Pays to check airpoints policy

While Air New Zealand does allow airpoints to be included in wills, Qantas does not. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A grieving Auckland woman has discovered it pays to write airpoints into a will - or lose them.

Jane, who asked that her surname not be published, recently found that her deceased father's Air New Zealand airpoint dollars had been cancelled when he died.

He had wanted his wife to use the $700 worth of airpoints for a trip to Australia after his death, but had not written the bequest into his will.

He did not know he had to, said Jane, who pleaded with Air New Zealand to reconsider.

Air New Zealand eventually reversed its policy after a strongly worded and heartfelt letter from Jane.

But she says the message is not to assume next of kin can use airpoints.

After he died, the Bank of New Zealand closed her father's GlobalPlus card and the airpoints, earned on the credit card, were cancelled.

The BNZ account was in both her parents' names but the Global Plus card was in her father's name only.

She said Air New Zealand needed to make people aware of what could happen to airpoints.

Jane contacted BNZ and Air New Zealand several times and was told each time the points were gone.

She then wrote to Air New Zealand Airpoints, explaining she was executor of her father's will and asked for the points to be transferred to her mother.

The letter worked and the airpoints were transferred.

Air New Zealand spokesman Mark Street said airpoints were regarded as property so needed to be transferred legally, such as having them in a will.

"Information contained in the terms and conditions of the airpoints programme state that membership expires at the time of the individual's passing. However, we do take each situation on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the legal situation. If a person has a joint airpoints credit card then this transfer can be done simply."

Qantas and its Jetstar subsidiary don't allow airpoints to be put in wills, with membership automatically terminating on the death of a member.

Fly Buys forms partnership with Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand is launching a new partnership with Fly Buys next month.

Air NZ airpoints members will get a new airpoints card that lets them earn airpoints through Fly Buys.

One airpoint equals one dollar, which can be redeemed off future travel.

Points deals

Air NZ: Airpoint = $1

Air NZ frequent flyers earn airpoints dollars for kilometres travelled on the airline's flights, ranging from 11 points for up to 300km to 440 for flying to London business class.

Qantas: ANZ Visa classic holders receive one point for every $1 spent up to $10,000 and one point for every $2 spent after that. Platinum-card holders receive one frequent flyer point for every $1 spent up to $30,000 and one point for every $2 spent after that.

Auckland to Sydney in economy would earn a Bronze Frequent Flyer member 1341 points and 26,837 points can be earned for flying from Auckland to London in business class. Users need 35,500 points for an iPod Nano.

Pacific Blue: Do not offer points to New Zealand credit card holders. However, its Velocity Rewards Loyalty Programme members earn points every time they fly with Pacific Blue, Polynesian Blue, Virgin Blue or V Australia and other partner airlines including Etihad Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Virgin America.

Red members earn five points for every dollar they spend on their fare, silver members earn six points per dollar, and gold members earn seven points per dollar.

Points are redeemed online for flights, accommodation, rental cars, vouchers and gifts. Rewards start from 3300 points for a $20 shopping voucher.

* Do you have a consumer story? Email joanne.carroll@hos.co.nz or phone (09) 3793-9341