Air New Zealand Airpoints changes

Air New Zealand wishes to advise changes to its Airpoints programme to better recognise and reward passengers’ travel with Air New Zealand.

Airpoints Dollars will now be earned on every regularly available fare and members can look forward to enjoying several million more Airpoints Dollars every year – with the majority of changes taking effect for sales & travel from 31 March 2014.

These changes follow the largest review of the Airpoints programme in a decade, which included seeking feedback from tens of thousands of members.

Key changes include:

• Airpoints Dollars now to be earned on every regularly available fare (excludes last minute grabaseat greenlight fares through grabaseat.co.nz and tickets purchased using Airpoints Dollars).
• Every fare class will now have its own Airpoints Dollars & Status points earning rate. These changes result in a much fairer reward and recognition system as they are directly linked to value of the fare paid.
• Higher Airpoints Dollar earning rates on 62% of all airfares.
• Recognising more regional, domestic and trans-Tasman travellers, with 78% of all Smart Saver and Flexi fare classes on these routes offering higher Status Point earning rates.
• Easier to understand Airpoints Dollar and Status Point earning rates when flying on partner airlines.
• A new Airpoints website available from today which is computer and tablet optimised and enables members to make the most of their benefits, track their status progress and manage upcoming flights with ease.
• Gold Elite members provided with a third Recognition Upgrade for use specifically on short haul routes across the Tasman and to the Pacific Islands.
• Our very top individual spenders can look forward to a personal invitation from Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon to be part of an exclusive Elite Priority One annual membership that will provide them a range of additional benefits and dedicated personal travel support services, details of which will be revealed to those members in the New Year.

Naming and branding changes will also be rolled out over the coming months:

Airpoints:

• The name of the programme entry level for Members

Silver:

• The first frequent flyer tier of the Airpoints programme (will continue to be recognised as they are today)

Gold:

• Gold members will continue to be recognised as they are today

Elite:

• Gold Elite will be rebranded to ‘Elite’. Providing a simplification of the current naming and representative of top tier status.

Elite “10”:

• The number of years someone has been consecutively at Gold Elite will be recognised on their membership card – a subtle acknowledgment of tenure for everyone to see.

Elite Priority One:

• Reserved for our top customers by invitation only (as outlined above)

Full details of the changes are available at www.airnz.co.nz/airpoints-news

First Five, NZ and Philippine Team Up for Charity Basketball Game

This is a fundraiser in support of Typhoon Haiyan victims in Philippines.

This game will feature NZ Best Basketball Players - past and present Tall Blacks and Breakers will play with a Filipino Community Team.

Where: Youthtown Downtown Auckland (68A Nelson St Auckland Central, Auckland)
When: 23 November 2013, 7pm

Tickets:
$25 per entry, $10 goes to charity
Sold on site from 4pm onward. Limited seats only (300 maximum).

Participants:

• Paul Henare: NZ Basketball Legend. Former NZ Breaker & Tall Black, Current NZ Breaker & Tall Black assistant coach
• Casey Frank: NZ Tall Black, Former NZ Breaker, current NZ Breakers commentator
• Jarrod Kenny: Current NZ Tall Black
• Alonzo Burton: NZ Breaker
• Hayden Allen: Former NZ Breaker & Tall Black
• Konrad Ross: Former NZ Tall Black
• Daryl Cartwright: Former NZ Tall Black
• Houston O'Riley: 2013 Super City Rangers Captain, 2012 NZNBL Champion (Auckland Pirates)
• Johnny Fesolai: 2013 Super City Rangers
• Ana Haku: 2013 Waikato Pistons

King Kapisi: MC for events / guest player

Notes:

• Playing uniforms (xballer) provided by Paul Berridge (Hoop Nation) to be signed & auctioned.
• BBNZ to provide a singlet for auction
• Signed NZ Breakers singlet/s to be auctioned (Hayden Allen)
• Signed Youthtown balls to be auctioned

Philippines - Typhoon Haiyan support

Here at the office we've been shocked to see the destruction caused by typhoon Haiyan in a country that is close to our hearts.

If you want to help financially, here are some sites where you can do so:
Christ's Commission Fellowship New Zealand
Auckland NZ Pinoys
Unicef
World Vision
Save The Children

Here's an article posted in Christianity Today which gives some insight and useful ways for churches to help.

If anyone needs to travel urgently, we are here to help. Contact us with what you need.

Update:
Forex-Umac Cargo NZ shipping company has given everyone an opportunity to help the victims of typhoon Haiayan by shipping goods for free. If you have canned goods, clothes, toys, gold coins or spare money that you can donate, drop it off yourself.

Their office is at 19 Ormiston Road, East Tamaki, Auckland. Please put the goods in a banana box or A3 box. Please deliver on the 16th of Nov, Saturday, from 9am to 4pm.

Air New Zealand 787-9 Aircraft Announcement

Here at Target Travel, we are more than a little excited!!

Here's the Press Release from Air New Zealand about the first route for their new Dreamliner!

We can't wait!

Air New Zealand is pleased to announce that Auckland-Perth will be the first scheduled route operated by the new Boeing 787-9 when the airline takes delivery of the launch aircraft next year.

