Air New Zealand says each Airpoint (previously called an Airpoints Dollar) is equivalent to NZ$1 when you spend it with Air New Zealand. This page sets out what that statement covers and where the value of a balance can differ.
Air New Zealand says each Airpoint is equivalent to NZ$1 when spending with Air New Zealand. Its terms say Air NZ sets the redemption rate for flight rewards and can change it, and that non-flight rewards can be priced differently from the cash prices partners charge for similar items. So NZ$1 is the stated equivalence, not a fixed price on every redemption.
What Air NZ Says an Airpoint Is Worth
Air NZ describes every Airpoint earned as equivalent to NZ$1. For flights, the number of Airpoints a seat needs is set by Air NZ and can vary with the booking class and time of travel, so check the Airpoints price for the flight you want against the cash fare.
Where the Value Can Differ
| Redemption | What Air NZ says |
|---|---|
| Air NZ flights | Airpoints can be used on most Air NZ operated flights, subject to availability; the flight rate is set by Air NZ and can change |
| Star Alliance and partner airline flights | Can be booked with Airpoints, subject to availability and the partner’s rules; partner flights must be requested at least 3 business days before departure |
| Discounted Business Award Fares | Open to Koru Silver, Gold, Platinum and Black members and Koru Club members, with strictly limited availability |
| Airpoints Store (non-flight rewards) | Redemption rates may differ from the cash prices partners charge for similar items |
Mixing Airpoints and Cash
Flexipay lets you pay for a flight with a mixture of Airpoints and cash, as long as your available Airpoints are at least 20% of the total airfare.
Example: on a $450 fare, 200 Airpoints plus $250 cash meets the 20% test (200 is about 44% of $450). A flight paid this way earns Airpoints at 20% of the standard rate.
Earning Compared With a Cashback Card
The table shows what $10,000 of annual card spending earns, before annual fees. The Airpoints figures are valued at Air NZ’s stated NZ$1 equivalence.
| Method | Earned on $10,000 spend | Value |
|---|---|---|
| ANZ Airpoints Visa (1 per $170) | about 59 Airpoints | about $59 |
| ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum (1 per $110) | about 91 Airpoints | about $91 |
| Amex Airpoints Platinum (1 per $70) | about 143 Airpoints | about $143 |
| Hypothetical 1% cashback card | $100 cash | $100 |
| Westpac hotpoints (1 per $1, ~0.7c) | 10,000 hotpoints @ 0.7c | ~$70 |
Airpoints can only be spent through Air NZ and its Koru programme, while cash can be spent anywhere.
When the Value Can Be Lower
Air NZ’s terms say Airpoints Store rates can differ from partners’ cash prices, and the flight rate can change. Because of that, the NZ$1 figure is a stated equivalence and the value you get depends on what you redeem for and when.
Airpoints Expiry
Under the Koru terms, Airpoints expire four years after they were accrued, removed on the anniversary of the day you joined the Koru programme. Airpoints earned by the nominated earner of certain Direct Earn financial products do not expire while that person remains the nominated earner, and Air NZ says Airpoints do not expire while you retain Koru Gold, Koru Platinum or Koru Black status. See the Airpoints guide for the detail.
Next Steps
- Air NZ Airpoints complete guide: how to earn and redeem
- Airpoints Credit Cards Compared: earn rates and fees
- ANZ Airpoints Visa review
- Airpoints vs Qantas for NZers: how the two programmes differ