In a hypothetical situation, NZ's chance of getting any "high yield" VA customers on US via AKL would be very low to none, considering the UA/VA partnership.
Most of the high yield VA / VFF passengers would prefer to go non-stop, benefitting UA more.
However, getting VA's Low Yield/loss making Sales fare customers to fill up ex-AKL would add very minimal income for NZ long haul. I'm NZ would prefer high yield (& paying) ex-AKL filling up the expensive seats rather than FF redemptions from partners or those on sale fares.
Most of the high yield VA / VFF passengers would prefer to go non-stop, benefitting UA more.
However, getting VA's Low Yield/loss making Sales fare customers to fill up ex-AKL would add very minimal income for NZ long haul. I'm NZ would prefer high yield (& paying) ex-AKL filling up the expensive seats rather than FF redemptions from partners or those on sale fares.