If Only Air New Zealand Put As Much Thought Into Its Loyalty Program As Its Safety Videos…

Air New Zealand is out with a new safety video, this time featuring a cast of over 600 and centered around a catchy rap song.

Less Controversial Than the Last…

I’d say one benefit to this video is that it far less controversial than the Antarctica safety video, which was criticized by families of the NZ901 as being highly insensitive. NZ901 was an annual Antarctic sightseeing flight on Air New Zealand that crashed in 1979, killing all onboard.

> Read More: Controversial Air New Zealand Safety Video Angers Many

How About Some Love For Your Loyalty Program?

I draw your attention to this new video not because I’m a fan of it (rap is not my thing, though it is clever), but because if Air New Zealand put half as much thought into its loyalty program as its safety videos, I am sure the loyal flyers of Air New Zealand would be greatly appreciative.

The Air New Zealand Airpoints program is widely considered one of the worst in the business. How you earn points is both complicated and confusing.  But the redemption side is clear–clearly horrible. 1 point is equivalent to 1 New Zealand dollar in purchasing power. Absurd fees are everywhere the eye can see. Partner redemptions are on a per-segment basis. You are better off in almost all cases using a cash-back credit card than earning Air New Zealand points. When you fly Air New Zealand, best to credit to another Star Alliance program.

CONCLUSION

The reason my plea will fall upon deaf ears is because Air New Zealand has no real competition. Absent that, its stakeholders have no clear incentive to make their loyalty program a better value proposition.

So they make safety videos instead…