Air New Zealand Koru (Previously Airpoints) - The Complete Guide to New Zealand's Popular Loyalty Programme

Every Koru tier explained, the two-card credit card strategy for maximising Status Points, how to use Recognition Upgrades, Koru Circle, OneUp tips, and more to make Air New Zealand work better for you.

Air New Zealand Koru (Previously Airpoints) Tiers Review

Updated 5 April 2026

Summary

Air New Zealand's Koru programme (formerly Airpoints) is the loyalty programme that matters most to New Zealand travellers. Whether you fly domestically a few times a year or commute internationally for work, how you earn and use Status Points, Recognition Upgrades, and Airpoints determines whether you're getting genuine value from Air New Zealand or missing out on useful and valuable benefits.
This guide is the result of extensive research, FlyerTalk community insights, and our own team's experience as Koru members flying Air New Zealand regularly. We cover what actually matters - the credit card strategies that accelerate your tier progression, the Recognition Upgrade tactics that turn an Economy ticket into a Business Premier seat, and the lesser-known programme features that even frequent flyers overlook.
We update this guide as Air New Zealand changes the programme - and we're not afraid to share opinions on what works, what doesn't, and where Air New Zealand could do better.

To help you make the most of Koru, our guide covers:

Important: This guide focuses on the insights, strategies, and lesser-known details that make a genuine difference to how you experience and maximise your Koru membership. Specifically:

We don't replicate the full benefit descriptions Air New Zealand publishes - you can find comprehensive details on lounge access, baggage allowances, priority check-in, boarding privileges, and other standard tier benefits on the Air New Zealand website for each tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Black).
What we cover here is what Air New Zealand doesn't tell you - how to think about Recognition Upgrades strategically, when OneUp bids are worth making, why certain credit card combinations matter, and which benefits deliver genuine value versus those that sound better than they are.
If you want to know what you're entitled to, visit Air New Zealand. If you want to know how to receive the most benefits, this guide covers how to do just that.

Advertising Disclaimer: MoneyHub may earn a referral bonus for anyone that’s approved through some of the below links. Our research and findings are independent of any airline, bank, credit card issuer, or product manufacturer/service provider, and have not been endorsed by any of these entities. Please see our Advertising Policy for more details about how we make money.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares his experiences with being an Air New Zealand Gold frequent flyer:

Gold status has changed how I travel in ways I didn't fully appreciate until I had it. The lounge access alone justifies the effort - not for the coffee and Wi-Fi, but for the days when things go wrong. Flight delays, cancellations, and long layovers are genuinely different experiences when you have a quiet space to work, eat, and regroup. And because Gold gives you Star Alliance Gold, that access extends well beyond Air New Zealand lounges.

I've used Singapore Airlines' excellent SilverKris lounges outside of Singapore, Lufthansa Senator lounges in Frankfurt, and United Club lounges across the US - all included, no extra cost.

The real value shows up when travel goes sideways. On a recent trip from Brussels to Freetown via a Star Alliance carrier, my flight was cancelled at short notice. Because I held Star Alliance Gold status, I was priority rebooked onto the next available flight and upgraded at no cost. Without status, I'd have been at the back of a very long queue. That single experience was valuable.

The Recognition Upgrades are a bonus on top - two per year that can turn a Premium Economy ticket into a Business Premier seat on a long-haul flight. They don't always clear, but when they do, the difference on a 12-hour flight is transformative. Combined with the priority check-in, extra baggage, and preferred seating, Gold makes every Air New Zealand flight noticeably smoother. It's the tier where the programme starts genuinely working for you rather than just tracking your activity.

What Is Air New Zealand Koru? What happened to the Airpoints Program?

From April 2026, Air New Zealand’s long-standing Airpoints programme became Koru. The rebrand is more than a name change - it introduced refreshed tiers, a new top-level status tier (Koru Black), enhanced benefits across all levels, and a clearer path to recognition for frequent flyers and occasional travellers alike.

Know This: For over 30 years, the Airpoints programme has rewarded travellers across New Zealand and internationally. The transition to Koru preserved everything members have earned – your Airpoints balance, your Status Points, and your existing tier status all carry over seamlessly. For example, if you hold Gold, you become Koru Gold. If you held Elite, you become Koru Platinum. Paid Koru lounge members transition to Koru Club.

The programme retains two types of points:

Airpoints (previously called Airpoints Dollars) remain pegged at one Airpoint equalling NZ$1 and are used for flights, upgrades, the Airpoints Store, travel insurance and other spending options.
Status Points determine your tier and are earned by flying and, in some cases, through credit card spending.

Our View: Nothing you’ve earned is being taken away – we believe the rebrand adds benefits, particularly at the higher tiers, without reducing existing entitlements. This is an important point Air New Zealand has confirmed publicly.

What Changed and What Stayed the Same

There are four key changes to be aware of:

1) Name changes

Airpoints (the program) becomes Koru
Airpoints Dollars become Airpoints
Air New Zealand lounges become Koru Lounges
The paid lounge membership becomes Koru Club

2) Tier mapping

The base membership becomes Koru Bronze (new entry-level tier)
Silver becomes Koru Silver
Gold becomes Koru Gold
Elite becomes Koru Platinum
Koru Black is entirely new and sits above Platinum

3. Status Point thresholds

The Status Point requirements for Silver, Gold, and Platinum (formerly Elite) remain unchanged.
The only new threshold is Koru Black at 3,200 Status Points with at least 1,920 from qualifying flights

4. New features across all tiers have been launched

Status Rewards (milestone celebrations)
Status Points Bonus after every 10 qualifying flights (relaunched as a benefit from an annual one-off benefit)
Status Points Top-Up for Silver (10), Gold (30), Platinum (50), and Black (70) members who fall just short of retaining their tier

Understanding The Five Koru Tiers - A Complete Breakdown

The table below summarises the key benefits and requirements across all five tiers. We explain further details on each tier below.

Benefit	Bronze	Silver	Gold	Platinum	Black
Status Points to Reach	N/A	450	900	1,500	3,200
Status Points to Retain	N/A	405	810	1,350	3,040
Minimum Status Points from Flights	N/A	225	450	900	1,920
Lounge Access	✗	2 vouchers	Yes + 1 guest	Yes + 3 guests	Yes + 3 guests + Koru Circle
Recognition Upgrades	✗	1/year	2/year	2 + 1 short-haul	3 + 2 short-haul
OneUp Weighting	0%	10%	30%	50%	60%
Status Points Bonus per 10 Flights	✗	Yes	15	30	40
Status Points Top-Up	✗	✗	Up to 30	Up to 50	Up to 70
Status Points Rollover	✗	✗	✗	Yes	Yes
Valet Parking	✗	✗	✗	5/year	8/year
Koru Premier Lounge	✗	✗	✗	Yes (when open)	Yes (when open)
Koru Circle	✗	✗	✗	✗	Yes
Platinum/Black Nominee	✗	✗	✗	Yes	Yes

Know This First: You Cannot Spend Your Way to Every Tier

Each Koru tier requires a minimum number of Status Points from qualifying flights - credit card Credit Card Status Points count toward your overall total but don't count towards the flight component. The higher the tier, the more you need to earn in the air. This table shows what's required to earn and retain each tier:

"Flights" includes Air New Zealand operated flights, qualifying partner airline flights, Star Alliance qualifying flights, and Frequent Flyer Status Boost points (Gold and above).

