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Tag: Thanks

Air New Zealand Thanks Customers for Being Named #1 on Both Sides of the Tasman

  • Australians and Kiwis have chosen Air New Zealand as their most trusted, respected and admired company – and the airline has a message of thanks as it faces a tough road ahead.

Quiet skies haven’t stopped Aussies sharing their love for the Kiwi airline, making it four consecutive years Air New Zealand has topped The RepTrak Company’s annual reputation ranking in Australia. Air New Zealand has also claimed the top position at home, pipping Toyota New Zealand, The Warehouse, and KiwiBank in RepTrak’s New Zealand ranking.

In ranking first in both Australia and New Zealand, Air New Zealand has continued to outperform on reputation pillars such as innovation, citizenship, products and performance.

Air New Zealand Chief Marketing and Customer Officer Mike Tod says the news is heartening as the airline faces the most disruptive period in its 80-year history.

“This award belongs to our hardworking people, who despite deep uncertainty about the future, continue to represent our nation and airline with pride, serving our customers with outstanding dedication.

“Our Aussie connection began 80 years ago, when we took our first flight to Sydney’s Rose Bay on 30 April 1940. Australia is Air New Zealand’s largest international market and before COVID-19, at peak times we operated around 375 flights a week across the Tasman.

“While we’re down to a handful of international services and a fraction of our domestic flying for essential travel and cargo, we’ve been overwhelmed by messages of support and care from customers. Thank you Australia, and New Zealand, for continuing to put your faith in us. Our Air New Zealand family can’t wait to welcome you on board again, when we can.”                                         

Chief Executive Officer for The RepTrak Company Kylie Wright-Ford says the high esteem in which Australians and New Zealanders hold Air New Zealand will stand the airline in good stead as it continues to navigate the ongoing COVID-19 disruption.

“In times of crisis and uncertainty, having a consistently excellent reputation – as Air New Zealand does – is invaluable. Based on more than 20 years of providing data and actionable insights to companies globally we know people will continue to support companies that have stronger reputations.”

Further commentary on the RepTrak Australia and New Zealand rankings is available here.

Email: media@airnz.co.nz 

American Airlines Thanks Frequent Fliers with Extended Elite Status and Other Rewards

American Airlines is recognizing the loyalty of AAdvantage® members by extending their elite status amid reduced travel related to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Changes include: 

  • Extending elite status for AAdvantage members until Jan. 31, 2022. 
  • Reducing elite status qualifications for 2020. 
  • Extending Admirals Club® memberships purchased from American for 6 months.* 
  • Introducing up to $400 special credits for future travel on American Airlines Vacations packages for elite members.** 
  • Every dollar spent on an eligible AAdvantage co-branded credit card through the end of 2020 will count for one mile toward Million Miler℠ status. 
  • Award reinstatement fees waived for travel through September 2020.

“We are grateful to our AAdvantage members and want to show them that loyalty is a two-way street,” said Bridget Blaise-Shamai, Vice President of Customer Loyalty & Insights and President of the AAdvantage program. “When people are ready to fly again, we will be there to help them reconnect with loved ones, friends and colleagues.”

Extended AAdvantage elite status 

AAdvantage members will automatically receive an extension of their current elite status through Jan. 31, 2022. These updates will be reflected in member accounts in a few weeks. 

Admirals Club membership extension

Admirals Club memberships and One-Day Passes purchased from the airline will be automatically extended for 6 months beyond their expiration date as part of American’s effort to care for customers.*

American Airlines Vacations credit

Elite members will also receive a special credit up to $400 to use toward an American Airlines Vacations package, giving customers something to look forward to when travel resumes. Customers can receive the credit when they call American Airlines Vacations to book a trip. Members can learn more by visiting aa.com.** 

Making it easier to earn elite status 

Lowered elite qualification requirements 

The airline has lowered AAdvantage elite qualification requirements for all of 2020. AAdvantage members will achieve status more easily during the current elite qualifying year through lower Elite Qualifying Dollar (EQD), Elite Qualifying Mile (EQM) and Elite Qualifying Segment (EQS) requirements.

Reduced qualifications for Executive Platinum rewards 

Members who qualify for Executive Platinum status previously received a choice of one reward upon reaching 150,000, 200,000 and 250,000 EQMs. Lowered EQM requirements in 2020 will now make these rewards more attainable.

The above changes will take effect by May 15, 2020. 

$1 spent on eligible AAdvantage credit cards equals 1 mile toward Million Miler status

For all Citi®/AAdvantage and AAdvantage Aviator® products, as well as select AAdvantage credit cards outside of the United States, every dollar spent on net purchases that post to your AAdvantage account between May and December 2020 will count as one mile toward Million Miler status. 

Making travel more flexible 

Waived award reinstatement fees for travel

The airline is also giving members more flexibility with waived reinstatement and change charges for awards booked by May 31, 2020 for travel through September 30, 2020. 

Award travel ticketed on or after June 1, 2020 will include free changes if made at least 60 days in advance. A new variable fee structure based on elite status and days before departure will apply to any changes made fewer than 60 days in advance:

More information about these updates is available on aa.com. Customers and AAdvantage members with questions about other actions regarding COVID-19 should visit www.aa.com/coronavirus.

*The membership extension applies to all active members as of March 1, 2020. New annual Admirals Club memberships purchased between March 1 and May 31, 2020 will also be extended for 6 months beyond the normal 12 months. For Admirals Club One-Day Passes, the extension applies to any unused passes with an expiration date between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2021. 

**Terms and conditions apply. Note only U.S. point of origin bookings.