Air New Zealand last night opened the Customer Innovation and Collaboration Centre in Auckland.  Invited guests will have the opportunity to view the interior of all three cabins of the 787-9.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner is different to any other aircraft as it offers:

• 30% larger windows, allowing extraordinary views and more natural light within the cabin.
• 20% less fuel used than similar aircraft, making it an environmentally responsible choice.
• Advanced air purification systems delivering cleaner, healthier air along with higher humidity, and an altitude equivalent of 6,000ft compared with average cabin altitude of 8,000ft, meaning customers will arrive less fatigued and more refreshed.
• The latest generation of the Panasonic inflight systems known as the eX3 including more new content and fun new genre such as ‘Chick Flicks’ and ‘Man Cave’.

View more by visiting www.airnewzealand.com

The configuration offered on the 787-9 will be:

A total of 302 seats

• 18 lie-flat Business Premier seats
• 21 Premium Economy seats
• 263 Economy seats, including 14 Skycouch rows

The 787-9 will be flying travellers initially to Perth followed by Shanghai and Tokyo by the end of 2014 with further routes available from 2015 onwards.

From today this is available for sale for travel between Auckland and Perth (which is operated as part of the trans-Tasman alliance with Virgin Australia) from 15 October 2014.

Skycouch will be available for sale for the first time on the Tasman, when Auckland – Perth operates from 15 October 2014, offering more choice for your customer. Sales for Skycouch will be available from early next year, more details will follow.

Below outlines the inflight specs for each 787-9 cabin:

Business Premier

The best sleep in the sky Business Premier offers:

• Air New Zealand’s signature chalk coloured leather lie-flat bed
• Seat space of 22”
• Bed space 33” wide at the shoulder and 79” long
• An ottoman footrest that doubles as guest seating and combined with the large table offering dual dining.
• 11” HD capacitive touch screen, premium headphones, in-seat power, USB connection
• Individual bed and reading lights
• Menu designed by consulting chef Peter Gordon
• Extensive selection of award-winning New Zealand wines.
• French champagne and nibbles are served before dinner
• Premium check-in
• Lounge access
• Amenity kits
• Priority luggage

Premium Economy

Stretch out and relax in Premium Economy and experience:

• Customised ink coloured luxury leather seat
• Generous 5” armrests
• Leg rest with extendable foot support
• Seat pitch of 41”, 9” recline and width of 19.3”
• 11” HD capacitive touch screen, premium headphones, in-seat power, USB connection
• Premium check-in
• Amenity kits
• Priority luggage

Economy Skycouch

Three seats in Economy that easily convert into a flat surface for rest, relaxation and play.  All features include the below Economy features plus:

• Can be used as a row of three seats or a lie flat surface
• Each seat has a leg rest that independently adjusts to two positions: 60 and 90 degrees
• Couch space 5’1” long

Economy

Spacious new seating featuring:

• Slim-line seat back enhances with the feeling of space
• Sculpted upholstering and a more flexible headrest
• Seats are 17.2” wide, with a pitch of 31-33”, recline of 5”
• 9” HD capacitive touch screen
• Shared in-seat power
• USB connection

Air New Zealand non-stop to Bali

Air New Zealand is pleased to announce that they will operate a third season of their non-stop flights between Auckland and Bali in response to high passenger demand for the 2013 season, particularly during the school holiday periods.

The twice weekly Boeing 767-300 service will operate seasonally with a slightly longer travel period of 31 May – 19 October 2014 and additionally over the peak demand period of 01 July - 12 October 2014 they will be introducing a third weekly service, so overall a 40% increase to capacity compared to the previous season. An increased number of length stay options will now be possible with the third frequency.

Destination: Chile

So, you want to visit South America but don’t know quite where to start? Why not consider Chile as your destination?

There is something in Chile for everyone. Sports and Adventure, Natural Inspiration, Food and Wine, Culture and Heritage, and Wellness and Relaxation.

Here is an overview of the regions.

In the North:

The Atacama Desert is the most arid in the world. Over a relatively short distance it is possible to see volcanoes, extensive salt flats, geysers, enormous sand dunes, natural hot springs, fertile valleys, solitary beaches and varied wildlife.

The city of La Serena (located 470 km North of Santiago) is your starting point for Astronomical tourism. This area has clear skies, 340 nights each year.

Santiago and the Central Zone:

The New York Times named Santiago as a premier travel destination thanks to its growing cultural life, new infrastructure dedicated to the arts, and first-class hotel options. In the neighbourhoods of Lastarria, Italia and the bohemian Bellavista there is an array of restaurants, design shops, bars and cafés, creating a truly vibrant experience. Just a few kilometers from Santiago you’ll find ski resorts and vineyards.

The wine routes in the Maipo, Casablanca and Colchagua valleys offer daily visiting schedules, tastings, wine shops and excellent restaurants.

In the South:

The Biobio River marks the beginning of the south of Chile. It is a place of great beauty, perfect for enjoying sporting activities and excursions the year round. Skiing in the Winter, and water sports, trekking, canopy rides, rafting and volcano climbing in the Summer.

