ANZ LHR to LAX

Hi

I've been contemplating trying to redeem miles for a round trip LHR-LAX-LHR in business on Air New Zealand. Mostly because it's 75,000 miles rather than 100,000 for a VS G (and the daught could pay for one leg with her own miles saving more for me[}:)])And taxes/charges are about 100 lower for 2 tix than on VS.

And then I saw this that Scrooge posted in another thread:

On top of that on some routes their pricing is becoming way to high, just looking quickly at the LAX - LHR route NZ murders them on pricing, with a better product

Which seems to clinch it?

The downside might be availability - I've never struggled to get G's to LAX but usually there is less partner award inventory. Is there somewhere where you can check availability - or is it similar to the way Singapore was - i.e. phone, wait a couple of days, no availablity - start again at step 1. I would be going out late March and coming back after Easter - but flexible by 1 week either side,

Regards
RedVee

Expert Flyer should have award availability for ANZ. Also there's the ANA tool, IIRC. Not sure whether VS 'blocks' award availability on ANZ, don't think so though.

I'll just add that I've always found ANZ to be excellent.

The ana stuff mentioned above (incase you're not aware) is:
Sign up at the ana mileage club https://www.ana.co.jp/asw/wws/uk/e/
Then use this link below to search award availability, it searches across most start alliance partners (LX is one that is missing but that won;t bother you)
https://aswbe-i.ana.co.jp/p_per/sky_ip_ ... chLogin.do

[Scrooge]

Actually, we are looking at using NZ in January for the same reasons, I am just waiting for miles to post.

Thanks all

I've got EF and ANA membership (if I can find my log on details). I'll have a go tonight when I get back.

Regards
RedV

Do award seats get booked into fare code I on ANZ? If so yes, in EF I can see some availability.

I wish VS info. was similarly available in EF.

quote:Originally posted by slinky09
Do award seats get booked into fare code I on ANZ? If so yes, in EF I can see some availability.

I wish VS info. was similarly available in EF.


Well no I code availabilty coming up on award availability search on EF. A few Z and R (upgrades and companions for NZ airpoints members I think).

I have called Flying club and they got as far as being able to give me a PNR - but then went 'oh - they're just showing as pending -can you call back tomorrow to see if they're confirmed'

Not hopeful. NZ1 is the only flight from Europe as far as I can see (played around with FRA, MAD and CDG departures amongst others - which either connect to NZ1 or go on non NZ metal via Canada).

Still, plenty of G's going.

Regards
RedV

Does anyone know if you can do a one-way on the NZ redemption? I just need to get to LA, everything else is sorted from there. Am still saving for 2 VS Upper class but I could afford 2 NZ business now!

Oh well, checked with FC and while you can do a one-way on VS you can't on NZ which is a complete pain.
I think I need to do some quick mileage runs!

Success! The original dates I enquired about came back as unconfirmed but I got a MUCH better agent today who looked for availability across range of dates.

So 2 business class for 150,000 - and at the moment asked for just under 250 taxes and fees. I say at the moment because the flight needs manual ticketing and 250 seems way too low. YQ alone is 132 per pax and APD is 90. And as far as I know NZ do charge YQ on rewards, just like Virgin.

Still, very pleased with the outcome so don't give up straight away if you can't find I availability in EF.

A learning point similar to EEJP1007 - not only can you not book one ways on partner redemptions (which I think is clear in the T&Cs) - but you can't part pay for individual legs from two or more accounts either.

Regards
RedV

You are correct, taxes seem way off.
YQ 132, GB 90, XT (eXtra Taxes) 56.60
Should be 279 per person but if they ticket on the lower price, who are you to complain!?

quote:Originally posted by RedVee
Success!


Congratulations!

NZ never used to charge YQ on rewards, I don't know if that has changed recently though?

[Scrooge]

The vast majority of airlines don't charge it on reward flights, VS and BA do.

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
The vast majority of airlines don't charge it on reward flights, VS and BA do.


Well, the flights are now ticketed and the taxes and charges are:

GB90.00 UB22.27 XT12.00 (per pax)

So no YQ - whooooo! Yet another reason to switch to NZ on the LHR-LAX route for redemptions.

Just wish I'd figured this out four trips ago[:o)] Ah well, good I'm still learning after 5 years on this site.

Regards
RedV

[mcmbenjamin]

GBP124.12 is not bad. So was slightly less than GBP 250 total for two. Nice.

Nice one on snagging redemptions on ANZ.

I just flew a couple of good sectors with them last week, outbound in J, return in PE (with almost the same menu as J).

The only gripe I had was that the food out of LAX on the return was a bit on the poor side when compared to the offering out of LHR on the outbound - rubbish starter (basically a stack of golden beets crowned with a scoop of goat cheese) and a rather dry main meal (stuffed chicken thigh with polenta and green beans).

The food outbound ex-LHR was simply superb - smoked duck salad, very delicate flavourful prawn curry with rice and bok choy, great ice cream, decent cheeses. Well thought out.

I don't know whether it's something specific about the food on NZ2 out of LAX, such as the time of day, or the consulting chef who guides that menu, but I've thought the food on NZ2 a weak link at least once before now (remember the grey ooze that purported to be olive aioli?).

I did a RTW on ANZ earlier this year, and thought that the food out of LAX on NZ5 was probably the weakest of the whole LHR-LAX-AKL-HKG-LHR run, but even that wasn't as weak as what I got served back toward the UK on NZ2 on Friday.

I think that's the only rough point in the whole experience.

Fingers crossed it's better for your trip, and for my next NZ2 in January!

Mike

PE menu should've been exactly the same as the J menu on ANZ

quote:Originally posted by daywalker
PE menu should've been exactly the same as the J menu on ANZ


Almost right, except for... a) No choice of dessert in PE - J get an option of ice-cream instead, b) No 4th (lighter) main meal choice in PE, and c) a couple of differences with what you get in the breakfast service.

As you may have noticed, I fly NZ fairly often for a Brit.

Mike

[Scrooge]

Ok, now here is a silly question, I'm looking at the partners reward page, VS lists coach and biz but no PE, anyone know if you can book a reward seat on NZ in PE ?

quote:Originally posted by mike-smashing
quote:Originally posted by daywalker
PE menu should've been exactly the same as the J menu on ANZ


Almost right, except for... a) No choice of dessert in PE - J get an option of ice-cream instead, b) No 4th (lighter) main meal choice in PE, and c) a couple of differences with what you get in the breakfast service.

As you may have noticed, I fly NZ fairly often for a Brit.

Mike

Can't say I noticed you fly with them alot I'm afraid.

I won't dispute what you say, I've only ever travelled in business with them, I just heard they offer the same and their website implies that PE get the same menu as BP
http://www.airnewzealand.co.uk/on-the-p ... efault.htm

quote:Fly for business or for pleasure and you'll always get more out of flying Premium Economy - a more exclusive on-board environment, more room to stretch your legs and relax, a more tempting choice of New Zealand-inspired dishes from our Business Premier menu and excellent award-winning wines.

quote:Why wait until you reach your destination to enjoy a great meal and fine wine? Fly our Premium Economy and you'll never have to; you'll be free to choose from the same New Zealand-inspired menus and award-winning New Zealand wines we offer our business class travellers.

* Business Premier menus with fresh, imaginative New Zealand-inspired menus

[Scrooge]

If you do a search Mike has posted a couple of TR's both from J and W.

Well you can't book a W reward through VS, very strange, but ok.