United Airlines
United is a founding member of the Star Alliance and has a rich history in aviation being established in 1926.
Air New Zealand and United Airlines have formed an alliance that sees the two airlines operating codeshare services on each other's flights between New Zealand and the United States.
- Major Hub Airport: Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and Guam
- Frequent Flyer Programme: MileagePlus®
- Type of partnership: Alliance / Star Alliance
Earning Airpoints Dollars™
Between Auckland and either Los Angeles or San Francisco and between Christchurch and San Francisco:
As an Airpoints™ member, if you fly on either an Air New Zealand flight number (beginning with NZ) operated by United, or an Air New Zealand operated flight between Auckland and either Los Angeles or San Francisco and between Christchurch and San Francisco, you will earn the same rate of Airpoints Dollars. Please check the Air New Zealand tab at our earn rates look-up table.
New Zealand-based Airpoints for Business members can earn Airpoints Dollars on United Airlines operated flights with an NZ flight number between Auckland and either Los Angeles or San Francisco and between Christchurch and San Francisco, subject to flying in an eligible booking class.
All other United routes:
As an Airpoints member, subject to your booking class being eligible, you will earn Airpoints Dollars as per the Partner tab on our Airpoints Calculator.
Earning Status Points
Between Auckland and either Los Angeles or San Francisco and between Christchurch and San Francisco:
As an Airpoints member, if you fly on either an Air New Zealand flight number (beginning with NZ) operated by United, or an Air New Zealand operated flight between Auckland and either Los Angeles or San Francisco and between Christchurch and San Francisco, you will earn the same rate of Status Points. Please check the Air New Zealand tab at our earn rates look-up table.
All other United routes:
As an Airpoints member, subject to your booking class being eligible, you will earn Status Points as per the Partner tab on our Airpoints Calculator.
Spending Airpoints Dollars
Airpoints members can use their Airpoints Dollars to purchase United Airlines operated flights between Auckland and San Francisco directly through the Air New Zealand website.
Alternatively, Airpoints members can use their Airpoints Dollars to redeem United Airlines reward flights by calling our Contact Centre.
Airpoints Elite and Gold benefits
Departing Auckland and Christchurch:
Elite members may access the Air New Zealand Auckland or Christchurch International Lounges with three guests before departing on either an Air New Zealand or United operated flight to Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Gold members may access the Air New Zealand Auckland or Christchurch International Lounges with one guest prior to these services.
Departing Los Angeles and San Francisco:
Elite and Gold members travelling in Economy or Premium Economy may access the United Club lounge in Los Angeles or San Francisco with one guest.
Customers travelling in Business Class may access the Polaris lounge.
Star Alliance Gold benefits apply for Airpoints Elite and Gold members.
Elite partner benefits
Departing New Zealand:
Elite Partners will receive access to the Air New Zealand Lounge at Auckland and Christchurch International Airports when departing on NZ marketing flight numbers for services to Los Angeles or San Francisco operated by United Airlines.
Departing Los Angeles and San Francisco:
When departing Los Angeles and San Francisco on Air New Zealand operated services to Auckland, Elite Partners will be provided with an airport refreshment voucher at the Air New Zealand check-in/ticketing counter or at the boarding gate approximately two hours prior to departure.
Elite Partners travelling in Business Class may access the Polaris lounge.
No other Elite Partner benefits apply on United Airlines operated flights.
Koru benefits
Koru members travelling between Auckland and either Los Angeles or San Francisco and between Christchurch and San Francisco can access our lounges on selected routes when travelling with United, please see Koru benefits for more information.
Lounge Access
Business Class passengers departing Los Angeles and San Francisco:
Customers travelling in international Business class may access the Polaris lounge when departing Los Angeles and San Francisco on either Air New Zealand or United operated flights. Please note, no guests are permitted in the Polaris lounge.
Baggage Allowance
Koru members and Elite Partners:
Will receive one complimentary additional piece of checked baggage when travelling on Air New Zealand operated flights (with an Air New Zealand ticket and flight number).
Please note that additional checked baggage allowances do not apply to United operated flights or if you're connecting to a United flight, this allowance will not be recognised, and excess baggage charges will apply.
| Accrual class | Booking class |
|---|---|
| Business class | C, D, J, Z |
| Discount business | P |
| Premium economy | O*, A*, R* |
| Full economy | Y, B |
| Discount economy | E, G, H, K, L, M, Q, S, T, U, V, W |
| Ineligible booking classes | F, I, N, X |
Eligible booking classes
Business class
C, D, J, Z
Discount business
P
Premium economy
O*, A*, R*
Full economy
Y, B
Discount economy
E, G, H, K, L, M, Q, S, T, U, V, W
Ineligible booking classes
F, I, N, X
*United Airlines flights in booking class O, A and R earn Airpoints Dollars at the full economy class rate.
Booking classes that are not mentioned are not eligible for accrual.
Terms and conditions apply:
Airpoints Dollars and Status Points earn is determined by the Partner Airline which operates the flight. Status Points are only earned on Star Alliance carrier operated flights. Certain booking classes on Partner Airlines are not eligible to earn Airpoints Dollars or Status Points. On a Partner Airline flight, Airpoints Dollars and Status Points may be earned on a flight by flight basis rather than a journey basis. Please note booking class eligibility and earning rates are subject to change without notice and any changes will apply based on the date you travel. This information does not apply to other airline codeshare. Refer to the Airpoints terms and conditions for more information.