Airpoints Credit Cards in NZ — Which One Earns the Most?

If you fly Air New Zealand regularly, an Airpoints credit card can turn everyday spending into future flights or upgrades. But not all Airpoints cards are the same — some offer higher earn rates, others waive annual fees for the first year, and a few come with travel perks like lounge passes or complimentary insurance.

We’ve compared the four main Airpoints credit cards in New Zealand: ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum, Westpac Airpoints Mastercard Platinum, BNZ Airpoints Visa Platinum, and American Express Airpoints Platinum. Use this side-by-side guide to see which one earns the most for your spending habits.

Comparison Table

Feature ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum Westpac Airpoints Mastercard Platinum BNZ Airpoints Visa Platinum American Express Airpoints Platinum
Annual fee $150 (often waived first year) $150 (often waived first year) $150 (often waived first year) $195 (sometimes waived first year)
Airpoints earn rate (NZ spend) 1 Airpoint per $100 1 Airpoint per $100 1 Airpoint per $100 1 Airpoint per $100 (first $15k/year); 1 per $50 thereafter
Bonus Airpoints on sign-up Often 150–250 Airpoints (conditions apply) Often 150–250 Airpoints (conditions apply) Often 150–250 Airpoints (conditions apply) Often 200–400 Airpoints (conditions apply)
Complimentary insurance Yes (travel, purchase, extended warranty) Yes (travel, purchase, extended warranty) Yes (travel, purchase, extended warranty) Yes (travel, purchase, extended warranty)
Lounge passes 2 per year (domestic or international) 2 per year (domestic or international) 2 per year (domestic or international) 4 per year (domestic or international)
Interest rate (purchases) Check with provider (typically 19.95%–21.95%) Check with provider (typically 19.95%–21.95%) Check with provider (typically 19.95%–21.95%) Check with provider (typically 21.95%–22.95%)
Foreign transaction fee ~2.5%–3% ~2.5%–3% ~2.5%–3% ~2.5%–3%
Best for Balanced rewards + lounge access Flexible rewards + insurance package Simple earn rate + low fee High spenders who earn bonus Airpoints

Key Differences Between the Cards

1. Earn Rate — Who Earns the Most?

All four cards offer 1 Airpoint per $100 spent in New Zealand — but the American Express Airpoints Platinum earns an extra 1 Airpoint per $50 once you spend over $15,000 in a year. That makes it the best earner for big spenders, but only if you can use Amex widely (not all merchants accept it).

For most people spending under $15,000 a year, the earn rate is identical across all cards. The real difference comes from sign-up bonuses and ongoing perks.

2. Sign-Up Bonuses

Sign-up bonuses vary by promotion. Typically, you’ll see offers like:

  • ANZ: 150–250 Airpoints after spending $1,000–$3,000 in the first 3 months
  • Westpac: 150–250 Airpoints with similar conditions
  • BNZ: 150–250 Airpoints (often matches ANZ)
  • American Express: 200–400 Airpoints (higher bonus, but higher fee)

Check the latest offers directly with each bank — they change regularly.

3. Lounge Passes

All platinum cards give you 2 lounge passes per year — except American Express, which offers 4 passes. If you fly a few times a year, that’s a valuable perk worth roughly $50–$80 per pass.

4. Fees and Interest

Annual fees are similar at $150 for Visa/Mastercard options, while Amex is $195. Many banks waive the first year’s fee as a promotion. Interest rates are competitive but high — these cards are best used as charge cards (paid off in full each month) to avoid interest.

Pros and Cons of Each Card

ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum

  • Pros: Strong sign-up bonus, good insurance, widely accepted (Visa), lounge passes included
  • Cons: Standard earn rate, annual fee ($150) unless waived
  • Target audience: Anyone who wants a reliable, full-featured Airpoints card with solid perks
  • Verdict: A safe, all-round choice — especially if you get the first year free

Westpac Airpoints Mastercard Platinum

  • Pros: Similar to ANZ, good insurance package, often has low-rate balance transfer offers
  • Cons: Earn rate same as others, lounge passes limited to 2 per year
  • Target audience: Westpac customers or those wanting a Mastercard with strong travel benefits
  • Verdict: Almost identical to ANZ — choose based on which bank you prefer or current promotions

BNZ Airpoints Visa Platinum

  • Pros: Simple earn rate, good sign-up bonus, no frills but reliable
  • Cons: Fewer extras than ANZ/Westpac (e.g., no lounge passes on some versions — check the latest)
  • Target audience: Budget-conscious travellers who want a straightforward Airpoints card
  • Verdict: Great if you value simplicity and a lower fee (often waived), but fewer perks

American Express Airpoints Platinum

  • Pros: Highest earn rate after $15k spend, 4 lounge passes per year, strong sign-up bonus
  • Cons: Not accepted everywhere (some merchants don’t take Amex), higher annual fee
  • Target audience: High spenders who can use Amex widely and want maximum Airpoints
  • Verdict: Best for earning — but only if you spend over $15k/year and accept the acceptance limitations

Which One Earns the Most?

If you spend under $15,000 a year, all four cards earn the same base rate: 1 Airpoint per $100. The winner then comes down to sign-up bonuses and perks. ANZ and Westpac often lead with competitive offers and lounge passes.

If you spend over $15,000 a year and can use American Express, the American Express Airpoints Platinum earns the most — 1 Airpoint per $50 after the threshold, plus extra lounge passes and a bigger sign-up bonus.

Tips for Maximising Your Airpoints

  • Pay off your balance in full every month — interest charges will quickly eat into the value of any rewards
  • Use the card for all everyday spending — groceries, fuel, bills — to maximise earn rate
  • Watch for sign-up bonuses — a 200 Airpoints bonus is worth about $200–$300 in flights
  • Combine with Airpoints shopping partners — earn extra Airpoints through the Air New Zealand marketplace
  • Check foreign transaction fees — if you travel often, consider a separate no-fee card for overseas spending

For a full breakdown of travel insurance across every NZ card issuer — including age limits, activation rules, and hidden exclusions — see our credit card travel insurance comparison.