Our View: The AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card's Status Points from spending (outlined below) are most impactful for reaching or retaining Silver and Gold, where up to half your total can come from non-flight sources. For Platinum, credit card points are a useful top-up for the non-flight portion. For Black, the 60% flight requirement means the card supplements your flying - it doesn't replace it.

Understanding Koru Bronze

Koru Bronze is the entry-level tier and applies to all Airpoints members who have not yet reached Silver status.
Bronze members earn Airpoints when they fly or shop with Air New Zealand and its partners, earn Status Points to progress through the tiers, access member-exclusive offers, and can share or gift Airpoints to others.
While Bronze offers no lounge access or upgrades, it’s the starting point for building your Status Points balance.
Every Air New Zealand flight earns Status Points, and these accumulate across any rolling 12-month period.

Understanding Koru Silver

Koru Silver requires 450 Status Points (at least 225 from flights) and 405 to retain.
Silver is the first step above Bronze and introduces a handful of benefits that Bronze members don't receive - one Recognition Upgrade per year, a 10% OneUp weighting, two Koru Lounge vouchers, and a Status Points Top-Up of up to 10 points if you fall just short of retaining (available once every three years). Silver members also receive the Status Points Bonus after every 10 qualifying flights.
The two lounge vouchers are useful but limited - they give you a taste of the Koru Lounge experience on two occasions during your membership year, but they don't provide the unlimited access that Gold and above enjoy. If you're flying internationally and want reliable lounge access across the Star Alliance network, Silver won't get you there.

Our View: We see Silver as a transitional tier rather than a destination. The benefits are modest compared to the step up to Gold, and for many members, Silver is a sign that Gold is within reach. If you're earning 450 Status Points, you're often closer to 900 than you think - particularly if you add the AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card's Status Points from spending and the ANZ card's 50% flight bonus.

Furthermore, the single Recognition Upgrade is worth having, but it's Gold where lounge access, Star Alliance Gold status, and two Recognition Upgrades make the programme feel like it's genuinely working for you. If you find yourself at Silver, our suggestion is to model out whether a small increase in flying or credit card spend could push you to Gold within the same qualification year the jump in value is significant.

Understanding Koru Gold

Koru Gold requires 900 Status Points (at least 450 from flights) and 810 to retain.
This is the tier where the programme starts to feel meaningfully different, and we believe it is the “sweet spot” of the Koru program.
Gold members enjoy unlimited Koru Lounge access (with one guest and up to three children), two Recognition Upgrades per year, complimentary preferred seating, a 30% OneUp weighting, a Status Points Bonus of 15 per every 10 qualifying flights, and the new Status Points Top-Up of up to 30 points if you fall just short of retaining (available once every three years).
Gold is equivalent to Star Alliance Gold status, which means you can access Star Alliance partner lounges worldwide when flying Star Alliance carriers. This includes Singapore Airlines, Air China, United Airlines, Thai Airways, and others. The Star Alliance lounge network is extensive, making Gold status particularly valuable for international travellers.
Important: Gold members will not have access to the new Koru Premier Lounge at Auckland International Airport when it opens. This is reserved for Platinum and Black members, as well as passengers flying Business Class.

Understanding Koru Platinum (Formerly Elite)

Koru Platinum requires 1,500 Status Points (at least 900 from qualifying flights) and 1,350 to retain.
This is the tier most regular Air New Zealand passengers aim for.
Benefits include everything at Gold plus three Recognition Upgrades (two standard, one short-haul), a 50% OneUp weighting, 30 Status Points Bonus per 10 qualifying flights, a Koru Platinum Nominee (who enjoys a range of benefits whether travelling with you or not), and five Valet Parking vouchers per year.
Other benefits also include a Status Points Rollover (carry forward a portion of points above the 1,350 retention threshold into your next year), Status Points Top-Up of up to 50 points, and access to the upcoming Koru Premier Lounge at Auckland International Airport.
The Koru Platinum Nominee (previously Elite Partner) is arguably one of the most valued benefits in the programme. Your nominated person receives lounge access, priority check-in, extra baggage allowance, and other benefits regardless of whether they’re travelling with you. This effectively gives your partner or a close colleague a taste of status.
Know This: Status Points Rollover is a significant new addition for Platinum members - if you earn well above the 1,350 retention threshold, the excess rolls into your next year. This rewards consistent high-volume travellers and reduces the anxiety of ‘starting from zero’ each qualification year.

Understanding Koru Black (New)

Koru Black is the headline addition to the programme relaunch.
It requires 3,200 Status Points with at least 1,920 (60%) from qualifying flights. To retain Black, you need 3,040 Status Points with at least 1,824 from flights.
This is a tier designed for Air New Zealand’s most frequent flyers – think regular long-haul business travellers, multiple-times-weekly domestic commuters, and those who have built their travel life around Air New Zealand.
Black includes everything from Platinum, plus the Koru Circle benefit (see below), three Recognition Upgrades and two short-haul Recognition Upgrades per year, a 60% OneUp weighting, and 40 Status Points Bonus per 10 qualifying flights.
Further benefits include Status Points Top-Up of up to 70 points (once every three years), eight Valet Parking vouchers per year, and access to a trial Express Lane at Auckland Domestic Airport security screening.

Koru Circle Explained - The Key Differentiator

Koru Circle is the standout feature of Black and the reason many Platinum members, we believe, will aim to reach Black status. Koru Circle allows you to share some of your status benefits with the people closest to you.
You choose between two packages:

Family Package: One Koru Black Nominee plus all your dependants under 30 (Koru Family Nominees) enjoy a selection of your benefits. This is ideal for families where one parent travels heavily and wants to extend the experience to their partner and adult children.
Friends Package: Two Koru Black Nominees receive select premium travel perks. This suits business partners or close friends who travel frequently.

Know This: Koru Circle nominees receive priority check-in, boarding, baggage, frequent-flyer seating, Fast Bag, and lounge access (space available when travelling on Air New Zealand flights). Koru Black Nominees can even bring their own guest and children into Air New Zealand lounges.

Important: How the AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card Accelerates Your Koru Status - The Best Credit Card for Airpoints & Status Points

Learn More or Apply

Our View: Your Koru tier is built on Status Points. The AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card is the only Airpoints credit card that earns them from everyday spending – $250 spent = 1 Status Point. That means your groceries, petrol, insurance, and bills are all contributing to your next tier, year-round, whether you're flying or not.

