Review of NZ FFP

[MetroAir]

Hiya

Being an old *A member (and having lost LOTS with the AN collapse) I joined NZ FFP.

With the conversion I felt that there was quite a loss of of benefit.

I also joined Kris flyer and thought their benefits were better (but I may be wrong because I'm finding a lot of my travel is now on OW).

I'm interested in others feelings/experiance of NZ *A membership?

This thread has gone kind of quiet of late.

Cheers

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I think the changes to Airpoints last year are largely positive. I posted a summary (either here and/or on flyertalk). However, still waiting on some clarifications and expecting a few more changes with the new long haul product out mid this year.

NZ Airpoints is now quite attractive if you
a) fly premium class a lot (much higher earning and easier to get status)
b) have difficulty getting awards - now any seat can be purchased with airbucks (airpoints dollars)

 

[dajop]

For its (albeit limited range of) partner hotels, NZ scheme can also be relatively generous.

For Australian members you get 1 Airpoint$ per about $17 spent at hotels(depending on exchange rate that converts from NZ Airpoint Dollars and Aus Airpoint Dollars which is a bit of an annoyance).

This means to get a standard cheap 1 way to from east coast Aus to NZ, compare these examples:

1) Standard Smart Saver fare on Air NZ ($189):
Need to spend $189x 17 =$3213 at partner hotels.
2) Sale Smart Saver fares (which at times I've seen as low as about $130):
Need to spend $130 x 17 = $2210 at partner hotels
3) Qantas Frequent Flyer Award:
Need 18,000 pts @ 3 pts/$, which needs $6000 spend at partner hotels.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

You can do better than that with the hotels that offer fixed earning. Eg Hilton family hotels earns 20 airbucks per stay (as well as HHonors points), regardless of spend if you choose fixed earning. Some hotel rates are as little as $60.

 

[dajop]

You can do better than that with the hotels that offer fixed earning. Eg Hilton family hotels earns 20 airbucks per stay

Except that the airbucks from Hilton never come through .....

but forgetting that for a moment, this does mean 9-10 stays gets a 1 way to/from NZ (7 if there's a sale on), whereas with QF, it will take 18 stays (@1000/stay) (after May 24).

 

[marvel]

So which card is best for Airpoints?

With the removal of Amex as a partner of Airpoints I am wondering
which card is best to earn airpoints with? I have checked around and Bankwest is 500 - 1 airport ration. Does anyone know if this is the best you can get? Thanks.

 

[dajop]

Re: So which card is best for Airpoints?

With the removal of Amex as a partner of Airpoints I am wondering
which card is best to earn airpoints with? I have checked around and Bankwest is 500 - 1 airport ration. Does anyone know if this is the best you can get? Thanks.

Best I've found is Westpac Altitude Amex. $80 spend gets you 1 Airbuck, and if they don't take Amex, the Altitude Visa gets you a $160:1 ratio.

ANZ Rewards also has Airpoints as a partner. $200 spend gets 1 Airbuck, but annual fee is only $48 (Westpac annual fee I think is around $150).

 

[MetroAir]

Given Kiwi Flyers comments on another thread about ANZ charging for long haul award redemptions, I thought I'd ressurect this old thread to see what peoples opinions of Air Points is now.

I certainly haven't been putting anything their way (not that I've flown much in the last 6 months) but still feel the program is generally not that great value unless you are flying premium with ANZ.

Cheers

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Airpoints is geared toward high rev pax. Either business, premium economy or full economy. Longhaul discount economy pax get little benefit and better off in another program.

It seems award availability on NZ metal is better if using airbucks as opposed to other FFP miles.

I find I am pushed into having another program for complex awards - as the cost quickly mounts up using airbucks when every single flight has its own cost. On the flip side there is much more flexibility if you are wanting multiple stops on the same award, backtracking etc. Personally I prefer to do that on paid tickets.

The change to allow award tickets to be upgraded (using elite vouchers or more airbucks) is a good move.

 

[dajop]

I was a little bit peeved when they increased (without warning) *A redemptions by 20%. Have been using my SQ J flights & Hilton stays to work towards a return flight on UA from MEL-NYC for 2 (which seems to be quite good value and is the same code), but have been set back somewhat. Let's hope they don't increase it again by them time I get to the new level. Hopefully by then though, AC will be flying their 777's from SYD-LAX-YYZ on the one code and no need to fly UA!