NZ SNOW: Air New Zealand, Jetstar waive ticket change fees

With further snow and ice in New Zealand -- especially at airports that don't usually expect it like Auckland and Wellington -- there are flights cancelled, delays and disruption.

Air New Zealand and Jetstar are both waiving fees to rebook tickets for passengers who have experienced cancellations. 

Travellers should expect scattered further delays today while aircraft are out of their normal position.

Air New Zealand

Your options are to rebook onto:

• the next available Air New Zealand flight for free
• a flight up to 12 months from your original travel date, but you'll need to pay any fare difference from your original ticket.

You can also ask for a fare credit (also valid for 12 months), change your flight to another Air New Zealand destination, or get a full refund.

We've found that, while you can make changes online, the Air New Zealand call centre often has more options available to them than you see on the Internet, so you might want to consider making a call if your preferred options aren't available online.

If you've had to stay extra nights in a hotel because the airline cancelled your flight, though, Air New Zealand won't help. An airline statement says:

"As the weather disruptions are outside of Air New Zealand’s control any incidental costs including accommodation are the passengers’ responsibility, and passengers should contact their travel insurance provider."

For automated information on Air New Zealand departures from NZ's major airports, ring:

• Auckland 09 306 5560
• Christchurch 03 374 7100
• Wellington 04 388 9900

For others, there's a full list on Air New Zealand's website.

Jetstar

If your flight was cancelled, Jetstar is offering to reroute your journey if possible. If not, the airline will either issue a credit voucher or allow a change of travel date.

Changes aren't possible online, so you'll need to ring their call centre:

• From New Zealand: 0800 800 995
• From Australia: 131 538

John Walton

Aviation journalist and travel columnist John took his first long-haul flight when he was eight weeks old and hasn't looked back since. Well, except when facing rearwards in business class.