Why serious Silver, Gold, Platinum and Black Koru members hold this card:

Every $250 spent earns 1 Status Point – no other Airpoints credit card does this Fastest Airpoints earn rate in New Zealand ($70 = 1 Airpoint) – around 46% more efficient than bank-issued Airpoints Platinum cards
Spend $3,000/month and earn 144 Status Points per year from spending alone – that's 16% of the way to Gold without stepping on a plane
Complimentary travel insurance for trips up to 180 consecutive days when the card is used to pay for travel
Two Priority Pass lounge entries and two Centurion Lounge entries in Australia per year
Smartphone screen damage cover (2 claims/year, up to $500 each)
300 bonus Airpoints for new cardholders who spend $1,500 within the first three months

Know This: Flying earns the bulk of your Status Points, but the AMEX fills the gap that separates the Bronze members from the Golds and Platinums. We believe the card helps cardholders stay comfortably above their retention threshold year after year. If you're already earning Status Points in the air, the AMEX ensures every dollar on the ground is working toward your next tier too.

Pro Tip: You can pair the AMEX Airpoints Platinum with the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum for maximum earning. You can use AMEX for daily spend (fastest Airpoints earn rate and Status Points from spend), and hold the ANZ card for its passive 50% Status Points bonus on every Air NZ flight - you don't need to pay for the flight with the ANZ card, just hold it. The combined annual fees are around $345 with a significant combined impact.

Welcome bonus: 300 bonus Airpoints for new cardholders who apply, are approved and spend $1,500 on their new Card within the first 3 months. New Amex Card Members only.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares his view on Platinum vs Black, and why Gold remains a sweet spot:

Gold, for me, is where the Koru programme clicks. You get unlimited lounge access worldwide through Star Alliance, two Recognition Upgrades, a 30% OneUp weighting, and preferred seating - all without needing to fly at the intensity that Platinum and Black demand. For most New Zealanders who travel regularly for work and take one or two international trips a year, Gold delivers 80% of the programme's value for a fraction of the effort.

Platinum is excellent if you're already flying enough to earn it naturally - the Nominee benefit alone is worth the jump, and Status Points Rollover takes the pressure off each qualification year. But chasing Platinum purely for its own sake, by booking unnecessary flights or inflating your travel schedule, rarely makes financial sense.

Black is a different proposition entirely. The additional Recognition Upgrades and Koru Circle are genuinely appealing, but earning 3,200 Status Points with 60% from flights requires a travel pattern that most people simply don't have.

If you're a weekly domestic commuter or a regular long-haul business traveller, Black will come naturally. For everyone else, Gold -supplemented by the right credit card strategy - remains the tier I'd suggest you consider targeting and holding.

How to Earn Status Points - What You Need to Know

Status Points are the currency that moves you through the tiers, from Bronze to Black. There are two ways to earn Status Points - flying and spending on the right credit card. The most effective strategy combines both to ensure a Tier (such as Gold or Platinum) is comfortably earned and renewed every year without any inconvenient travel or unnecessary spending.

Air New Zealand Koru Airpoints Guide - Earning Status Points by Flying

1) Earning Status Points by Flying

Status Points from flights are calculated based on the route, the fare class, and whether the flight is operated by Air New Zealand or a partner airline.
The critical thing to understand is that Status Points are more closely linked to fare class than to ticket price. For example, a $400 Auckland to Dunedin ticket in a high fare class can earn more Status Points than a $400 Auckland to Brisbane flight in a discounted fare class.
You can see how many Status Points you’ll earn when you book Air New Zealand flights using the Air New Zealand website - our video explains what you need to know.

Know This: Flying a Partner airline or a Star Alliance airline and booking the flight outside of the Air New Zealand website? Use the Airpoints Calculator to find out how many Status Points and Airpoints you’ll earn - it may be zero. Few Koru members know about this tool; our video below shows you how it works, using examples from United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines, and Lufthansa.

Important: The Airpoints Calculator is a guide, not a guarantee. FlyerTalk members have reported discrepancies between the calculator and actual earn rates, but MoneyHub team members have seldom had an issue with the accuracy on numerous routes flown. It’s important to be aware that a Star Alliance airline’s website won’t show you how many Status Points you’ll earn by crediting the flights to Air New Zealand Koru. As such, we suggest getting an indication using the calculator.

Key Facts About Earning Status Points From Flying

1. Air New Zealand operated flights with an ‘NZ’ flight number earn the most Status Points

If you have the choice between booking the same route on an Air New Zealand flight number versus a partner airline flight number, always choose the NZ flight number for maximum earnings.
Air New Zealand rewards Koru members for doing so as those are the most profitable airfares the airline sells (as it doesn't have to share revenue with a partner airline).

2. Domestic flights offer excellent Status Points relative to cost

Short-haul domestic sectors in higher fare classes (such as Fully Flexi tickets) are among the most efficient ways to accumulate Status Points per dollar spent.

3. Not all fares earn Status Points equally

Grabaseat fares and flights purchased with Airpoints do not earn any Status Points.
Promotional ‘Deal’ and ‘Gotta Go’ fares may earn at reduced rates compared to standard fare classes.
Flexi and Business fare classes earn the most (compared to cheaper options on the same flight).

4. Star Alliance partner flights can count, but with limitations

Flights on partner airlines such as Singapore Airlines, United, Lufthansa, and Air Canada can earn Status Points when credited to your Koru account. However, many cheap airfares in both Economy and Business don’t earn Status Points or Airpoints.
An example of this are fares from Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines - 'P' class fares on any Lufthansa group airline won't earn any Airpoints or Status Points (despite 'P' being a Business Class fare class), and many low priced economy fares on Star Alliance airlines won't earn Status Points or Airpoints.

5. Watch for Double Days promotions

Air New Zealand periodically runs Double Days (or similar) promotions where flights booked during a short window earn double Status Points.
These promotions have applied to travel booked months in advance, making them highly valuable for planned trips.
Sign up for Air New Zealand’s mailing list to be notified (although all Koru members should receive such emails).

