Air NZ delays controversial air points auction system
A new system that would see Air New Zealand Air Points members bidding against each other for upgrades has been delayed.
The controversial auction system was due to go live from today.
It is now due to be phased in on July 12.
Can we chalk up another victory for social media agitation?
Blogger Ben Kepes, who kicked off the kerfuffle over the auction system, is hopeful.
When contacted by Keallhauled today he was living in hope.
"I'm one of a small band of ultra frequent Air New Zealand travellers.
"I've always found them to be proactive, supportive and innovative.
"If this delay indicates a rethink about their approach to this new policy for their most loyal customers, it is a great example of the airline listening to their market - I'm hopeful, and reasonably confident that is, in fact, the case."
Sorry, Ben, it doesn't seem like it.
Air NZ spokeswoman Marie Hosking told NBR ONLINE the delay was purely for technical reasons. There are no further tweaks to the system in the works (in an earlier concession, the airline did exempt Gold Elite Air Points members).
Read Air NZ's official, migraine-inducing explanation of its new "OneUp" system here.
The airline's initial OneUp announcement drew a furious response from some. Mr Kepes said it would add unnecessary stress and create an opportunity for other airlines, such as Qantas, to target disgruntled frequent flyers.
Kiwiblog's David Farrar was blunter. Under a piece headlined "You bastards," he wrote that Air NZ had constantly degraded its air points programme - but that (until now) he had stayed loyal for the opportunity of business class upgrades on long-haul flights.
"I can not afford to pay more higher than economy class to travel overseas.
"However, I regularly use airpoints to purchase upgrades so I can escape cattle class. Now Air NZ is destroying the benefits of having gold status with them."
But not everyone in social media land was bashing the airline.
Another frequetly flying member of the Twitterati, Cathy Odgers (aka Cactus Kate) said anyone with a working knowledge of Trade Me should understand there was potential for cheaper business class upgrades under the new system (read Ms Odgers full six-point prong at Mr Farrar here).
Back to home
Back to top
Print
Latest
NBR SERVICES
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Sign up for NBR subscriber content or email alerts
Comments and questions8
I will now look at changing after many years with airnz. They now have a very poor checkin service at Christchurch for people flying international and have reduced checked luggage limits to 1 bag 23 kgs plus 1 extra for gold and will make you take out 500grams if you are over even when the scales are not that accurate. Emirates and Qantas have much better luggage limits.
Why on earth are these people sticking with a dinosaur airline that abandoned looking after Kiwi consumers years ago.
As a Gold AIrpoints member I am starting to wonder what the value is? crowded Koru lounges, poor food, expensive fares and having to bid for upgrades??? I may as well use Jetstar and Emirates. Wake up Air NZ or lose!
My son a Gold airpoints member has just shifted his business to Cathay.
Wake up Air DODO!
It is probably worth remembering that the whole business of a rewards system, where individuals are benefitted personally through the way they spend company $$, is in effect a blatant backhander, and in essence therefore corrupt. The whole point of airpoints (an many other loyalty schemes) is to encourage individuals to spend on more expensive fares (generally using other peoples money) so that they receive the 'points' they can use personally and that are invisible to the person or company that pays the cost. If that is not a backhander, then what is?
anon - I assume you vote green as well as have large pangs of jealousy. Join the real world.
Hey True Kiwi...you forgot to address my point...are these so-called loyalty and points schemes a backhanders or not? They are totally designed to minimise price competition via personal advantage, especially for a commodity like air travel (btw, you're also wrong on both other points)
The suits who don't pay for their own fares are in a right tizz over this one - toys going everywhere.