The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum is ANZ’s premium Airpoints card — better earn rate, travel insurance, and higher credit limit. Here’s whether the $150 annual fee is justified.
The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum ($150/year) is worth it if you spend $11,250+/year on your card and travel regularly. The included travel insurance alone is worth $300–$600/trip for a family. Below $11,250/year spend, the standard Airpoints Visa ($65) is better value. For the best Airpoints earn rate, the Amex Airpoints Platinum (1 per $59) beats the ANZ Platinum.
ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum — Key Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 |
| Interest rate | 20.95% p.a. |
| Airpoints earn rate | 1 Airpoints Dollar per $75 spend |
| Travel insurance | Yes — comprehensive |
| Interest-free period | Up to 55 days |
| Card network | Visa |
| Foreign transaction fee | ~2.5% |
| Contactless / Apple Pay | Yes |
Travel Insurance — The Key Differentiator
The travel insurance included with the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum is its biggest selling point. It typically covers:
- Medical expenses and emergency evacuation
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Baggage loss or delay
- Travel delay compensation
- Personal liability
Activation requirement: You generally need to purchase your international travel ticket using the Platinum card for the insurance to activate. Check the current policy documents at ANZ for full terms — conditions, exclusions, and age limits apply.
Value: Comprehensive travel insurance for a family of four for a two-week international trip typically costs $400–$700 if purchased separately. If you travel at least once per year, the travel insurance alone can justify the $150 annual fee.
The Break-Even Calculation
For the $150 annual fee from Airpoints earnings alone (excluding travel insurance value):
$$\text{Break-even spend} = \frac{$150 \text{ fee}}{$1 \text{ per } $75 \text{ spend}} = $11,250 \text{ per year}$$
| Annual spend | Airpoints earned | Net value (after $150 fee) |
|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $66.67 | -$83 |
| $8,000 | $106.67 | -$43 |
| $11,250 | $150 | $0 (break-even) |
| $15,000 | $200 | $50 profit |
| $20,000 | $266.67 | $116 profit |
Add travel insurance value: If the included insurance saves you $400/year on a separate policy, the break-even spend drops to around $4,500/year — making it worthwhile for moderate card users who travel.
Airpoints Visa vs Airpoints Visa Platinum vs Amex Platinum
| Feature | Airpoints Visa | Airpoints Visa Platinum | Amex Airpoints Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $65 | $150 | $200 |
| Earn rate | 1 per $100 | 1 per $75 | 1 per $59 |
| Travel insurance | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lounge access | No | No | Yes |
| Break-even spend | $6,500 | $11,250 | $11,800 |
| Acceptance | Excellent | Excellent | Limited (Amex) |
The Amex Airpoints Platinum has the best earn rate — but comes with the well-known Amex acceptance problem in NZ. If you’d need to carry a Visa as backup, the total cost of ownership increases.
For most NZers who want a single premium Airpoints card that works everywhere, the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum is the better practical choice.
Who Is the Platinum Best For?
Good fit:
- Card users spending $11,250+/year
- Regular international travellers who would otherwise pay for travel insurance
- Those who want a single, reliable Airpoints-earning card (no Amex acceptance concerns)
- Households where multiple users add to the same Airpoints account
Not a good fit:
- Spending under $11,250/year without counting travel insurance value → standard Airpoints Visa saves $85/year
- Frequent international spenders → carry a Kiwibank Zero Visa for overseas purchases (no foreign fee)
- Those who want the absolute best Airpoints earn rate → Amex Platinum (1 per $59) beats the ANZ Platinum’s 1 per $75
Maximising the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum
- Use it for all domestic spending — every $75 earns $1
- Use Kiwibank Zero Visa overseas — avoid the 2.5% foreign fee on international purchases
- Book travel with the Platinum card — activates travel insurance for the trip
- 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 Dollars
Verdict
The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum is one of the best all-round credit cards in NZ for regular card users who travel. The travel insurance inclusion is genuinely valuable and often tips the break-even calculation firmly in the card’s favour. For high-volume spenders who also want lounge access, the Amex Airpoints Platinum should be considered alongside a backup Visa.
Next Steps
- ANZ Airpoints Visa review — is the standard card enough?
- Amex Airpoints Platinum review — best earn rate in NZ
- Best travel credit cards NZ — full travel card comparison
- Airpoints guide NZ — getting the most from your Airpoints Dollars