FlyerTalk Tips and Community Insights

The FlyerTalk Air New Zealand forum is the most active community of Koru members and experts globally. Members regularly share status-earning strategies, report discrepancies with the calculator, and discuss the value of each tier’s benefits. Some consistently noted insights from the community include:

The ANZ 50% Status Points bonus stacks with everything – you don’t need to pay for a ticket with the ANZ card to get the bonus Status Points. For example, you can book a flight using an AMEX Airpoints Platinum card (earning Airpoints and Status Points from spend), fly the flight (earning base Status Points), and simultaneously receive the ANZ 50% bonus just for holding the ANZ card. This offers the maximum Airpoints and Status Points earning.
Recognition Upgrades are most valuable on ultra-long-haul flights such as American and Asian routes. Using a Recognition Upgrade to move from Economy to Premium Economy or Business on a trans-Tasman or Pacific Islands flight is nice, but using it to move from Premium Economy to Business Premier on a flight to Los Angeles, Tokyo, Houston or Hong Kong, for example, is transformative. Time these carefully – our dedicated section on using Recognition Upgrades explains what you need to know.
Koru Black’s additional benefits over Platinum are, in our view, modest for the effort required. The jump from Platinum to Black delivers an additional long-haul Recognition Upgrade, one additional short-haul Recognition Upgrade, more Valet Parking vouchers, and Koru Circle. Whether that’s worth earning an additional 1,700 Status Points depends on how much value you place on sharing your status with family or friends.

Earning Status Points from Credit Cards

The right credit card 'strategy' can be the difference between falling short and staying Bronze (or plateauing at Silver - arguably not that useful for frequent flyers), or earning and retaining Gold or higher. There are two distinct benefits credit cards provide:

Earning Airpoints (the spending currency), and
Earning or boosting Status Points (the tier currency).

The two work differently, and the optimal strategy often involves holding more than one card – we believe the most ‘savvy’ Air New Zealand flyers hold both the AMEX Airpoints Platinum and, if they need consistent Status Point bonuses to renew elite tiers, the ANZ Visa Platinum.

Credit Card Comparison – The Differences That Matter

Our table below explains what you need to know about each credit card currently offering Airpoints and Status Points. Please note, we have excluded the American Express Airpoints Credit Card, which doesn’t charge an annual fee but doesn’t earn Status Points. You can read more about this card on the AMEX website.

Feature	AMEX Airpoints Platinum	ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum	Westpac Airpoints Platinum
Annual Fee	$195	$150	$150
Airpoints Earn Rate	$70 = 1 Airpoint	$110 = 1 Airpoint	Varies by spend tier
Status Points from Spend	1 per $250 spent	✗	1 per $220 spent
Flight Status Points Bonus	✗	50% bonus on Air NZ flights	✗
Travel Insurance	Domestic + international, up to 180 days	International only	International only, 35 days max
Lounge Access	2 Priority Pass + 2 Centurion (Australia)	✗	✗
Signup Bonus	300 Airpoints	No current offers	No current offers
Phone Screen Insurance	2 claims/year, $500 max	✗	✗

The AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card – Our Top Pick for Koru Members

If you are serious about maximising your Koru membership, the American Express Airpoints Platinum Card is the single most important credit card to hold.
It earns Airpoints at $70 per 1 Airpoint – the fastest rate of any Airpoints credit card in New Zealand, and around 46% more efficient than the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum.
Crucially, the AMEX also earns Status Points from spend at a rate of 1 Status Point per $250 spent. This means regular spending on the card directly contributes to your tier qualification. If you spend $3,000 per month on the card, that’s 12 Status Points per month or 144 per year from spend alone – a meaningful contribution towards Silver or Gold, or a useful top-up for Platinum.

Key Benefits of the AMEX Airpoints Platinum

The fastest Airpoints earn rate in New Zealand ($70 = 1 Airpoints Dollar).
Earns Status Points from spend ($250 = 1 Status Point) – the only Airpoints credit card that does this.
Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance for trips up to 180 consecutive days when the card is used to pay for travel. This is one of the most generous trip duration limits of any NZ credit card.
Two Priority Pass lounge entries for Priority Pass and two AMEX Centurion Lounge entries in Australia (Sydney and/or Melbourne) per year.
Smartphone screen damage insurance (2 claims per year, up to $500 per claim).
Koru joining fee waiver (save $250+) and ongoing annual membership discount (save $145/year).
300 bonus Airpoints for new cardholders who spend $1,500 within the first three months.
Airpoints don’t expire as long as you hold the card.

Limitations to Be Aware Of

AMEX is not accepted everywhere in New Zealand. While acceptance has improved significantly as our guide explains (over 24,000 new merchant locations were added in 2024 alone), some smaller retailers, tradies, and certain online services still do not accept AMEX. For this reason, many Koru members carry both an AMEX and a Visa/Mastercard.
The card’s travel insurance does not cover pre-existing medical conditions, and AMEX does not offer the option to pay a premium for such coverage. If you have pre-existing conditions, you will need separate travel insurance regardless of whether you pay for flights with the card. Supplementary cardholders are also not covered unless travelling with the primary cardholder.

The ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum – The Flight-Specific Status Points Booster

The ANZ card takes a fundamentally different approach. Since February 2023, it no longer earns Status Points from card spending. Instead, it provides a 50% bonus on Status Points earned from Air New Zealand-operated qualifying flights. This means if a flight earns you 20 Status Points, holding the ANZ card gives you an additional 10, for a total of 30, simply for being a cardholder.

The critical detail, confirmed by FlyerTalk members and ANZ’s own terms, is that you do not need to pay for the flight with the ANZ card to receive the bonus. You just need to be the nominated earner on an active ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum account. This means you can pay for the flight with your AMEX (earning Airpoints and Status Points from spend), fly the flight (earning base Status Points), and automatically receive the ANZ 50% bonus.

Know This: The 50% bonus only applies to Air New Zealand-operated qualifying flights. It does not apply to flights credited from Star Alliance partners, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, or other codeshare arrangements unless they are marketed and operated by Air New Zealand. Check carefully before assuming the bonus will apply to partner flights.

The Optimal Two-Card Strategy
For anyone serious about Koru status, we believe the most effective strategy is to hold both the AMEX Airpoints Platinum and the ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum simultaneously. This costs a combined around $345 per year in annual fees. Here’s what it offers:

AMEX as the primary spending card: Use it everywhere AMEX is accepted and earn Airpoints at the fastest rate in the market, plus Status Points from every dollar spent.
ANZ as your backup and flight booster: Use it where AMEX isn’t accepted (still earning Airpoints, though at a much slower rate). But its real value is the passive 50% Status Points bonus on every Air New Zealand flight you take.
Both cards waive the Koru joining fee and discount the annual membership. You only benefit from this once, but it’s a useful saving if you’re not already a Koru Club member - our guide explains more.

Real-world example: You spend $30,000 per year on your AMEX (earning 428 Airpoints and 120 Status Points from spend) and take eight Air New Zealand return domestic flights, earning a total of 400 base Status Points. The ANZ card adds 200 bonus Status Points (50% of 400), giving you a combined 720 Status Points from flying and credit cards – comfortably within range of Koru Gold at 900, especially if you add one or two international trips.

