Air New Zealand Flight Credits Set to Expire Soon: Key Details

Air New Zealand has announced that flight credits issued during the Covid-19 pandemic will expire by the end of this month. Passengers holding these credits must book travel by December 2023 to utilize them. As of now, the airline reports that 88% of customers have already redeemed their credits, with most remaining balances under $1,000 and approximately half under $100. The airline currently holds around $192 million in unused credits.

Recommendations for Credit Holders

Jon Duffy, chief executive of Consumer NZ, advises customers to consider booking a flexi fare, which allows for flight changes without incurring additional fees. He acknowledges that travel costs have risen since the pandemic, making it potentially challenging to use the credits fully.

“You won’t be able to get a refund on fares you purchase with your credit, but you will at least have the ability to change your flights if you book a flexi fare,” Duffy explained. He also noted that while the law does not require refunds for unused credits, Air New Zealand’s customer care teams may consider refund requests on a case-by-case basis.

Duffy highlighted that passengers facing serious medical conditions or financial hardships might qualify for a refund, provided they can supply supporting documentation. “We’ve helped dozens of people get refunds, including the elderly, new parents, overseas tourists, and those in financial difficulty,” he said.

Consumer NZ’s Advocacy for Refunds

Consumer NZ has long advocated for airlines, including Air New Zealand, to offer refunds for flights that never took off during the pandemic. The organization has previously urged the airline to eliminate expiration dates on outstanding flight credits, although Air New Zealand extended the expiration period by an additional two years.

“We are pleased that Air New Zealand has been consistent in its efforts since the Covid-19 pandemic to contact impacted customers to let them know they have a credit that needs to be used,” Duffy stated. He added that the ideal scenario would be for the airline to follow the example of Jetstar, which has removed expiration dates on credits.

The pandemic severely impacted Air New Zealand, leading to a more than 50% drop in passenger numbers in 2020. The airline carried 8.4 million passengers that year, a significant decline from 17.6 million in 2019 due to border closures and travel restrictions.

As the expiration date approaches, customers are encouraged to take action to ensure they can maximize their travel credits before they become invalid.