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Glitch: Many Air New Zealand award flights not bookable with United miles

Aug. 11, 2022
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2 min read
Air New Zealand planes
Glitch: Many Air New Zealand award flights not bookable with United miles
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If you're looking for flights to, from or within New Zealand, don't plan on using your United miles (for now).

Right now, United MileagePlus members are reportedly unable to book many Air New Zealand award tickets due to a website glitch. Currently, many Air New Zealand award flights that show on the Air Canada Aeroplan website and other Star Alliance partner search engines aren't showing on the United website.

Thankfully, United told View From The Wing that this is a temporary error and that Air New Zealand awards should return soon. TPG has reached out to United to ask for a more specific timeline.

TPG verified this with a handful of test searches on short- and mid-haul award flights and found many inconsistencies. For example, Air Canada Aeroplan shows many nonstop award flights from Auckland to Christchurch on Air New Zealand.

Air New Zealand award ticket on Air Canada's website
(Screenshot from aircanada.com)

Meanwhile, United's website only shows connecting award tickets on this date.

Air New Zealand award ticket on United's website
(Screenshot from united.com)

Likewise, this February flight from Wellington to Sydney has nonstop award space on the Air Canada website, but not the United website.

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WLG to SYD award ticket
No award space on United's website
1 of 2
(Screenshot from aircanada.com)
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1

This isn't the first time we've seen United unable to access partner award space. Last summer, for example, United frequent flyers couldn't book many Lufthansa award tickets. Thankfully, this issue was quickly resolved.

We hope that United MileagePlus members will be able to book Air New Zealand awards again soon. Award space on their long-haul routes to the U.S. has almost always been limited, but its short- and mid-haul route networks often have award space and can be useful for exploring a recently-reopened New Zealand.

As always, we'll update this post when we have more information.

Featured image by AFP via Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.