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American Express Airpoints Card Review 2026 — Free Airpoints Card NZ

Updated

The American Express Airpoints Card is the entry-level Airpoints-earning Amex — lower (or no) annual fee, a basic Airpoints earn rate, and no lounge access. Here’s whether it’s a better deal than the standard Visa Airpoints cards.

Quick answer

The Amex Airpoints Card (low or no annual fee) earns Airpoints at a lower rate than the Platinum but at minimal cost. The Amex acceptance problem still applies — you'll need a backup Visa. For most NZers, the ANZ Airpoints Visa ($65) is more practical: accepted everywhere and a competitive earn rate.

Amex Airpoints Card — Key Facts

Feature Detail
Annual fee Low or $0 (check current terms at americanexpress.com/en-nz)
Interest rate Check current rate
Airpoints earn rate Lower than Platinum — check current earn rate
Travel insurance Not included (Platinum benefit only)
Lounge access No
Card network American Express
Foreign transaction fee ~2%

Always verify current earn rates, fees, and terms directly with American Express before applying.

Amex Airpoints Card vs Amex Airpoints Platinum

Feature Amex Airpoints Card Amex Airpoints Platinum
Annual fee Low/$0 $200
Earn rate Lower 1 per $59
Travel insurance No Yes
Lounge access No Yes

The standard card sacrifices earn rate and travel benefits for a lower cost. Whether that trade-off is worth it depends on your spending volume.

The Amex Airpoints Card vs ANZ Airpoints Visa

This is the key comparison for most NZers considering the standard Amex card:

Feature Amex Airpoints Card ANZ Airpoints Visa
Annual fee Low/$0 $65
Earn rate Check 1 per $100
Acceptance Limited Excellent
Travel insurance No No
Backup card needed? Yes No

The acceptance issue changes the value proposition significantly. Even if the Amex Airpoints Card has no annual fee, you’ll likely need a Visa/Mastercard as a backup — meaning you’re managing two cards where one (the ANZ Airpoints Visa) would suffice.

When the Amex Airpoints Card Makes Sense

Good fit:

  • Already an Amex Airpoints Platinum holder adding a supplementary card for a family member
  • Those who shop exclusively at Amex-accepting merchants and want to earn Airpoints at low cost
  • Those who already have a Visa or Mastercard and want to add a no/low-fee Amex for Airpoints earning at supported merchants

Not a good fit:

  • Want a single card that works everywhere → ANZ Airpoints Visa is better
  • Value travel insurance or lounge access → Amex Airpoints Platinum provides these
  • Don’t fly Air NZ → Airpoints aren’t relevant; use a cashback or no-fee card instead

The Two-Card Approach with Standard Amex

If you want to use the Amex Airpoints Card alongside a backup Visa:

Card Use for
Amex Airpoints Card Countdown, New World, major retailers (Amex-accepting merchants)
Kiwibank Zero Visa Everywhere else, overseas spending (no foreign fee)

This gives you Airpoints earning where Amex works, and full coverage elsewhere at $0 combined annual cost (assuming the Amex card has no annual fee and the Zero Visa has no fee).

Airpoints Earning: Standard Amex vs ANZ Airpoints Visa

Assuming the standard Amex earns at a rate comparable to the ANZ Airpoints Visa (1 per $100):

Annual spend Airpoints Dollars earned Net vs ANZ ($65 fee)
$5,000 $50 ANZ: -$15
$8,000 $80 ANZ: +$15
$12,000 $120 ANZ: +$55

If the Amex Airpoints Card has no annual fee and earns at a comparable rate, it can be more profitable than the ANZ Airpoints Visa — but only at merchants that accept Amex. On spending at non-Amex merchants, the backup Visa earns nothing (unless you use an Airpoints Visa as backup).

Verdict

The Amex Airpoints Card is a niche choice — potentially valuable as a supplementary card for Amex-accepting merchants if you’re already using a backup Visa. For most NZers who want a single, simple Airpoints-earning card that works everywhere, the ANZ Airpoints Visa ($65/year) is the more practical solution. If you want to commit fully to Amex, the Platinum ($200) earns significantly more and includes travel benefits worth their cost.

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