American Express Airpoints Card Review in NZ

American Express Airpoints Card Review (New Zealand)

If you fly Air New Zealand regularly, the American Express Airpoints Card is one of the most rewarding credit cards in the country. It directly earns Airpoints Dollars™ on everyday spending — no complicated conversion or transfer steps. But it comes with a higher annual fee and isn't accepted everywhere. Here's our detailed review.

This is general information only and does not constitute financial advice.

Key Features at a Glance

Feature Details
Card type Airpoints-earning credit card (charge card – balance must be paid in full each month)
Annual fee Around $150–$195 (check current rate with Amex)
Earning rate 1 Airpoints Dollar for every $100 spent on eligible purchases (some bonus categories may apply)
Welcome bonus Often 150–300 bonus Airpoints Dollars after meeting spend criteria in first 3 months
Interest rate Not applicable (charge card – no revolving credit)
International transaction fee Around 2.5% on overseas purchases
Airpoints membership Included free for the first year (normally $60/year)

Pros

  • Direct Airpoints earnings – 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 spent is straightforward and valuable for frequent flyers.
  • Generous sign-up bonus – New applicants often receive a substantial bonus that can cover a domestic or short-haul flight.
  • No interest charges – Because it's a charge card, you must pay the full balance each month, which helps avoid debt.
  • Free Airpoints membership – Saves you the $60 annual fee for Air New Zealand's loyalty programme.
  • Travel and purchase insurance – Includes cover for lost luggage, travel delays, and purchase protection (check eligibility conditions).

Cons

  • Higher annual fee – At around $150–$195, it's more expensive than many no-frills cards.
  • Limited acceptance – Many smaller retailers, petrol stations, and some online stores in NZ don't accept American Express.
  • Must pay in full each month – Not suitable if you want to carry a balance or need a revolving credit line.
  • International transaction fee – 2.5% on overseas spending can add up if you travel or shop internationally.
  • Airpoints expiry – Airpoints Dollars expire if you don't earn or spend any within 12 months (though the card helps avoid this).

Who is this card for?

This card is best suited for:

  • Frequent Air New Zealand flyers who want to maximise Airpoints earnings on everyday spending.
  • People who pay their credit card balance in full every month and want a disciplined spending tool.
  • Those who shop mostly at major retailers, supermarkets, and online merchants that accept Amex.

It's less ideal if you:

  • Shop primarily at small businesses or petrol stations that don't take Amex.
  • Prefer a low or no annual fee card.
  • Want to carry a balance or use a revolving credit facility.

How it compares to other Airpoints cards

American Express Airpoints Card sits alongside other Airpoints-earning options in NZ, such as the ANZ Airpoints Visa, Westpac Airpoints Mastercard, and the BNZ Airpoints Mastercard. Here's how they stack up:

Provider Annual fee (approx) Earning rate Key difference
American Express Airpoints $150–$195 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 Charge card, must pay in full; limited acceptance
ANZ Airpoints Visa $60–$120 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 Widely accepted; lower fee; standard credit card
Westpac Airpoints Mastercard $55–$90 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 Low annual fee; good for everyday spending
BNZ Airpoints Mastercard $60–$90 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 Competitive fee; standard credit card features

The main trade-off with Amex is the higher fee and limited acceptance, but you get a bigger sign-up bonus and the discipline of a charge card. If you can't use Amex everywhere, you might consider pairing it with a no-fee Visa or Mastercard for backup.

Fees and charges

  • Annual fee: Check with American Express — typically $150–$195
  • Late payment fee: Around $30 if you don't pay your full balance on time
  • International transaction fee: 2.5% on overseas purchases
  • Cash advance fee: Not applicable (no cash advances available)
  • Foreign currency conversion: Included in the transaction fee

Always confirm current fees on the American Express NZ website or by calling them, as they can change.

Verdict

The American Express Airpoints Card is a strong choice for dedicated Air New Zealand flyers who can commit to paying their balance in full each month. The welcome bonus alone can make the annual fee worthwhile, and the direct Airpoints earning is simple and rewarding. However, its limited acceptance means it's best used as a secondary card — not your only card. If you can pair it with a widely accepted Visa or Mastercard (like the ANZ or Westpac Airpoints cards), you'll get the best of both worlds.

For anyone who doesn't fly Air New Zealand often or prefers a low-fee card, the Amex Airpoints Card probably isn't the right fit. Consider comparing it with other Airpoints cards to find the best match for your spending habits.