The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum is ANZ’s premium Airpoints card, with a higher earn rate, travel insurance, and a higher credit limit than the standard card. Here’s how the $150 annual fee compares with what you get.
The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum ($150/year) earns 1 Airpoint per $110, so at NZ$1 per Airpoint the Airpoints alone cover the fee at $16,500/year of spend. ANZ says it includes overseas travel insurance, subject to eligibility. The standard Airpoints Visa ($65, 1 per $170) breaks even on Airpoints alone at $11,050/year. The Amex Airpoints Platinum earns faster (1 per $70) but isn't accepted everywhere.
ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum — Key Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 |
| Interest rate | 20.95% p.a. |
| Airpoints earn rate | 1 Airpoint per $110 spent |
| Travel insurance | Yes, overseas travel insurance (subject to eligibility) |
| Interest-free period | Up to 44 days |
| Card network | Visa |
| Foreign currency conversion charge | 0% |
| Contactless / Apple Pay | Yes |
Travel Insurance — The Key Differentiator
Overseas travel insurance is one of the features ANZ lists for the Platinum card, along with a higher earn rate and bonus Status Points. ANZ’s page for the card says you need to pay for at least half your pre-paid travel expenses with the card to get the cover.
Check the current policy documents at ANZ for what is covered, since conditions, exclusions and age limits apply.
The Break-Even Calculation
For the $150 annual fee from Airpoints earnings alone (excluding travel insurance value):
Valuing each Airpoint at NZ$1, the break-even is:
Break-even spend = $150 fee × $110 per Airpoint = $16,500 per year
| Annual spend | Airpoints earned | Net value (after $150 fee) |
|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | about 45 | -$105 |
| $8,000 | about 73 | -$77 |
| $16,500 | 150 | $0 (break-even) |
| $20,000 | about 182 | $32 profit |
| $25,000 | about 227 | $77 profit |
Airpoints Visa vs Airpoints Visa Platinum vs Amex Platinum
| Feature | Airpoints Visa | Airpoints Visa Platinum | Amex Airpoints Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $65 | $150 | $195 |
| Earn rate | 1 per $170 | 1 per $110 | 1 per $70 |
| Travel insurance | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lounge access | No | No | 2 Priority Pass visits a year (Basic Card Member only) and 2 Centurion Lounge entries a year at Sydney or Melbourne |
| Break-even spend | $11,050 | $16,500 | $13,650 |
| Network | Visa | Visa | American Express (not accepted at some NZ merchants) |
The Amex Airpoints Platinum has the highest earn rate of the three, but Amex isn’t accepted everywhere in NZ. If you’d need to carry a Visa as backup, the total cost of ownership increases. The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum is accepted wherever Visa is.
Features and Limitations
Features:
- 1 Airpoint per $110 spent; Airpoints cover the $150 fee from $16,500/year of spend
- Overseas travel insurance, subject to eligibility
- Visa network
- Multiple users can add to the same Airpoints account
Limitations:
- $85/year more than the standard ANZ Airpoints Visa
- 20.95% p.a. interest on a carried balance
Maximising the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum
- Use it for all domestic spending: every $110 earns 1 Airpoint
- Foreign fee: ANZ shows a 0% foreign currency conversion charge on this card
- Check the insurance conditions: ANZ says you need to pay for at least half your pre-paid travel expenses with the card
- Pay in full monthly — 20.95% interest wipes out all Airpoints earnings if you carry a balance
- Check Airpoints programme terms: some partner purchases earn bonus Airpoints
Summary
The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum costs $150 a year, earns 1 Airpoint per $110, and includes overseas travel insurance subject to eligibility. At NZ$1 per Airpoint, Airpoints alone cover the fee at $16,500 of annual spend. The Amex Airpoints Platinum earns faster and adds lounge access, but Amex isn’t accepted everywhere in NZ.
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
- ANZ Airpoints Visa review — is the standard card enough?
- Amex Airpoints Platinum review: 1 Airpoint per $70
- Travel credit cards NZ: full travel card comparison
- Airpoints guide NZ: how Airpoints work