Credit and refund information

Please note: We are working as quickly as possible to process your refund within a reasonable timeframe. Our turnaround time for all new refund applications is approximately 2 weeks from the time of application.

Last updated 8 October 2024, 7:54am

Credits

What is a credit?

A credit is a dollar value retained for you to use to book future travel. Think of it as holding an electronic voucher to spend when you're ready. You may be offered the option of a credit if your flight is cancelled or if your plans change.

You can use your credit to book flights, to purchase seats, bags or upgrade an existing booking. If your next booking is of a higher value than your credit, you may pay the remainder using a credit card.

Your credit includes any of the following which apply to your booking:

  • the original fare,
  • all taxes paid (including GST),
  • any Air New Zealand flight products, e.g. Seats to Suit, Economy Skycouch, Seat Select, extra bag(s).
  • any unaccompanied minor fees, credit card surcharges, or booking fees.

Some things are not included in your credit value, such as voluntary offset programme contributions, insurance, hotels, and rental cars.

One credit is issued per booking. If you have multiple eligible bookings, you will be issued multiple credits.

Credit flexibility for NZ domestic bookings

Following the NZ government's latest announcement on the COVID-19 Protection Framework (or 'traffic light system'), we are offering you the ability to opt into credit if:

  • You have an existing NZ domestic booking made before 11:59pm 23 January 2022, and
  • Your flight is scheduled to depart between 24 January and 13 March 2022

You can also change your flight with no change fees. Any additional fare difference applies.

Important:

  1. You must opt in to credit or change your flight prior to your flight's scheduled departure.
  2. If you have already made a change to your domestic booking between 24-27 January 2022 and have paid a change fee, please call our Contact Center to request a refund for the fee paid.

What are the key dates?

Opt-in for a credit or change your flight before check in closes on your original flight date.

 For credit received before 31 January 2022

  • Redeem your credit by booking new flights by 31 January 2023. Any unused credits will expire after 11:59pm, 31 January 2023 
  • Complete travel before 31 December 2023 
  • For example, if you received a credit on 20 June 2021 you would have until 31 January 2023 to book a flight, with travel to be completed by 31 December 2023

For credit received from 1 February 2022

  • Redeem your credit by booking new flights within 12 months of the date you received your credit
  • Travel within 12 months from the time you made the booking
  • For example, if you received a credit on 5 February 2022 you would have until 5 February 2023 to book a flight, at which time you can book up to 12 months in advance. All travel must be completed within a year from the date of booking.

How do I view my credit balance?

  • Online using our online credit tool
  • On your E-ticket - your credit includes the original fare, taxes (including GST) paid, any flight products including Seats to Suit, Economy Skycouch, Seat Select, extra bag(s), or any unaccompanied minor fees, credit card surcharges and booking fees.

How do I use my credit?

  • Where? You can use your credit on any Air New Zealand domestic or international flights, regardless of your original ticket type. You can use an existing credit to pay for a flight change, purchase seats, bags or upgrade an existing booking.
  • Who? You can use your credit to book flights or to make changes to an existing booking including flight changes, purchasing seats, bags or upgrades for yourself or someone else.
  • How? Use up to 2 credits online to make a new flight booking or call our Contact Centre. If you would like to use your credit to make changes to an existing booking, such as adding a bag, only 1 credit may be used within a transaction. If your purchase is more than your credit value, any additional payment must be made using a credit card (no credit card fee will be charged).

See the full credit terms and conditions for more information.

Credits

What is a credit?

A credit is a dollar value retained for you to use to book future travel. Think of it as holding an electronic voucher to spend when you're ready. You may be offered the option of a credit if your flight is cancelled or if your plans change.

Your credit includes any of the following which apply to your booking:

  • the original fare,
  • all taxes paid (including GST),
  • any Air New Zealand flight products, e.g. Seats to Suit, Economy Skycouch, Seat Select, extra bag(s).
  • any unaccompanied minor fees, credit card surcharges, or booking fees.

Some things are not included in your credit value, such as Voluntary Emissions Contribution Programme contributions, insurance, hotels, and rental cars.

One credit is issued per booking. If you have multiple eligible bookings, you will be issued multiple credits.

How do I view and use my credit?

You can view a credit and use it to book new flights, pay for a flight change, purchase seats and bags or upgrade an existing booking online and more. Find out more about viewing and using a credit.

What are the key dates?

Your credit expiry date depends on the day your credit is processed.

For credit received before 30 September 2022

  • Redeem your credit by booking new flights by 31 January 2026. Any unused credits will expire after 11:59pm, 31 January 2026 
  • Complete travel before 31 December 2026 
  • For example, if you received a credit on 20 June 2021 you would have until 31 January 2026 to book a flight, with travel to be completed by 31 December 2026

For credit received from 1 October 2022

  • Redeem your credit by booking new flights within 12 months of the date you received your credit
  • Travel within 12 months* from the time you made the booking
  • For example, if you received a credit on 5 October 2022 you would have until 5 October 2023 to book a flight, at which time you can book up to 12 months* in advance. All travel must be completed within 355 days from the date of booking.

See the full credit terms and conditions for more information.

Refunds

Eligibility

Fares are only refundable under the following criteria:

  1. It was specified in the original conditions of your fare, or
  2. Local legislation requires a refund when a flight is cancelled by the operating airline, or
  3. The request qualifies for the Air New Zealand COVID-19 compassionate refund policy.

Refundable fare types

Your fare type is noted on the receipt page of your E-ticket.

Relevant local legislation

Below are some examples of local legislation that may apply to an eligible flight cancelled by Air New Zealand:

  • US refund laws apply to flights to/from/within and via the US, regardless of country of residence or purchase.
  • Regulation 261/2004 applies to flights departing the EU or UK on any airline, and flights arriving in the EU or UK operated by a European Carrier.  The regulation gives passengers the option of requesting a refund, regardless of the country of residence or purchase.
  • A refund may also be available in the following jurisdictions, provided that the passenger is resident in the applicable jurisdiction and the travel commences or ends in that jurisdiction:
    • South Korea
    • Argentina
    • Brazil
    • Taipei
    • Mainland China

Frequently asked questions - Credit

I would like to make changes to my booking. Will I be charged change fees?

Will I be eligible for credit if Air New Zealand cancels my flight?

I received an email saying my credit has been redeemed, but I have no knowledge of this. What do I do?

I've booked through a travel agent, how do I receive my credit?

What can I use my credit for?

Frequently asked questions - Refunds

Can my credit or new ticket be refunded?

Can I use credit to book a refundable fare?

I don't want to travel anymore, what are my options?

What information do I need to request a refund?

How long will it take to process my refund request?

Will you refund my seatselect or extra bags?

How do I submit a reimbursement request for a disrupt-related claim such as accommodation, transfers, and meals?

Other travel products

Our partners provide other travel products both within our online booking service and via standalone websites. While we can't give you a credit on their behalf, you can contact them directly and they will be able to offer support based on their individual policies, as well as the conditions of your booking. Air New Zealand will meet any obligations it is required to comply with under any applicable law in respect of any other travel products within this section. Any contents of this section will be subject to any applicable laws.

You can find more information about how our travel partners are assisting with cancelled travel plans below:

Rental cars - Avis, Budget and Apex

Campervans – powered by Motorhome Republic

Taxis or airport transfers

Activities and Attractions – powered by Bookme

* Air New Zealand flights can be purchased 355 days in advance