7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024

7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - Air New Zealand Elite Partnership with Virgin Atlantic at 62,500 Points One Way in Business Class

Air New Zealand and Virgin Atlantic's new partnership lets you use Virgin Atlantic Flying Club points for flights to New Zealand, opening a new avenue for award travel. A one-way business class flight from the US to New Zealand costs 62,500 Virgin Atlantic points, while roundtrip will set you back double that at 125,000. If you're based in Hawaii, the same one-way business class flight comes down to a more affordable 45,000 points, potentially a better choice for those looking to explore from the islands. While the points cost structure is intriguing, award seat availability for these routes seems to be somewhat of a challenge. It pays to plan ahead and potentially book well in advance to secure your spot. Furthermore, Virgin Atlantic's top-tier loyalty program members get a few extra goodies, including added baggage allowances and access to airport lounges while flying with Air New Zealand, enhancing the overall experience. It's worth considering that, despite being a partnered airline, the point costs aren't necessarily always the best deals, and there may be other programs offering more favorable redemption rates.

Interestingly, Air New Zealand's connection with Virgin Atlantic presents a distinct pathway to New Zealand. Using Virgin Atlantic Flying Club miles, you can potentially book a one-way business class flight for 62,500 points. While that seems like a decent amount of points, it's relatively less than what other programs might charge for similar flights.

One aspect of note is the potential for some inconsistencies in the Virgin Atlantic award chart for these flights. The listed price might not always align with the most up-to-date cost. Travelers should always double-check before booking.

If you're flying from Hawaii, the point cost for a one-way trip drops to 45,000, offering a more attractive proposition. However, even with this partnership, the availability of award seats seems to be somewhat limited. Travelers might have to exercise patience and explore their options via British Airways or directly through Virgin Atlantic.

One appealing detail is that Virgin Atlantic's loyalty tiers grant some benefits for these Air New Zealand journeys. Gold members get perks like increased baggage allowances and lounge access. You can also earn Virgin points for traveling on Air New Zealand, and the points you earn vary depending on the type of ticket and the class of travel.

While the flexibility of these reward bookings is subject to some restrictions, there's a possibility that transfer bonuses from other programs could lower the overall point requirements for your flights. It's important to keep a lookout for such promotional offers, as they could offer substantial savings. The partnership is definitely intriguing, offering a unique route for potentially lucrative travel opportunities.

What else is in this post?

1. 7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - Air New Zealand Elite Partnership with Virgin Atlantic at 62,500 Points One Way in Business Class
2. 7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - United MileagePlus Sweet Spot at 90,000 Miles for Business Class via Auckland
3. 7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - Qantas Frequent Flyer Miles Transfer from American Express at 85,000 Points
4. 7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Business Class Awards on Fiji Airways
5. 7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - Air Canada Aeroplan Fixed Price Awards Starting at 75,000 Points
6. 7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - American Airlines AAdvantage Awards via Fiji at 80,000 Miles
7. 7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Star Alliance Awards from North America at 117,000 Miles

7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - United MileagePlus Sweet Spot at 90,000 Miles for Business Class via Auckland

United MileagePlus presents an interesting opportunity for travelers aiming for business class flights to New Zealand, with a sweet spot at 90,000 miles. Often, the most accessible route for this award space is through Auckland, though availability can fluctuate. If you're lucky enough to snag a seat, you might get to experience United's Polaris business class, which has generally received positive feedback since its launch, with improved comfort found on aircraft like the Boeing 787-9 and some versions of the 767 and 777. While United maintains a fixed award chart for partner flights, helping to avoid erratic pricing, especially for long-haul international routes, the program also uses dynamic pricing for many other routes. This means that depending on demand, fares can change, sometimes significantly. If you're flexible, looking for deals during less popular travel periods, you might find even better options for fewer miles, which could make the United MileagePlus sweet spot even sweeter.

It's important to remember that while United's 90,000 mile option is appealing, it isn't the only game in town. Avianca LifeMiles and ANA Mileage Club can be other avenues for exploring New Zealand with business class awards, starting at 80,000 and 120,000 miles respectively. So, for business class flights to New Zealand, keep the United MileagePlus sweet spot in mind, but remember to also compare other options to potentially secure an even better deal. Depending on your flexibility, and when you're hoping to travel, you might be pleasantly surprised at what you find.

United MileagePlus sometimes offers a compelling deal: business class flights to New Zealand for just 90,000 miles. It's a noteworthy sweet spot when you consider that many other airlines might charge 130,000 to 150,000 miles for the same trip. The primary way to access this deal is via flights routed through Auckland (AKL), though availability can fluctuate.

