A complete side-by-side comparison of New Zealand’s major credit cards across all banks and card types.
How to use this comparison
Sort by what matters to you: (1) If you carry a balance, look at rate first; (2) If you pay in full every month, look at rewards value vs annual fee; (3) If you want simplicity and no cost, filter to no-fee cards. The "best" card is the one that matches your actual spending behaviour.
Sort by what matters to you: (1) If you carry a balance, look at rate first; (2) If you pay in full every month, look at rewards value vs annual fee; (3) If you want simplicity and no cost, filter to no-fee cards. The "best" card is the one that matches your actual spending behaviour.
Full Credit Card Comparison Table (NZ 2026)
| Card | Rate | Annual fee | Rewards | Balance transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANZ Airpoints Visa | ~19.95% | ~$65 | Airpoints (standard rate) | Available |
| ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum | ~20.95% | ~$150 | Airpoints (premium rate) | Available |
| ANZ Cashback Visa | ~19.95% | ~$40 | Cashback | Available |
| ASB Visa Lite | ~20.95% | $0 | None | Available |
| ASB Visa Classic | ~20.95% | ~$40 | Airpoints | Available |
| ASB Visa Platinum | ~20.95% | ~$120 | Airpoints (premium) | Available |
| BNZ Advantage Visa Classic | ~20.95% | ~$40 | Flybuys | Available |
| BNZ Advantage Visa Platinum | ~20.95% | ~$130 | Flybuys (premium) | Available |
| BNZ Low Rate Mastercard | ~12.95% | ~$50 | None | Available |
| Westpac Hotpoints Classic | ~20.95% | ~$40 | Hotpoints | Available |
| Westpac Hotpoints Platinum | ~20.95% | ~$130 | Hotpoints (premium) | Available |
| Kiwibank Zero Visa | ~12.95% | ~$55 | None | Available |
| Kiwibank Platinum Visa | ~20.95% | ~$150 | Airpoints | Available |
| Amex Airpoints Platinum | ~20.95% | ~$195 | Airpoints (highest rate) | Limited |
| Amex True Cashback | ~20.95% | ~$65 | Cashback 1% | Limited |
All rates and fees are indicative as at June 2026 and subject to change. Always verify with the issuing bank before applying.
Rewards Programme Comparison
New Zealand credit cards use several different rewards currencies:
Airpoints Dollars (Air NZ)
- Offered by: ANZ, ASB, Kiwibank (via partnerships), Amex
- Value: 1 Airpoints Dollar ≈ $1 NZ value for flights/upgrades
- Earn rate varies: premium cards typically earn faster (e.g., $75 spend per $1 Airpoints Dollar vs $100 for standard)
- Best for: Air NZ travellers
Flybuys (BNZ)
- Offered by: BNZ via their Advantage card
- Value: 1 point = variable value; redeemable at Countdown, BP, and partner stores
- Best for: People who shop regularly at Countdown or Flybuys partners
Hotpoints (Westpac)
- Westpac’s own points programme
- Redeemable for various products and vouchers
- Best for: Existing Westpac customers who don’t specifically need Airpoints
Cashback
- Offered by: ANZ Cashback Visa, Amex True Cashback
- Straightforward: earn a % of spending as cash credited to your account
- Best for: People who want simplicity over travel rewards
How to Pick the Right Card
Step 1: Do you carry a balance? If yes → choose a low-rate card (BNZ Low Rate or Kiwibank Zero). Any rewards are irrelevant if you’re paying 20% interest on a balance.
Step 2: Do you pay in full every month? If yes → evaluate rewards value. Calculate how much you typically spend per year and how many Airpoints Dollars (or cashback) you’d earn. Compare to the annual fee.
Step 3: Annual fee payback calculation:
- $150 annual fee ÷ $1 Airpoints Dollar per $75 = need $11,250/year in spending to break even on the fee alone (before earning anything)
- Higher spenders get better value from premium rewards cards
Step 4: Which rewards do you actually use?
- If you never fly Air NZ, Airpoints are worth less
- If you frequently shop at Countdown, Flybuys via BNZ may suit
- Cashback is the most versatile — cash is cash