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ANZ Airpoints Visa Review 2026 — Is It Worth the Annual Fee?

Updated

The ANZ Airpoints Visa is New Zealand’s most popular Airpoints-earning credit card — but is the $65 annual fee worth it? Here’s a complete review.

Quick answer

The ANZ Airpoints Visa ($65/year) is worth it if you spend $6,500+/year on your card and pay in full monthly. Below that, a no-fee card saves more than you'd earn in Airpoints. Above $11,250/year, consider upgrading to the Platinum for better earn rates and travel insurance.

ANZ Airpoints Visa — Key Facts

Feature Detail
Annual fee $65
Interest rate 20.95% p.a.
Airpoints earn rate 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 spend
Airpoints Dollar value ~$1 NZD for flight redemptions
Bonus Airpoints on application Check current ANZ offer
Interest-free period Up to 55 days
Minimum credit limit $1,000
Card network Visa
Foreign transaction fee ~2.5%
Contactless payments Yes
Apple Pay / Google Pay Yes

The Break-Even Calculation

To justify the $65 annual fee, you need to earn at least $65 in Airpoints:

$$\text{Break-even spend} = \frac{$65 \text{ fee}}{$1 \text{ per } $100 \text{ spend}} = $6,500 \text{ per year}$$

Annual spend Airpoints earned Net value (after $65 fee)
$3,000 $30 -$35
$5,000 $50 -$15
$6,500 $65 $0 (break-even)
$10,000 $100 $35 profit
$15,000 $150 $85 profit

If you spend less than $6,500/year on your card, a no-fee card (like the Kiwibank Zero Visa) serves you better.

Who Is This Card Best For?

Good fit:

  • Regular card users spending $6,500–$11,250/year
  • Air NZ frequent flyers who want to earn Airpoints on everyday purchases
  • People who always pay in full monthly (high interest rate makes carrying a balance expensive)
  • Those who want a simple, widely-accepted Visa with Airpoints

Not a good fit:

  • Spend less than $6,500/year on cards → use a no-fee card
  • Spend more than $11,250/year → consider upgrading to ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum for better earn rate + travel insurance
  • Carry a balance → the 20.95% rate is expensive; use a low-rate card instead
  • Frequent international travellers → 2.5% foreign fee adds up; carry a Kiwibank Zero Visa for overseas spending

Airpoints Visa vs Airpoints Visa Platinum

Feature Airpoints Visa Airpoints Visa Platinum
Annual fee $65 $150
Earn rate 1 per $100 1 per $75
Travel insurance No Yes
Break-even spend $6,500 $11,250

The Platinum earns 33% more Airpoints per dollar spent and includes comprehensive travel insurance. The fee is $85 more per year — if you spend over $11,250/year on the card and travel, the Platinum is better value.

Full review: ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum review

How to Maximise the ANZ Airpoints Visa

  1. Use it for all spending — groceries, petrol, bills, online shopping (not just big purchases)
  2. Avoid using it overseas — carry a Kiwibank Zero Visa for international spending to avoid the 2.5% foreign fee
  3. Pay in full every month — the 20.95% rate wipes out any Airpoints earnings if you carry a balance
  4. Watch for bonus Airpoints offers — ANZ periodically offers bonus Airpoints for hitting spending milestones
  5. Link to your Airpoints account — make sure your card is correctly linked; Airpoints credit to your account monthly

Practical Airpoints Value

Airpoints Dollars can be redeemed for:

  • Air NZ flights — face value of $1 per Airpoints Dollar (best redemption)
  • Seat upgrades — good value on domestic routes
  • Partner rewards — variable value; flights are typically best
  • Airpoints merchandise — generally poor value

On $10,000/year spend, you earn 100 Airpoints Dollars per year. A one-way Wellington-Auckland economy flight costs around 100–160 Airpoints Dollars.

Verdict

The ANZ Airpoints Visa is a solid card for regular Air NZ flyers who spend $6,500–$11,250/year on their card and always pay in full. Below the break-even threshold, you’re better off with a no-fee card. Above $11,250/year in spend, the Platinum’s travel insurance and better earn rate become compelling.

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