United's Polaris business class, a considerable improvement over their previous offerings, is available on several aircraft including the Boeing 787-9 and some 767 and 777 variations. While this program is attractive, it's not the only one worth looking into for New Zealand travel. Other frequent flyer programs, like Avianca LifeMiles and ANA Mileage Club, might be competitive in price, with awards sometimes starting around 80,000 miles or up to 120,000.

It's interesting that United maintains a fixed award chart for partner airlines. This consistency helps ensure the price you see is the price you get, which is particularly helpful for long-haul journeys. However, be aware that United's MileagePlus program, like many others, uses dynamic pricing on most flights. While it might be frustrating at times, this means that during off-peak periods and when "saver-level" award space is available, you might be able to snag a flight for fewer miles.

One aspect of their partner program worth mentioning is the consistent award pricing for these routes. There are often hidden fees or variations in pricing across partner airlines, but this is avoided with United. While United does rely on dynamic pricing, which is essentially variable pricing depending on demand, their fixed chart for partner flights keeps things generally predictable.

Booking a flight with MileagePlus can sometimes be a great option, not just for mileage cost savings but because the taxes and fees tend to be lower on certain routes. It's not uncommon to find that some itineraries are as low as 5,000 miles plus small government-imposed fees. However, finding these tickets in the business class cabin is harder than in economy.



You should also remember that the Polaris business class product itself has helped raise the profile of United since its introduction in 2016. The changes they made were important and significantly enhanced the travel experience, particularly for longer flights. With upgraded seats and food, it's a substantial improvement over what they had before. United's transcontinental routes, when saver-level award space is available, are also pretty decent deals for a frequent flyer program. At 15,000 miles in economy and 30,000 in business class, those flights are incredibly competitive, particularly on the East Coast/West Coast flights within the USA.

7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - Qantas Frequent Flyer Miles Transfer from American Express at 85,000 Points

Qantas Frequent Flyer has made it easier for American Express cardholders to accumulate points. You can now transfer your American Express Membership Rewards points to Qantas Points at a 1:1 ratio. The transfer minimum is a low 500 points, allowing you to accumulate Qantas points in smaller increments for potential future redemptions. This partnership adds another dimension to American Express's airline transfer options, making it the 19th airline partner in their program.

Transfer bonuses from American Express can make these Qantas point transfers even more appealing, especially if you're interested in booking flights to New Zealand. These bonuses can effectively lower the point cost for future redemptions. It is important to be aware of award availability and the specific program rules before you book a flight. The process of finding and booking award flights can be complicated at times and requires careful planning and flexibility. While this new transfer option adds a helpful element to accumulating Qantas points, you still need to research award options before committing to anything. The travel rewards landscape is dynamic and constantly changing, so always look for the best deals.

Qantas Frequent Flyer, in conjunction with American Express, offers a path to accumulating miles for travel. You can move American Express Membership Rewards points over to Qantas at a 1:1 ratio. This means 85,000 Membership Rewards points becomes 85,000 Qantas Points. This transfer usually happens in increments as small as 500 points. Transfers, however, must be in full increments and need a minimum transfer of 500 points.

American Express is one of the larger issuers of rewards points and some of their premium credit cards offer rather substantial multipliers, potentially as high as 5x points. That can speed up the accumulation of rewards significantly. Qantas Frequent Flyer is part of American Express's portfolio of airline partners, which also includes other notable programs.

With Qantas Points, you can book flights not only on Qantas but also on a few other airlines as well. Partner programs can sometimes offer more attractive award inventory. One example is Qatar Airways.

While I haven't seen a hard valuation of Qantas Points, some sources would place a valuation of American Express Membership Rewards points around 2 cents each. However, this doesn't necessarily correlate directly with the value of Qantas points. To get the transfer started, you will have to link your accounts first, so ensure both your American Express and Qantas accounts are linked up correctly.

This might be attractive to certain travelers. American Express sometimes offers bonuses for transferring points into Qantas and other airline partners. This can make transferring points a worthwhile consideration, particularly if a bonus is in effect at the moment.

The availability of award seats is also something to keep in mind. You might have to be flexible with your travel dates to get the ideal route, class and prices.

There's a sizable bonus promotion right now for Amex Platinum cards, with 150,000 bonus points for new applicants, until January 2025. If you are thinking about earning miles for Qantas, this might be something to consider, given its size.

7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan Business Class Awards on Fiji Airways

Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan presents a potentially attractive option for snagging business class seats on Fiji Airways, especially if your travel plans involve Fiji, Australia, or New Zealand. Currently, you can grab a one-way business class ticket for 55,000 miles, which might seem like a good deal. However, in 2024, the mileage cost is scheduled to jump to 75,000 miles. This change might make it less appealing for some, especially if you were planning a trip in the latter part of the year.

