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.
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.
Next Steps
- Amex Airpoints Platinum review — the premium Amex option
- ANZ Airpoints Visa review — most practical Airpoints card
- Best Airpoints credit cards NZ — full comparison
- Kiwibank Zero Visa review — best backup card with no fees