The alliance between Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia means you’ll also benefit from Virgin Australia’s wider international network, including access to their lounges. The alliance covers all Air New Zealand and Virgin Australia routes except the Pacific Islands.
Earning Airpoints Dollars and Status Points
On trans-Tasman flights if you book an Air New Zealand flight, with an NZ flight number (e.g. NZ101 or NZ7000), even if it is operated by Virgin Australia you will earn Airpoints Dollars based on the Airpoints Dollars Earned on Air New Zealand Flights table.
You will also earn Status Points for trans-Tasman flights booked on Air New Zealand with an NZ flight number (eg NZ101 or NZ7000).
If you travel on Virgin Australia flight numbers (eg DJ101, DJ8000, VA101 or VA8000) across the Tasman or on a flight operated by Virgin Australia domestically within Australia you will earn Airpoints Dollars based on the Airpoints Dollars Earned on Virgin Australia Flights table.
If you travel on any other Virgin Australia flight, excluding flights to or from the Pacific Islands, you will earn based on the Airpoints Dollars Earned on Partner Flights table.
Note: When you book with Air New Zealand, your flights will be numbered as follows:
- NZ100-NZ999 Air New Zealand operated Tasman flights
- NZ7900-NZ7998 Virgin Australia operated Tasman flights
- NZ7000-NZ7899 Virgin Australia operated Domestic Australia flights
Spending Airpoints Dollars
Our Alliance with Virgin Australia gives you even more options for Airpoints™ reward travel.
With Air New Zealand's trans-Tasman Alliance with Virgin Australia from 26 July 2011 you can also book any seat available for sale as an award ticket on a Air New Zealand flight operated by Virgin Australia. These flights will be numbered:
- NZ100-NZ999 Air New Zealand operated Tasman flights
- NZ7900-NZ7998 Virgin Australia operated Tasman flights
- NZ7000-NZ7899 Virgin Australia operated Domestic Australia flights
You can also book reward travel Domestic Australia and other international routes, excluding the Pacific Islands, with Virgin Australia. These rewards tickets are limited and subject to availability, so get in early to avoid disappointment. As with other reward travel, any additional taxes, levies or surcharges must be
See how many Airpoints Dollars™ you need for reward travel with Virgin Australia.
To book your reward flight on Virgin Australia contact your nearest Air New Zealand Contact Centre.
* Virgin Australia reward tickets are not available on Pacific Island flights or trans-Tasman flights. Trans-Tasman award travel can be booked as an Air New Zealand award flight.
Lounge Access
You will continue to enjoy lounge access when you travel with Air New Zealand. The alliance means that you will also be able to use the Virgin Australia domestic lounges when you’re travelling on connecting domestic Virgin Australia flights and also domestic Australia only flights. Simply show your boarding pass and your Gold Elite, Gold or Koru membership card at the entrance.
Gold Elite and Gold Airpoints members and Koru members will be able to invite guests into either airline’s lounges in line with their guest entitlements.
Virgin Domestic Lounges within Australia are located in:
Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Gold Coast, Mackay, and Perth.
Other Gold and Gold Elite Benefits
When you book with Air New Zealand, Gold Elite and Gold members will enjoy all the following benefits when travelling on a trans-Tasman Virgin Australia flight:
- Lounge access
- Priority Check-in
- Priority Baggage
- Additional Baggage allowance - Checked-in
- Additional Baggage allowance - Carry on
- Priority Seating (if available)
- Advanced Seat Request (on Air New Zealand operated flights)
- Priority Boarding
Advance seat request when you book with Virgin Australia is currently under development. Make sure you provide your Airpoints number when booking so Virgin Australia will be able to allocate your seating accordingly.
Remember that upgrades can only be requested on trans-Tasman flights that are operated by Air New Zealand’s 767, 747 and 777 aircraft. Upgrades cannot be requested on any flight that is operated by Virgin Australia.
Benefits offered by each airline when their members travel on their own marketed and operated flights may differ from the reciprocal benefits provided.
Baggage
Carry on up to 7kg
Gold Elite and Gold Airpoints members are able to take two carry on bags up to 7kgs each when
travelling on Virgin Australia operated flights across the Tasman.
On domestic Australia flights or other international flights, excluding flights to or from the Pacific Islands, Virgin Australia flights, Gold Elite and Gold Airpoints members are able to take one carry on bag up to 7kg.
Checked-in 1 piece up to 23kg
Gold Elite and Gold Airpoints members are able to take an additional piece of checked-in baggage up to 23kgs if travelling on a fare product that allows bags. See the chart below to see what baggage you get.
If you are booked through Virgin Australia (eg DJ101, DJ8000, VA101 or VA8000) you will not be entitled to any additional baggage allowance benefit over and above what is included with your fare.
Gold Elite and Gold Airpoints members that are booked through Virgin Australia (e.g. DJ101, DJ8000, VA101 or VA8000) for a trans-Tasman flight will not be entitled to any additional baggage allowance benefit over and above what is included with your fare.
When travelling on a domestic Australia flight on Virgin Australia, or other international flights, excluding flights to or from the Pacific Islands Gold and Gold Elite Airpoints members are entitled to one additional piece of baggage up to 23kg.
Earning Airpoints Dollars on Virgin Australia Domestic Australia or
trans-Tasman Flights
For flights flown before 14 January 2013 with the airline code DJ (eg DJ101)
| Accrual Class | Booking Class |
| Business | J |
| Premium Economy* | J, O, W |
| Flexi | Y, N, B, M, P |
| Saver** | S, T, A, U, C, G, F, R, X, E |
Ineligible booking classes: H, Z, D, I, L, Q, V, K
* Please note that your myairnz activity details flights in Virgin Australia Premium Economy will show as business class.
** Please note that Saver Fares on Virgin Australia trans-Tasman flights are not eligible to earn Airpoints Dollars.
Earning Airpoints Dollars on Virgin Australia Domestic Australia or
trans-Tasman Flights
For flights flown from 12 January 2013 with flight numbers with the airline code VA (eg VA101)
| Accrual Class | Booking Class |
| Business |
J, C, D, I |
| Premium Economy* | W, R, O |
| Flexi | Y, B, H, K, L |
| Saver** | G, N, E, U, T, Q, V, S, M |
Ineligible booking classes: F, Z, P, X
* Please note that your myairnz activity details Trans Tasman flights in Virgin Australia Premium Economy will show as business class.
** Please note that Saver Fares on Virgin Australia trans-Tasman flights are not eligible to earn Airpoints Dollars.
Earning Airpoints Dollars on Virgin Australia Other International Flights (excluding Pacific Island flights)
| Accrual Class | Booking Class |
| Business Class |
J, C, D, I |
| Full Economy/Premium Economy | W, R, O, Y, B, H, K, L |
| Discount Economy |
G, N, E, U, T, Q, V, S, M |
Ineligible booking classes: F, Z, P, X
*Please note that Virgin Australia Premium Economy on Other International Flights earns at the Full Economy Rate.
