Newsletter

Air New Zealand’s Retrofitted Dreamliners

Launching in late January 2025 and staying true to Air New Zealand’s innovation characteristics, Air New Zealand is the first airline to ever retrofit a B787-9 Dreamliner.

Air New Zealand will roll out its first retrofitted B787-9 Dreamliner servicing Vancouver to Auckland twice a week alongside its classic Dreamliner on the alternate days. Throughout the next two years, all 14 of the fleets B787-9 Dreamliners will be retrofitted and enter the market. Over this time frame, Air New Zealand will be offering a mixed fleet of retrofitted Dreamliners, the classic Dreamliner and the B777-300 for all flights between North America and New Zealand.

The retrofitted configuration will have six brand new cabin offerings onboard, giving you even more choice when you fly to the South Pacific. This new offering builds on an international service that focuses on the premium leisure and business travellers to the South Pacific.

There is innovation at every turn, each cabin has had an overhaul and exciting new seats like Business Premier Luxe for the most discerning customers. This flying experience will be the highest-class, offering a spacious space to work, dine and rest with Air New Zealand's world-famous customer service solidified throughout the journey.

Through Air New Zealand’s Star Alliance and interline partners, customers can connect from 28 Canadian cities and fly to 30 + destinations in the South Pacific, including 9 Australian cities.

Air New Zealand cannot wait to invite you onboard in 2025 and beyond with many other initiatives in place to deliver the best flying experience on earth.  Contact your Uniglobe Travel Advisor and book your next flight down under on Air New Zealand

Changes to WestJet Rewards for January 2025

The WestJet Rewards program turns 15 next year, and they are making some changes to ensure consistently delivering priority services and benefits for valued members. For the first time since 2018, WestJet is increasing the tier qualification spend requirements as follows: 

• Silver will move from $3,000 to $4,000
• Gold will move from $5,000 to $6,000
• Platinum will move from $8,000 to $10,000 

These changes will not impact the tier members achieve in 2024, and you will continue to enjoy the benefits you earned at the previous spend levels for the rest of 2025.

During this transition, WestJet is providing the opportunity for members to fast-track their status requalification next year, with a 50% bonus in tier qualifying spend. If you are top-tier WestJet Rewards members and eligible for this offer, you will have received more details directly. 

Other changes in January 2025 that are happening:

Rezoning priority boarding assignments 

Westjet will re-establishing a less crowded and more elevated boarding experience for top-tier guests. 

Zone 1 will be reserved exclusively for Platinum WestJet Rewards members, Platinum and Diamond Delta SkyMiles members, and guests seated in Premium and Business.

Zone 2 will welcome Gold and Silver WestJet Rewards members, Gold and Silver Delta SkyMiles members, and guests in Extended Comfort seats.

Adjusting milestone award levels and choices 

January 1. 2025 will bring new milestone levels including an award at the $2,000 milestone qualifying spend with an offering from WestJet's partnership with Skip. New choices will be added to each award level as part of the larger enhancements to WestJet Rewards in 2025. 

Improving flexibility for companion vouchers issued as a milestone award 

All companion vouchers issued as a milestone award will have a two-year expiry. They have already extended the expiry of any unused vouchers issued in 2024 by an extra 12 months.

2025 will be the biggest year in the history of WestJet Rewards. There will be additional ways to qualify for top-tier status, and new rewards with more ways to earn and redeem, both with WestJet and new partners.  Read more

If you currently are not a WestJet Rewards member, ask your Uniglobe Travel Advisor how you sign up to start reaping the rewards on all your WestJet flights.

Passport Validity

The government is urging Canadians who have international travel plans this fall and winter to double-check their passports' validity to avoid being refused entry at their destination.

On October 25, 2024, the Government of Canada released a statement advising travellers to ensure their passports are valid for at least six months prior to expiry, which is now a standard entry requirement in over 70 countries.

Popular destinations like Thailand, Singapore, China, and Turkey all follow this six-month passport rule, so failing to meet it could mean getting denied entry or even being unable to board your flight.

The "six-month rule" is an entry requirement in many countries to prevent travellers from overstaying or facing complications if they encounter travel delays or emergencies. Under this rule, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned arrival date to be allowed entry.

The idea is to give travellers a buffer if their stay is unexpectedly extended or they need extra time for a safe return. It also ensures that even if a passport holder encounters unexpected circumstances—like health issues, flight cancellations, or emergencies—they'll have enough time on their passport to remain in the country legally until they can safely leave.

For Canadian travellers, this means that if your passport has less than six months left before expiring, you could face being denied entry at your destination, even if your actual travel period is much shorter.

To avoid issues, officials recommend starting the passport renewal process around six months before your passport expires. This allows extra time to gather necessary documents and avoid any last-minute rush, especially during the busy travel season.   

Make sure your Uniglobe Travel Advisor has your current passport expiry date in your profile to avoid any uneccessary travel delays.  Read more here