Air New Zealand Partnership
Dec 27, 2006, 10:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Programs: MTD pass holder
Posts: 1,142
Air New Zealand Partnership
After two weeks, it is time for United to stop advertising that they are partners with Air New Zealand for award travel.
Last edited by ned; Dec 27, 2006 at 10:24 pm Reason: spelling
Dec 27, 2006, 10:26 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
It is about time that they get the system back up and running. I really need to change an award with them.
Dec 28, 2006, 11:17 pm
#3
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Perth
Programs: QR Platinum
Posts: 547
Has anyone got anything more useful than "try calling back tomorrow"?
Dec 28, 2006, 11:20 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
Called about it again an hour ago... it really appears to be on NZ's end, for once...
Dec 29, 2006, 11:03 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: DAY
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold, BA, DL, CO, UA, F9, AS, SPG, HHonors Gold, WN, Club Carlson Gold,
Posts: 1,378
I get the same story when I call, "call back tomorrow or in a few day." I explain it's not a matter of a lack of availability but it appears to be a technical issue. I ask if they have been provided any information to share with customers about the situation. But as always, they continue to respond stating "call back in a few days." One would think that information would be provided to the agents so that they can pass on info to callers. But that would be providing good customer service wouldn't it.
Dec 29, 2006, 6:28 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Programs: MTD pass holder
Posts: 1,142
Talked to United again today: Nothing!
Dec 29, 2006, 6:43 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
Is this EVER going to be fixed?
Dec 29, 2006, 7:08 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Programs: MTD pass holder
Posts: 1,142
Unfortunately for me with every passing day it matters less and less if it ever gets fixed. I guess it is all about timing.
Dec 29, 2006, 10:26 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
Just called again... the lady was more pi$$ed than I was about it being down.^
Dec 30, 2006, 10:35 am
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
OK, on the phone with an agent. She said they were "briefed" on it this morning, and they now have to request space. It takes a few minutes, but they can do it again!^
Edit: It was taking quite a while, so agent put me on hold to ask someone else how long it takes. It turns out that you have to request it and call back 24 hours later. I will call again this afternoon to see if it went through.
Edit: It was taking quite a while, so agent put me on hold to ask someone else how long it takes. It turns out that you have to request it and call back 24 hours later. I will call again this afternoon to see if it went through.
Dec 30, 2006, 4:14 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2002
Programs: MTD pass holder
Posts: 1,142
My thanks to lucky. It took close to an hour, but I was able to change my flights next Fall. Two hard to come by Business Class seats. It all depends on the CSR you get and I was fortunate. Her name is Jennifer. If you get Manila or Bombay just hang up. It took five calls before getting Chicago. The CSR’s in Manila and Bombay did not have a clue as to what I was talking about. Jennifer said she had done this several times in the last week. Good Luck
Dec 30, 2006, 4:38 pm
#13
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York, London, Sydney
Programs: United GS/2MM, DL*P, VS*G, AA*EXP, Avis CHM, Hertz Platinum, Sixt*D, HH*D, HGP*P, Starwood*P
Posts: 9,847
By the way, the request thing is now true for NH-booked awards as well. Talk about a step backwards! ...?
Dec 30, 2006, 4:51 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
OK, just called again, and it appears like the agent this morning was wrong. This new agent just put in the request and it took about a minute to book. Now have the flights I want!^
Dec 30, 2006, 5:20 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: WLG, New Zealand
Programs: UA LTG QF LTG/P1 NZ*E
Posts: 1,890
Somewhat off topic but NZ awards, when you can get them are an absolute bargain when booked via UA so consider yourself lucky
For a RT NZ-US discounted Business award via NZ it would "cost" 3500 NZ airpoints which equates to 245,000 UA miles and in addition 1) airpoints are much more difficult to accumulate than UA miles and 2) only those with NZ elite status or Koru Club membership have access to these discounted rates
Compare that with a UA *A award to NZ on NZ at 110,00 miles
Of course availability of NZ award to UA is another matter but for me, even if I were to predominantly travel on NZ I would be better off crediting to MP
Jeff
For a RT NZ-US discounted Business award via NZ it would "cost" 3500 NZ airpoints which equates to 245,000 UA miles and in addition 1) airpoints are much more difficult to accumulate than UA miles and 2) only those with NZ elite status or Koru Club membership have access to these discounted rates
Compare that with a UA *A award to NZ on NZ at 110,00 miles
Of course availability of NZ award to UA is another matter but for me, even if I were to predominantly travel on NZ I would be better off crediting to MP
Jeff