Airpoints is Air New Zealand’s loyalty programme and New Zealand’s most valuable rewards currency. Here’s how it works, how to earn fast, and how to get the most value from your Airpoints Dollars.
1 Airpoints Dollar ≈ $1 NZD when redeemed for Air NZ flights — the face value is clear and transparent. Airpoints don't expire as long as you earn or redeem at least once every 18 months. The fastest way to earn is via a credit card — ANZ Airpoints Visa (1 per $100), ANZ Airpoints Platinum (1 per $75), or Amex Airpoints Platinum (1 per $59).
What Are Airpoints Dollars?
Airpoints Dollars are Air New Zealand’s loyalty currency. Unlike many frequent flyer programmes that use opaque “points,” Airpoints Dollars have a simple face value: 1 Airpoints Dollar = $1 NZD when redeemed for Air NZ flights.
This makes Airpoints one of the most transparent loyalty currencies in the world — you always know exactly what your balance is worth.
How to Earn Airpoints Dollars
1. Flying Air New Zealand
Earn Airpoints Dollars on Air NZ flights based on:
- Distance flown
- Fare class (economy, premium economy, business)
- Your Airpoints tier (Gold and Elite earn bonus rates)
Economy class typically earns at a lower rate than premium cabins. Redemption tickets (seats paid for with Airpoints) do not earn additional Airpoints Dollars.
2. Credit Cards — The Fastest Way to Earn
| Card | Earn rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Airpoints Platinum | 1 per $59 | $200 |
| ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum | 1 per $75 | $150 |
| ANZ Airpoints Visa | 1 per $100 | $65 |
| Amex Airpoints Card | Check current rate | Low |
On $12,000/year household card spending:
- Amex Platinum: ~$203 Airpoints Dollars
- ANZ Airpoints Platinum: ~$160 Airpoints Dollars
- ANZ Airpoints Visa: ~$120 Airpoints Dollars
3. Partner Network
Airpoints Dollars can be earned at hundreds of partner businesses:
- Car hire: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Jucy
- Hotels: Accor, Hilton, Marriott partner properties
- Shopping: Air NZ’s online Airpoints Mall
- Dining: Selected restaurants in the Air NZ dining programme
- Petrol: Z Energy (with linked Airpoints card)
- Telecommunications: Spark (some plans)
- Insurance: Tower Insurance (some policies)
Check airnewzealand.co.nz/airpoints for the current partner list.
How to Redeem Airpoints Dollars
Flights — Best Value
Redeeming for Air NZ flights gives you the face value: 1 Airpoints Dollar = $1 NZD off the ticket price.
Domestic example: Wellington to Auckland return economy — if the flight costs $300, it would require 300 Airpoints Dollars. You can mix Airpoints Dollars and cash (e.g., use 100 Airpoints Dollars and pay $200 cash).
International: Airpoints Dollars work on all Air NZ operated routes, including international. For premium cabins on long-haul routes, redemption rates can be excellent.
Other Redemptions
| Redemption type | Value per Airpoints Dollar |
|---|---|
| Air NZ flights | $1.00 |
| Seat upgrades | Good — varies |
| Air NZ merchandise/store | Below face value |
| Partner rewards | Variable — check each |
Avoid merchandise redemptions — the value per Airpoints Dollar is significantly lower than flight redemptions. Always redeem for flights if possible.
Status Tiers: Airpoints, Gold, Elite
| Tier | How to qualify | Key benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Airpoints | Everyone | Basic earn and redeem |
| Airpoints Gold | ~40 Status Points (check current requirement) | 50% bonus Airpoints on flights, priority check-in, lounge access on eligible fares |
| Airpoints Elite | ~75 Status Points (check current requirement) | 100% bonus Airpoints on flights, elite lounges, most flexible benefits |
Status Points vs Airpoints Dollars
These are separate currencies:
- Airpoints Dollars — your spendable currency for flights and rewards
- Status Points — determine your tier; cannot be redeemed for flights
Status Points are earned on flights based on distance and fare class. They’re used to calculate tier qualification but have no direct monetary value.
Airpoints Expiry Rules
Airpoints Dollars do not expire as long as you meet the activity requirement:
Earn or redeem at least once every 18 months.
If you go 18+ months without any Airpoints activity (earning or redeeming), your Airpoints Dollars will expire.
How to stay active: Use your ANZ Airpoints credit card for everyday purchases — every transaction earns Airpoints Dollars and resets your 18-month window.
Best Strategies for NZ Airpoints Earners
1. Use an Airpoints Credit Card for Everything
The fastest way to accumulate Airpoints is via a credit card on everyday spending. At 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 (ANZ Airpoints Visa), $800/month in groceries and petrol earns 96 Airpoints Dollars/year — a domestic flight after 2–3 years of normal spending.
2. Earn on Partners Where You Already Shop
Check the Airpoints partner list and see which partners overlap with your existing shopping:
- Z Energy petrol station → link your Airpoints card
- Accor hotels → enter your Airpoints number when booking
- Air NZ online shopping portal → click through before online purchases
3. Focus Redemptions on Flights
The $1 face value only applies to flights. Merchandise, vouchers, and other redemptions deliver lower value. Save your Airpoints Dollars for flights.
4. Fly Economy Domestically, Business Internationally
Domestic economy redemptions are excellent value. If you have enough Airpoints Dollars for a long-haul business class upgrade, this can also be outstanding value — business class tickets that cost $5,000+ can be offset with Airpoints Dollars.
Airpoints vs Other NZ Loyalty Programmes
| Programme | Value per unit | Transparency |
|---|---|---|
| Airpoints Dollars | $1.00 (flights) | Excellent |
| Flybuys | ~1c (2,000 pts = $20) | Good |
| hotpoints | ~0.5–1c | Moderate |
| Everyday Rewards | ~1c | Good |
Airpoints Dollars are the most valuable and transparent loyalty currency available to NZ consumers.
Next Steps
- How much is an Airpoints Dollar worth? — detailed value analysis
- Best credit cards for earning Airpoints NZ — which card earns fastest
- ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum review — best Visa Airpoints card
- Amex Airpoints Platinum review — best earn rate overall