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Credit Card Review: American Express Airpoints Platinum

We review New Zealand's highest-earning Airpoints credit card, featuring free insurance, lounge passes and other perks.
Updated 8 December 2024

​Who Is The AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card For?
  • The card will appeal to anyone looking to spend big and earn Airpoints Dollars and Status Points. At a range of $70 spent = 1 Airpoints Dollar, it's the best in the market by far. Our ANZ vs AMEX vs Kiwibank vs Westpac Platinum Airpoints Cards Comparison shows the value in detail.
  • You'll earn Status Points ($250 spent = 1 Status Point) which helps towards qualifying (and re-qualifying) for Air New Zealand Gold (and Elite and Silver) in addition to qualifying flights.
  • Big spenders also need to budget for payments. With an interest rate hovering around 20%, paying the balance in full every month is essential to make the card's rewards cost-effective.

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MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares his views on the American Express Platinum Airpoints Credit Card:

"Airpoints is arguably one of the best loyalty schemes in New Zealand, given the range of earning partners and redemption options. So even if you don't fly a lot, Air New Zealand credit cards can generously reward you for everyday spend". 

"If you always pay the balance every month, then a credit card is an enjoyable way to reward yourself on everyday spending. However, I frequently receive complaints about poor value bank "cashback" and "reward" cards, just as I do about bank savings account interest rates (as outlined in my Stuff.co.nz column)".

"American Express, which operates independently to the banks, is widely accepted around New Zealand, and their Platinum Airpoints card offers the highest earning rate of $70 to 1 Airpoints Dollar (vs $110 for ANZ and Westpac or $115 for Kiwibank's top-earning card, which works out to be at least 40% lower per $1 spent)".

"This means that if your household spends $3,000 a month on a credit card, you'll earn over 500 Airpoints Dollars a year. You'll also get a generous bonus for signing up as well, and a bunch of perks that have some serious value".

"Banks love to make money from credit cards but don't deliver the value they should. American Express stands out and this card is arguably the best on the market for anyone looking for a better deal."
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder
Summary:  
Related guide: Our dedicated ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum vs AMEX Airpoints Platinum comparison covers essential information if you're planning to switch cards. Our guide to the Best American Express Credit Cards has more information about the cards available.

Card Details Summary:

Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee

  • With an annual fee of $195, it’s also in line (although at the higher end) of other Airpoints Platinum credit cards.
  • The benefits of complementary mobile phone screen damage insurance and four lounge passes are unique to the card, and give additional value to the offering.
  • Bonus offer: 300 bonus Airpoints Dollars when you apply, are approved and spend $1,500 on your new Card within the first 3 months. New Card Members.

Earning and Redeeming Airpoints

Earning
  • ​At $70 for 1 Airpoints Dollar, the credit card outperforms all other Air New Zealand credit cards.
  • Unlike the Membership Rewards Program which offers more points for supermarket spending, you’ll earn Airpoints at the same rate wherever you spend.
  • As a point of comparison, if you spend $15,000 on your card, you’ll earn 214 Airpoints Dollars. The same spend on the Kiwibank Platinum credit card will earn 130 Airpoints Dollars.

Redeeming
  • Airpoints are directly credited to your Air New Zealand Airpoints account. If you’re not a member, you’ll need to sign up first.
  • Airpoints don’t expire, and there’s no annual Airpoints membership charge. This means you’ll have unlimited time to build up your Airpoints balance.

Christopher Walsh MoneyHub Founder and Head of Research outlines this 'class of its own' credit card:

Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder and
Head of Research
"This award-winning AMEX card earns around double the number of Airpoints Dollars per dollar spent compared to Platinum cards from ANZ, Kiwibank and Westpac. For this reason, it's our 2023 Editor's Choice Favourite Airline Credit Card.

You'll need to spend around $13,650 to offset its $195 annual fee, but with a 300 Airpoints Dollars signup offer, lounge vouchers, and so much more, the value offered is second to none.

And, if you're Air NZ Silver, Gold or Gold Elite (or want to achieve it), AMEX's generous Status Point earning opportunities also increase your balance helping your reach the thresholds with less flying.

For those spending over $1,000 a month on a credit card and always repay the balance, the AMEX card offers unmatched benefits, such as lounge access, travel insurance, a signup bonus, and the highest Airpoints Dollars earning rate."

