Air New Zealand makes everyday Low Fares more Flexible for Australian Travellers

Air New Zealand today announced changes to make its Tasman Express Smart Saver fares more flexible for customers flying between Australia and New Zealand. The change also applies to its domestic Express services in New Zealand.

Restrictions that prevented changing flights or upgrading have been lifted from the Smart Saver fares, which are the airline's lowest priced fares. The changes, which come into effect immediately, also apply to valid tickets issued prior to this date.

Group General Manager Marketing Network and Sales Norm Thompson said the move is further recognition of Air New Zealand's commitment to ensure that customers have more options for everyday low travel.

"Air New Zealand's leisure and business customers have been snapping up the Smart Saver fares, which are the cheapest offered by the airline. However, they have been telling us they would like these fares to be more flexible," Mr Thompson said.

"Air New Zealand is committed to listening to its customers, so we have made amendments to the Smart Saver fare structure to give customers the option of making changes at least 24 hours prior to flying."

Since the introduction of Tasman Express and domestic Express Class, customer numbers have grown substantially.

Mr Thompson said the airline expects this latest initiative to see demand for the everyday low fares continue to grow.

"We expect the positive trends of the past 12 months to continue. Tasman Express has seen tens of thousands more customers make the journey between Australia and New Zealand and Domestic Express Class in New Zealand recently celebrated its first birthday with more than 1.1 million additional passengers flown in a year."

Smart Saver Changes

Changes outside 24 hours are now permitted at a change fee of AUD $100 for Tasman per person per one-way journey to the same class of travel (plus any applicable services fees). For changes to domestic Express fares in New Zealand a fee of AUD $50 applies.

If the same class is unavailable, upgrades are permitted to a higher fare, with the additional collection of fare differential plus the applicable change fee above. Any changes inside 24 hours are not permitted and a new ticket is to be purchased.

This change now aligns the Smart Saver amendment rule with the Flexi Saver amendment rule.