Co-author: Ellie McLachlan
If you are a regular Air New Zealand flyer you might consider joining its Airpoints program where you can earn points for flying, booking a hotel, hiring a car and also everyday things like restaurants, shopping and using a credit card. But sometimes it can be hard to decide whether going to the next step of getting a frequent flyer credit card is the right option for you.
Why get an Airpoints credit card?
If you are looking for a flight rewards credit card where you can earn Airpoints Dollars in particular, it’s a good idea to first ask yourself the following:
- Do you pay your closing credit card balance in full each month? Interest rates on flight rewards credit cards are typically around 20% p.a.
- Do you want to earn points to redeem for flights for either domestic or international?
- Are you already an Airpoints member or are you keen to sign up?
A flight rewards credit card might not be the best option if you:
- Rarely pay off the balance
- Only plan to use your credit card occasionally
- Want to redeem points for other items like cashback, gift cards and shopping vouchers.
As a rewards-based card, it’s good to bear in mind that the costs of owning and using these types of credit cards can quickly cancel out the benefits of some flight rewards offers. Check out Canstar’s hints and tips on choosing a rewards programs before signing up to a deal.
If a flight rewards credit card sounds like a good option for your needs, it might be worth checking out some of the cards rated by Canstar that allow you to earn a high amount of Airpoints Dollars with Air New Zealand.
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Some of our best Airpoints flight rewards credit cards
There is a range of Airpoints credit cards out there that offer flight rewards, so it’s important to compare your options to find the right deal for you.
For a better chance of finding the right flight rewards credit card for you, you might want to consider one of the Airpoints credit cards rated by Canstar. You can see a snapshot of them in the table below, sorted by Airpoints Dollars gained per dollar spent (highest to lowest) then by provider name (alphabetically). The results shown are based on a monthly spend of $3,000.
| Company | Product | Airline points per $1 | Purchase rate (p.a.) | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express | Airpoints Platinum Card | 1:59 | 19.95% | $195 |
| Westpac | Airpoints World Mastercard | 1:65 | 16.95% | $390 |
| ANZ | Airpoints Visa Platinum | 1:75 | 20.95% | $150 |
| Kiwi Bank | Airpoints Platinum Mastercard | 1:75 | 20.95% | $150 |
| Westpac | Airpoints Platinum Mastercard | 1:75 | 20.95% | $145 |
| American Express | Airpoints Card | 1:100 | 0% for 6 months, then 19.95% ongoing | $0 |
Source: www.canstar.co.nz. Rates and fees as at 26 November 2018.
Table only displays six products – click here to see more. Be sure to read the full terms and conditions of each deal before signing up.
Airpoints credit cards with bonus offers
Certain credit cards also offer special signup deals and bonus offers to new customers. The most common type of deal is rewards points, which can become very valuable when redeemed with Air New Zealand. You should always check whether the bonus offer is worth it for your rewards style and whether the credit card actually suits your spending habits.
The table below displays a snapshot of flight rewards credit cards with bonus offers that are partnered with Air New Zealand, sorted by Airpoints Dollars earned per dollar spent (highest to lowest).
| Company | Product | Sign up bonus | Airline points per $1 | Purchase rate (p.a.) | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express | Airpoints Platinum Card | 300 bonus Airpoints Dollars when you apply by 1 April 2019 and spend $1500 on your card in the first 3 months. Conditions apply | 1:59 | 19.95% | $195 |
| ANZ | Airpoints Visa Platinum | 200 bonus Airpoints Dollars when you sign up and spend at least $1000 on eligible purchases before 31 January 2019. Conditions apply | 1:75 | 20.95% | $150 |
| American Express | Airpoints Card | 50 bonus Airpoints Dollars when you apply and spend $750 on your card within the first 3 months. Conditions apply | 1:100 | 0% for 6 months, then 19.95% ongoing | $0 |
| ANZ | Airpoints Platinum Mastercard | 100 bonus Airpoints Dollars when you apply and spend at least $1000 on eligible purchases before 31 January 2019. Conditions apply | 1:120 | 20.95% | $0 in the first year, then $65 ongoing |
Source: www.canstar.co.nz. Rates and fees as at 26 November 2018.
What to look out for in a flight rewards credit card
There are a few things you should look out for when comparing flight rewards credit cards to find which product is best for you. Some of these include:
- Earn rate on points – check out the rate at which points are earned for each dollar spent.
- Annual fee – consider the annual fee on the card and whether or not it is worth the rewards earned.
- Promotional rates and features – make sure to be aware of the expenses of a frequent flyer credit card after the promotional period (typically six months) is over.
- Extras – some frequent flyer credit cards offer additional features such as complimentary travel insurance.
- Star Ratings – Canstar’s Research team gives products a star rating from one to five. It’s a good idea to consider this when comparing frequent flyer credit cards.
If you are a disciplined spender and want to learn more about credit cards, check out Canstar’s roundup of the 12 benefits of using a credit card.
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