American Express Credit Card Perks:

1. Complimentary Lounges Passes

​American Express Airpoints Platinum Card Members are entitled to four lounge passes per calendar year (1 January to 31 December) which you can use locally and overseas. The entitlement includes:
  • Two American Express Lounge Entries in Australia (valid at Sydney International Airport and Melbourne International Airport): Children between the ages of 2-17 are permitted free of charge. Additional guests may be subject to a charge that is to be processed on the Card Member's American Express Card.
  • Two Priority Pass lounge passes: This includes over 1,200 locations worldwide, with Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown all offering international lounges.

2. Complimentary Travel Insurance

To be eligible, you must use your American Express Airpoints Platinum Card to pay for your return airfare for the insurance to be valid.

Perks include:
  1. Complimentary cover for you, your partner and children under the age of 22 years.
  2. Overseas Medical Emergency Expenses Cover of up to $2,500,000 in cover (including repatriation to New Zealand).
  3. Personal Liability Cover up to $2,000,000.
  4. Travel Inconvenience Cover - flight delays, missed connections or delayed luggage
  5. Travel Cancellation Cover - up to $30,000
  6. Baggage, Money and Documents Cover- up to $30,000
  7. Rental Vehicle Excess Cover - up to $3,000 as the result of a collision, or theft, of a rental vehicle while in your control

Be aware:
  1. Redeeming Airpoints for overseas travel? Your insurance may not be activated. If, for example, you go away to Australia using Airpoints Dollars, you may need to buy a separate travel insurance policy.
  2. Excesses may apply for some benefits. Generally, this will be between $50 and $250 per claim.
  3. A Supplementary Cardmember won’t be covered unless travelling with the primary cardholder. If you order a card for your partner and he/she travels, most of the benefits won’t apply. In such circumstances, you may need to buy a separate travel insurance policy.

3. Complimentary Smartphone Screen Insurance

​Unique to American Express, the Airpoints Platinum Card offers screen protection for damaged phones. This is arguably one of the major perks of the credit card.

How does this work?
  1. You can make a maximum of two claims per 12-month period, with a maximum cover of $500 per claim.
  2. You’ll need to pay an excess of 10% of the claimed amount. As an example, if your repair bill was $300, you would be reimbursed $270 and pay $30 yourself.
  3. Be aware: The policy is not phone insurance, which is far more comprehensive, so you won’t be covered if you lose or damage your phone.

4. Complimentary Purchase Protection Cover

The American Express Airpoints Platinum provides excellent purchase protection. If you purchase an eligible item on the card and it’s accidentally damaged or stolen within 90 days, American Express will reimburse you for the amount you paid for the item. The limit is up to $3,500 per item and $30,000 per year. There is a $50 excess per claim, with specific exclusions including:
  1. Any items left unattended in a public place or
  2. Theft of or damage to items in a vehicle or
  3. Theft of or damage to jewellery or watches in baggage unless carried by hand by you (or someone known to you) or
  4. Theft of or damage to cash, tickets or negotiable instrument, animals, living plants, perishable goods or
  5. Theft of or damage to electronic items and equipment, i.e. phones and computers/laptops from your place of work
 
Claiming
  • You must provide American Express with copies of invoices and/or receipts relating to the item to prove the item was charged to your American Express Airpoints Platinum Card and
  • For all claims, you’ll need to have reported the lost or stolen to the police within 48 hours (if you don’t have a police report)

5. Earning Status Points

If you’re looking to earn Air New Zealand Status Points, you can earn a maximum of 225 and 450 Status Points from credit cards for Silver or Gold respectively. The earning rate is  $250 spent = 1 Status Point. This means you would need to spend $56,250 (for Silver) and $112,500 (for Gold) in 12 months, in addition to taking qualifying flights that meet the 450 or 900 Status Point threshold. As one MoneyHub user explains:

"I’ve had the Amex Airpoints Platinum Card for two years. Due to the nature of my work, I chargeback a lot of expenses so comfortably spend around $8,000 a month. I earned Star Alliance Gold from one flight to London, which was a cheap business class deal with Air China. Earning over $1,500 Airpoints Dollars each year and having all these perks makes this card a winner".
- Mike, Auckland

6. Discounted Koru Club Membership

​Airpoints Platinum Cardholders save $255 on the Koru joining fee and receive an annual fee discount ($145) for as long as they hold the Card.

