NZ relocation as a VA Plat. Switch to Air NZ?

[Ausbt]

I'm confused about what to do over a possible work and home relocation from Sydney to Auckland. I've been a VA WP for a decade but about to drop to SG. I've always preferred transferring and redeeming VA points with SQ and still have some accrual there, probably sufficient for 1 x Euro J saver. Had of VA maintained a decent network in NZ I'd likely stick it out with them, but ZQN only doesn't seem to fit the bill here. Once I'm there, I would say I'd expect about 6 trans-Tasman trips back to SYD per annum and likely I would imagine a reasonable amount of AKL-WLG-CHC travel visiting clients, all in Y.

Am I best heading down the AirNZ road? Unsure if the flight volumes will even allow me to build back sufficient status really. Thanks!

 

[serfty]

Bluntly ... Airpoints Sucks!

I'd consider Krisflyer.

In any case, if you thought the "Australia Tax" was bad, you haven't seen the "Kiwi Tax".

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

If your domestic flights in nz are bought cheap in advance you won't earn much if any in any program other than airpoints.

JQ schedule and route network in nz is not very practical for business travel.

Also more opportunities for on the ground earning on nz than on qf or sq or ...

 

[gaz0303]

Koru domestic lounges I have been too were great - will travel get you to gold with AirNZ?

 

[AviationNZ]

If you're going to be based here for a while, remember that a number of Airpoints earning credit cards also have status earning ability, so that helps get to Gold or Elite.

 

[Mwenenzi]

In AKL for ever or a short time (months-few years)?
NZ domestic flights will likely end on AIr NZ. JQ will not have the schedules.
You could check earnings to another Star ffp, but earning will be low.
Broad guide-->Where to Credit | Where to Credit Air New Zealand Flights

You could forget about NZ domestic freq flying program and only consider your international flights in selecting a new ffp.
But NZ<--->AU does not earn that much in economy, unless in business class
VA may return with more TT flights.

And will you change AFF handle to NZbt?

 

[Ausbt]

And will you change AFF handle to NZbt?

What a great suggestion! I'll definitely consider it. I believe I'll be AKL-based for two years. I'll investigate that credit card too, thanks all for the good suggestions so far. Had I of stayed in Oz I would have eventually lost all status anyway - my days of golden triangle flying with VA were pretty much gone.

 

[Mwenenzi]

For 2 years would not join NZ Airpoints. Could take best part of a year to get status, year 2 to use, but nil value on return to OZ at year 3.
For credit cards would look to those that can credit to a range on ffp's. The main banks in NZ are AU owned.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Agree that for just two years I wouldn't go out of my way to try to build new status as practically speaking it would have to be Star Gold and that won't get you far when you come back to Australia, except with United or Singapore, and earning on Air NZ flights both domestically and trans-Tasman with both programmes is pretty dismal.

If lounge access is a key value to you and you foresee a number of trans-Tasman trips, you might consider looking at credit cards that give access (e.g., AMEX) or looking into a membership outright with one of the networks.

 

[aaa99]

Having lived in NZ myself, Airpoints is a really frustrating program to get behind.

To get gold, you are looking at 900SC. The cheapest flights between AKL-CHC earn about 4SC, so you are looking at doing several of these. I remember a minimum set at 8SC for each flight, but that seems to be long gone.


Always suggest going for flexi change anyway as the flexi change fare on some flights can be cheaper than the standard fare and you can change it on the day back to the flight you want (and get a bag, more SC, seat selection, etc.). Although this involves a bit of hassle like staying up till 12am on the day to confirm the availability.

Even the trans tasman fares only start at 7SC, it used to be 12 or so in the past.


Some one mentioned using CC to get some status. Yes, this one:

Kiwibank's Air New Zealand Airpoints™ credit cards

Earn Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars on eligible purchases.

www.airnewzealand.co.nz

But note, you get 1SC per $200 spent on the card.
P.S. there dont seem to be any signup bonuses these days on cards apart from the Amex.
The times I was able to "hack" a bit more SC was when my non-stop flight would get cancelled by Air NZ. They would let me rebook via the call center on one stop flights which get booked for no fee in a higher fare class. I am not sure if this is still the case.

The other option is to join the Koru Programme.

As a final option, would you consider maybe taking up the HSBC star alliance card and nominate Air NZ as your status airline? I know there is no signup bonus and the earn isnt great, but might get you there for a year and then you can reassess.

HSBC Australia

www.airnewzealand.com.au

Anyway, good luck!

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

The other option is to join the Koru Programme.

Paid koru club is the best way to get benefits straight away.

Re credit cards, just be aware that earning rates have recently reduced significantly due to the government capping Interchange fees.

 

[AviationNZ]

As a final option, would you consider maybe taking up the HSBC star alliance card and nominate Air NZ as your status airline? I know there is no signup bonus and the earn isnt great, but might get you there for a year and then you can reassess.

HSBC Australia

www.airnewzealand.com.au

This card is only available to Australian residents so would exclude someone living in NZ.

 

[Ausbt]

Anyway, good luck!

Thank you so much for that level of detail, that is incredibly helpful