VA Gold travelling NZ trans Tasman

[qf737838]

Hi all ... This is my first post ... And I'm rather 'new' at being a higher status member of a frequent flyer program.

I have just upgraded to Gold Velocity membership, and I have an Air New Zealand MEL-AKL return trip booked for 2 pax this April, booked via VA website with VA7424 & VA7423 flight numbers. Both flights are operated by B777-300.

I was just wondering what type seating preferences we can expect, and also, if there is a way I can preselect seating, or do you just have to wait and see on the day at check-in. Also what type of service onboard could be expected, or is it still all buy on board as per their other trans Tasman flights?

I also assume we will have access to the Koru Club at MEL & AKL. Anyone have any experiences with these lounges?

Thanks in advance, and your help and advice much appreciated, Bradley

 

[TomVexille]

Firstly, welcome to AFF!

To answer your question, you should be able to select the premium economy seats on the Air New Zealand website. However you probably need to get your NZ pnr from VA. I wouldn't wait until checkin to hope about seats, be proactive in getting a good one.

Also you are correct about access to the Koru Club, but I haven't been in either yet.

 

[markis10]

I have not heard of anyone having any luck with seat selection, the Plat desk has assisted

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ty/seat-selection-dj-codeshare-air-36384.html

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....elocity/when-can-va-allocate-seats-48711.html

 

[smit0847]

I understand NZ treat VA elite status pax extremely well.

The Koru Club in MEL is okay - it's a lot smaller than I thought it would be (about a quarter of the size of the SYD one). Food is okay and they usually have a fairly decent selection of wine and beer.

 

[drewbles]

I've never had luck selecting seats on NZ metal with a VA Code; if it's a NZ code, then yes, your seating options are pretty good as a VA Elite.

I understand NZ treat VA elite status pax extremely well.

The Koru Club in MEL is okay - it's a lot smaller than I thought it would be (about a quarter of the size of the SYD one). Food is okay and they usually have a fairly decent selection of wine and beer.

Platinum get an express card, but that's about it. Occasionally, noise cancelling headphones are offered to WP's too.

Not aware of any special treatment of SG's though, but the Koru Club as you say is ok (although it's frequently heaving at the seams). Food isn't great, unless you love fried fish and soggy fried wedges (they don't appear to like putting the sandwiches out anymore). Also, the wine seems to have decreased in quality significantly of late.

The AKL Koru Lounge is quite nice, but suffers the same space issues. The food is a little better, but it's done by Skycity Catering, which can be hit and miss. They also have an early AM barista on there.

 

[tuapekastar]

As a VA Platinum (am now Gold) I booked domestic flights on NZ (AKL-CHC-AKL) for 3 people, the other 2 had no status. I was able to select any seats on the plane, including 'extra legroom' seats up front, for all of us. Also had access to domestic Koru lounges at those ports. I know that is domestic, not TT, but is an indication that VA gets it pretty good from NZ! Hope you get what you want.

Oh, and welcome to AFF!

 

[Justinf]

The Koru Lounge in MEL is indeed OK, but the food offerings are horrible. Last time I was there (a few weeks ago) the only hot dish was an inedible (and I will eat almost anything) pasta concoction. at least there are spirits there if you feel like imbibing.
I liked the AKL Koru lounge.
You are indeed entitled to use both.

 

[markis10]

As a VA Platinum (am now Gold) I booked domestic flights on NZ (AKL-CHC-AKL) for 3 people, the other 2 had no status. I was able to select any seats on the plane, including 'extra legroom' seats up front, for all of us. Also had access to domestic Koru lounges at those ports. I know that is domestic, not TT, but is an indication that VA gets it pretty good from NZ! Hope you get what you want.

Oh, and welcome to AFF!

I take it that was NZ rather than Codeshares?

 

[serfty]

As a VA Platinum (am now Gold) I booked domestic flights on NZ (AKL-CHC-AKL) for 3 people, the other 2 had no status. I was able to select any seats on the plane, including 'extra legroom' seats up front, for all of us. Also had access to domestic Koru lounges at those ports....

How long ago was that?

 

[Blinky]

I was also underwhelmed by the Koru Club. Only marginally better than the Lounge, if that. The NZ wines were perhaps better.

 

[serfty]

I was also underwhelmed by the Koru Club. Only marginally better than the Lounge, if that. The NZ wines were perhaps better.

Sadly, the golden days of the AirNZ/Koru Lounge catering is over by a couple of years - since 2011 they have been on a beancounter driven race to the bottom.

 

[qf737838]

Thank you all for your replies and information regarding my questions, much appreciated as like I said, I am a newby at being a higher status frequent flyer member.

I was able to obtain my NZ PNR from VA ... Tried to access my booking on the NZ website but was advised I'd have to call NZ ... Rang up NZ and asked the lady if I could select seats! and she said no problem! but when she accessed my booking! for some reason she was unable to select seating for the NZ flights for me for some reason, advising I would have to wait til check-in at the airport on the day.

Hopefully some of the premium seats will be available like you all have advised when I check-in on the day. Should I ask the staff if those seats are available? I am travelling HBA-MEL-AKL, so will I receive my MEL-AKL boarding pass in HBA, or do I have to re check-in in MEL for the NZ flight?

thanks, Bradley

 

[smatho10]

Bradley,

Flew this route last week - I'll give you some tips. My better half is VA gold and I travelled also with my 9 month old daughter.

First of all we booked MEL-AKL-BNE so we can fly on the 777's - 200 to MEL, 300 to BNE (which turned out to he the hobbit plane). Booked these on expedia so we can multi-city, the NZ website spits out a much higher price for this routing.

So we had to book HBA-MEL on VA. Wife was on a reward ticket and myself was a simple saver.

On check-in - lovely Leesa at HBA asked what was a destination and I said it was actually AKL on NZ..
Show me your NZ PNR and I'll give you boarding passes and check your bags through.

This was a massive relief as we had 5 hours in MEL and didn't want to lug bags and car seat.

In terms of seating.. I wanted the bassinet row and did pay the extra $20 to sit in rows 23 on each leg. These were the PE seats for works/status/paid extra. Gotta go for them.

Koru lounge in MEL is great for watching A380 engines spin in the wind. It was breakfast period so the usual hot and cold food was served. The kitchen helped us warm up little ones lunch and a play in the kids room helped.

Now once you go to board - there lots of people hanging round the gates looking to get on.. fight through and flash that boarding pass.. even with the little one.. a little DYKWIA doesn't go astray..

On board you can tell who paid for works or are higher status as they have "premo" headphones on the seat. We didn't have one but that's cool...

Booked seat + bag - but both legs we were able to watch movies.. keep an eye out for that...

In AKL - use the premium check-in - don't let the lure of the touch screens suck you in.. then head up the lift to the dedicated customs desk..

AKL Koru at 7.00am was really busy - but then again I was hanging out in the kids room all to myself..

The gates at AKL can get quite full of people, again fight through to PB..

Hope this helps - oh I forgot to mention - emailed MEL lounge for arrivals access at 7.00am after HBA flight. Said we could but only due to space which was not guarantee d. Didn't get there in the end - flew HBA-LST because the refueling hose broke in HBA and smoke from the recent fires meant 8 or so fly arounds above MEL.. so a 1 hour flight took 3....