Important: How the AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card Accelerates Your Koru Status - The Best Credit Card for Airpoints & Status Points

Learn More or Apply

Every $250 spent earns 1 Status Point – no other Airpoints credit card does this Fastest Airpoints earn rate in New Zealand ($70 = 1 Airpoint) – around 46% more efficient than bank-issued Airpoints Platinum cards
Spend $3,000/month and earn 144 Status Points per year from spending alone – that's 16% of the way to Gold without stepping on a plane
Complimentary travel insurance for trips up to 180 consecutive days when the card is used to pay for travel
Two Priority Pass lounge entries and two Centurion Lounge entries in Australia per year
Smartphone screen damage cover (2 claims/year, up to $500 each)
300 bonus Airpoints for new cardholders who spend $1,500 within the first three months

Recognition Upgrades - How to Maximise Them

Recognition Upgrades are complimentary cabin class upgrades awarded to Koru Silver and above. The number you receive depends on your tier, and knowing how to use them effectively is one of the most-discussed topics among Air New Zealand frequent flyers. By publishing this section, we are sharing exclusive tips, and, as with everything MoneyHub does, we aim to democratise information and ensure everyone has access to insights that help them make informed decisions.

How Many Recognition Upgrades Are Issued Per Tier Per Year?
Air New Zealand offers Koru members the following recognition upgrade vouchers, which are added to your account when you achieve or renew the tier. The vouchers expire within 12 months, but you can apply them to any flight up to 330+ days in advance of their expiry. This means each voucher has a validity of around 22-23 months if you don't plan to use it right away.

For example, if you were issued two recognition upgrade vouchers on 1 July 2026, they would expire on or around 30 June 2027. However, on 30 June 2027, you can book an Air New Zealand flight up until May 2028, so you have more than one year to enjoy the benefit. However, if the recognition upgrade voucher is not successful on the date you travel and has already expired, it won't be credited back to your account.

How many vouchers do I get?

Silver: 1 per year
Gold: 2 per year
Platinum: 2 standard (long haul) + 1 short-haul per year
Black: 3 standard (long haul) + 2 short-haul per year

Important: Unless your upgrade is confirmed at the time of booking (available to Platinum and Black members with R class availability), Air New Zealand typically processes Recognition Upgrade requests in two waves - the first around seven to eight days before departure, and the final review one to two hours before the flight. There is nothing to be gained by calling Air New Zealand between these windows. The process is automated and queue-based, and contacting the call centre or service desk will not change your position or accelerate the decision. If your upgrade is going to clear, it will clear on its own timeline.

Tips and Facts for Using Recognition Upgrades Effectively

Our tips are for guidance only - we are not advising on how to have the best chance for upgrade success.

Vouchers are usually best saved for long-haul flights: A Recognition Upgrade from Premium Economy to Business Premier on a 12-hour flight to Los Angeles is worth significantly more in comfort than an upgrade on a 3-hour trans-Tasman or Pacific flight. If you fly long-haul even once a year, hold your upgrade for that trip.
Request early, but manage expectations: Recognition Upgrades are subject to availability. You can request them at the time of booking or through Manage My Booking. Flights with lower load factors give you a better chance - mid-week flights can be easier to redeem on. If you are a Platinum or Black member, you can get your upgrade approved up to almost a year in advance, provided there's availability in the 'R' class (discussed below) that Air New Zealand sets aside for upgrades.
Understand the upgrade path: Recognition Upgrades move you one cabin class - Economy to Premium Economy, or Premium Economy to Business Premier. They do not skip a cabin unless you have two vouchers, whereby you can apply to upgrade from Economy to Business Premier (as we explain below).
Short-haul Recognition Upgrades (Platinum and Black) are separate: These apply to Pacific or trans-Tasman flights where the aircraft has a business/premium cabin. They cannot be used on long-haul flights, but equally, they free up your standard Recognition Upgrades for international trips.
R Class Confirmed in Advance for Platinum and Black: Platinum and Black members can have Recognition Upgrades confirmed at the time of booking into R class, rather than waiting for a last-minute clearance. This is a meaningful advantage – if availability exists when you book, you'll know immediately rather than refreshing your booking nervously the week before departure. Silver and Gold members are waitlisted and cleared for departure as availability permits.
School Holidays Create Supply and Demand Pressure: New Zealand and Australian school holidays compress demand onto a small number of dates. If your travel dates fall within school holidays, there's usually less business travel. At the same time, there is a surge in leisure travel, which can include parents booking Premium Economy and Business Class tickets. As such, Recognition Upgrade success rates can drop significantly depending on the route. However, our research suggests flights are quieter on the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of a school term.
You Can Combine Two Vouchers to Move From Economy to Business Premier: This is one of the least understood features of Recognition Upgrades. If you hold two standard vouchers, you can apply both to the same flight – one to move from Economy to Premium Economy, and a second to move from Premium Economy to Business Premier. This effectively gives you a two-cabin jump for the cost of an Economy ticket. For Gold members with two vouchers per year, this means you could use your entire annual allocation on a single long-haul flight and end up in Business Premier. Whether that's a better use than two separate one-cabin upgrades across two trips depends on your travel pattern, but the option exists and is worth considering.
Geopolitical Disruption Is Affecting 2026 Availability: The Iran conflict has reduced demand for Middle Eastern carrier routings, and we expect travellers who would normally fly Emirates, Qatar Airways, or Etihad to shift onto Air New Zealand's direct services to Asia, North America, and beyond. This increased load factor on Air New Zealand's long-haul network has made Recognition Upgrade success harder throughout 2026. If you're planning to use a voucher on a US or Asian route, request the upgrade as early as possible and consider less popular departure days to increase your chances.
Expired Vouchers May Get First Priority: Our view is that Air New Zealand's system may prioritise Recognition Upgrade vouchers that are closest to expiry. While Air New Zealand has not confirmed this publicly, community reporting and our research team's experience suggest that if your voucher is expiring within weeks, it may be processed ahead of vouchers with months of validity remaining. This is worth keeping in mind if you're deciding between using a voucher now or holding it – an expiring voucher on a busy flight may still have a reasonable chance of being accepted.
Fuel Costs Are Limiting Services: We continue to see Air New Zealand cancel or consolidate services due to fuel costs. When a flight is cancelled and passengers are rebooked onto other flights, the premium cabins on the receiving flight fill up quickly. This can also affect confirmed upgrades – if you've been upgraded and your flight is cancelled, there is no guarantee the rebooked service will have availability to honour the upgrade. This is an underappreciated risk that Koru members should be aware of.
Seasonal Demand Limits Some Routes to Near-Zero Upgrade Success: Certain periods effectively shut the door on Recognition Upgrades for specific routes. Chinese New Year significantly increases demand for flights to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Cruise ship repositioning seasons can spike demand on Auckland–Papeete/Tahiti flights (and return). US routes are often heavily booked around Easter and the Northern Hemisphere summer. Even trans-Tasman and Pacific flights can be near-capacity during peak holiday periods. If you're relying on a Recognition Upgrade for a specific trip, check the calendar carefully.
Technical Disruptions From Partner Airlines: Occasionally, Qantas may cancel a service – for example, their 787 Auckland–New York rotation – due to technical reasons and rebook affected passengers onto Air New Zealand. When this happens, Premium Economy and Business Premier cabins can fill up rapidly, well before Recognition Upgrade processing begins. This doesn't occur frequently, but when it does, the chances of an upgrade drop considerably.
Aircraft Changes Can Reduce Available Seats: Air New Zealand may schedule a 777-300ER on a route, which offers a larger Business Premier cabin, but then switch to a 787-9 closer to the departure date. The 787-9 has fewer Business Premier seats, which can make a promising upgrade situation more difficult.

