Overnight connection at AKL - baggage checked through?

[NM]

While not about airports per se, its an Air NZ enquiry.

Looking at BNE-AKL-TBU and the connection at AKL is overnight (arrived 23:59, departs 9:30am following morning). If both flights are with Air NZ, I assume bags can be through-checked from BNE so no collecting at AKL? At AKL I assume there is a choice to remain airside and find somewhere to sleep/rest, or pass through immigration and stay land-side in a little more comfort.

The other option is to use AA miles for QF business class BNE-AKL and then NZ from AKL to TBU. Obviously that would be separate bookings so no through-check and will definitely require immigration, collect bags and customs and recheck at departures when check-in opens for NZ flight around 6:30am. So this is messy and the cost difference for NZ single-ticket itinerary is reasonable value when considering the AA miles and taxes to be paid for different tickets.

So i am leaning towards the single-ticket NZ option just for the simplicity of through-checked bags and option to remain air-side at AKL overnight.

 

[tuapekastar]

While not about airports per se, its an Air NZ enquiry.

Looking at BNE-AKL-TBU and the connection at AKL is overnight (arrived 23:59, departs 9:30am following morning). If both flights are with Air NZ, I assume bags can be through-checked from BNE so no collecting at AKL? At AKL I assume there is a choice to remain airside and find somewhere to sleep/rest, or pass through immigration and stay land-side in a little more comfort.

The other option is to use AA miles for QF business class BNE-AKL and then NZ from AKL to TBU. Obviously that would be separate bookings so no through-check and will definitely require immigration, collect bags and customs and recheck at departures when check-in opens for NZ flight around 6:30am. So this is messy and the cost difference for NZ single-ticket itinerary is reasonable value when considering the AA miles and taxes to be paid for different tickets.

So i am leaning towards the single-ticket NZ option just for the simplicity of through-checked bags and option to remain air-side at AKL overnight.

I know it is an individual thing, but I tried catching a few hours sleep airside overnight at AKL and could not sleep a wink. Noisy (snorers - though I likely would have too had I managed to drift off) and uncomfortable. I find it difficult to imagine a situation where I would voluntarily try the same thing again, and would use the airport Novotel, literally metres from the terminal, even though bags/immi would be a pain (though a fairly minor one with Smartgate et. at that time of night).

But, you may find sleep comes easy, and if it does then that would seem to be the option.

 

[NM]

I know it is an individual thing, but I tried catching a few hours sleep airside overnight at AKL and could not sleep a wink. Noisy (snorers - though I likely would have too had I managed to drift off) and uncomfortable. I find it difficult to imagine a situation where I would voluntarily try the same thing again, and would use the airport Novotel, literally metres from the terminal, even though bags/immi would be a pain (though a fairly minor one with Smartgate et. at that time of night).

But, you may find sleep comes easy, and if it does then that would seem to be the option.

Thanks for the info. This trip is actually for my 19yo son, who is doing it on a very tight budget.

He is now booked on an NZ ticket BNE-AKL-TBU. But when I went to add an extra pre-paid checked bag the on-line system would not allow the pre-purchase of bags for that itinerary. If it was two separate tickets, it would have cost about $55 per flight for a second checked bag (he wants to take his acoustic guitar with him since he will be there for 6 months). We were ok with paying $110 for the extra bag. But trying to add the pre-purchased extra bag now tells us its not possible on that itinerary and we have to pay the full excess baggage rate at the airport, which appears to be $200. That extra cost is very significant to his budget for the trip.

If its going to cost $200 each way to take his guitar, then he may e better of just buying a cheap from a pawn shop or similar when he gets there and giving it away before returning home. Apart from "posting" it over and back, any other suggestions on how he can economically get a second checked bag includes for around the $100 rather than the asking price of $200? At this stage it looks like the guitar stays home. He has the "Seat + Bag" fare purchased now.

 

[docjames]

To be frank, i'd be asking: if the budget is that tight ($200 vs $100 for a 6 month trip), is the acoustic guitar really necessary??

Sorry, no other suggestions. How much to post it in advance?

 

[SFO_FT]

There is an Ibis hotel on airport grounds (10 min walk from int;l term) that has cheap overnights.

 

[serfty]

There is an Ibis hotel on airport grounds (10 min walk from int;l term) that has cheap overnights.

10 Minutes??? (ir was a F1).

I'd say minimum 15, but at least there's a 24 hour supermarket nearby.

 

[AstroDamo]

10 Minutes??? (ir was a F1).

I'd say minimum 15, but at least there's a 24 hour supermarket nearby.

I'd agreed stayed at Ibis budget two nights ago, $49 a night Countdown and McDonalds pretty much across the road, 15 minute walk to International and Domestic, free shuttle bus departs every 30 minutes.