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Air NZ Airpoints vs Qantas Frequent Flyer for New Zealanders 2026

Updated

Air NZ Airpoints vs Qantas Frequent Flyer for New Zealanders 2026

Two major frequent flyer programmes are accessible to New Zealanders: Air New Zealand’s Koru programme (where you earn and spend Airpoints) and Qantas Frequent Flyer (Qantas Points). This page sets out the Airpoints side, which is sourced from Air NZ and the card issuers. Qantas earn rates, point values and tiers change often, so check them on Qantas’s own pages.

Quick answer

Air NZ says each Airpoint is equivalent to NZ$1 when spending with Air NZ, though Air NZ sets the flight redemption rate and can change it. Airpoints are earned on Air NZ flights, with Koru partners and on Airpoints credit cards (1 Airpoint per $70 to $170 spent, depending on the card). Airpoints expire four years after they are accrued, with exceptions. Qantas Points work differently, so compare the programmes using Qantas's own current information.

Programme Overview

Feature Air NZ Koru (Airpoints) Qantas Frequent Flyer
Currency Airpoints (previously Airpoints Dollars) Qantas Points
Value per unit Air NZ says each Airpoint is equivalent to NZ$1 when spending with Air NZ; the flight rate is set by Air NZ and can change Check Qantas’s own pages
Redemptions Air NZ operated flights, Star Alliance and other partner airline flights (subject to availability), upgrades and the Airpoints Store Check Qantas’s own pages
Status tiers Koru Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Black, from Status Points Check Qantas’s own pages
Expiry Four years after accrual, with exceptions (for example no expiry while you retain Koru Gold, Platinum or Black) Check Qantas’s own pages

Earning Airpoints in New Zealand

Airpoints earn on Air NZ flights, with Koru partners and on Airpoints credit cards. The card earn rates are:

Card Earn rate
ANZ Airpoints Visa 1 Airpoint per $170
ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum 1 Airpoint per $110
Amex Airpoints Platinum 1 Airpoint per $70
Amex Airpoints Card 1 Airpoint per $100

For fees and a fuller comparison, see Airpoints Credit Cards Compared. The partner list is in the Airpoints Guide NZ.

Earning Qantas Points in New Zealand

Which NZ-issued cards earn Qantas Points, and at what rate, changes over time. Check Qantas’s own pages and the card issuer before relying on any card.

Redeeming Airpoints

Air NZ says Airpoints can be used on most Air NZ operated flights and on Star Alliance and other partner airline flights, subject to availability. To use Flexipay on a flight, your available Airpoints must be at least 20% of the airfare. See Airpoints Dollar Value for what Air NZ says about value.

Status Tiers

Air NZ’s Koru tiers are Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Black, set by Status Points earned over a year. The thresholds are in the Airpoints Guide NZ. For Qantas’s tiers and how it counts status, see Qantas’s own pages.