7. Ongoing Cashback

​Beyond the standard benefits, a MoneyHub user highlights ongoing cashback promotions:
"One great benefit I've noticed with AMEX is their regular cashback promotions. Over the past six months, I've received $75 in cashback - $25 from a Shop Small promotion (5 x $5 credits) and $50 from a Sony/AMEX promotion. While it's not massive, it helps offset the annual fee. The key is to register for each promotion as they become available, which I've made a habit of doing. It's a nice surprise when those small credits appear on your statement".

Summary and Conclusion

  • There’s a lot to like about this Airpoints credit card. It is arguably the most feature-packed, publicly available credit card in New Zealand. And, best of all, it is priced at an affordable $195/year.
  • The annual fee can be offset by the value of the Airpoints Dollars joining bonus and the travel insurance benefits. The generous screen-protection and purchase protection cover.

Which Airpoints Cards Compete With the American Express Airpoints Platinum Card?

Despite American Express offering New Zealand's most benefits-heavy Airpoints credit card, there are alternatives. Popular alternatives include:
  1. Kiwibank Air New Zealand Airpoints Platinum Visa
  2. ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum

Know this: We don't believe either of the above cards offer the value for money and benefits of the American Express  Airpoints Platinum card.
  • If you think you’ll spend at least $10,000 a year on a credit card and travel overseas at least once, the card pays for itself.
  • Ready-to-use lounge passes in addition to smartphone screen insurance, are perks exclusively offered by American Express.

Our video below explains this American Express Airpoints Platinum review and includes comparisons with other cards (where relevant):

Christopher Walsh MoneyHub Founder and Head of Research outlines this 'class of its own' credit card:

Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder and
Head of Research
"This award-winning AMEX card earns around double the number of Airpoints Dollars per dollar spent compared to Platinum cards from ANZ, Kiwibank and Westpac. For this reason, it's our 2023 Editor's Choice Favourite Airline Credit Card.

You'll need to spend around $13,650 to offset its $195 annual fee, but with a 300 Airpoints Dollars signup offer, lounge vouchers, and so much more, the value offered is second to none.

And, if you're Air NZ Silver, Gold or Gold Elite (or want to achieve it), AMEX's generous Status Point earning opportunities also increase your balance helping your reach the thresholds with less flying.

For those spending over $1,000 a month on a credit card and always repay the balance, the AMEX card offers unmatched benefits, such as lounge access, travel insurance, a signup bonus, and the highest Airpoints Dollars earning rate."

Three Must-Know American Express Platinum Credit Card Facts

American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card Pros and Cons

​Pros:
  1. The Airpoints Platinum offers New Zealand's Highest Airpoints Dollar earning rate – $70 for 1 Airpoints Dollar outperforms all other Air New Zealand credit cards.
  2. Customer Service – With American Express you have a direct line, but if you use Visa and Mastercard you’ll have to deal with your bank. Most New Zealand banks use a multi-option call centre for credit card help with standard office hours. Any troublesome issues may be ‘referred’ to Visa or Mastercard for ‘review’ and 'decision'. American Express operates specific 0800 hotlines which are open 24/7 and makes decisions directly.
  3. Favourable Customer Dispute Terms – if you experience fraud or wish to question a transaction, American Express will actively fight in your corner.
  4. Cards are increasingly accepted at major New Zealand retailers – You can use your card at Countdown, New World, PAK'nSAVE and other supermarkets. Other retailers include most petrol stations and airline websites.
 
Cons:
  • A number of non-chain retailers don’t accept American Express as a payment method. 

Bank-Issued Airpoints Platinum Cards Don't Offer Lounge Access Vouchers - Only AMEX Does

  • American Express Airpoints Platinum Cardholders are offered four lounge access vouchers per year with no minimum spend requirement.
  • These vouchers are preloaded and can be used at international airports (Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown), Australia, and worldwide. There is no lounge in Wellington or any domestic New Zealand airport.
  • The passes expire on 31 December every year and can't be rolled over. 
  • No other Airpoints Platinum Credit Card (e.g. from ANZ, Westpac or Kiwibank) offers lounge vouchers.

Two MoneyHub users who have the card emailed us testimonials that mention the lounge benefits - we paste these below for reference:

"I've had a fantastic experience with my AMEX card! I've accumulated a significant amount of Airpoints Dollars, which seem more rewarding than with my previous cards. I've even had the opportunity to enjoy the Amex lounge at Sydney Airport. The card is easy to use, although not all places accept it. The app could use some improvements, but it gets the job done. I would highly recommend AMEX over other credit cards, mainly because of the rewards".

