VA Plat moving to NZ

[kiwiSH]

Hi there.

Hoping for some help from those familiar with Air Nz and VA FF programs. I've had a read through the boards but haven't quite found the answer I was hoping to.

I am a VA Plat who is relocating to Auckland from Aus. I'm 3 months in to my new membership year and should requal Plat in 2 months which will take me out to March 2018.

I will be flying trans-tas every 3-4 weeks and the US once maybe twice a year with a few domestics for business. I'll also fly perhaps once a year OS and a few domestics for leisure.

I'll take out a ANZ or Kiwi Bank Plat credit card to combine earn with spend.

My questions are:
- once I requal VA Plat am I best to switch my focus to Air NZ in terms of building status.
- Am I am able to use my VAFF on a booking for benefit recognition but earn on an AirNZ FF number?
- Does AirNZ do status match? I am also Qantas Gold.
- confirming I can access Air NZ Dom lounges with Va Plat?

Many thanks in advance!!

kiwiSH

 

[jackthomas]

I status matched from QF Gold to Air NZ Gold just over a year ago, was a bit of a process but all was fine!
You can access NZ lounges on VA Plat, but not sure how you'll go about doing the benefit/earning differences.

 

[Mattg]

While you can get a status match with Air NZ, IMHO Velocity is a much better program! Airpoints as a currency are extremely poor value, and I believe you would also need to do more flying to earn/maintain status with NZ than with VA.

Also, FWIW Air NZ is very good at recognising VA status flyers on trans-Tasman flights.

 

[kiwiSH]

Thanks for the answers guys

Whats the process for getting a status match?

Cheers.

 

[NZflygirl]

Hi there.

Hoping for some help from those familiar with Air Nz and VA FF programs. I've had a read through the boards but haven't quite found the answer I was hoping to.

I am a VA Plat who is relocating to Auckland from Aus. I'm 3 months in to my new membership year and should requal Plat in 2 months which will take me out to March 2018.

I will be flying trans-tas every 3-4 weeks and the US once maybe twice a year with a few domestics for business. I'll also fly perhaps once a year OS and a few domestics for leisure.

I'll take out a ANZ or Kiwi Bank Plat credit card to combine earn with spend.

My questions are:
- once I requal VA Plat am I best to switch my focus to Air NZ in terms of building status.
- Am I am able to use my VAFF on a booking for benefit recognition but earn on an AirNZ FF number?
- Does AirNZ do status match? I am also Qantas Gold.
- confirming I can access Air NZ Dom lounges with Va Plat?

Many thanks in advance!!

kiwiSH

You can access NZ lounges including domestic with VA platinum but if you're taking air NZ from Per-AKL then no because it's only a contract to the qantas lounge but you can use the VA T1 domestic.

Go for the status match (I'm told you don't get the recognition upgrades with the match) but if you want to use one up (bid up to next cabin class) you should get the gold uplift applied. One email I have is [email protected]. It's a generic email and I'm told can take a while, just take photo of your qantas card, screenshot or pic of 6 months of QF activity statement and send. There is another email? PM Jack Thomas (posted earlier) as per another thread.

Apart from building points with VA I can't see much point in continuing to accrue with them unless you want the extra 500sc to gift gold to someone else.

Re: NZ cc kiwibank has the best SP earn at $200/SP but look into the Westpac world card. $395/yr but you get SPG gold with 1 stay for a yr, priority pass, APD earn overseas is $50 spend /1APD and $65 in NZ whereas kiwibank is $75 spend or $65 if spending on NZ. Steep annual fee but I've more than made it back in APD earn as I use it for work (I get to book my own flights but get reimbursed which Iunderstand is not everyone's case). SP earn only $225/SP on Westpac world but I love it. 2 valet parking vouchers / yr. Super handy.

You should really abuse the cc for the SP earn, it brings down your target SP earn for flying in a big way so you can keep flying another carrier.

You need NZ for your domestic flights. I think only certain higher fares like Flexi or plus are Eligible for VA earn but no one buys those. I only do this if I'm flying EK in and then NZ onwards so I can adjust it on my app if we leave late etc.

Yeah NZ gets bagged for height SP requirement and earn and burn but I find the programme benefits and service valuable.
If you get to Elite and fly to SIN in Y you can still get entry to SilverKris lounge and your elite partner, whereas it's the gold lounge for VA Plats. I don't know how many op-ups VA plats get TT but Elite there's been more than 5 in the last 12 months. I think they've just been busy and I had another just recently, some state of origin game I think people were flying for filled the flight meaning op-ups.

