Air New Zealand’s Airpoints loyalty program will be renamed as “Koru” beginning April 2026 and gain two new status tiers for a total of five, the carrier announced Tuesday. Koru Bronze will be the new base tier for those without status, who will be able to earn Airpoints and Status Points, according to Air New Zealand. Koru Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers will replace Airpoints Silver, Gold and Elite, and the qualifying Status Points will remain the same for each category-450, 900 and 1, 500, respectively, according to Air New Zealand. Members will receive all current benefits, plus some new ones. An additional benefit for Silver includes five bonus Status Points (currently called Frequent Flyer Status Boost) for every 10 qualifying flights with the carrier. Currently, only Gold and Elite members earn bonuses. Gold and Platinum members will have access to the new Status Points Top-Up, a feature that will offer members “just shy” of requalifying up to 30 Status Points for Gold and up to 50 Status Points for Platinum to retain their respective tiers. This benefit is available once every three years. Platinum members also will have enhanced Status Rewards and access to the new Koru Premier Lounge at Auckland International Airport, when it opens. The new top tier will be Koru Black, which will require 3, 200 Status Points, including 1, 920 from qualifying flights in a year. Benefits will include all Platinum offerings, plus 40 Status Points per 10 qualifying flights and a top-up amount of up to 70 Status Points. They also will receive three recognition upgrades, two short-haul recognition upgrades per year and eight valet parking vouchers. Koru Black members also will have their points “upweighted” by 60 percent, versus 10 percent for Silver, 30 percent for Gold and 50 percent for Platinum.
https://www.businesstravelnews.com/Transportation/Air/Air-New-Zealand-to-Revamp-Loyalty-Program
