Air New Zealand Wellington International Lounge — Local services in North Island

It's just unbelievable. I wait in line along with 7 or 8 others. My turn, I order two beers. He promptly opens them and puts them on the counter. I go to hand over my money, and he tells me we are cashless, mate. Pay with your card. As luck would have it, I'm one of the lucky people privileged enough to get older. Quickly, I replied sorry I don't have one.

I look at the shops in the airport as being the last place to offload unwanted foreign money. If I've got a little left, the final place to spend the last few dollars is not worth foreign exchange fees on when returning home. If I'm forced here in the last possible place to pay by card not only am I not getting ride of the last little bit of cash I also get slugged with additional exchange charges on the card transaction.

To be fair he did have a small sign on his till which was visible to me only when it was my turn to order but I was looking at him placing my order and not looking for signage giving his trading terms.

I twice offered the money, and he grunted, just take them, I tell my staff they are not allowed to handle money, so just take them.

What is it coming to when the legal tender of a country is not acceptable to pay...

This lounge really let's Air NZ down and doesn't reflect the brand well. It has the basics in place (kind service and the standard Koru food and drink options) but the lounge itself is a low ceiling, dark cave with zero windows, a long blank wall and uninspiring decor. Opening 90 mins before departure also feels at odds with the time frames they request you to be at the airport before an international flight and is not convenient for travellers. There is no obvious notice of this until you get to the door. Would be helpful to know prior to going through the rigmarole of...

ENGLISH The Air New Zealand lounge in Wellington doesn't have a view, but in terms of cordiality, service and ambience, it is streets ahead of the undercooled atmosphere of the Qantas lounge there.

The receptionist was remarkably friendly and articulate, and the service staff there always provided an impeccable buffet - my compliments.

The Air New Zealand lounge in Wellington would currently always be my first choice if I would plan to fly from there again.

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DEUTSCH Die Air New Zealand Lounge in Wellington hat zwar keine Aussicht, aber was Herzlichkeit, Service und Ambiente angeht ist sie der unterkühlten Atmosphäre der dortigen Qantas Lounge um Längen voraus.

Die Empfangsdame war erwähnenswert freundlich und sprachgewandt, die dortigen Servicekräfte sorgten für ein stets einwandfreies Buffet - mein Kompliment.

Die Air New Zealand Lounge in Wellington wäre momentan stets meine erste Wahl flöge ich wieder einmal von dort ab.

Folgt gerne meinem Google Maps Profil, schaut Euch auch meine weiteren Rezessionen an und besucht auf jeden Fall...