Air New Zealand Airpoints is New Zealand’s dominant loyalty programme. These are every NZ credit card that earns Airpoints Dollars — compared by earn rate, annual fee, and value.
The Amex Airpoints Platinum has the highest earn rate (1 Airpoints Dollar per $70) but a $195 annual fee and lower Amex acceptance in NZ. The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum ($150 fee, 1 per $75) is on the Visa network and includes travel insurance. The ANZ Airpoints Visa ($65, 1 per $100) has the lowest fee and break-even spend ($6,500). Which comes out ahead depends on how much you spend. With any of them, interest on a carried balance can wipe out the rewards.
Airpoints Cards Available in NZ
| Card | Annual fee | Earn rate | Break-even spend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Airpoints Platinum | $195 | 1 per $70 | $13,650 |
| ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum | $150 | 1 per $75 | $11,250 |
| ANZ Airpoints Visa | $65 | 1 per $100 | $6,500 |
| Amex Airpoints Card | Low/variable | Lower rate | Lower threshold |
Break-even spend = annual spend needed to earn enough Airpoints Dollars to cover the annual fee (at ~$1 per Airpoints Dollar).
Providers are listed alphabetically.
Amex Airpoints Card
Earn rate: Lower than Platinum
Annual fee: Low (check current terms at americanexpress.com/nz)
Key benefits:
- Lower cost to enter the Amex Airpoints earning ecosystem
- Amex acceptance issues still apply
Key point: a lower fee than the Platinum’s $195, with a lower earn rate.
Full review: Amex Airpoints standard card review
Amex Airpoints Platinum
Earn rate: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $70 spend, the highest earn rate of the cards compared here.
Annual fee: $195 (as at October 2026)
Key benefits:
- Highest Airpoints earn rate in this comparison
- 2 Priority Pass and 2 Centurion Lounge visits a year, plus a Koru membership discount
- Travel insurance
- Complimentary benefits on Air NZ flights
The catch: Amex is not accepted at all NZ merchants. Pak’nSave, some petrol stations, and many smaller businesses do not accept Amex. You’ll need a backup Visa or Mastercard for everywhere else.
Key point: in the table below it has the highest net value only at $50,000/year of spend (just ahead of the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum), and only on spending at merchants that accept Amex.
Full review: Amex Airpoints Platinum review
ANZ Airpoints Visa
Earn rate: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 spend
Annual fee: $65
Key benefits:
- Lower annual fee than the Platinum
- Visa accepted everywhere
- Airpoints Dollars earned on all eligible spend
Break-even: Spend $6,500/year to earn $65 in Airpoints to cover the fee.
Key point: the lowest annual fee and break-even spend of the Airpoints cards here.
Full review: ANZ Airpoints Visa review
ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum
Earn rate: 1 Airpoints Dollar per $75 spend
Annual fee: $150
Key benefits:
- Visa network, widely accepted
- Travel insurance included
- Comprehensive coverage: medical, cancellation, baggage
- Available at any ANZ branch or online
Break-even: Spend $11,250/year to earn $150 in Airpoints to cover the fee.
Key point: Airpoints earning on the Visa network, with travel insurance included.
Full review: ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum review
Earn Rate Comparison: Annual Airpoints Earned by Spend Level
| Annual spend | ANZ Airpoints Visa ($65) | ANZ Airpoints Platinum ($150) | Amex Airpoints Platinum ($195) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10,000 | 100 − $65 fee = $35 net | 133 − $150 fee = −$17 net | 143 − $195 fee = −$52 net |
| $20,000 | 200 − $65 = $135 net | 267 − $150 = $117 net | 286 − $195 = $91 net |
| $30,000 | 300 − $65 = $235 net | 400 − $150 = $250 net | 429 − $195 = $234 net |
| $50,000 | 500 − $65 = $435 net | 667 − $150 = $517 net | 714 − $195 = $519 net |
Assumes 1 Airpoints Dollar = $1 NZD value on flight redemptions.
Highest net value in this table, by spend level:
- $10,000/year: ANZ Airpoints Visa ($35 net)
- $20,000/year: ANZ Airpoints Visa ($135 net)
- $30,000/year: ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum ($250 net)
- $50,000/year (on Amex-accepting merchants): Amex Airpoints Platinum ($519 net), just ahead of ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum ($517)
Tips to Maximise Airpoints Earning
- Put all eligible spending on your Airpoints card — regular bills, groceries, fuel, restaurants (if you pay in full monthly)
- Earn Airpoints through the partner network too — earning Airpoints on flights + credit card spend stacks
- No expiry while active — Airpoints Dollars don’t expire as long as you have activity in your account within 18 months
- Redeem for flights, not merchandise — flight redemptions give the best value per Airpoints Dollar
The Amex Acceptance Problem
If you use an Amex card as your primary card, you’ll need a backup Visa or Mastercard for:
- Pak’nSave (Amex typically not accepted)
- Some petrol stations
- Many smaller NZ businesses
- Some online merchants
A no-annual-fee Visa or Mastercard (such as the Kiwibank Zero Visa) can serve as the backup.
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
- Airpoints guide NZ — how Airpoints Dollars work and how to redeem them
- Amex Airpoints Platinum review — is the premium card worth it?
- ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum review: Airpoints on Visa with travel insurance
- Travel credit cards NZ: Airpoints plus travel perks