Planning New Zealand flights

Thanks to some very helpful suggestions on winter sun destinations by the kind denizens of this forum, my OH has decided he'd really like to see New Zealand, so I'm starting to look at planning a trip for the end of 2015/start of 2016 now.

I priced up a PE flight (LHR > AKL) on the VS website and on Expedia and the price was the same, about £4100 for the two of us. On the VS site, the trip is via PVG; on Expedia, the trip is via SFO. I think I prefer SFO as I'm hoping we'll be able to use a lounge for the long-ish (6 hours) layover.

Questions!

1) The fare code is K for both carriers/sectors. On VS, K is PE. However, on the VS website section about partner airlines, it lists K as a discounted, non TP/miles earning Y fare bucket on ANZ. I've searched and struggled to find a comprehensive listing for ANZ's fare codes. Is K PE or Y? Will I earn any miles or TP for this sector? I'm guessing no, but live in hope... There's a thread on FT that lists K as discounted Y, too, but that was last updated in 2010. Expedia definitely states the ANZ leg as a PE K fare.

2) Is there a better way to go about booking this? Am I able to, for example, book directly with VS and book an M fare for the VS leg which we upgrade to UC, but have the PE flight to AKL on the same PNR?

I've kept an eye on the thread regarding partner redemptions over at FT and so far there seem to be limited success stories about spending miles on ANZ. I haven't ruled it out and may look into it, too, but am aware I may end up frustrated!

Information and suggestions greatly appreciated; I've never looked at flights to NZ before so not really sure what I'm dealing with. Does £4,000 for two PE flights to NZ sound about right? Thank you.

Have you priced up Cathay Pacific? They offer a good PE product and would avoid the hassle of transiting via USA.

I have been pricing up LHR-CHC (Christchurch) over the Christmas period and on Singapore Air it is about £1400 per person but that is in economy. I only say it to give an idea of prices.

Looking at the ANZ website they use a range of aircraft for both flights.

SFO-AKL
772 old PE
772 refit looks similar to VS PE
773 which has the PE space seat

PVG-AKL
767 no PE
772 old PE
772 refit looks similar to VS PE
789 looks similar to VS PE

I would try for the SFO 773.

clarkeysntfc, I hadn't even thought of Cathay--we've never flown with them and didn't realise they offered PE. They're about £400 more on the same dates, so it looks like the VS/NZ flight is pretty competitive so far. Thanks for the suggestion!

Silver Fox, thank you. That's very useful to know and it seems like we're in the ballpark.

Hull, thanks, that's very handy! I'm definitely veering towards SFO. We travel a lot that way, anyway, and quite like SFO as an airport. Plus, as the layover's so long, there are no worries about it taking extra time to clear customs and recheck baggage etc. I'd definitely rather increase the chances of us getting a good aircraft/seat.

I definitely wouldn't limit myself to VS if flying to NZ. There are a lot of options and many of them better and cheaper than VS. SQ are rolling out PE this year so keep an eye on them and also look out for business class sale fares as it is not uncommon to see J come in under £3000 on some reputable carriers. Also think about starting your trip on the continent or in DUB as there have been some very juicy J fares to NZ recently from the likes of MAD. Basically shop around and you will probably get better than VS for much less. Good luck.

Cathays product is great in business,the new business takes some beating, although a big cabin.. the HKG - AKL leg has often used older product "coffins" very narrow but very comfy in bed mode and service was personal and more than made up for it..A decent split also 2x10/11 hrs
Major issue with Cathay is their appalling bag allowance.

I watch Emirates turning into land at AKL twice a day and tHeir prices are good, although a pain refuelling in oz prior.

ANZ now in with SQ seems to be a no brainer. ANZ avoid via LAX for obvious reasons.

Price worthy of comparison on this route...

Let us know how you get on Spacedog, as youngest son has just said he and newish wife (who is Australian) have decided to go try Oz land in a years time as they are getting fed up with London. Great excuse for me to start saving/planning a trip in one/two years time. WE would also like (me) to visit New Zealand would be silly to go all that way and not visit now wouldn,t.

Will contact NH for his advice nearer the time if it ever comes off.

NZ is definitely worth a visit. I took a "once in a lifetime" trip there four years ago and have been back twice since and going again in Nov! Just can't get enough of the place.

Was just surfing fares for another trip and noticed CX are selling PE to Australia SYD/MEL/BNE etc. for around £1500 return all in ex LHR/MAN. While this is only until June, it gives an idea of what to shoot for in terms of fare. A Trans-Tazman fare can be had for around £150 rtn so you can get to NZ pretty cheaply in reasonable comfort.

We spent five weeks in NZ in 2008 and absolutely loved it. We simply hired cars on both islands and drove round. Utterly stunning place, I'd go back in a heartbeat, but since then our youngest son and family have moved to the States, so we spend time there, and there are so many places we've never been.

First world problem. But NZ is fabulous.

I'd certainly recommend ANZ. If you are flying PE then you can go for one of their newer planes with the "solid-shell" seat which has very good reviews. Unfortunately on my last run out I got one of the older 747's through LAX and the PE seats were a little tired.

Having said that the crew, service & food does show VA where they need to step up and even more so when I flew Business via HK with ANZ. I always try to fly with VA but as ANZ are a FC partner you do have the option to use them also.

Thanks so much for all the insight, very helpful! I'll definitely keep an eye out for the release of SQ's new PE product. We've flown with ANZ a couple of times before and loved the service, so we're really happy to go with them, too. Also, Plane Sailing, good call on the ex-EU fares--I'll definitely keep an eye on those. As we'd be travelling for pleasure rather than work, I think I could convince my OH that a short flight to the continent (or DUB) to save us some money would be a good use of our time

Glad to hear NZ gets such a solid seal of approval from many of you. I'm very excited!

I won't get too excited about trying to use your FC miles with ANZ...can't think of anyone who has been successful in J..

Gone to NZ for the past three summers - head to queenstown fir some brilliant skiing

Fantastic country !!

I won't get too excited about trying to use your FC miles with ANZ...can't think of anyone who has been successful in J..

To clarify, in case the wording of my original post wasn't clear, I'm not hedging my bets on reward redemptions on this route (that way madness lies). However, if possible I'd like us to earn miles/TP. That said, we're not tied to VS and partners, and we'll definitely look for good deals with other carriers.

I won't get too excited about trying to use your FC miles with ANZ...can't think of anyone who has been successful in J..

To clarify, in case the wording of my original post wasn't clear, I'm not hedging my bets on reward redemptions on this route (that way madness lies). However, if possible I'd like us to earn miles/TP. That said, we're not tied to VS and partners, and we'll definitely look for good deals with other carriers.

Yep, but worth mentioning if people end up wasting time and effort..