The American Express Airpoints Platinum has the best Airpoints earn rate of any card in New Zealand — 1 Airpoints Dollar per $59 spent. Here’s whether the $200 annual fee and the Amex acceptance limitations make it worth it for NZers.
The Amex Airpoints Platinum ($200/year) has the best Airpoints earn rate in NZ (1 per $59) plus lounge access and travel insurance — but Amex isn't accepted everywhere in NZ. It's worth it for high spenders ($20,000+/year) who value Air NZ lounges and always carry a backup Visa. For most NZers, the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum is more practical.
Amex Airpoints Platinum — Key Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $200 |
| Interest rate | ~20% p.a. (check current rate) |
| Airpoints earn rate | 1 Airpoints Dollar per $59 spend |
| Travel insurance | Yes — comprehensive |
| Lounge access | Yes — Air NZ lounges (domestic and international) |
| Supplementary cards | Yes — additional cardholders earn Airpoints |
| Card network | American Express |
| Acceptance in NZ | Good at major retailers; limited at some merchants |
| Foreign transaction fee | ~2% |
The Best Airpoints Earn Rate in NZ
No other NZ credit card earns Airpoints as fast as the Amex Airpoints Platinum:
| Card | Earn rate | Annual Airpoints (on $15,000 spend) |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Airpoints Platinum | 1 per $59 | $254 |
| ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum | 1 per $75 | $200 |
| ANZ Airpoints Visa | 1 per $100 | $150 |
On $15,000 annual spend, the Amex earns $54 more in Airpoints than the ANZ Platinum — but the annual fee is also $50 more. The net difference is small at this spending level.
At $25,000 annual spend:
- Amex Airpoints Platinum: $423 Airpoints
- ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum: $333 Airpoints
- Difference: $90 more Airpoints per year on Amex
High spending amplifies the earn rate advantage significantly.
Break-Even Analysis
To justify the $200 annual fee from Airpoints alone: $$\text{Break-even spend} = $200 \div \frac{$1}{$59} = $11,800 \text{ per year}$$
However, the lounge access and travel insurance add substantial value:
| Benefit | Annual value estimate |
|---|---|
| Air NZ lounge access | $150–$600+ (depending on visits) |
| Travel insurance | $300–$600 (family, if purchased separately) |
| Extra Airpoints vs ANZ Platinum | $90 (at $25,000 spend) |
If you fly Air NZ more than twice annually and currently pay separately for lounge access or travel insurance, the $200 fee can easily be justified — even at moderate spending levels.
The Amex Acceptance Problem in NZ
This is the most important limitation to understand before applying:
Where Amex is accepted in NZ:
- Most supermarkets (Countdown, New World — not all Pak’nSave locations)
- Major retailers (Farmers, Warehouse, most large stores)
- Most petrol stations
- Online merchants
Where Amex is often NOT accepted:
- Small businesses and cafés
- Markets and independent merchants
- Some tradespeople and service providers
- Some local restaurants
- Government agencies (IRD payments)
In practical terms: if you exclusively shop at large retailers and supermarkets, Amex works fine. If you regularly use small businesses, you’ll need a backup.
The two-card solution: Most Amex Airpoints Platinum cardholders carry a Visa or Mastercard as a backup. The Kiwibank Zero Visa ($0 fee) is the natural companion — no-fee, no-foreign-fee, works everywhere Amex doesn’t.
Air NZ Lounge Access
The Amex Airpoints Platinum includes complimentary Air NZ lounge passes:
- Access to Air NZ domestic lounges (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, etc.)
- Access to international Air NZ lounge at Auckland Airport
- Some international partner lounge access when flying Air NZ internationally
Value: Lounge access purchased individually costs $40–$60 per visit domestically, and $80–$120+ internationally. If you fly four times a year and use the lounge each time: $160–$480 in value alone — potentially exceeding the $200 annual fee.
Travel Insurance Inclusion
The Amex Airpoints Platinum includes comprehensive travel insurance when you purchase your international travel tickets with the card. This typically covers:
- Medical expenses (including overseas medical evacuation)
- Trip cancellation and delay
- Baggage loss and delay
- Rental car excess
Check the current policy document for full terms, exclusions, and any coverage limits.
Who Should Get the Amex Airpoints Platinum?
Good fit:
- High spenders ($20,000+/year on the card)
- Frequent Air NZ flyers who value lounge access
- Those who would otherwise pay separately for travel insurance
- Those happy to carry a backup Visa for merchants who don’t accept Amex
Not a good fit:
- Spending under $11,800/year → can’t break even from Airpoints alone
- Prefer a single card that works everywhere → ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum is more practical
- Don’t fly Air NZ regularly → lounge benefit is wasted
- Carry a balance → high interest rate makes this expensive
Amex Airpoints Platinum vs ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum
| Feature | Amex Airpoints Platinum | ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $200 | $150 |
| Earn rate | 1 per $59 | 1 per $75 |
| Travel insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Lounge access | Yes | No |
| Acceptance | Limited | Excellent |
| Break-even spend | ~$11,800 | ~$11,250 |
For most NZers: ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum is more practical. For high-spending frequent Air NZ flyers who value lounges: Amex Airpoints Platinum earns more and provides better travel perks.
Verdict
The Amex Airpoints Platinum is New Zealand’s best Airpoints-earning credit card for high-volume spenders who value Air NZ lounges and don’t mind carrying a backup Visa. At $20,000+/year spend, the combination of earn rate, lounge access, and travel insurance justifies the $200 annual fee convincingly. For most NZ households, the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum offers better all-round value with no acceptance concerns.
Next Steps
- Amex Airpoints standard card review — lower-cost Amex Airpoints option
- ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum review — more practical alternative
- Air NZ Airpoints guide NZ — how to maximise your Airpoints
- Best travel credit cards NZ — full travel card comparison