Compare Airpoints Credit Cards

What is the Airpoints Loyalty Program?

Airpoints is Air New Zealand’s loyalty program. Membership is free and anyone can join. Once a member you can earn Airpoints Dollars in many different ways. Then you get to spend the Airpoints on flights, rental cars, other travel and life related goods.

Airpoints is one of the best loyalty programs in New Zealand, with a range of partners and incentives. Even if you’re not a frequent flyer, you still have plenty of opportunity to earn rewards with everyday purchases by using your Air New Zealand Airpoints credit card.

1 Airpoints Dollar equals 1 New Zealand Dollar, which makes it easy to figure out how you can afford to spend your Airpoints.

Airpoints can be redeemed for all sorts of things, including:

Which credit cards earn Airpoints?

You can earn Airpoints with several major credit card providers in New Zealand.

• American Express (The highest earning Airpoints cards are offered through American Express)
• ANZ
• Kiwibank
• Westpac
• Air New Zealand also has its own credit card to earn Airpoints

You’ll earn Airpoints Dollars whenever you make eligible purchases. Usually, these include everyday expenses such as grocery shopping, dining experiences, fuel costs, and retail purchases. You won’t earn points for cash withdrawals, BPAY transactions, or credit card fees.

How to Make the Most of Your Airpoints Credit Card

Read on to get tips about how to get the most from your Airpoints card.

Airpoints sign-up bonuses

Take advantage of any sign-up bonuses. Some cards offer bonus Airpoints — ranging from 50-300 — when you sign up for the card.

Choose a high-earning card

How many Airpoints you earn per dollar spent will vary between cards.

For example, one card may have you earning 1 Airpoints dollar for every $65 spent on eligible purchases, while another card may offer 1 Airpoint for every $100 spent.

However, you need to balance a high earning rate with any related fees; if a card allows you to earn quicker but has higher fees are the benefits outweighed by the fees?

Take advantage of the other card features

Earning Airpoints isn’t the only benefit on offer. Depending on your chosen card, you could access various other benefits like Priority Pass airport lounge access, flight upgrades, international travel insurance, and extended warranties for eligible goods and gadgets you purchase with the card.

Shop at retail and travel partners to maximise your points

You can grow your Airpoints balance faster by shopping with retail and travel partners, including Mitre 10, Caltex, Liquorland, Pet Direct, AVIS, Quest, and more.

When you make purchases with these partners, you can earn extra Airpoints on top of your regular spending. Plus, some partners offer other incentives, such as fuel cost savings, making it even more advantageous to shop with them.
Check out the complete list of Airpoint partners here.

Travel with Air New Zealand or Star Alliance partner airlines

You’ll also earn Airpoints when you book flights with Air New Zealand or Star Alliance partner airlines. Use the Air New Zealand Airpoints Calculator to see exactly how many points you can earn for a flight.

Is an Airpoints credit card right for you?

Perks: Airpoints credit cards offer a range of benefits. But the key is aligning them with your lifestyle. Will you actually use the rewards and features they offer?

Spending habits: Are you the kind who uses a credit card often? These cards are tailored for regular credit card users.

Weigh up cost vs perks: This is an important one. Do the benefits you get outweigh any fees and charges associated with the card? Will you earn (and redeem) enough points to justify the costs?

Financial management: Are you in a position to clear your credit card balance each month to avoid interest charges or getting in over your head with debt? Responsible handling is key to reaping the full benefits of these cards.

When exploring your options, think about factors such as annual fees, interest rates, rewards earning potential, additional perks, and any specific terms and conditions associated with each card.