‘Thrifty’ fares could benefit senior citizens

Press, 5 July 1983, Page 22

‘Thrifty’ fares could benefit senior citizens

By

LES BLOXHAM

travel editor

Senior citizens who qualify for Air New Zealand’s 30 per cent “Golden Age” discounts will gain greater savings if they use the airline’s new off-peak “Thrifty” fares when they become available on July 18. These fares will offer, for example, a saving of $3B on the cost of a “Golden Age” Christchurch - Auckland round-trip ticket. Furthermore, the “Thrifty” deal will be available on three days that are closed to the “Golden Age” discounts — Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays. Intending travellers must bear in mind, however, that the “Thrifty” fares will be governed by restrictions that do not apply to the “Golden Age” discounts. For instance, the “Thrifty” fares will be available only between Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland, and only for the last flights each day (except Saturdays). They must be bought at least seven days in advance and they carry a $lO penalty for

a change of booking or cancellation. “Golden Age” fares, on the other hand, offer greater flexibility. Although they are not available for flights on Mondays, Fridays, or Sundays, they can be used anywhere on Air New Zealand’s domestic network, they do not have to be bought in advance, and bookings can be changed without penalty. But the great advantage of the new “Thrifty” fares will be the opportunity they will provide for discounted travel close to week-ends. And unlike the airline’s 35 per cent discounted “Epic” fares, they will be available for one-way journeys. (The “Epic” fares are governed by a number of restrictions, including round-trip travel, a minimum stay away of two nights, and advance purchase deadlines.) The “Thrifty” fares will mean a saving of about 43 per cent on normal rates. A spokesman for the airline says yesterday that there had already been considerable demand for the new fares. Some flights, particularly on Fridays, are now fully booked.