TT flights Syd/BNE I earn around 20-30 SP, on average 23. If a sale fare can be 9 SP, this is seat + bag fare. Melbourne is more like 24-35 I think same fare. That might help you with some calculations. Air NZ earn is tied to spend so last minute bookings that cost more earn more. I flicked the flight with 9 SP earn to VA. There is good value in booking PE if early enough as you get 45 sc with VA plus the seat service etc you can do dummy bookings on the website as it will tell you your expected SP and APD earn before you pay and I've found it reliable. Even after your booking you can check expected earn on the app. I have a number of QF flights and can't remember what they're earning so have to go back into them and see what the fares are and guess! Domestic flight min earn is 8 SP. flew AKL-WLG for $49 seat only - great fare! There is a snack biscuits or chips but realistically it's a short hop and you'll eat in the lounge if you really are hungry.

There are grab a seat fares. Use the bag tags with blue loops on turboprops to wheel your bag to plane then it's there when you get down the steps. No waiting, I think under 16kg and certain dimensions?

regional gotta go fares if departing say Rotorua you can fly for $169 max on single sector if you call 2 hrs prior to departure no earlier if there is a seat. Even if sale price is $200 etc. Sometimes I book a Flexi if it's cheaper than 169 and then just change it on the day to the flight I want, bit of a gamble but 100% successful so far. Doesn't work departing WLg /AKL etc

You get *A benefits with other carriers.

The overall app/IT/contact centre experience etc is leaps and bounds ahead of QF and VA IMO. Try shairpoints if you're taking family. Sign up for airpoints business for 20% extra APD earn if available to you.

You'll have to sort out your goals eg are you now going for gold with VA NZ and QF? Or will you need to drop a programme? 1st world problems and all... If you fly the premium cabins on your long haul then NZ gold should be achievable with cc spend.

The other thing Ive found being in NZ is check the pricing on VA and NZ websites, infrequently it's cheaper through VA but they are otherwise the same or NZ is cheaper. Especially if booking PE or BP.

The NZ year is rolling like VA. Oh and if you're flying VA domestic ALWAYS credit to VA. You can only earn APD, not SP on domestic VA.

You can use VA plat benefits while accruing to NZ if you choose
FQTS field must show VA, FQTV field must show NZ. Can do this at checkin or lounge. Im not 100% sure you need to do this though. I think you can just buy an NZ ticket, show your VA card at check-in they will give you priority tags and show card at lounge. I've only ever had all NZ number in or all VA numbers in, still get lounge access. I'm getting confused as to what I'm doing

Good luck!

p.s. Will have to check that email as its off the top of my head (I'll lose my typing if I click out of this page before I send!)

 

[Mattg]

Thanks for the answers guys

Whats the process for getting a status match?

Cheers.

The Air NZ status match process is outlined quite well here: Air New Zealand Airpoints Report: Match | StatusMatcher

It looks like the email is [email protected] and you would need to prove that you plan to fly NZ in future and maintain the status going forward.

 

[jackthomas]

The Air NZ status match process is outlined quite well here: Air New Zealand Airpoints Report: Match | StatusMatcher

It looks like the email is [email protected] and you would need to prove that you plan to fly NZ in future and maintain the status going forward.

This is the email I used. I sent them all my activity statements for a year and a document I designed with a years planned flying showing I would maintain. (FYI: slightly unethical but this was pretty made up, I have no idea where I'm going in a month let alone a year away)

 

[Milboo]

My big watch out was touched on above - not all Air NZ domestic flights earn for VA. I had this recently with a flight - inbound earned me points and SC but the identical flight did not due to fare class - which of course I had no control over booking online.

 

[greenfish]

My big watch out was touched on above - not all Air NZ domestic flights earn for VA. I had this recently with a flight - inbound earned me points and SC but the identical flight did not due to fare class - which of course I had no control over booking online.

You can't control it, but you can see the booking class when booking online. And a lot more domestic flights earn now than did previously.

 

[kiwiSH]

Thanks so much for all the info here everyone. Super helpful. Just returned from a trip so apologies for delay.

I have approached ANZ via the above contact details and they have asked for my Qantas statements however most of my flying has been done on Virgin. What do you think the liklihood of them matching against Virgin?

Thanks,

Simon

 

[NZflygirl]

Virgin? I think zeroish - they're NZ's partner.
Qantas - they're the competition - if you've flown to gold with Qantas then give them the whole years statements to prove you're gold. That's who they want to poach!!!

If you want to just send both QF and VA statements, pictures of your QF and VA FF cards and let NZ make up their minds but at least you've given them all the info!

 

[serfty]

Airpoints is really only useful for NZ residents regularly travelling in high cost fares.

Elite requires 1500 SC'S 900 of which must be on NZ flights on AirNZ tickets. 1350 to requalify with 810 minimum AIRNZ flights.

I was Elite for 5 years, until ~2013 TT earned 30 SC'S in economy irrespective of price ... ~2% of qualification

This year I traveled on a sale fare - earn would have been 7 SP's ~0.5% of qualification. - I credited to VA and earned 20 SC'S.

 

[kiwiSH]

Well I think you have all just convinced me to stay with VA! No benefits in switching really it would seem though nzflygirl you make a valid case for ANZ program.

I think I will re-qual VA and then see what I can earn on ANZ based on flying to the 2018 reset date and then make a call on which program to choose.

