Air NZ's Airpoints changes favour top and bottom tier travellers

Air New Zealand is making it easier for all travellers to use its Airpoints loyalty scheme after the biggest review in a decade.

It is also rewarding its biggest customers with exclusive categories for high frequency travellers, including a new VIP class.

Airpoints Dollars and Status Points (which dictate tiers) will now be earned on every "regularly available" fare but they will still be excluded for specials such as "greenlight" grabaseat deals and tickets purchased through the scheme.

Air New Zealand says the changes will result in a much fairer reward and recognition system as they are directly linked to value of the fare paid.

The earning rates will be higher on nearly two-thirds (62%) of all airfares. It will be even higher on regional, domestic and transtasman travel, with 78% of all Smart Saver and Flexi fare classes offering higher earning rates.

However, earning rates will drop on some mid-range fares. For example, the lower fare categories (seat and seat plus bag) on short-haul international flights will earn less while the higher-cost ones will earn more.

It will also be easier to understand Airpoints Dollar and Status Point earning rates when flying on partner airlines, such as Virgin Australia and Star Alliance members.

While the Gold and Silver status tier categories will remain the same, two new categories will be created at the Gold Elite level (to be simply called Elite).

One, Elite 10, is for those who have been continuous members for 10 or more years.

The other is Elite Priority One, which is available only by personal invitation of the chief executive, Christopher Luxon. Annual membership of this top category will provide a range of additional benefits and dedicated personal travel support services, details of which will be revealed in the New Year.

Gold Elite members will be provided with a third Recognition Upgrade for use specifically on short haul routes across the Tasman and to the Pacific Islands (but not Perth and Honolulu).

The new Airpoints website is computer and tablet optimised and enables members to make the most of their benefits, track their status progress and more.

Most of the changes take effect for bookings and travel from March 31. Air New Zealand says it has 1.4 million Airpoints members.