Air New Zealand Airpoints is New Zealand’s dominant loyalty programme. These are every NZ credit card that earns Airpoints Dollars — compared by earn rate, annual fee, and value.
The Amex Airpoints Platinum has the best earn rate (1 Airpoints Dollar per $59) but has a $200 annual fee and lower Amex acceptance in NZ. The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum ($150 fee, 1 per $75) is the best mainstream option. For casual earners, the ANZ Airpoints Visa ($65, 1 per $100) is solid. All require paying in full monthly to avoid interest wiping out rewards.
Airpoints Cards Available in NZ
| Card | Annual fee | Earn rate | Break-even spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Airpoints Platinum | $200 | 1 per $59 | $11,800 |
| ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum | $150 | 1 per $75 | $11,250 |
| ANZ Airpoints Visa | $65 | 1 per $100 | $6,500 |
| Amex Airpoints Card | Low/variable | Lower rate | Lower threshold |
Break-even spend = annual spend needed to earn enough Airpoints Dollars to cover the annual fee (at ~$1 per Airpoints Dollar).
Amex Airpoints Platinum — Best Earn Rate
Earn rate: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $59 spend — the best earn rate of any NZ credit card.
Annual fee: $200
Key benefits:
- Best Airpoints earn rate in NZ
- Lounge access (Air NZ lounges + international partners)
- Travel insurance
- Complimentary benefits on Air NZ flights
The catch: Amex is not accepted at all NZ merchants. Pak’nSave, some petrol stations, and many smaller businesses do not accept Amex. You’ll need a backup Visa or Mastercard for everywhere else.
Best for: High spenders ($20,000+/year) who primarily spend at Amex-accepting merchants and value lounge access.
Full review: Amex Airpoints Platinum review
ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum — Best Mainstream Option
Earn rate: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $75 spend
Annual fee: $150
Key benefits:
- Widely accepted — Visa works everywhere
- Travel insurance included
- Comprehensive coverage: medical, cancellation, baggage
- Available at any ANZ branch or online
Break-even: Spend $11,250/year to earn $150 in Airpoints to cover the fee.
Best for: Moderate-to-high spenders who want reliable Airpoints earning on a Visa card with travel insurance.
Full review: ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum review
ANZ Airpoints Visa — Best for Casual Airpoints Earners
Earn rate: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 spend
Annual fee: $65
Key benefits:
- Lower annual fee than the Platinum
- Visa accepted everywhere
- Airpoints Dollars earned on all eligible spend
Break-even: Spend $6,500/year to earn $65 in Airpoints to cover the fee.
Best for: Those who want to earn Airpoints on everyday spending without committing to a $150 annual fee.
Full review: ANZ Airpoints Visa review
Amex Airpoints Card — Low-Cost Airpoints Option
Earn rate: Lower than Platinum
Annual fee: Low (check current terms at americanexpress.com/nz)
Key benefits:
- Lower cost to enter the Amex Airpoints earning ecosystem
- Amex acceptance issues still apply
Best for: Airpoints fans who want the Amex card but don’t spend enough to justify the Platinum’s $200 fee.
Full review: Amex Airpoints standard card review
Earn Rate Comparison: Annual Airpoints Earned by Spend Level
| Annual spend | ANZ Airpoints Visa ($65) | ANZ Airpoints Platinum ($150) | Amex Airpoints Platinum ($200) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | 100 − $65 fee = $35 net | 133 − $150 fee = −$17 net | 169 − $200 fee = −$31 net |
| $20,000 | 200 − $65 = $135 net | 267 − $150 = $117 net | 339 − $200 = $139 net |
| $30,000 | 300 − $65 = $235 net | 400 − $150 = $250 net | 508 − $200 = $308 net |
| $50,000 | 500 − $65 = $435 net | 667 − $150 = $517 net | 847 − $200 = $647 net |
Assumes 1 Airpoints Dollar = $1 NZD value on flight redemptions.
Key insight:
- Under $11,250/year: ANZ Airpoints Visa ($65 fee) wins
- $11,250–$20,000/year: ANZ Airpoints Platinum gains
- Over $20,000/year (on Amex-accepting merchants): Amex Airpoints Platinum leads
Tips to Maximise Airpoints Earning
- Put all eligible spending on your Airpoints card — regular bills, groceries, fuel, restaurants (if you pay in full monthly)
- Earn Airpoints through the partner network too — earning Airpoints on flights + credit card spend stacks
- No expiry while active — Airpoints Dollars don’t expire as long as you have activity in your account within 18 months
- Redeem for flights, not merchandise — flight redemptions give the best value per Airpoints Dollar
The Amex Acceptance Problem
If you use an Amex card as your primary card, you’ll need a backup Visa or Mastercard for:
- Pak’nSave (Amex typically not accepted)
- Some petrol stations
- Many smaller NZ businesses
- Some online merchants
The most common approach: use Amex as primary card + Kiwibank Zero Visa as backup (no annual fee, no foreign transaction fee).
Next Steps
- Airpoints guide NZ — how Airpoints Dollars work and how to redeem them
- Amex Airpoints Platinum review — is the premium card worth it?
- ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum review — best mainstream Airpoints card
- Best travel credit cards NZ — Airpoints plus travel perks