One potentially positive aspect of this redemption option is the possibility of including a stopover in Fiji on your way to New Zealand or Australia for a mere 10,000 extra miles. This can add some valuable flexibility and exploration to your journey. Alaska has revamped their award pricing, aiming to increase transparency, but in practice, this may lead to a reduction in value for specific routes. While the changes may streamline the booking process, it's worth double-checking whether this program still offers the best value for your intended trip.

In addition to business class, the Mileage Plan also remains competitive for economy flights, with one-way tickets to Fiji, Australia, or New Zealand costing 20,000 miles. This could be a worthwhile option for budget-conscious travelers aiming to explore these destinations. While it's generally positive that Alaska is providing greater transparency with their changes, it's always prudent to compare redemption rates with other programs to confirm if this remains the optimal option for your next trip.

Alaska Airlines' Mileage Plan presents an intriguing option for booking business class flights on Fiji Airways, particularly to destinations like Fiji, Australia, and New Zealand. One-way business class tickets can currently be had for 55,000 miles, although the new award chart for 2024 bumps this to 75,000 miles from the US. While this price point is competitive and arguably a good deal compared to many other airlines, it's important to factor in potential future price increases when planning trips.

The partnership itself is interesting from an airline network perspective, extending Alaska's reach into regions it doesn't typically serve directly. This offers passengers a wider range of destinations to explore. However, it does come with the typical caveats associated with airline partnerships: Award availability can be a bit unpredictable and may require a flexible travel schedule. Passengers can add a stopover in Fiji for a 10,000 mile surcharge, a feature that adds an appealing dimension to the trip.

One notable aspect is the upcoming multi-airline award chart, scheduled for late 2024. While the current system is fairly straightforward, this change could potentially enhance routing flexibility, albeit with a more complicated pricing structure to understand.

Interestingly, they have also expanded their award offerings beyond Fiji Airways; for instance, a Japan Airlines business class trip from Tokyo to Shanghai can be booked for a reduced price of 15,000 miles. This highlights the potential of the Mileage Plan for exploring more than just the Pacific.


One intriguing scenario is a potential one-way ticket from Los Angeles to Nadi (NAN) for just 30,000 miles. While this is a limited-time sweet spot and subject to change, it emphasizes how advantageous this program can be if you manage to find such opportunities.


Mileage redemption is straightforward enough in this case: Flights marketed and operated by the partner airlines are eligible, easily recognizable with the airline's two-letter code before the flight number. As a side note, first class awards to Asia remain at a fixed 70,000 miles, which might be a useful benchmark when evaluating whether or not a business class award is a good value.

While the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan partnership with Fiji Airways seems like a decent option, it's also important to compare the program with other possibilities before jumping in. Keeping an eye out for dynamic pricing shifts in the future and the coming multi-airline award chart should be crucial in optimizing the value of your miles. Award seat availability, as always, can be a limiting factor, so flexibility in travel plans is essential to make this program truly shine.

7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - Air Canada Aeroplan Fixed Price Awards Starting at 75,000 Points

Air Canada's Aeroplan program has become a contender for those planning trips to New Zealand, thanks to their fixed-price award flights starting at 75,000 points. This pricing model applies to routes between North America and the Pacific, offering a relatively consistent way to calculate the cost of your trip to destinations like Australia and New Zealand. For example, you might be able to secure a roundtrip business class ticket for 150,000 points, although availability can be a challenge.

Aeroplan's pricing structure has seen both ups and downs over time, but the current system provides some clarity. One notable perk is a modest 5,000-point surcharge for a stopover, which can be attractive for those who want to break up a long journey or explore multiple locations. The program also stands out due to its wide network of airline partners, which increases your chances of finding award flights that suit your needs. Keep in mind, however, that booking with partner airlines often comes with a booking fee, a factor that can diminish the overall value of your points. This aspect warrants careful evaluation before you commit to booking a trip with Aeroplan points.

Air Canada's Aeroplan program offers a fixed price for award flights to New Zealand, starting at 75,000 points for certain routes within a specific distance band. This fixed-price structure can be a useful tool for planning, unlike some other programs with more dynamic pricing. While the program generally provides a fixed price, you'll still encounter some changes depending on the partner airline. Understanding this can be critical for getting the most value from your points.

One benefit of Aeroplan is the ability to combine points with family members, which could help you reach the threshold for a reward flight quicker. However, this approach requires coordination and can be beneficial for some but not all family dynamics. Furthermore, the program features a decent number of airline partners, providing more flexibility when planning routes. This can be valuable if you desire to mix and match airlines on your journey.