Know This: Our view is that Recognition Upgrade voucher approval is prioritised ahead of OneUp upgrade bids, as confirmed on Air New Zealand's website which states "We (Air New Zealand) review(s) Recognition Upgrades before OneUp™ offers") and staff standby travel. Air New Zealand is limited only by the number of spare seats available. If 30 passengers have Recognition Upgrades pending and there are 30 empty Business Premier seats on a flight, we believe every one of those passengers would be upgraded before any OneUp bids are processed.

What happens if Air New Zealand changes the aircraft on my flight and my confirmed Recognition Upgrade can no longer be accommodated?

This is rare but does happen from time to time. If Air New Zealand downgauges an aircraft (for example, from a 777-300ER to a 787-9) and the smaller Business Premier cabin is now full, your confirmed upgrade will be reversed. Air New Zealand will typically attempt to rebook you or offer alternatives, but there is no guarantee. We recommend monitoring your flight for aircraft changes using the Air New Zealand app or third-party tools, particularly in the weeks leading up to departure.

Can I gift or transfer my Recognition Upgrade vouchers to someone else?

No, unless you are Platinum or Black, where you can apply vouchers to anyone with a confirmed Air New Zealand-issued ticket (although these will not clear with R class inventory unless the gifter is travelling on the same ticket with the giftee). Silver and Gold recognition upgrades can only be applied to their Air New Zealand flights.

Can I use a Recognition Upgrade on a codeshare flight?

No - Recognition Upgrades can only be applied to flights that are both ticketed and operated by Air New Zealand. If your booking has an NZ flight number but is operated by a partner airline (such as a United-operated trans-Pacific service with an NZ codeshare number), the upgrade cannot be applied. The same applies if you're booked an Air New Zealand flight on a United ticket. Always confirm the operating carrier is Air New Zealand and make sure it's an NZ flight number before relying on a Recognition Upgrade for a specific flight.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares his view on Recognition Upgrades:

Recognition Upgrades are simultaneously one of the most valued and most frustrating benefits in the Koru programme. The Reddit and FlyerTalk communities are full of members - across Silver, Gold, and Platinum - sharing wildly different experiences, and having used Recognition Upgrades myself over several years, I can confirm the variance is real.

Here's what I've learned:

Success depends almost entirely on three things: your tier, the route, and when you fly.
Platinum and Black members have a structural advantage because their upgrades can be confirmed into R class at the time of booking - if the seat is there, it's yours immediately.
For Gold and Silver members, it's a waiting game. Air New Zealand typically processes these requests around seven to eight days before departure, with a final sweep one to two hours before the flight. It's not a great wait - the difference between economy and Premium or Business is huge, and it makes people anxious.
Route selection matters enormously - flights to Houston, Bali, and Singapore tend to have better upgrade availability than Los Angeles or San Francisco, which are consistently high-demand. Asia routes generally offer more opportunity than North American ones. Trans-Tasman upgrades on widebody aircraft (787 or 777) can work well, but narrow-body A320 services don't have a premium cabin to upgrade into - make sure you check the aircraft type before lodging a request.
if you're Silver, treat your single upgrade as a lottery ticket on a quieter route - mid-week, shoulder season, and ideally on a flight you've checked has visible seat availability in the cabin above.
If you're Gold with two upgrades, consider whether doubling up on a single long-haul flight for an Economy-to-Business-Premier jump delivers more value than splitting them across two trips. And if you're Platinum or Black, call the contact centre before booking to ask whether the R class upgrade inventory is available on your preferred flight - this is the single most effective tactic for guaranteeing success.
Please be aware that if you earn a higher tier mid-year, your lower-tier upgrades don't carry over. If you're Silver approaching Gold, use your Silver upgrade before you cross the threshold, or lodge it on a future flight - the voucher is assessed based on when it was submitted, not when you fly. Lose it and it's gone.

Air New Zealand Koru Airpoints Guide - OneUp Upgrade Bids

OneUp Upgrade Bids - Making the System Work for You

OneUp is Air New Zealand's paid upgrade bidding system. You make an offer to upgrade your cabin class, and Air New Zealand decides whether to accept based on availability and demand. Your Koru tier influences how your bid is weighted. Our dedicated guide outlines suggested OneUp bids and tips.

In a Nutshell - Understanding OneUp Weightings by Tier
Silver members receive a 10% weighting, Gold 30%, Platinum 50%, and Black 60%. These weightings mean that a Gold member's bid at the minimum price carries more weight than a Bronze member's bid at a higher price. For Platinum and Black members, the system significantly favours your offers. Please note, OneUp upgrades clear after recognition upgrades have been processed.

Know This: OneUp bids are most likely to succeed on flights with available inventory in the higher cabin. FlyerTalk members report that mid-week flights, shoulder-season travel, and routes where Air New Zealand has recently increased capacity tend to offer the best chances of OneUp success. Bidding at or near the maximum suggested price on high-demand routes does not guarantee success, but bidding at or just above the minimum is often sufficient on quieter flights.

April 2026 update from our dedicated OneUp Bid Guide

We continue to monitor the situation using online forums, seat inventory websites and Air New Zealand's website. While Platinum, Gold and Silver members redeeming recognition upgrade vouchers is constant (and a benefit of their status), the chances of a OneUp being cleared has decreased with the Iran crisis meaning more people are travelling Air New Zealand instead of Qatar Airways and Emirates.
As such, there will be times when bidding for an upgrade is pointless. OneUp bid success is always limited, given the Platinum, Gold and Silver members redeeming recognition upgrade vouchers will be processed before any OneUp bids are considered. This means that if twenty Silver or higher Airpoints members want to redeem their vouchers and there are only six spare seats, there is no chance of successful OneUp bids.
However, there is good news now that United, American Airlines, and Qantas have all launched services in New Zealand, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, and/or New York. Secondly, Air New Zealand's new 787s (arriving throughout 2026 and 2027) and have up to fifty business class seats per aircraft. This is an increase from the 18 or 27 currently available. We hope the increase in competition on the North American routes and seats-per-787 will help increase the chances of OneUp success. Lastly, other airlines (viz. Asian carriers) have added many flights to New Zealand, meaning airfares are returning to pre-2020 levels.
More details: OneUp Bid Guide

Understanding Discounted Airpoints Business Class Award Fares

Available to Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Black members (plus one travelling companion), as well as Koru Club members, Discounted Business Award Fares let you book one-way Business Premier using Airpoints at rates significantly below the standard ticket price.

