[arun]

You are on the mark, oz_mark.
I have been collecting my points from the star alliance flights in to the AirNZ program. Only once (that too in 1998) I have flown AirNZ, and I do not think I will fly them in the near future. So I am concerned about the non-flier annual fee of $30.00 (which currency?). Apparently if you pay it by on-line and choose to receive communication by email, it will be $20.00.
I will now look to redeem my points asap and start collecting points in SQ.

Does anyone know how Westpac Altitude and AMEX will now convert their rewards points to AirNz??

[dajop]

I think this program will be much better for Kiwis than Aussies. Lot easier to get a sector on NZ if you live there (to avoid the fee). Also access to fares at lower prices more readily available to Kiwis, flying domestically than us on this side of the pond.

On the plus, should make accessing redemptions easier, but generally at higher rates (On QF I usually redeem at >1.5c per point, preferably closer to 2c, any less than 1.5c I buy a fare). Also a great advantage is access to 1 way awards (at half the price of returns). With the change of domestic and Trans Tasman fares to 1 way structures it would make sense to move award programs to the same (QF??). How many of you had problems, where awards been available in one direction, but not the other, and would have gladly parted with half the points for the available direction, and cash for the other?

A disadvantage is that it really devalues points for use on connecting sectors, eg flying MEL-AKL-ZQN-CHC-MEL without stopovers would have cost 30,000pts before, now the MEL-AKL/CHC-MEL sectors will cost that much.

[oz_mark]

I need to study the options for a new *A airline to collect points in. I fly them somewhat less than I fly QF, but it is still worthwhile. But its not worthwhile paying a non-flyer fee.

Haven't heard what Westpac are going to do.

[Reggie]

Originally Posted by oz_mark

I need to study the options for a new *A airline to collect points in. I fly them somewhat less than I fly QF, but it is still worthwhile. But its not worthwhile paying a non-flyer fee.

Haven't heard what Westpac are going to do.

VERY OLD THREAD BUMP,

oz_mark what did you decide on?

[oz_mark]

Originally Posted by Reggie

VERY OLD THREAD BUMP,

oz_mark what did you decide on?

So far I'm on two horses, UA and TG, but since I've only racked up 184 miles in Star Alliance travel in the last two years, it hasn't mattered too much.

[dajop]

Originally Posted by Reggie

VERY OLD THREAD BUMP,

Don't do that! With NZ's track record and thread title "Air NZ Changes Airpoints Scheme" had me worried for a second that my Airbucks were about to be "enhanced". Sigh of relief instead For now

[Reggie]

Originally Posted by dajop

Don't do that! With NZ's track record and thread title "Air NZ Changes Airpoints Scheme" had me worried for a second that my Airbucks were about to be "enhanced". Sigh of relief instead For now

Sorry, I did change the title for my thread, but unfortunately that doesn't come through to the main title.

[Chazza]

I was annoyed when they did this! Before the new scheme came in, I had 300,000 AIR NZ airpoints. At that time it was enough for a first class return ticket NZ to London. Then, dividing that by the 75 to get airpoint dollars, you are left with $4000. A first class return ticket to London costs at least $8-10,000. So now I have to earn 2-3 times as many airpoints to get the same ticket.

Now, in my need of emergency, my $2550 airpoints I have been saving for the last 4 years (because thats how long it has taken me to earn them, as well as retaining my Gold Elite Status), I cant even get an economy fare to London ($3170 +tax). The fact that this year alone I have been on a Star Alliance RTW trip and a return to Sydney and Business return to LA (with a few domestic connections), I still need 700 "status" points to retain my airpoints level. As I'm not planning to travel internationally this year (apart from my current emergency, which I wanted to use airpoints on so wouldnt earn any new ones by redemption), my tier status will also drop. And you cant pay part airpoints and part cash.

Frustrated? Very!

[trooper]

That's entirely understandable...

I am quite happy with the Airpoints program on the other hand...as I NEVER use my Airbucks to redeem flights. I only use them for upgrades (and Standby ones at that)..

Far more "bang for the buck" IMO... As a Gold I had 10/10 clear this year.. including 2 Transpacs and an AKL-HKG (and they were all Y to BP)

For other purposes - especially now that the "Special" Biz redemptions have gone up so much (which seemed a bit of a chimera anyway!!) - it is not a very generous program!!!

I am a little confused though... if you've reached and then retained GE 4 years straight.. where's the rest of the qualifying Airbucks you earned? Just doing that took... what... 1350 to qualify, then 1215 per year after that... Should total 4995 Airbucks at the bare minimum???

Not that even THAT would help so much now....

[hpdietz@bigpond.com]

Hi

it seems that currently it's impossible to book a Star Alliance Round The World ticket with Airpoints Dollars. That's a major drag. Any ideas?

Peter