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Best Travel Credit Cards for New Zealanders 2026

Updated

Using the wrong card overseas can cost you 2–3% on every transaction — and NZ bank foreign transaction fees add up fast. Here’s how to choose the best travel card as a New Zealander.

Quick answer

The Kiwibank Zero Visa (no annual fee, no foreign transaction fees) is the best pure travel card for NZers. For Airpoints earners who want travel insurance too, the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum ($150 fee) is the best option. Always carry two cards overseas — Visa/Mastercard as backup.

What to Look for in a NZ Travel Credit Card

Feature Why it matters
No foreign transaction fee Saves 2–3% on every overseas purchase
No currency conversion surcharge Charged on top of the foreign transaction fee by some banks
Travel insurance Medical and cancellation cover — can save thousands
Airpoints earning Earn towards flights while you travel
Global acceptance Visa and Mastercard accepted widely; Amex has gaps
Emergency card replacement In case your card is lost or stolen overseas

The Best NZ Travel Credit Cards

1. Kiwibank Zero Visa — Best Pure Travel Card

Feature Detail
Annual fee $0
Interest rate 25.99% p.a.
Foreign transaction fee 0%
Currency conversion surcharge 0%
Travel insurance No (not included)
Airpoints No
Network Visa

Why it’s top pick: Zero cost to own, zero overseas fees. A $5,000 holiday puts $100–$150 back in your pocket compared to using a standard NZ bank card with 2–3% foreign fees.

The trade-off: No travel insurance included. For a week-long NZ/Australia trip this may be fine with travel insurance purchased separately. For longer or higher-value trips, factor in separate travel insurance costs.

Full review: Kiwibank Zero Visa review

2. ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum — Best for Earning Airpoints and Travel Insurance

Feature Detail
Annual fee $150
Interest rate 20.95% p.a.
Foreign transaction fee ~2.5%
Airpoints earn rate 1 Airpoints Dollar per $75 spend
Travel insurance Yes — comprehensive
Network Visa

Best for: Regular travellers who want to earn Airpoints on all their spending AND have travel insurance included in the card. The travel insurance can be worth $300–$500 per trip for a family — making the $150 annual fee excellent value.

Note: Foreign transaction fees still apply — you pay 2.5% overseas. The ANZ Airpoints Platinum is better for earning Airpoints on domestic spending and using travel insurance on trips, while carrying the Zero Visa for actual overseas spending (no foreign fees).

Full review: ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum review

3. Amex Airpoints Platinum — Best Earn Rate + Lounge Access

Feature Detail
Annual fee $200
Airpoints earn rate 1 Airpoints Dollar per $59 spend
Travel insurance Yes — comprehensive
Lounge access Air NZ and partner lounges
Acceptance overseas Lower than Visa/Mastercard

Best for: Frequent flyers who want the best Airpoints earn rate and lounge access. The Amex acceptance problem is real overseas — carry the Kiwibank Zero Visa as backup.

Full review: Amex Airpoints Platinum review

The Smart Combination: Two Cards

Most experienced NZ travellers carry two cards:

Card 1 Card 2
Kiwibank Zero Visa — for all overseas purchases (no foreign fees) ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum — for travel insurance and domestic Airpoints earning

Combined: You earn Airpoints on domestic spending via the ANZ card, carry the Kiwibank Zero Visa for all overseas transactions (saving 2.5% on every purchase), and have ANZ’s travel insurance for the trip.

Wise Card for Travel — Worth Mentioning

The Wise debit card isn’t a credit card, but it’s excellent for travel:

  • Uses mid-market exchange rates
  • No foreign transaction fees on purchases (up to a monthly limit)
  • Allows you to hold and spend in 40+ currencies

For international travel, carrying a Wise card alongside the Kiwibank Zero Visa covers all scenarios.

Tips for Using Cards Overseas

  1. Tell your bank before you travel — log into internet banking and set a travel notification; prevents your card being blocked for suspicious overseas activity
  2. Always pay in local currency — decline “dynamic currency conversion” (paying in NZD at a foreign terminal); the rate is always worse
  3. Have two cards from different networks — if one fails, you have a backup
  4. Note the card’s emergency contact number — store it separately from your wallet
  5. Don’t rely on your phone only — carry a physical card (not just Apple/Google Pay) as backup
  6. ATM withdrawals overseas — use your bank’s partnered ATMs where possible; withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimise fees

Foreign Transaction Fee Comparison

Card Overseas purchase fee
Kiwibank Zero Visa 0%
Wise card 0% (up to limit)
Revolut Standard 0% (up to limit)
Most NZ bank Visa/MC debit cards 2–2.5%
Most NZ credit cards 1.5–2.5%

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