A credit card is a great financial tool. If used wisely it can help smooth cashflow, and rewards cards can provide great cashbacks, flights and other freebies.
However, some cards do come with high interest rates, and for many the temptation of easy credit can lead to unwelcome debt.
While Canstar’s latest research into NZ’s favourite credit cards reveals most Kiwis (63%) pay their credit card bills in full each month, that leaves 37% of card users paying interest on their debt. And, almost one in five cardholders (18%) worry about their credit card debt.
Despite this, just 5% of those in our survey have researched and switched their card to one offering lower interest rates, which means thousands of New Zealanders could be paying too much for their plastic.
If you think your credit card isn’t offering you the best deal, or are just unhappy with the level of service and value offered by your card provider, have you thought about switching to a new card?
If so, we are here to help. For in addition to the Canstar research team’s annual deep dive into the best cards on the market – which crunches the numbers on pricing and features – we also ask thousands of everyday Kiwis to rate their credit cards and providers.
The responses we receive form the basis of our Most Satisfied Customers Awards. For the awards, we ask credit card users to rate their satisfaction levels with their card providers across the following categories:
- Communication
- Customer Service
- Digital Banking
- Fees & Charges
- Interest Rate
- Privacy & Security
- Rewards Program
- Security
- Value for Money
We then award the best providers across regular and rewards credit cards. And this year American Express is the winner of both awards:
Most Satisfied Credit Cards Award
For this year’s Credit Card Award, we talked to 2799 consumers with credit cards issued by the following 10 providers: Amex, ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Gem Visa, Kiwibank, Q Mastercard, The Co-operative Bank, TSB and Westpac.
And the results of our research revealed one clear winner: American Express, which scored highly across the categories listed above, and earned perfect ratings for Customer Service and its Rewards Program.
Most Satisfied Rewards Credit Cards Award
Fewer providers offer rewards cards, and five were rated in our survey: American Express, ANZ, ASB, BNZ and Westpac.
Again, American Express was the clear favourite with Kiwis, earning great reviews for Customer Service and perfect ratings for Fees & Charges, Interest Rate, Rewards Program and Value for Money.
American Express’ award-winning credit cards
Gold Rewards Card
Features:
- Metal card in gold or rose gold
- $200 back if you spend $1500 on your card in the first three months of membership
- Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent
- Earn up to a $200 dining credit, annually
- Receive complimentary domestic and overseas travel insurance when you use your card to pay for your return trip. (Exclusions, T&Cs apply)
- Add up to four additional card members for no extra fee
- Up to 55 days interest free
Fees and charges:
- $200 annual fee
- Purchase interest rate: 22.95% p.a.
Airpoints Card
Features:
- 50 Bonus Airpoints Dollars on sign-up if you spend $750 on your card in the first three months of membership
- Earn 1 Airpoints Dollar for every $100 you spend on eligible purchases
- Add up to four additional card members no extra fee
- Up to 55 days interest free
Fees and charges:
- No annual fee
- Purchase interest rate: 0% p.a. for the first 6 months, 22.95% p.a. thereafter
Low Rate Credit Card
Features:
- Add up to four additional cards with no annual fee
- Up to 55 days interest free
- Enjoy access to exclusive offers and concert ticket pre-sales
Fees and charges:
- $59 annual fee
- Purchase interest rate: 2.99% p.a. for the first 6 months, 12.69% p.a. thereafter
Airpoints Platinum Card
Features:
- Earn 1 Airpoints Dollar for every $70 you spend
- 400 bonus Airpoints Dollars when you apply by 28 October 2026, are approved and spend $1500 on your new Amex Airpoints Platinum Card within the first three months. New Amex Card Members only. (Exclusions, T&Cs apply)
- Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance when you pay for travel on your card. (Ts&Cs apply)
- Koru Lounge and other travel and airline discounts
- Smartphone cover: pay for your smartphone outright, or pay your monthly smartphone contract or plan on your card, and you’ll be covered for up to $500 towards front screen repairs (10% excess applies)
- Add up to four additional card members for no extra fee
- Up to 55 days interest free
Fees and charges:
- $195 annual fee
- Purchase interest rate: 22.95% p.a.
Compare credit cards with Canstar
If you’re looking for a new credit card, then let Canstar be your guide. Perhaps you want one with a low interest rate, or low fees, or want to swap your rewards card from points to cash. Our free credit card comparison tool compares all the major cards in the market and awards the best our prestigious Star Ratings. For more information on credit cards and to compare further, just click on the big button below.
Compare credit cards with Canstar here!
About the author of this page
Bruce Pitchers is Canstar NZ’s Content Manager. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the Driven, Stuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines and newspapers, including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery book 5 Minute Murder.
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