Connecting NZ and VA bookings

[fitzy]

Hi All

In August I have a MEL-CHC return booking (VA metal both directions) on an Go Plus fare, I have since upgraded both legs to J using points.The flights are to meet the beginning and end of a ski tour I'm doing, but it now turns out my tour will finish in Queenstown instead of Christchurch. The tour ends on a Saturday night, and my CHC-MEL flight isn't until Sunday afternoon so I have plenty of time to make my way to Christchurch.

I called VA to add an extra leg to my booking (i.e. add in a ZQN-CHC flight) or change the booking to ZQN-MEL but they couldn't do it without a fee of $150+any additional fare. There is a NZ flight from ZQN to CHC on the Sunday morning that gives me plenty of time (6hrs) before my flight back to MEL for $60 - and I have a couple of queries:
- I think the CHC-MEL Checkin opens 2hrs prior to the flight, ideally I would prefer not to be sitting around with luggage in the terminal for four hours. if I book ZQN-CHC is it possible to link the NZ booking to the VA one so I can through-check my luggage?
- Would my VA business flight in the afternoon OR VA Lounge membership get me access to a lounge in CHC between flights but before I have my BP?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Coxyb76]

Hi Fitzy, I have been unlucky in getting a through-check recently with Air NZ but was told that if I was a Gold VFF they could do it (I was silver at the time). However my partner has been successful with no VFF status.

All just depends who you get on the day.

 

[NZflygirl]

All I can say is I think you'd have a reasonable chance. I've never done NZ dom to VA int like you're doing but just go to the premium desk in ZQN, handover your VA gold card and ask "for a favour" to see if they will connect you to your business class flight on VA. At least you're using all the key words eg status, business class. You should have lounge access with your VA status and business BP in both ZQN and CHC. Chc has more eats than ZQN.