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.
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
- Use it for all spending — groceries, petrol, bills, online shopping (not just big purchases)
- Avoid using it overseas — carry a Kiwibank Zero Visa for international spending to avoid the 2.5% foreign fee
- Pay in full every month — the 20.95% rate wipes out any Airpoints earnings if you carry a balance
- Watch for bonus Airpoints offers — ANZ periodically offers bonus Airpoints for hitting spending milestones
- 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.
Next Steps
- ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum review — worth upgrading?
- Best Airpoints credit cards NZ — full market comparison
- Airpoints guide NZ — how to maximise your Airpoints
- Best credit cards NZ — full market overview