On the New Zealand (US site) the price for ticket from Christchurch to Auckland is about 150 in US. ON the New Zealand site its 80 nz dollars. But they ask for residency. I called the 800 # for Air NZ and they told me I couldn't book on New Zealand site as it's just for people living there. I don't want to pay the larger price. How can I book and get the New Zealand price. Also renting car, apex wants $44 NZ dollars for economy, is this what everyone pays. Also do you give them a deposit. Thanks Alana

Hi Alana:

I had problems posting my response to your question last night, but there was a similar posting in October -
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34452060

And we had no problems when getting the e-tickets for the cheaper NZ fares.

Later,

Z

I found your response and was going to email you directly. Thanks for replying. So when I went on the NZ site it asks for phone number- so do you just put in the US phone number with no problems. I do have acrobat files, is that how you received the eticket. thanks. Alana

Alana:

I forced in my Canadian phone number (same 10 digit format as US), provided an AMEX card number with a Canadian billing address, etc -- I filled out all of the information they asked for truthfully with no exaggerations and within seconds I had the e-tickets.

I looked around to see if I still had a copy of the PDF e-ticket to see how they entered my address/phone number but couldn?t find it. But we had absolutely no problems.

Later,

Z

Thanks again, so I guess I'll try and do the same thing. WE are leaving on March 19th but I don't need the ticket until April 10th. Can you advise how far in advance I should book the ticket. By the way where in Canada. I'm originally from Nova Scota but live in Virginia now. Alana

To get the cheapest domestic airfare with Air NZ, you have to book 21 days in advance.
Consider checking Qantas and Origin Pacific as well, these two airlines fly some domestic routes in NZ but not as many as Air NZ. I'm sure they all fly the Auckland-Christchurh route though.
Ask a few travel agents about air passes, these are only available to International passengers and could possibly work out cheaper?... maybe?

Cheers...

I booked in mid-August for a mid-October departure and still got the discount fare.

BTW - my sister lives in NS (New Glasgow), we grewup in NB, I lived in NY for a while but am now in Ottawa

Later,

Z

I have checked Quantas, but they were expensive. I was married in St.John NB where my mom's family is from. I have family in Ottawa. Funny, how small this world is. ALana

You can book once you get there, and use a hotel tel # on the web. The cheapest fares do start to disappear, starting about a month in advance so if you really want the cheapest fares, you should book when you get there. But consider the advantages of booking the next most expensive fare - they're a little more flexible, and, if you're a Star Alliance points collector (eg United Airlines), you'll get miles for the flights (at a relatively cheap price).