VA v NZ

[arbo]

I'm doing Sydney to Auckland next week and as a Gold VFF I'm interested to know whether it makes a difference if I book on NZ with my VA number or book through Virgin.

The only real difference I can see is when I book NZ metal through the Air NZ website I get a better price than if I book it through the VA website and vice versa for booking VA metal.

Is there no real difference in benefits as VA gold for Status Credits and in flight? I'm not a Air NZ member at all.

Thanks

 

[VulpesVulpes]

The VA metal is going to be a 737 where as you might get the (IMO) nicer 777 on NZ.

If you are not hell bent in points, the nz ticket is fine, you still get status credits.

 

[arbo]

Thanks for that.

Points are not a big deal but I'm 55 points of retaining Gold with a couple of weeks until my review date. I'm only going to be Y out and flexi Y back so there won't be much to have in the way of points anyway.

That's why I'm more interested in the status credits and any other benefits of VA v Air NZ for IFE and snacks / drinks.

Cheers

 

[almelb]

Hi arbo,
If you do happen to be booking Saver Lite fares on the Virgin Australia website for trans-Tasman flights, your Gold Velocity status will entitle you to checkin luggage allowance.
However, if you book a seat only fare on the Air New Zealand website for trans-Tasman flights, your Gold Velocity status does not entitle you to any checkin luggage allowance.
For that reason I have tended to book my trans-tasman flights on the Virgin Australia website. Obviously individual circumstances are different so do what you feel is best for you.
Cheers

 

[VA777]

I found being booked as VA on NZ J a pain in the neck, NZ was very difficult to select a seat - took 4 attempts that was escalated and then as a "special favour" as a gold FF they would allocate a seat. Also challenged with special meal - but that was easier than the seat request.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Book and fly with NZ and this would 99.9% ensure you fly the wide body 777/767/787.
Though you do loose the SB, the booking with NZ would give you a better experience.
If you dont mind narrow body, as in plane, book with VA and fly VA, and get SB.
But dont book VA and fly NZ, as they just might stuff you from a wide body to the VA 737.
Personally, I prefer a wide body plane trans Tasman.
I booked with NZ to fly an NZ wide body, and at the least, I have a better chance of keeping the wide body experience.
About 2012, I booked VA to fly NZ, and they (somehow) stuffed me from a 777 to a 737 (!), ie, change me from flying NZ to flying VA *VB at that time).
Edit: also, VA does not have OLCI for international flights, but NZ does, I have done OLCI with NZ, then just show up to a counter with bag drop and show passport for data double line to be scanned into checkin computer.
SG do get premium checkin counter use, but still, have to line up for VA is a pain.
I think being able to do OLCI is a plus.

 

[straitman]

Book and fly with NZ and this would 99.9% ensure you fly the wide body 777/767/787.

Two important considerations you don't mention are baggage allowance, or lack there of, if you book NZ and you still can end up on a narrow (A320) body.

 

[markis10]

But dont book VA and fly NZ, as they just might stuff you from a wide body to the VA 737.

While flights do get cancelled, it's pretty rare, book VA and you will fly on what you booked, same goes for NZ, it makes no difference. Poor advice.

 

[Denali]

If you book via NZ, you wont get the sector recognition so if you only need SCs, then NZ is my preferred choice.

I found being booked as VA on NZ J a pain in the neck, NZ was very difficult to select a seat - took 4 attempts that was escalated and then as a "special favour" as a gold FF they would allocate a seat. Also challenged with special meal - but that was easier than the seat request.

I simply phone VA to get my NZ PNR and then logged onto NZ site to select my seats. No problems.

Personally I pick flying NZ over VA but that might change when VA upgrades their J seats.

 

[AviationNZ]

Looking at on-board experience, NZ have seat-back IFE for everyone (regardless of widebody or narrowbody), whereas VA only have the portable tablets for passengers depending on fare purchased. Some VA planes are fitted with the BYO device wireless arrangement.

 

[AdMEL]

Looking at on-board experience, NZ have seat-back IFE for everyone (regardless of widebody or narrowbody), whereas VA only have the portable tablets for passengers depending on fare purchased. Some VA planes are fitted with the BYO device wireless arrangement.

Aren't all of the VA planes now fitted with WIFI entertainment?

 

[markis10]

Aren't all of the VA planes now fitted with WIFI entertainment?

Yes, even the jungle jets.

 

[AdMEL]

Yes, even the jungle jets.

Jungle jets? Embraers? NZ registered 737's?

 

[arbo]

Thanks all for your help.

I've booked as a VA FF via the Air NZ website, flying on NZ metal.

Interestingly at seat selection time it advises I'm on a 767-300 for NZ102 SYD AUK on Tues morning and the A320 on the way back (NZ711) on Friday night.

Cheers

 

[Revolio]

The bottom line however, is simply - the kiwis do it better.

 

[arbo]

The bottom line however, is simply - the kiwis do it better.

That's what I've heard to I'm keen to experience it first hand.

Jungle jets? Embraers? NZ registered 737's?

Yes even the Embraers. One of the VA crew told me mid last year that the last of the Embraers had been done but they had just to throw the switch

 

[VA777]

If you book via NZ, you wont get the sector recognition so if you only need SCs, then NZ is my preferred choice.



I simply phone VA to get my NZ PNR and then logged onto NZ site to select my seats. No problems.

Personally I pick flying NZ over VA but that might change when VA upgrades their J seats.

My experience was the NZ site would not permit me to select my seat even after getting the NZ PNR# from VA. This is why I called and it took four calls to convince NZ that I should be able to reserve a seat

 

[arbo]

My experience was the NZ site would not permit me to select my seat even after getting the NZ PNR# from VA. This is why I called and it took four calls to convince NZ that I should be able to reserve a seat

I've managed to do seat selection on booking this morning on the Air NZ website no problems.

 

[Denali]

My experience was the NZ site would not permit me to select my seat even after getting the NZ PNR# from VA. This is why I called and it took four calls to convince NZ that I should be able to reserve a seat

When was the last time you tried, worked for me at least six times in August and December for me.

 

[cavemanzk]

Two important considerations you don't mention are baggage allowance, or lack there of, if you book NZ and you still can end up on a narrow (A320) body.

Not to hard to avoid the A320s, anything on the Tasman NZ100-199 is an 77W/772/789/763, anything 700-999 is an A320 on Tasman Pacific Routes (Domestic A320s are 300-699). Almost anything NZ1-99 is an 77W/772/789, and the odd flight by the 763. NZ5000-NZ5999 is an ATR72-500/600, NZ8000-8999 is an Q300 and NZ2000-2999 is an B1900D.

NZ is pretty good at kept aircart types to an selected range of flight numbers