Flying Air New Zealand as Velocity Gold

[serfty]

Anyone tried to get NZ long haul J awards released as a VA platinum? Any success?

Ha! NZ don't typically release seats for their own elites let alone those of a partner ..

 

[Princess Fiona]

No special treatment because of Gold status, but I did pop my head into the galley towards the end of the flight and compliment the crew on their stellar work (very effecient, friendly) and received a complimentary bottle of Glaetzer Bishop shiraz as a thankyou for giving them complimetary feedback.
Nice drop, too.

That is indeed a lovely Shiraz. Nice gesture by the crew

 

[Justinf]

That is indeed a lovely Shiraz. Nice gesture by the crew

I do love my Barossa reds. Not a cheap bottle either. It was lovely. The gentleman put it in a nice wine cover so the other pax couldn't see.

 

[quokka77]

Ha! NZ don't typically release seats for their own elites let alone those of a partner ..

Fair enough... They do come up with keen pricing on their longhaul J sometimes though so i guess they'd rather sell it cheap or let it go empty than offer it for points.

 

[Ozmutz]

I'm a VA Gold flying BNE-AKL. Booked through VA website on AirNZ metal.
Purchased a Saver Lite fare.
On checkin they upgraded me to Premium Economy.

Love it

Hope they do the same on return leg

 

[TomVexille]

Did MEL-CHC return over the weekend. No special recognition on either leg.

 

[serfty]

I'm a VA Gold flying BNE-AKL. Booked through VA website on AirNZ metal.
Purchased a Saver Lite fare.
On checkin they upgraded me to Premium Economy.
...

NZ do not operate a "Premium Economy" cabin class across the Tasman - with the 777's they sell the PE seating as Economy (or "Works" or "Seat" or "Works Deluxe").

What they do though is allocate the PE seating on the 777's to high fare and/or elite status customers - economy service though.

As a VA SG, you should be able to get a seat on the 777's pre-allocated beforehand in rows 23-26(772)/31(77W).

 

[blackcat20]

Did MEL-CHC return over the weekend. No special recognition on either leg.

No noise-cancelling headphones or express passes which were handed out to their own elites. Only moved to Row 1 on request at check in.

 

[SimonF]

Seat selection wise. Do you get better selection as a star gold elite or va elite or is it the same?

 

[TomVexille]

Seat selection wise. Do you get better selection as a star gold elite or va elite or is it the same?

Initially it is the same. Not sure about a couple days out however.

 

[blackcat20]

Seat selection wise. Do you get better selection as a star gold elite or va elite or is it the same?

I think for Star Gold the front rows open up a few days before the flight, but for us they did not. It took a phone call from the lady who checked us in to get those seats.

 

[SimonF]

If you're desperate to gave a seat in a particular place the old phone up and last seems to be the best solution

 

[serfty]

I think for Star Gold the front rows open up a few days before the flight, but for us they did not. It took a phone call from the lady who checked us in to get those seats.

Those front row seats on the A320's are initially reserved for "Works Deluxe" customers (The B and E seats are left vacant and held a "comfort" seat for the A/C/D/F PAX. The only become available for other PAX in 48 hours before the flight if unsold. Seat Select - Onboard Your Flight - Air New Zealand

See here:

 

[TomVexille]

Those front row seats on the A320's are initially reserved for "Works Deluxe" customers (The B and E seats are left vacant and held a "comfort" seat for the A/C/D/F PAX. The only become available for other PAX in the day/hours before the flight if unsold.

See here:

I've been able to select 1A&C more than 2 days out before

But they were not available to select even at check in as a VA SG. It required manual intervention from the check in staff.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I bought a Works in 23a AKL - MEL.
No lounge entry, but I will let you guess what 23a is.
They don't sell PE TransTasmsn you say!
Mmmm..., yes they do says this dog!
Nice herring bond style facing window.
Breakie too.
VA PS I am.
WorksDeluxe on NZ777 no window seating.
Same on their 767s.

 

[TomVexille]

I bought a Works in 23a AKL - MEL.
No lounge entry, but I will let you guess what 23a is.
They don't sell PE TransTasmsn you say!
Mmmm..., yes they do says this dog!
Nice herring bond style facing window.
Breakie too.
VA PS I am.
WorksDeluxe on NZ777 no window seating.
Same on their 767s.

They don't sell PE Trans Tasman. They will sell you Y service and the ability to sit in a PE seat though.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ah from that side.
True.
In the booking stage TT you can't buy PE. (Except PER - AKL).
Seating in PE though, at least that is a possibility.
As opposed to not having PE at all.

 

[Ozmutz]

For the record - I was on a 777 and in seat 28B.
No meal though.

 

[smatho10]

Just flew HBA-MEL-AKL and return (VA to and from MEL and VA code NZ to and from AKL - A320 & 777)

New Gold Member - booked on Expedia and was silver at the time (did make some difference as below)

Real dirt cheap saver lite fare and travelling with a red member

As we know could not pre-select seats on NZ on VA code - rang VA for NZ PNR - but the PNR could not be used to pre-select seats online on NZ - was up to the gods...

Went to change seats 48 hours before on VA to MEL - got "this itinerary is forbidden to make changes" - So stuck in the silver coveted row 11. But was surprised to see row 3 A/B on check-in HBA for MEL-AKL knowing its a A320. But was more than surprised to see meals and drinks coming my way for myself and my red member (brother). With that meal on the tray - helped my self to a sparkling and a movie (thinking it was not included on a lite fare). Also got express cards at MEL.

Coming back knowing it was a 777 - I was more than hopeful for a PE seat - no biscuits - Row 44 B/C (last row before galley/toilet) but still received meal and movies. Worked out I was booked on Works fare.

But here is the catch - I haven't received my gold membership card before leaving. And this caused issues at the koru club at both MEL & AKL. At one point I logged in on my mobile to show my status to gain entry. The number was on the booking but status was not recognised... So I felt especially leaving AKL - my status was not recognised - but no big problem really.

Just shows 3rd party bookings with no "online" ability to manage your booking can leave you handcuffed.

 

[FRONT ROWER]

They don't sell PE Trans Tasman. They will sell you Y service and the ability to sit in a PE seat though.

Worth noting that NZ do see PE on AKL-PER-AKL.

If you get the NZ booking reference (ends in H) either by calling Air NZ with your VA ticket number or by calling VA and asking for it, you can self-assign seating in the PE cabin on trans-Tasman shorthaul flights on Air New Zealand's website.

OLCI doesn't always seem to work when flying NZ on a VA code however.