How to Access Air New Zealand Airport Lounges

What are Air New Zealand airport lounges?

Air NZ’s airport lounges are exclusive airport facilities designed to provide comfortable and relaxing environments for travellers while they wait for flights. Some key benefits of the lounges include:

• Comfortable seating
• Free food and beverages
• Business facilities, such as desktops, charging outlets and printers
• Entertainment, such as TVs, magazines and newspapers
• Showers and restrooms
• Dedicated quiet areas

It’s important to note that not all of Air NZ’s lounges provide the same features, which vary between locations.

Which airports feature Air New Zealand airport lounges?

Domestic lounges

Air NZ has 12 domestic lounges and regional lounges situated at these NZ airports:

International lounges

Air NZ has 9 international lounges across these airports:

Partner Lounges

Through its Star Alliance partners, Air NZ offers access to other airlines’ lounges in Australia and London, and across the US and Asia. You can find the full list of international partner lounges here.

How do I access an Air New Zealand airport lounge?

Travel Business Premier

You can access all of Air NZ’s domestic and international lounges if you purchase a Business Premier ticket, which is Air NZ’s version of first-class.

Airpoints Rewards

If you’re a frequent flyer with Air NZ, or any of its Star Alliance partner airlines, and are a member of the Airpoints program, you can earn access to the group’s airport lounges by becoming either an Airpoints Elite or Gold member.

Buy a Koru membership

A Koru membership is a paid membership program for Air NZ passengers. The membership offers a range of perks, including access to Air NZ regional, domestic and international lounges, plus selected partner lounges.

A Koru membership isn’t cheap: $834 for a one-year membership, plus an additional $255 joining fee. However, there are slightly discounted membership options for those aged 65+, or corporate members. So, unless you’re travelling frequently, a Koru membership may not be the best option.

Westpac’s Airpoints World Mastercard

Westpac’s Airpoints World Mastercard offers free Koru membership, a one-off annual fee discount plus the ability to earn Airpoints and Status Points that you can redeem to access Air NZ lounges.

Compare Rewards Credit Cards

How else can I access airport lounges?

Some lounges offer day passes for a fee, which allow passengers without a relevant membership or first-class ticket to enjoy lounge amenities for a limited time. For example, Auckland Airport’s Strata Lounge offers four-hour access from $69 per adult.

Some airports require you to book at least 24 hours in advance, plus offer discounted rates for booking early. Although door sales are usually offered, depending on availability.

If you’re planning on buying a day pass for an international airport lounge, consider using a travel money card.

Prepaid travel money cards are a safe and affordable way to travel. The cards are widely accepted; you can lock in an exchange rate before you go and, if they are lost or stolen, they can be replaced easily.

Compare Travel Money Cards

Are airport lounges worth it?

Whether airport lounges are worth it depends on your individual travel preferences, needs and circumstances.

If you’re travelling often, or have free access, then airport lounges can definitely be worthwhile and make the overall experience more pleasant. And if you rarely travel but fell like splurging, it may be worthwhile purchasing a lounge day pass.

Of course, if you have free lounge access because of a membership, ticket or credit card reward then embrace the experience.

Compare Travel Money Cards

Headed off overseas and looking for the best in money cards? Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular cards in New Zealand:

Provider	Key Features	Main Fees
	• 150+ currencies • Free physical and virtual card (delivery fees apply for physical card) • Use anywhere Visa is accepted	• No monthly fees (standard account) • Fee-free, instant transfers between Revolut users • Fee-free top ups for bank transfers and debit cards • Fee-free FX within market hours and plan allowance*
	• 9 Currencies • Earn Airpoints Dollars • Use wherever Mastercard is accepted • OneSmart app	• No load/reload fee for bank transfers • Monthly fee: NZD $1 (if funds in account)
	• 140+ Currencies • Use wherever Mastercard is accepted • Cash Passport app	• No load/reload fee for bank transfers • No monthly fee
	• 9 Currencies • Use wherever Mastercard is accepted	• No load/reload fee for bank transfers • No monthly fee
	• 40+ Currencies • 2 free ATM withdrawals of up to NZ$350 per month	• Receive and add money to your Wise Account for free • Physical card $14 one-off fee
	• 9 Currencies • Use wherever Mastercard is accepted • Mastercard Priceless Cities benefits	• Free overseas ATM withdrawals • No load/reload fee for bank transfers • No monthly fee

The display order does not reflect any ranking or rating by Canstar. This information is not an endorsement by Canstar of travel money cards or any specific provider. Information correct as of 14/04/25. For full pricing details see individual providers’ websites. *Weekend fee will apply outside exchange market hours if it is made between Friday 5pm (New York time) and Sunday 6pm (New York time), which is a US based time zone

Compare Travel Money Cards

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 5 Minute Murder.