Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand (NZ) is a Star Alliance member based in Auckland (AKL). It has a well-earned reputation for friendly service and clever cabin design, and an equally well-earned reputation for being one of the stingiest airlines in the world with premium award space. Economy awards are findable; long-haul business is a genuine unicorn.

Iberia

Which miles can you use to book Air New Zealand?

Because Air New Zealand is in Star Alliance, you can book its award space with partner miles, including:

  • United MileagePlus: no fuel surcharges, and united.com is also the easiest place to search
  • Air Canada Aeroplan
  • Avianca LifeMiles: often the cheapest, no surcharges
  • Turkish Miles&Smiles

How to search for Air New Zealand award space:

The easiest place to search is the United Airlines website. United displays Star Alliance partner availability, including Air New Zealand, and you can search without holding any miles.

Step 1

Log in to your United Airlines account on united.com. If you don’t have an account yet, signing up is free.

Step 2

Select the Book Travel box and fill in your trip details:

  • Select either Round Trip or One Way
  • Enter your departure and arrival city. For Air New Zealand, think routes touching Auckland (AKL), like LAX-AKL, SFO-AKL, AKL-SYD, or domestic hops to Queenstown (ZQN)
  • Enter your dates
  • Select the number of passengers
  • Select Award Travel

Then click Search.

Step 3

Pick the flight option that fits your schedule. Watch the connection times carefully, as some options have very long layovers.

If you would like to search a different day, use the calendar to scan nearby dates. Domestic New Zealand and trans-Tasman flights show far more space than the long hauls.

Make sure you select the Saver Award, as standard awards cost far more miles and usually can’t be booked with partner programs anyway.

Step 4

Choose your preferred flight and open its details. Write down the following information: flight number, dates, and cabin class.

Step 5

Now book with the program your miles live in. If it’s United miles, book right there on united.com. For other programs (Aeroplan, LifeMiles, Miles&Smiles), check their website first, since most can book Star Alliance partners online now. If the flight doesn’t show, call the program and read the agent the exact flights you found. They should be able to see and book the same space for you.

Tips before you book

  • Do not plan a trip around finding Air New Zealand long-haul business class with points. Plan on economy or premium economy, or route via Sydney or Fiji on other Star Alliance carriers instead.
  • If united.com shows nothing, cross-check the same route on aeroplan.com. Partner sites occasionally disagree on the last seat or two.