The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum is ANZ’s premium Airpoints card, with a higher earn rate, travel insurance, and a higher credit limit than the standard card. Here’s how the $150 annual fee compares with what you get.
The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum ($150/year) earns 1 Airpoints Dollar per $75, so Airpoints alone cover the fee at $11,250/year of spend. It includes travel insurance, which can cost $300–$600/trip for a family if bought separately. Below $11,250/year, the standard Airpoints Visa ($65) has the lower net cost on Airpoints alone. The Amex Airpoints Platinum earns faster (1 per $70) but isn't accepted everywhere.
ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum — Key Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 |
| Interest rate | 20.95% p.a. |
| Airpoints earn rate | 1 Airpoints Dollar per $75 spend |
| Travel insurance | Yes — comprehensive |
| Interest-free period | Up to 55 days |
| Card network | Visa |
| Foreign transaction fee | ~2.5% |
| Contactless / Apple Pay | Yes |
Travel Insurance — The Key Differentiator
Travel insurance is the main feature that separates the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum from the standard card. It typically covers:
- Medical expenses and emergency evacuation
- Trip cancellation and interruption
- Baggage loss or delay
- Travel delay compensation
- Personal liability
Activation requirement: You generally need to purchase your international travel ticket using the Platinum card for the insurance to activate. Check the current policy documents at ANZ for full terms — conditions, exclusions, and age limits apply.
Value: Comprehensive travel insurance for a family of four for a two-week international trip typically costs $400–$700 if purchased separately. If you travel at least once per year, that cost can exceed the $150 annual fee.
The Break-Even Calculation
For the $150 annual fee from Airpoints earnings alone (excluding travel insurance value):
Break-even spend = ($150 fee) ÷ ($1 per $75 spend) = $11,250 per year
| Annual spend | Airpoints earned | Net value (after $150 fee) |
|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $66.67 | -$83 |
| $8,000 | $106.67 | -$43 |
| $11,250 | $150 | $0 (break-even) |
| $15,000 | $200 | $50 profit |
| $20,000 | $266.67 | $116 profit |
Add travel insurance value: If the included insurance saves you $400/year on a separate policy, the break-even spend drops to around $4,500/year.
Airpoints Visa vs Airpoints Visa Platinum vs Amex Platinum
| Feature | Airpoints Visa | Airpoints Visa Platinum | Amex Airpoints Platinum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $65 | $150 | $195 |
| Earn rate | 1 per $100 | 1 per $75 | 1 per $70 |
| Travel insurance | No | Yes | Yes |
| Lounge access | No | No | 2 Priority Pass visits a year |
| Break-even spend | $6,500 | $11,250 | $13,650 |
| Network | Visa | Visa | American Express (not accepted at some NZ merchants) |
The Amex Airpoints Platinum has the highest earn rate of the three, but Amex isn’t accepted everywhere in NZ. If you’d need to carry a Visa as backup, the total cost of ownership increases. The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum is accepted wherever Visa is.
Features and Limitations
Features:
- 1 Airpoints Dollar per $75 spend; Airpoints cover the $150 fee from $11,250/year of spend
- Travel insurance included when international tickets are bought with the card
- Visa network
- Multiple users can add to the same Airpoints account
Limitations:
- $85/year more than the standard ANZ Airpoints Visa
- ~2.5% foreign transaction fee
- 20.95% p.a. interest on a carried balance
Maximising the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum
- Use it for all domestic spending — every $75 earns $1
- Mind the foreign fee: the 2.5% fee applies to international purchases on this card
- Book travel with the Platinum card — activates travel insurance for the trip
- Pay in full monthly — 20.95% interest wipes out all Airpoints earnings if you carry a balance
- Check Airpoints programme terms — some partner purchases earn bonus Airpoints Dollars
Summary
The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum costs $150 a year, earns 1 Airpoints Dollar per $75, and includes travel insurance. Airpoints alone cover the fee at $11,250 of annual spend; counting a $400/year saving on separate travel insurance, that drops to around $4,500. The Amex Airpoints Platinum earns faster and adds lounge access, but Amex isn’t accepted everywhere in NZ.
Where to check the latest data
Rates, fees and returns change often. Before deciding, check current figures yourself:
- interest.co.nz credit card rates: tables of current credit card interest rates and fees.
- The provider's own website: has its current rates, fees and full terms; these change more often than any comparison page.
- Financial Service Providers Register: shows whether a provider is registered to offer financial services in New Zealand.
Next Steps
- ANZ Airpoints Visa review — is the standard card enough?
- Amex Airpoints Platinum review: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $70
- Travel credit cards NZ: full travel card comparison
- Airpoints guide NZ — getting the most from your Airpoints Dollars