Skip to main content

Travel Credit Cards for New Zealanders 2026: Fees Compared

Updated

Using the wrong card overseas can cost you 2–3% on every transaction, and NZ bank foreign transaction fees add up fast. Here’s how the main travel cards compare for New Zealanders.

Quick answer

The Kiwibank Zero Visa has no annual fee but charges 1.85% on transactions processed overseas, and has no travel insurance or Airpoints. The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum ($150 fee) earns Airpoints and includes travel insurance, but charges about 2.5% on overseas purchases. Which suits you depends on how often you travel and whether you already have travel insurance. Carrying two cards overseas gives you a backup if one fails.

What to Look for in a NZ Travel Credit Card

Feature Why it matters
No foreign transaction fee Saves 2–3% on every overseas purchase
No currency conversion surcharge Charged on top of the foreign transaction fee by some banks
Travel insurance Medical and cancellation cover — can save thousands
Airpoints earning Earn towards flights while you travel
Global acceptance Visa and Mastercard accepted widely; Amex has gaps
Emergency card replacement In case your card is lost or stolen overseas

NZ Travel Credit Cards Compared

Providers are listed alphabetically.

Amex Airpoints Platinum

Feature Detail
Annual fee $195 (as at October 2026)
Airpoints earn rate 1 Airpoints Dollar per $70 spend
Travel insurance Yes (comprehensive)
Lounge access 2 Priority Pass visits a year, plus a Koru membership discount
Currency conversion fee 2.5%
Acceptance overseas Lower than Visa/Mastercard

Key point: the highest Airpoints earn rate of the three cards here (1 per $70) and some lounge access, for a $195 fee. Amex is accepted less widely overseas than Visa or Mastercard, so cardholders usually carry a second card.

Full review: Amex Airpoints Platinum review

ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum

Feature Detail
Annual fee $150
Interest rate 20.95% p.a.
Foreign transaction fee ~2.5%
Airpoints earn rate 1 Airpoints Dollar per $75 spend
Travel insurance Yes — comprehensive
Network Visa

Key point: earns Airpoints on all spending and includes travel insurance. Comparable standalone travel insurance can cost $300–$500 per trip for a family, against the $150 annual fee.

Note: Foreign transaction fees still apply: about 2.5% on overseas purchases.

Full review: ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum review

Kiwibank Zero Visa

Feature Detail
Annual fee $0
Interest rate 12.90% p.a. (as at October 2026)
Foreign transaction fee 1.85%
Travel insurance No (not included)
Airpoints No
Network Visa

Key point: no annual fee, but a 1.85% fee on transactions processed overseas: $92.50 on $5,000 of holiday spending.

The trade-off: No travel insurance included. For a week-long NZ/Australia trip this may be fine with travel insurance purchased separately. For longer or higher-value trips, factor in separate travel insurance costs.

Full review: Kiwibank Zero Visa review

Carrying Two Cards

Some NZ travellers carry two cards: one with no foreign transaction fee for overseas purchases, and one with travel insurance or Airpoints for domestic spending. Using a 0% foreign-fee card overseas instead of a card charging 2.5% saves 2.5% on every overseas purchase.

Wise Card

The Wise debit card isn’t a credit card. Its features:

  • Uses mid-market exchange rates
  • No foreign transaction fees on purchases (up to a monthly limit)
  • Allows you to hold and spend in 40+ currencies

Tips for Using Cards Overseas

  1. Tell your bank before you travel — log into internet banking and set a travel notification; prevents your card being blocked for suspicious overseas activity
  2. Always pay in local currency — decline “dynamic currency conversion” (paying in NZD at a foreign terminal); the rate is always worse
  3. Have two cards from different networks — if one fails, you have a backup
  4. Note the card’s emergency contact number — store it separately from your wallet
  5. Don’t rely on your phone only — carry a physical card (not just Apple/Google Pay) as backup
  6. ATM withdrawals overseas — use your bank’s partnered ATMs where possible; withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimise fees

Foreign Transaction Fee Comparison

Card Overseas purchase fee
Kiwibank Zero Visa 1.85%
Amex credit cards 2.5%
Wise card 0% (up to limit)
Revolut Standard 0% (up to limit)
Most NZ bank Visa/MC debit cards 2–2.5%
Most NZ credit cards 1.5–2.5%

Where to check the latest data

Rates, fees and returns change often. Before deciding, check current figures yourself:

Next Steps