The American Express Airpoints Platinum has the highest Airpoints earn rate of the NZ cards we compare: 1 Airpoint per $70 spent. Here’s how the $195 annual fee and the Amex acceptance limits weigh against that.
The Amex Airpoints Platinum ($195/year) has the highest Airpoints earn rate of the cards we compare (1 per $70), plus travel insurance (terms apply) and some lounge passes, but Amex isn't accepted everywhere in NZ. Airpoints alone cover the fee at about $13,650 of annual spend. The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum ($150, 1 per $110) is on the Visa network. Which comes out ahead depends on your spending, how often you fly, and where you shop.
Amex Airpoints Platinum: Key Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $195 |
| Interest rate | 22.95% p.a. on purchases |
| Airpoints earn rate | 1 Airpoint per $70 spend |
| Travel insurance | Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance when you pay for your return trip with the card; terms, conditions and exclusions apply |
| Lounge access | 2 Priority Pass passes a year (Basic Card Member only), 2 Centurion Lounge entries a calendar year (Sydney or Melbourne), and a discount on the Koru Club joining fee and annual fee |
| Additional cards | $0 each, up to 4 Additional Card Members |
| Card network | American Express |
| Currency conversion commission | 2.5% of the converted amount |
Airpoints Earn Rate Compared
Valuing each Airpoint at Air NZ’s stated NZ$1 equivalence (the flight redemption rate is set by Air NZ and can vary):
| Card | Earn rate | Annual Airpoints (on $15,000 spend) |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Airpoints Platinum | 1 per $70 | 214 |
| ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum | 1 per $110 | 136 |
| ANZ Airpoints Visa | 1 per $170 | 88 |
On $15,000 annual spend, the Amex earns about 78 more Airpoints than the ANZ Platinum, which more than covers its $45 higher annual fee (valuing each Airpoint at $1).
At $25,000 annual spend:
- Amex Airpoints Platinum: about 357 Airpoints
- ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum: about 227 Airpoints
- Difference: about 130 more Airpoints per year on Amex
The extra Airpoints cover the $45 higher fee from about $8,660 of annual spend, on spending at merchants that accept Amex.
Break-Even Analysis
To earn Airpoints equal to the $195 annual fee: Break-even spend = $195 × $70 = $13,650 per year
The lounge passes, Koru discount and travel insurance are extra to that. Their value depends on how often you would use them.
Amex Acceptance in NZ
Amex says its cards are accepted at over 100,000 locations nationwide, and its acceptance page lists Pak n Save, New World and Woolworths under supermarkets. A selection of brands is shown and acceptance can still vary by store, so some cardholders keep a Visa or Mastercard as a backup. A $0-fee card keeps that backup free (the Kiwibank Zero Visa, for example, has no annual fee).
Lounge Access
The card’s lounge benefits are passes and discounts. American Express lists:
- 2 complimentary passes a year (Basic Card Member only) into VIP lounges in the Priority Pass program, including the Strata Lounge at Auckland International Airport; enrolment required
- 2 complimentary entries a calendar year to the Centurion Lounge at Sydney or Melbourne International Airport
- A discount on the Air New Zealand Koru Club joining fee, and a Koru Club annual fee discount
Value: depends on how often you’d use the passes, and whether you would pay for Koru Club membership anyway.
Travel Insurance Inclusion
American Express lists complimentary domestic and international travel insurance when you use the card to pay for your return trip. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply, such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits, so check the policy document for the detail.
Features and Limitations
Features:
- 1 Airpoint per $70 spend
- 2 Priority Pass passes and 2 Centurion Lounge entries a year, plus a Koru Club discount
- Complimentary travel insurance when you pay for your return trip with the card (terms apply)
Limitations:
- $195 annual fee; Airpoints alone cover it from about $13,650/year of spend
- Amex acceptance can vary by merchant
- 22.95% p.a. interest on a carried balance
- 2.5% currency conversion commission on foreign currency spending
Amex Airpoints Platinum vs ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum
| Feature | Amex Airpoints Platinum | ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $195 | $150 |
| Earn rate | 1 per $70 | 1 per $110 |
| Network | American Express | Visa |
| Break-even spend | ~$13,650 | ~$16,500 |
ANZ lists overseas travel insurance and bonus Status Points among the benefits of the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum.
Summary
The Amex Airpoints Platinum earns 1 Airpoint per $70, the highest rate of the cards we compare, and includes Priority Pass passes, Centurion Lounge entries, a Koru Club discount and complimentary travel insurance (terms apply) for a $195 annual fee. Airpoints alone cover the fee at about $13,650 of annual spend. Amex acceptance can vary by merchant, so cardholders may want a second card.
Where to check the latest data
Rates, fees and returns change often. Before deciding, check current figures yourself:
- interest.co.nz credit card rates: tables of current credit card interest rates and fees.
- The provider's own website: has its current rates, fees and full terms; these change more often than any comparison page.
- Financial Service Providers Register: shows whether a provider is registered to offer financial services in New Zealand.
Next Steps
- Amex Airpoints standard card review : the $0-fee Amex Airpoints option
- ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum review: the Visa alternative
- Air NZ Airpoints guide NZ : how Airpoints work
- Travel credit cards NZ: full travel card comparison