One aspect that is somewhat unusual is Aeroplan's stopover feature. You can add a stopover for a small charge, 5,000 points, which can add to your journey's value. This differs from other programs, which often charge a lot more for this flexibility.

The program offers a wide range of pricing for business-class flights, depending on the destination and availability. While this can create uncertainty in planning, it also gives you some level of control over your costs if you are willing to experiment. The program also includes a booking fee when using a partner airline. This needs to be considered when evaluating Aeroplan versus other programs.

Certain west coast airports like LAX and SFO appear to offer a greater number of Aeroplan redemption options than others. This means if you are departing from a major airport hub, you are more likely to find a good flight with a good number of redemptions available. The program's scope covers both international and domestic travel, even including premium economy options. This provides a certain level of flexibility if you don't need business class or are willing to switch your travel style to fit the availability of reward flights.

The availability of award flights within the program, while more predictable than some others, still requires a degree of flexibility. Finding a flight you desire may require adaptability in travel dates. Understanding this prior to planning is important if your trip requires very specific dates or routes. Also, Aeroplan, like many other reward programs, sometimes offers promotions. Keeping an eye on this aspect can be useful in maximising your point gains. You should always compare programs when making travel decisions as program rules, awards, and schedules are always subject to change.

7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - American Airlines AAdvantage Awards via Fiji at 80,000 Miles

American Airlines' AAdvantage program has introduced a change to how you can book award flights on Fiji Airways, specifically implementing a dynamic pricing model. This means that the previously fixed cost of 80,000 miles for a business class flight, or 40,000 for economy, can now fluctuate. In some cases, a business class ticket between Los Angeles and Nadi could cost a whopping 405,000 miles, highlighting the potential unpredictability of the new system.

Despite this shift, there are positives. In 2025, Fiji Airways will join the Oneworld alliance, including American Airlines. This will provide better integration between the two programs, allowing you to earn and redeem AAdvantage miles on Fiji Airways flights. This also grants AAdvantage members privileges like priority boarding and lounge access when flying with Fiji Airways.

The introduction of dynamic pricing, however, adds an element of uncertainty when planning your New Zealand trip through Fiji. Award seats might become harder to find, and the cost might fluctuate drastically. Those considering this option for their New Zealand travel need to be prepared for potential difficulties in finding flights and be flexible with their travel plans, as well as the possibility of higher costs due to dynamic pricing.

American Airlines' AAdvantage program currently offers a relatively straightforward way to book Fiji Airways flights using miles. Business class flights are available for 80,000 miles, making it a tempting option for those aiming for a comfortable journey. However, this relatively low price is expected to be a temporary sweet spot. The introduction of dynamic pricing on Fiji Airways, which is mirroring American Airlines' own pricing strategy, suggests a likely shift towards potentially significantly higher award costs. It looks like the current 80,000 mile price won't last.


One intriguing element is Fiji Airways' ability to incorporate a stopover in Fiji itself during a longer journey. Adding a stopover incurs just 10,000 extra miles, offering a worthwhile detour to explore a unique destination. It's a good way to mix destinations if your travel goals are somewhat exploratory, something that's not often possible with other airlines or their partners. Furthermore, Fiji Airways boasts a decent network and serves destinations throughout the Pacific, including Australia and New Zealand. Using AAdvantage miles, travelers could easily create an itinerary that hops between these spots. The challenge is to find award space and the sweet spots that reduce the amount of miles required, as it appears the current 80,000 miles is a very temporary deal.


Economy class flights to Fiji and New Zealand also hold potential. The usual economy award flights are in the 35,000 to 40,000 mile range and are appealing for budget travelers who prefer to prioritize saving miles over luxury. Finding these flights is likely easier than snagging seats in business class, but I wouldn't necessarily be in a hurry to collect miles for economy, as the mile value appears to be rather volatile and there's a possibility that the value of the program will be eroded.


AAdvantage's interface for booking award flights is relatively easy to use. You can search and sort for flights based on different parameters, making it straightforward to find an appropriate option. This makes it easier to compare routes or options. In contrast, some of the other airlines or programs out there are harder to work with. However, even with this well-designed booking system, it's important to be mindful that dynamic pricing can impact availability and price. Travelers need to be flexible when planning their itineraries to maximize the value of their miles. If you find a deal that works for you, it's best to just book it and not overthink the potential for a better offer in the future, as that may never come or it might only come with some severe tradeoffs such as in the availability of the travel dates.