One-way discounted business award fares (priced in Airpoints) are available on selected routes:

Auckland - Honolulu: 1,830
Auckland - Tahiti: 710
Auckland - Asia: 1,980
Auckland - Bali: 1,830
Auckland - North America: 2,790

For all other departure points within New Zealand, a 75 Airpoints fee applies. All taxes, levies, and surcharges are paid in cash on top.

Our View: These fares are genuinely excellent value when available - a one-way Business Premier fare to Los Angeles at 2,790 Airpoints plus taxes compares favourably to a cash fare that can exceed $5,000 one-way in peak periods. For members who accumulate Airpoints through credit card spending and flying, this is one of the most rewarding ways to use your balance.

The Catch: R Class Availability

Discounted Business Award Fares book into R class, which is the same restricted upgrade inventory that Platinum and Black members can access with their Recognition Upgrades.
This creates direct competition for a limited number of seats. Because Platinum and Black members can have Recognition Upgrades confirmed at the time of booking, popular routes - particularly North America, Asia, and Honolulu during holiday periods - can have R-class inventory locked up well in advance.
Know This: It's usually best to book as close to 330 days before departure as possible for high-demand routes. If you're targeting a specific flight to Los Angeles, Tokyo, or Honolulu during peak season, set a reminder and book the day inventory opens. Waiting even a few weeks on popular routes can mean the difference between securing a Business Premier seat at the award rate and finding nothing available.
Shoulder-season travel and mid-week departures give you considerably more flexibility, but for school holidays, Christmas, and Easter, R class seats will be limited.

How do Discounted Business Award Fares compare to using a Recognition Upgrade?

They achieve a similar outcome - a Business Premier seat - but through different mechanisms.

A Recognition Upgrade costs nothing beyond holding the voucher (which is earned through your tier), while a Discounted Business Award Fare costs Airpoints plus taxes.
The key difference is flexibility - Recognition Upgrades require you to hold a base ticket and hope there are spare seats in the higher cabin, while award fares let you book directly into Business Premier if R class is open.
If you have surplus Airpoints and no Recognition Upgrades remaining, award fares are an excellent alternative. If you have vouchers available, we suggest you consider using those first - they preserve your Airpoints balance for other uses.

Airpoints Upgrades for Platinum and Black Members

In addition to Recognition Upgrades, Platinum and Black members (formerly Elite) can request cabin class upgrades using Airpoints on Air New Zealand-operated and ticketed flights. Unlike Recognition Upgrades, which are complimentary vouchers, these are paid upgrades deducted from your Airpoints balance - but they offer a significant advantage - they can be confirmed up to 355 days in advance if the upgrade booking class is available.

This means Platinum and Black members effectively have three upgrade pathways on any given flight: Recognition Upgrades (free, subject to availability), Airpoints upgrades (paid from your balance, confirmable almost a year out), and OneUp bids (cash or Airpoints, cleared after the other two).

What Do Airpoints Upgrades Cost?
Pricing is based on the route and cabin, with one-way costs ranging from 95 Airpoints for a trans-Tasman or Pacific Islands single-cabin upgrade to 990 Airpoints for Economy to Business Premier on New Zealand–New York. Some key examples:

Auckland to Eastern Australia: 95 Airpoints (Economy to Premium Economy), 95 Airpoints (Premium Economy to Business), or 190 Airpoints (Economy to Business)
Auckland to Singapore or Tokyo: 290 Airpoints (Economy to Premium Economy), 580 Airpoints (Premium Economy to Business Premier)
Auckland to Los Angeles: 350 Airpoints (Economy to Premium Economy), 695 Airpoints (Premium Economy to Business Premier)
Auckland to Houston: 395 Airpoints (Economy to Premium Economy), 890 Airpoints (Premium Economy to Business Premier)
Auckland to New York: 450 Airpoints (Economy to Premium Economy), 990 Airpoints (Premium Economy to Business Premier)

Know This: If your Airpoints upgrade request isn't confirmed, your Airpoints are returned to your account - there's no risk of losing them. However, even confirmed upgrades are not guaranteed. Air New Zealand reserves the right to make operational changes that could result in a cabin change, even after confirmation. This is the same risk that applies to confirmed Recognition Upgrades when aircraft are swapped.

Our View: For Platinum and Black members who want certainty on a specific flight, Airpoints upgrades are often the most reliable pathway -particularly on high-demand routes where Recognition Upgrades may not clear and OneUp bids face heavy competition.

The pricing on trans-Tasman and Pacific routes is especially reasonable: 190 Airpoints for a confirmed Economy-to-Business upgrade on a widebody service to Sydney or Melbourne represents strong value. On long-haul routes, the cost is higher, but if you've accumulated Airpoints through credit card spending and want guaranteed comfort on a specific trip, this is worth considering before defaulting to a OneUp bid.

How to Get the Most Value When Redeeming Airpoints

Our dedicated guide to redeeming Airpoints covers domestic flights, Star Alliance partner bookings, retail vouchers, the Airpoints Store, and Koru Club membership. Here's what we believe matters most for Koru members looking to maximise their Airpoints balance:

1) Star Alliance Partner Redemptions Are the Hidden Gem

Most Koru members think of Airpoints as currency for Air New Zealand flights or the Airpoints Store. But one of the highest-value uses is booking Star Alliance partner airline flights - particularly business class on carriers like Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines.
You can fly business class from Bangkok to Europe for around 1,600 Airpoints plus taxes, or book Turkish Airlines business class sectors within Europe or to Asia from as little as 300 Airpoints.
These are lie-flat seats with premium dining that would cost NZ$3,800+ if purchased outright.
The catch is that availability varies enormously by airline. Singapore Airlines and United Airlines release almost no award seats for Airpoints members on trans-Pacific routes, so don't plan around those. Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines are where the value sits.
You can book Star Alliance partner flights using Airpoints through Air New Zealand's partner airline booking tool, and our dedicated guide includes a video walkthrough showing how the system works for popular airlines including Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, United, Turkish Airlines and more.

2) Domestic Flights Remain the Simplest Redemption
For members who don't want the complexity of partner bookings, domestic sale fares are the most straightforward use. Auckland to Queenstown for around $120 or Wellington to Queenstown for $90 are standard sale prices, and domestic flights have no additional taxes - your Airpoints cover the full cost.

3) The Airpoints Store Requires Caution
Our Airpoints redemption research found that some Airpoints Store items are priced 5–10% above retail, and in one case, an item cost double the price available at a major New Zealand retailer. If you prefer vouchers, Mitre 10 gift cards offer the widest range and can be used in-store or online. We recommend checking prices before redeeming.