ANZ's handling of status match has soured me somewhat

 

[NZflygirl]

Well I think you have all just convinced me to stay with VA! No benefits in switching really it would seem though nzflygirl you make a valid case for ANZ program.

I think I will re-qual VA and then see what I can earn on ANZ based on flying to the 2018 reset date and then make a call on which program to choose.

ANZ's handling of status match has soured me somewhat

What happened with the status match handling? Anyway, you have VA platinum so you're already entitled to a lot of the benefits on NZ.

And yes, if you buy sale fares all the time that would be hard to earn status but of the flights I've had this year I've only managed to nab 1 or 2 sale fares and the rest are regular fares. It's just been the timing of booking and sales. If work is paying for your travel then there's a good chance you can nab a higher earning fare or make it a flexi if needed etc and earn the higher SP.

Anyway, you NEED to get an airpoints earning cc when you come. I'd suggest starting out with the kiwibank platinum for a personal cc. I'm not a fan of the cc statements but it does the job of earning.
Direct your domestic NZ flights towards Air NZ unless you find yourself with a fare class you can credit to VA.
Always check prices on both the NZ and VA websites as you will sometimes find variations which may sway your decision who to book with. I was looking at Akl-Per flights yesterday and to go through VA it's $163 more but you need to factor in the bonus point earn if you bought through VA.

Remember NZ's upgrades you can buy the cheapest Y fare ie seat only, and apply the RU to a single sector anywhere on its network ie no need to buy a flexi fare (typically double the fare I'd usually buy) as per VA and be limited to only domestic or short haul international to use your platinum upgrades. Less $$ out of pocket at the end of the day and NZ's PE is pretty good.
NZ also has status point rollover for elite as well which I don't think VA does?

Re: earn etc, because I use the airpoint cc's, I need 810 to requalify elite. Yet I generally earn more flying TT seat + bag ~ 23 SP / flight and accruing to NZ than VA at 15 sc per flight (MEL gets you 20 sc), so doing some math:

NZ 810 to requal elite / say 20 SP (just trying to be more pessimistic) per TT flight = 40 flights or 20 return TT trips (this is just BNE and SYD as you would earn more going to MEL) : and you get 2 RU's and 1 short haul upgrade and then elite APD upgrades eg 100APD to fly TT PE which are only limited by the number of APD in your account, and you can gift elite partner (essentially gold benefits without the upgrades) to someone, and 50% uplift on one-up upgrade offers (but usually the elite APD upgrades are better rates)
VA 800 to requal plat / 15 SC per TT flight = 53 flights or 26.6 return TT trips (you would earn 20 SC for MEL) : 4 upgrades from flexi fares and then use your points. You'll need another 500 to gift VA gold to someone.

For gold
NZ 405 to requal gold / 20 SP = 20 flights or 10 return TT - 2 upgrades for gold, 30% uplift for one ups.
VA 400 to requal gold / 15 SC = 26 flights or 13 return TT - no upgrades for gold as available for platinum, you'll need to rely on your points. (You can status match to HH gold also from IHG/SPG/Accor etc whenever they have their promos).

This highlights why you NEED to supplement the NZ FFP with the cc. I realise not everyone is going to use the cc to its full potential but only you will know what your likely spend/earn from the cc is and can best judge what tier level your flying and cc will take you to. There will be some sort of tipping point at which you need less VA flights than NZ depending on your cc spend but that's for YOU to work out.

Of course buying premium cabins like PE and BP will give you higher earn, but you could just aim to buy these on sale! Especially if its for personal travel and this is the best way to maximise value from the RU's NZ gives out. I paid around $2100 TOTAL to fly NZ PE AKL-LAX and returned in Business which I think is a great deal. It's around $2000 AUD just to fly SYD-PER in J on VA/QF one way!!

You just need to learn how to maximise your flying and earn etc. Unfortunately we don't have banks to hand out sign up bonuses with QF and VA. There is one QF cc from ANZ but it earns 1:1 up to $5000 then 0.5c to 1 QF point. ie you might as well just use the qantas cash card to avoid the cc fee (although doesn't avoid the 1.5% surcharge some retailers pass on). The rest of the cc reward schemes are based around toaster buying, or one of them you can redeem for petrol which would be useful but - it's likely given you're a frequent flyer you'll end up with an Airpoints earning cc from either kiwibank or westpac world, anz has one also but its earn is surpassed by the others.

Why don't you fly VA and do up a spreadsheet and every time you book a flight then put down the number of SP you would have earned if accruing to NZ (so just do a dummy booking on the day you book) and after a year work out your SP earn from NZ and compare to VA to see what would be best for the following year? You've got some platinum time left up your sleeve! And hammer the credit card!!! Get a supplementary card earner (eg partner) if necessary!

Anyway, food for thought.

A big p.s. there was something like double and triple SP points on the cc last year.
And this yr QF have had an SC promo
Must be VA's turn!!