90 kilometers from the city of Temuco you’ll find a wonderful ethnic tourism circuit that lets visitors sample local cuisine, sleep in a traditional dwelling (known as “ruca”), and enjoy rowboat excursions on Lake Budi, South America’s only saltwater lake.

Patagonia and the extreme South:

From one end to the other you’ll find landscapes containing endless wonders, including its majestic mountains, Campos de Hielo (the Ice Fields), Torres del Paine and Cerro Castillo (Mount Castillo). Torres del Paine is one of the most impressive destinations that Chile has to offer.

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this 240,000 hectare protected space features lakes, glaciers, rivers, waterfalls, forests and its unique granite towers. Activities include visiting the General Carrera lake whose waters have hewn caves and grottos in marble.

Both the Northern and Southern Ice Fields offer breathtaking views of glaciers. The Baker river is known for its excellent fly-fishing thanks to its abundance of rainbow and brown trout.

Torres del Paine National Park features a variety of circuits for trekking. You can explore the park by bike, following paths that offer gorgeous panoramic views. Kayaking is another option, navigating the Serrano River and exploring pristine areas surrounded by impressive vegetation and glaciers.

Between mid-November and mid-March, a number of ships offer transportation to Antarctica. Its landscapes are truly unique and magnificent, with a variety of wildlife to observe, photograph and film.

Chile is also the country from where you can visit Easter Island, the Juan Fernandez Islands and Chiloe. So much history and heritage to discover.

Target Travel would love to help you put together the trip of a lifetime. We can book you on tours from many providers.

Links:
Turismo Chile
Tierra Patagonia
Terra Luna Patagonia
Hotel Las Torres Patagonia
Explore Worldwide
AP Touring
Cox and Kings
Scenic Tours
Adventure World
Intrepid Travel

* images supplied by Turismo Chile

The Great Race

First Travel Group has a team in the Air New Zealand Great Race.

We at Target Travel would like to wish them all the best in this competition. 

We can help them by following them on Instagram #grhteamfirst and on their Great Race page.  Points are awarded for interaction. Likes and Comments add up!

Qantas International Network Improvements

Qantas today announced a series of improvements to its international network that will deliver new options and more choice for customers traveling to Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Auckland and Christchurch.

The improvements are:                        

• Starting a new route, Perth–Auckland*, to be offered on a seasonal basis between early December and the end of January, operated by a Qantas A330 aircraft twice per week.
• Upgrading one return Sydney–Hong Kong service to an Airbus A380 aircraft, increasing the number of A380 return services on this route from four to five per week.
• Increasing frequency to daily on Brisbane–Los Angeles* using the aircraft made available by the A380 upgrade on the Hong Kong route.
• Retiming Qantas’ existing Sydney–Christchurch* service so that it connects with more international services from Sydney and complements the existing Emirates service on this route.

*subject to regulatory approval

Are Travel Agents Really Necessary?

Recently the American edition of Woman’s Day ran an article titled ‘Ten Things Travel Agents Won’t Tell You’.

It has created quite a storm. Here’s a follow up article, which includes the response of the The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) to the magazine.

The simple fact is, as travel agents, we work really hard for you. We want you to have a good experience with your travel. And we are there for you when things go wrong overseas (and they can)!

At Target Travel we strive to give you the best service, as many of our clients can attest to.

Air New Zealand Wellington Disrupt Policy

More than 100 aftershocks have been recorded since the 6.5 earthquake in the Cook Strait just after 17.00 yesterday (Sunday). While some of the shocks are being felt hundreds of miles away, Wellington is experiencing the brunt of the impact. Best expert predictions are that the activity is likely to continue, so Air New Zealand is extending the following flexibility for customers who are already booked and ticketed to travel to/from Wellington.

General Rule Flexibility

The following flexibility will be permitted on all fare types for passengers ticketed to travel to/from Wellington up to and including Thursday 25th July 2013. This information relates specifically to tickets issued on Air New Zealand 086 ticket stock and covers both domestic and international travel.

Options are as follows:

• Passengers ticketed for travel to and from Wellington prior to and including Thursday 25th July 2013 may defer their travel to a later Air New Zealand flight in the same booking class inside 12-months of the original date of travel without penalty. If only higher booking classes are available, the fare differential will apply. If the proposed date of travel is unknown, then the value of the ticket may be held in credit for payment towards travel within the same 12-month validity.
• Passengers ticketed to travel to Wellington prior to and including Thursday 25th July 2013 may change their travel to another Air New Zealand destination without penalty. Any fare difference will apply
• Passengers who are ticketed to/from Wellington and wish to bring their travel forward to a date on/prior to Thursday 25th July 2013 may do so in the same cabin (regardless of booking class) without penalty and fare difference.  If a cabin upgrade is required the fare differential will apply.

Important note for all scenarios:

• This is an uncontrollable situation so any incidental costs and penalties incurred by customers as a result of flight disruptions (e.g. accommodation etc) will be their own responsibility.
• Normal refund policy/procedures apply, i.e. non-refundable tickets remain non-refundable.
• Passengers should be referred to their travel insurance policy to see if they are covered for any incidental/incremental costs.