Our full guide covers everything in detail: How to Get the Most Value When Redeeming Airpoints

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Air New Zealand's Co-operation Partners? Will I earn Status Points if I fly them?

Air New Zealand has three levels of airline partnership outside the Star Alliance network. The key difference between them is what you can earn:

1) Qualifying Partners (Cathay Pacific, United, Air China)
These earn both Airpoints and Status Points at Air New Zealand rates, provided you book on an NZ flight number. These flights also count toward your Frequent Flyer Status Boost if you hold Gold or above. Routes include:

Auckland/Christchurch–Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific)
Auckland–Los Angeles/San Francisco and Christchurch–San Francisco (United), and
Auckland–Beijing (Air China).

Use the Airpoints Calculator to check earning rates before booking.

2) Codeshare and Frequent Flyer Partners (Etihad, Virgin Atlantic, Qantas)
These earn Airpoints at partner rates but no Status Points. Some frequent flyer benefits apply to NZ-numbered flights. For Qantas, benefits are limited to flights numbered NZ7000–NZ7998.

3) Codeshare and Air Share Partners (Aircalin)
Airpoints can be claimed on NZ-numbered flights, but no Status Points are earned and no frequent flyer benefits apply beyond lounge access in limited circumstances.

Our View: Most Koru members will only need to consider qualifying partners if they're flying specific routes. The critical point is that Status Points - the currency that determines your tier - are only earned through qualifying partners and Star Alliance carriers. If tier progression matters to you, always check the Airpoints Calculator before booking a partner flight to confirm what you'll actually earn.

What's better - Koru Club membership or Air New Zealand Koru Gold status?

Koru Gold status wins. While both memberships give you lounge access and similar flight benefits, Gold includes Star Alliance lounge access worldwide (not just Air NZ lounges), upgrade vouchers, and it costs nothing beyond the flights and spending you're already doing. Koru Club costs around $900 annually, regardless of how much you fly.

Can I use Koru lounges if I'm flying Jetstar or another airline?

No, Koru Club membership only works when flying on Air New Zealand or its codeshare partners with an NZ flight number. Flying Jetstar from Auckland? No lounge access. This is another advantage of reaching Gold status instead - you get Star Alliance benefits on multiple airlines, not just Air NZ.

My company pays for Koru Club membership - should I still get a Status Points credit card?

This is a popular approach - many New Zealanders use the company-paid Koru Club benefits while building toward Gold status with personal spending. If you change jobs, you'll have Gold status secured rather than losing access entirely.

I've booked a Star Alliance partner flight. Will I earn Status Points?

It depends entirely on the airline, the fare class, and whether you credit the flight to your Koru account. Many discounted Economy and even some Business Class fares on Star Alliance carriers earn zero Status Points when credited to Air New Zealand. Lufthansa Group's 'P' class (a Business fare) earns nothing.

Before booking any partner flight where Status Points matter, use the Airpoints Calculator - it's the only reliable way to check. If the calculator shows zero, consider whether a slightly more expensive fare class earns points, as the Status Point difference can be significant for a small price increase.

How do the AMEX lounge passes compare to Koru Club membership?

AMEX gives you four passes annually (2 Auckland, 2 Sydney/Melbourne). If you only fly internationally a few times yearly, these might suffice. But they're single-use - once gone, they're gone. Koru Club gives unlimited access for you and a guest. The smart play? Use AMEX passes while building toward Gold status for unlimited access everywhere.

Is Koru Club (the paid lounge membership) worth it if I'm close to Gold?

In most cases, no. Koru Club costs $850+ per year and gives you lounge access but no Recognition Upgrades, no OneUp weighting boost, no Star Alliance Gold status, and no priority benefits beyond the lounge.

Gold gives you all of that plus unlimited lounge access. If you're within 100–200 Status Points of Gold and fly even semi-regularly, the smarter investment you may want to consider is the AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card (which earns Status Points from spending) combined with one or two additional flights. You'll spend less than the Koru Club fee and unlock significantly more benefits.

What is the Status Points Top-Up, and should I rely on it?

The Status Points Top-Up is a safety net for members who fall just short of retaining their tier. Silver members can receive up to 10 points, Gold up to 30, Platinum up to 50, and Black up to 70. However, it can only be used once every three years, and Air New Zealand applies it automatically - you don't need to request it. Our view is that you should not plan your year around the Top-Up. It's a welcome cushion if you fall marginally short, but relying on it means you'll have no safety net for the following two years if your travel pattern changes.

Does holding two Airpoints credit cards earn me double Airpoints on flights?

No -You can only nominate one Airpoints-earning credit card to your Koru account at a time for the purpose of earning Airpoints from card spend. However, the ANZ card's 50% Status Points flight bonus is a separate benefit that applies automatically just for holding the card - it doesn't require the ANZ card to be your nominated earner. This is why the two-card strategy works: the AMEX earns Airpoints and Status Points from spending, while the ANZ card passively boosts your flight-earned Status Points regardless of which card you pay with.

What is Status Hold – Parental, and who is it available to?

Status Hold – Parental is available to Gold and above members who have recently welcomed a child or are expecting one. It freezes your tier status for up to 12 months, meaning you retain your benefits without needing to earn the usual Status Points during that period. At the end of the hold, you restart a fresh qualification year at your existing tier. This is a genuinely valuable benefit for parents who know their flying will drop temporarily - it removes the pressure to maintain status during the first year with a new child.

I'm a Silver member - is it worth holding Silver, or should I push for Gold?

Our view is that Silver is the least rewarding tier relative to effort. You receive one Recognition Upgrade, a 10% OneUp weighting, and some modest benefits, but you miss out on lounge access, Star Alliance Gold status, and the meaningful upgrades that make Gold feel like a different programme. If you're earning enough Status Points for Silver, you're often not far from Gold - especially if you add the AMEX card's Status Points from spend and the ANZ card's 50% flight bonus for 'tailwind'.

Important: How the AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card Accelerates Your Koru Status - The Best Credit Card for Airpoints & Status Points

Learn More or Apply

Every $250 spent earns 1 Status Point – no other Airpoints credit card does this Fastest Airpoints earn rate in New Zealand ($70 = 1 Airpoint) – around 46% more efficient than bank-issued Airpoints Platinum cards
Spend $3,000/month and earn 144 Status Points per year from spending alone – that's 16% of the way to Gold without stepping on a plane
Complimentary travel insurance for trips up to 180 consecutive days when the card is used to pay for travel
Two Priority Pass lounge entries and two Centurion Lounge entries in Australia per year
Smartphone screen damage cover (2 claims/year, up to $500 each)
300 bonus Airpoints for new cardholders who spend $1,500 within the first three months

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