[BkyMonster]

I'll likely be buying our flights in the next few months and I'm looking for some input.
I'll be going AirNZ since that seems to be the prominent choice for flying out of LA.
First off: Is premium economy worth it? My husband is set on having a power port for his laptop so he has something to do on the flight (I say sleep and maybe watch a bit of whatever they have on the television, or read a book or two!). It looks to be about twice the price of regular economy, so if a power port is all we get with that I may have to put my fiscal foot down.

We know we can't just buy a one way as our visa won't allow that (going in on a visitor while PR sorts itself and we look for jobs) but can we buy two one ways?
Hopefully to cancel the return....:D

Any thoughts?

[Oregonkiwi]

The AirNZ planes have seatback TVs with on demand movies, TV and games - there's a lot to choose from so I'm sure he'd be entertained without the laptop.

Two one-way tickets would be a lot more expensive than one return ticket - one-way costs a fair bit more than half of the return price. Which I guess wouldn't matter if you ended up cancelling the other one-way ticket; watch out for cancellation fees though. You'd need to check with AirNZ whether you would be allowed to fly out with 2 one-way tickets instead of one return ticket.

Remember that AirNZ also flies direct to Auckland out of San Francisco, which is soooo much nicer than LA.

[BkyMonster]

Good tip on the cancellation.
Reviewing prices it seems that one economy RT ticket is actually less than a one way premium. Eek! :eek:
As much as I would love to fly out of SF...we have to fly the dogs down to LA to be shipped out, and it's just easier to book them on the domestic flight with us rather than arrange them a separate flight to LA.

[tigerlily]

We are going in January, and coming back for a visit for Thanksgiving. We actually bought the return half to go in May because you can only book about 10 months in advance. Even with these sale fares, we are allowed one change free of charge (even after departure) so we'll be changing the second leg to the Thanksgiving trip.

I can't see why you would have to pay a fee not to use a return half of your ticket? Just don't show up, you forfit the ticket. Note that it's often cheaper to have US origin flights (so that could be a good reason to visit family on a yearly basis).

Here is a trick we learned. If you are thinking of spending as much as it takes to get a business class ticket ($3K range) buy a Round the World fare instead. You can upgrade to business class for very few frequent flyer miles (because the ticket is K class, a higher class than your normal cheapie fare). You can then use the remaining tickets on it anytime in a year. A fun way to visit Paris on your way home to see family.

[Park City Partner]

I looked into Premium Economy at one point and decided it wasn't worth it. You do get a bit more leg room and better food but it is the same seat...I don't remember it all exactly but I decided it wasn't worth it.

[Milliemoo]

I think I've posted about PE on NZ before, ut just to recap :D

Whether it's "worth it" is a very personal thing, but here's some advantages to it:

* You use the business class/premium check in at the airport so you don't have to queue for agggggeeeeesssss. The premium check in at AKL is a seperate lounge area with a seperate access to the security checks so you miss even more queues.
* I only go PE if I can reserve a seat upstairs on the 747, otherwise for me I don't think it's worth it. Upstairs is great. It's a small, generally a lot quieter cabin. The front half is BP with the rest PE. Great service and the seat/toilet ratio is good.
* The seat is only slightly larger, but if you can reserve a row of 2 upstairs, then your laughing. Lots of storage space unless your in the exit seats, but obviously that has it's own advantages.
* Premium food and drink. Sparkly before take off? Don't mind if I do...and keep it coming :D
* You also disembark with/after the BP pax, so you get through immigration quicker and because you're bags are tagged as premium, in theory, you're bags should be one of the first off.

Here's so pics from our last jolly to the UK:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/Milliemoo75/Misc/IMG_0559.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y5/Milliemoo75/Misc/IMG_0557.jpg

Milliemoo

[KerryS]

I can't believe you took pictures of the airplane seats. For some reason that has really made me smile!

[Milliemoo]

I've got more if you like :nice1

Sad ? Me? :o

Milliemoo