Velocity & Pacific Island flights

[Mattg]

So... what's the deal with Velocity earning and burning on flights to/from the Pacific islands?

I'm currently researching flights to RAR (Cook Islands). I was just having a look at flights on NZ/VA, but when checking what the Velocity point & SC earning rates would be, I discovered this note in the T&Cs on the Velocity website:

Please also note that Status Credits cannot be earned on Pacific Island flights with Air New Zealand. See the Pacific Island destinations ineligible for Status Credits earn with Air New Zealand.

It appears points are not earned either. Honestly, this seems a bit off - fancy not earning any status credits on a Flex or J ticket! I'm assuming this at least only applies to flights operated by Air NZ? Would you still earn points/SCs on a VA Pacific Island flight?


I also noticed this message underneath the points tables for VA redemptions:

Velocity Points cannot be redeemed on Pacific Island flights. Air New Zealand Pacific Island destinations that are ineligible for Points earn.

These are the destinations on that list:

• Apia, Samoa (APW)
• Bali, Indonesia (DPS)
• Nadi, Fiji (NAN)
• Niue (IUE)
• Norfolk Island (NLK)
• Noumea, New Caledonia (NOU)
• Nuku’alofa, Tonga (TBU)
• Papeete, Tahiti (PPT)
• Port Vila, Vanuatu (VLI)
• Rarotonga, Cook Islands (RAR)

So, does this mean that you can earn points/SCs on VA flights to these destinations, but can't redeem points? And does this apply to both NZ & VA flights?

Based on that information from the VA website, it would appear that you can't even redeem VA points to DPS? Surely that can't be right...

 

[williamsf1]

The restrictions you mention above only apply to NZ operated flights…

Any VA flight is eligible for redemption and earn to the destinations mentioned(if they operate)

 

[Stone]

So... what's the deal with Velocity earning and burning on flights to/from the Pacific islands?

I'm currently researching flights to RAR (Cook Islands). I was just having a look at flights on NZ/VA, but when checking what the Velocity point & SC earning rates would be, I discovered this note in the T&Cs on the Velocity website:



It appears points are not earned either. Honestly, this seems a bit off - fancy not earning any status credits on a Flex or J ticket! I'm assuming this at least only applies to flights operated by Air NZ? Would you still earn points/SCs on a VA Pacific Island flight?


I also noticed this message underneath the points tables for VA redemptions:



These are the destinations on that list:



So, does this mean that you can earn points/SCs on VA flights to these destinations, but can't redeem points? And does this apply to both NZ & VA flights?

Based on that information from the VA website, it would appear that you can't even redeem VA points to DPS? Surely that can't be right...

Was it an ACCC condition of their alliance approval?

 

[williamsf1]

Based on that information from the VA website, it would appear that you can't even redeem VA points to DPS? Surely that can't be right...

You need to read the page in full (with the sub note) . Next to NZ

· Air New Zealand[SUP]5[/SUP] (New Zealand domestic and long haul services only)

5. Velocity Points cannot be redeemed on Pacific Island flights. Air New Zealand Pacific Island destinations that are ineligible for Points earn. No First class available on Air New Zealand

 

[williamsf1]

Was it an ACCC condition of their alliance approval?

Yes it was

 

[Mattg]

OK, thanks everyone. So in other words, VA flights DO earn/can redeem points. But not for NZ flights.

Good to know. I'm looking at VA J (operated and marketed by Virgin Aust) from RAR to AKL and it's around NZ$470. Should earn 80 SCs (each way) if I'm not mistaken.