AirNZ chance of being upgraded based on Partner airline status?

6 replies

hakkinen5

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Aug 2014

Total posts 193

I read a VERY old article on this site, saying that AirNZ often upgrade Trans Tasman economy passengers to Prem Econ, based on partner airline status. I know a lot has changed since then though. In your experience, would I be likely to be upgraded to PE based on being a VA Platinum, or United Premier Platinum status? I may be travelling on the 777-200 AKL to MEL. Thanks.

henrus

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 23 Oct 2013

Total posts 766

Unless it's overbooked... Not a chance. You'll be behind all other NZ status members but do know that you'd have more luck with VA Platinum status rather than the United status which is just seen by Air NZ as a Star Gold membership.


If the article was predated mid-2015 then it used to be that Gold and above got the Premium Economy Seat for free with an Economy service instead. That changed when they started the selling the seats as a separate new class on trans tasman routes.

SilverBromide

Member since 05 Mar 2015

Total posts 24

FWIW I once received an operational upgrade on an old 767 on the basis of my A3*G; I was booked into Works Deluxe at the time. That being said, it remains the only time I have ever received an upgrade from Air NZ in fifteen years of regular travel with them. As henrus said, the complimentary PE seats stopped when Air NZ introduced PE service trans-tasman, sadly.

Last editedby SilverBromide at Mar 16, 2018, 05:42 AM.

Damien00

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 Feb 2016

Total posts 26

I used to be the case (and I'm talking about 3 years ago here when I did it) that they would leave open a couple of PE seats that could be selected by any Economy pax on the trans-tasman sector. I did this on a trip to the US and managed to get them for two of us in both directions. I held no status with AirNZ.


If their selling those seats in their own class now then I guess that little hack is long gone!

hakkinen5

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 20 Aug 2014

Total posts 193

Thanks all for your comments

handy72

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold

Member since 01 Apr 2016

Total posts 1

We must have got lucky. I'm VA Plat and we got upgraded on the AKL-MEL leg of our MEL-LAX return in November 2017.

samueljones561

Member since 17 Oct 2017

Total posts 4

A little bit off topic but I have been upgraded multiple times without asking or giving any points with CX and I’m QF gold.

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