"AMEX provides excellent customer service, with quick phone responses and readily available live chat. The card comes with great perks like lounge access, which I've fully utilized this year. It's not widely accepted at independent stores and restaurants, but I use it for supermarkets, gas stations, and online shopping, earning enough Airpoints for a return ticket to Tokyo".

The Foreign Currency Commission for non-NZD Transactions is 2.50%

A 2.50% Currency Conversion Commission applies to all American Express NZ credit cards. This means you’ll pay more when making foreign purchases than other credit cards. Airpoints-earning credit cards usually charge 1.85% to 2.50%. If the vast majority of your spending is in NZD, then there is little difference between other credit cards.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh sheds light on how "double dipping" allows you to earn 1 Airpoint Dollar for as little as $40 spent at select retailers:

Several retailers, including Mitre 10, New World, and Z, encourage customers to swipe their Airpoints card for rewards and use an AMEX card for payment to maximise their Airpoints earning, known as "double dipping". Examples include:

Mitre 10:
  • By default, Airpoints members earn 1 Airpoint Dollar for every $115 spent.
  • If you spend $140 at Mitre 10 and pay with the AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card, you'll earn three Airpoints Dollars. This comprises 1 Airpoint Dollar from Mitre 10's offer and 2 Airpoint Dollars from AMEX (since a $70 spend on AMEX earns you 1 Airpoint Dollar).

New World:
  • Airpoints members earn 0.185 Airpoints Dollars for every $25 they spend.
  • For a $150 spend at New World and using the AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card for payment, you'd earn over three Airpoints Dollars. This includes 1.11 Airpoints Dollars from New World's offer and 2 Airpoint Dollars from AMEX.

Other options include Liquorland (0.185 Airpoints Dollars for every $25 spent), Smiths City (1 Airpoints Dollars for every $100 spent), Tower Insurance (1 Airpoints Dollar for every $100 spent), Calex and Z Service Stations (1 Airpoints Dollar per 100 litres (or part thereof) of eligible petrol or diesel)

Bonus: If you're smart about your finances, consider using an Online Call account to pay your credit card balance. With interest rates over 5% p.a., many savvy New Zealanders keep funds in a call account and transfer their AMEX balance on its due date to maximise interest, all while earning lots of Airpoints Dollars on every spend.
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

How Does the Card Work in New Zealand?

To help determine the acceptance of AMEX in New Zealand and highlight the general feeling from local cardholders, we've pasted a selection of reviews from Reddit members that appear on various PersonalFinanceNZ posts. We include these to help you decide if the card is right for your needs:
  • "Definitely worth having in NZ; you can use it at most petrol stations/supermarkets/retailers. Have a backup (debit) card for everything else".
  • "I have had my AMEX for a few months now, and acceptance is not that bad. Almost all big chains accept it, higher-end restaurants, most online shopping (or you can funnel via PayPal), and I can even pay my phone, internet, and power bills with it. However, smaller shops/cafes are unlikely to take it, so I have to bust out my visa debit card occasionally".
  • "I haven't run into any Amex-specific surcharges. Instead, I found that either a business will have a blanket credit card surcharge or, in some cases, a paywave surcharge".
  • "I've had my Amex Airpoints Platinum for 3+ years, and I'm pretty happy with it. I use it for everything I possibly can to build up as many airports as possible. I use it as I would use my debit card and then pay my bill off every month on time. I've already got flights to Fiji out of my points and currently letting points build up for flights to Europe in 2023.
  • The $195 card fee is a lot, but if you use it enough and build up your Airpoints Dollars, it's well worth it".
  • "They have nice service. For example, I got double charged once in a store, reported it to AMEX, and got the refund immediately after the call".

Christopher Walsh MoneyHub Founder and Head of Research outlines this 'class of its own' credit card:

Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder and
Head of Research
"This award-winning AMEX card earns around double the number of Airpoints Dollars per dollar spent compared to Platinum cards from ANZ, Kiwibank and Westpac. For this reason, it's our 2023 Editor's Choice Favourite Airline Credit Card.

You'll need to spend around $13,650 to offset its $195 annual fee, but with a 300 Airpoints Dollars signup offer, lounge vouchers, and so much more, the value offered is second to none.

And, if you're Air NZ Silver, Gold or Gold Elite (or want to achieve it), AMEX's generous Status Point earning opportunities also increase your balance helping your reach the thresholds with less flying.

For those spending over $1,000 a month on a credit card and always repay the balance, the AMEX card offers unmatched benefits, such as lounge access, travel insurance, a signup bonus, and the highest Airpoints Dollars earning rate."
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