New Zealand to U.S.
Airletter Service not Available - Airletter treated as Airmail letter

Air letter card service to the U.S. was opened on April 29, 1947 (reciprocal service).

At the time the air letter card was sent (3 DE 45), air letter service to the U.S. was not available. Hence, the air letter card was treated as an ordinary airmail letter.

In December 1945, there were two airmail routes from New Zealand to the U.S. The first was by seamail to the U.S. and onward transmission in U.S. by air. The rate was 8d. The second was to the Canal Zone by sea and flown from there. The applicable rate was 1s 0d. The air letter card went the latter way. Hence, it was short paid 4 d. 

Double the deficient postage (8 d) was converted into 80 UPU gold centimes at a rate of 1 d = 10 UPU gold centimes. A tax stamp was applied and endorsed “80” centimes.

This air letter card is a special illustrated issue for Christmas greetings. Chief postmasters were advised, 8 October 1945, of its issue. Stocks on hand were withdrawn on May 31, 1946.

Illustrations on folding flaps

 
Reference
Startup, Robin M., Airmails of New Zealand, vol. III: International Airmail 1940 - 1970