The customer service experience with Fiji Airways is often rated favorably. The in-flight experience, especially in business class, is often well-received. Combining this with the general ease of use of AAdvantage adds a bit of extra value to your AAdvantage miles. However, I am slightly concerned about the broader travel industry, with Alaska Airlines and their plan to release a new multi-airline award chart. That's likely going to introduce a level of complexity into travel planning and could impact how efficient using miles will be for booking and managing complex itineraries.

Furthermore, AAdvantage features a broader network, including partners such as Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines. This could open doors for travelers looking to craft routes that offer greater mileage value or utilize those partners to achieve greater flexibility with connecting flights. I am not sure about the strategic direction of the alliance partners though, and I am somewhat concerned whether the airlines can actually maintain this program or will it continue to deteriorate over time as other travel options become more affordable. It's good that you can use miles to fly with partners, but you should be aware that the award availability and pricing can vary significantly.

7 Best Airline Loyalty Programs for Booking Award Flights to New Zealand in 2024 - Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Star Alliance Awards from North America at 117,000 Miles

Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer program presents an option for travelers aiming to reach destinations around the globe using Star Alliance partners. A roundtrip flight from North America can be booked for 117,000 miles, though this cost could be considered high, particularly in light of recent changes to the program's award chart for some partner airlines. It's worth noting that you can now book Star Alliance awards online starting in December 2024, a step forward that simplifies the booking process. Being part of the extensive Star Alliance network provides benefits like a streamlined check-in and connection processes at many international airports. However, it's important to know that Singapore Airlines has eliminated Round the World award flights starting in May 2024. This means that those who've been banking on KrisFlyer miles for complex global journeys now have one less avenue for redemption. This is a significant change to the program, requiring travelers to adapt and reconsider whether KrisFlyer miles are still the best way to reach their preferred destinations, like New Zealand. Given how quickly award programs change, monitoring changes and award availability will become even more important moving forward.

Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer program, part of the Star Alliance network, is an interesting option for those seeking award flights to New Zealand, though it's not always the most compelling. You can use KrisFlyer miles to book seats not only on Singapore Airlines but also on any other Star Alliance member airline, including popular options like Air New Zealand and United. This broadens your possibilities and gives you some control over your routing.

However, their approach to pricing creates a bit of a puzzle. While Singapore Airlines flights are priced using a standard chart, the miles required for flights on other Star Alliance airlines is based on the concept of dynamic pricing. This means you might find yourself needing significantly more or fewer miles depending on when and where you're flying, making it crucial to double-check your desired booking before getting too excited.


Another aspect to consider is the option to stopover in Singapore. KrisFlyer awards can be booked with a stopover in Singapore at relatively low mileage cost. This is quite attractive to me from a travel experience point of view and gives you a chance to see the city during your trip to New Zealand.



When using KrisFlyer miles to fly to New Zealand, flying through Australia can lead to smoother travel. This can make the entire process faster and more convenient, particularly when the award booking is particularly complex, but there is no guarantee that this will be the case. It's something to keep in mind when you are building your itinerary.



Singapore Airlines' prices tend to be relatively lower in terms of fuel surcharges and taxes compared to some US airlines. This can lead to potentially more attractive deals overall, making it potentially more rewarding to use KrisFlyer miles.


KrisFlyer supports a family pooling system. It can be a very useful strategy if you have a large family who wants to pool miles to book a trip to New Zealand. However, it can be a significant challenge to coordinate, so it's important to understand how the system works and how well this can work for your particular travel needs.


You should always keep an eye out for special deals or promotional offers, as they can significantly impact the cost of flights to New Zealand or other destinations. Singapore Airlines frequently runs these offers, and if your travel plans are flexible, they can provide good value.


Being adaptable with your travel dates can result in notable changes in the number of miles you'll need to book your flight. This is particularly true during periods of higher travel demand or specific times of the year. If your travel dates are somewhat flexible, you have much more control over potentially cheaper flights.


I personally find the KrisFlyer mobile app a very useful tool for booking and managing flights. It simplifies a rather complex task and you can easily search for flights, view award inventory, and check bookings from anywhere. This is rather important for travelers as it makes adjustments on the go more convenient.


Credit card companies occasionally offer transfer bonuses for points that you transfer to KrisFlyer. This can make transferring points to Singapore Airlines a more viable strategy. You can achieve greater gains in mileage for frequently sought-after routes such as travel to New Zealand, simply by strategically choosing when to transfer your points.

The combination of the Star Alliance network with KrisFlyer can open up diverse options for getting to New Zealand and offers a variety of opportunities for booking rewards using the program, but you should always pay attention to the specifics of each booking in terms of miles needed. While it might look straightforward on the surface, things get intricate when evaluating specific booking conditions and availability.