The placement and unbelievable perks of Air New Zealand’s prime secret Koru Membership – reserved for its wealthiest and most well-known flyers – has been unveiled by Stuff Journey.

Membership to Elite Precedence One (often called EP1) is very secretive with Air New Zealand preserving it utterly underneath wraps.

The airline has no publicly accessible info on its web site concerning the programme.

The precise location of the golf equipment has lengthy been rumoured however by no means publicly revealed – till a missed morning bathe led to the clue I would lengthy been ready for.

After working late for a global journey, I made a decision to skip my morning bathe and as an alternative have one within the Koru Lounge at Auckland Airport.

On the hunt for hygiene, I wandered down a little-used hall I would by no means explored. It had a youngsters space and bathe block.

There, hooked up innocently to the wall, was a fireplace escape plan. And it is right here I found a secret wing of the Koru Membership proper underneath my nostril.

The map revealed that just some metres additional down the hall I would discover an entrance. Certain sufficient, I discovered a semi-frosted door with the phrases “by invitation solely”.

The ground plan revealed an expansive house together with a boardroom, places of work, and a stairwell resulting in a thriller location.

A peek by way of the frosted glass confirmed giant floor-to-ceiling glass home windows overlooking the primary departures space, with plush decor. Gone is the standard Koru Membership buffet; meals are à la carte, with a premium number of drinks.

Entry to the EP1 programme is known to be by invitation from Air New Zealand’s CEO Greg Foran.

Membership is assumed to quantity about 100, together with chief executives of prime New Zealand corporations and a college vice-chancellor.

Stuff has beforehand reported that “particulars of the place the lounges are situated and the VIP therapy they provide are a intently guarded secret”.

That’s, till now.

A design firm that put collectively a welcome package for EP1 members has posted mock-ups of what every member receives on its web site, revealing heaps concerning the scheme.

On being invited to affix the programme, members get a personalised reward that’s designed to appear like a luxurious journey bag.

It contains an ‘Aroha’ bottle of wine from Craggy Vary, “a personalised boxed titanium pen, personalised inventive illustration of their earlier yr’s flying knowledge, and a cardboard welcome pack together with; a welcome letter, membership card, personalised baggage tags, Lethal Ponies baggage tags holders, and a ebook of advantages”.

The precise perks of this unique programme have additionally lengthy been a closely-guarded secret.

Nonetheless, in displaying off its designs, the corporate posted a “ebook of advantages” – and for those who zoom in, you may learn all of them.

Right here is the complete listing of the advantages:

Board as you would like: No one likes queueing, and for those who’re an EP1 member, you need not. The welcome package explains, “tell us whether or not you prefer to board the plane early or in direction of the top of boarding, and we are going to prepare this for you”.

Gifting standing: You’ll grow to be the most well-liked member of your loved ones for those who’re EP1 since you’re allowed to reward an Airports Elite membership to anybody. On prime of that, it’s also possible to give an Airpoints Gold membership to a member of the family or pal.

Seat choice: Most of us pay $10 to pick out a very good seat. If you happen to’re EP1, you and 5 buddies get any seat you need – assured.

Inflight meals: Have you ever ever sat within the final row of the aircraft, and when the meals lastly attain you, the nice-sounding one has run out? If you happen to’re an EP1, this can by no means occur – as you are assured your first meal selection no matter which cabin you are seated in. Hen or beef? You may in all probability have each.

Flexibility: Change of plans? No downside for those who’re certainly one of Air New Zealand’s most prized prospects. You and 5 buddies can change a flight with none cancellation or penalty charges, and you’ll change any home and short-haul flight on the day of journey freed from cost – even when your ticket is not versatile.

Valet parking: How about checking in on your flight while you park your automotive? As an EP1 member, you get “limitless” entry to Air New Zealand Valet parking at Auckland and Christchurch airports. When utilizing the Auckland home valet parking, you may check-in on your flight when parking and head straight to the lounge of the boarding gate.

A seat assure: Flight full? It would not matter for those who’re EP1. The advantages ebook explains, “For while you simply must be on a flight, you and one travelling companion are assured an economic system seat on any Air New Zealand operated service.”

Recognition Upgrades: These are basically free upgrades gifted to Silver, Gold and Gold Elite members. Nonetheless, it is all the time a big gamble for those who’ll get the improve. Not an issue for those who’re EP1, “your improve will probably be confirmed into an unsold seat on the time of the request.” In case you have an individual travelling with you, in addition they get the identical profit.

Lounges: You get entry to the unique EP1 lounge at Auckland Worldwide Airport and Sydney Worldwide Airport. You may invite 5 different individuals, and “get pleasure from a number of à la carte eating and a number of premium drinks.” Travelling home? No worries, your unique expertise continues with a “personal Elite Precedence One house” at Auckland and Wellington Airports.

Assembly and greet: One of the unique advantages is a VIP meet and greet service. Once you arrive on a global flight (excluding Australia), “you may discover certainly one of our pleasant employees ready for you while you disembark.” They’re tasked with doing “every little thing attainable” to make your arrival “swift and seamless.”

Most advantages will also be given to as much as 5 different travelling companions. When travelling domestically, you and 5 buddies additionally get to entry the Koru Lounge on arrival, the place you may “get pleasure from à la carte eating and a number of premium drinks”.

Stuff.co.nz

See additionally: Contained in the invite-only Qantas lounge

See additionally: Sneak peek inside Virgin’s new unique, invites-only lounge