Warks, I will definitely be trying the NZ Dreamliner on 22/12/17, either in premY or whJ ADL - AKL. Hoping that it would not be fully booked middle of this year, as will be making booking then.
Looking forward to the larger windows!
Cheaper to book direct with NZ, and just enter VFF # onto booking.
Checked VA's website, they are asking about $400/$600 more for making booking with the VA flight number than the NZ flight number.
Granted that VFF points earn will be less with an NZ flight number, but VFF SC will be the same.