American Express vs ANZ vs Kiwibank vs Westpac Airpoints Platinum Credit Cards Comparison
We compare the costs, benefits and features of the American Express Airpoints Platinum, ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum, Kiwibank Airpoints Platinum Visa and Westpac Airpoints Platinum Mastercard
Updated 3 November 2021
Summary
Our guide looks at the earning rate of each card, its fees, benefits, pros and cons. We cover:
Know This First:
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Summary
- If you're a high earner, travel and reliably pay off your credit card every month, an Airpoints Platinum card can give you a lot of benefits. However, what's on offer between the banks and American Express varies wildly despite having a similar annual fee.
- Two banks, ANZ and Kiwibank, continue to water down the benefits of their Platinum Airpoints cards by dropping the earn rate ($85, down from $75, to earn 1 Airpoints Dollar) and capping Koru vouchers, among other things.
- ANZ, Kiwibank and Westpac's Platinum cards earn around 30% fewer Airpoints Dollars per $1 spent than the American Express Airpoints Platinum Card. This difference becomes more significant the more you spend each month.
Our guide looks at the earning rate of each card, its fees, benefits, pros and cons. We cover:
- Airpoints Platinum Comparison: American Express vs ANZ vs Kiwibank vs Westpac
- Our Favourite Airpoints Platinum Cards
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Conclusion
Know This First:
- We're frustrated with the low level of Airpoints Dollars offered by the bank-issued Platinum cards.
- We don't think being charged $125-$150 a year is good value when you need to spend around $13,000 just to earn enough Airpoints to pay off the annual fee. Sadly, it is the norm, and the ANZ and Kiwibank's decision to diminish the earning rate in October 2021 may be a sign of things to come.
- Arguably, the American Express Platinum Airpoints is in a league of its own given its 30% earning advantage and range of benefits including lounge and insurance amongst others.
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 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 views on Platinum Credit Cards that earn Airpoints Dollars
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Airpoints is one of the most useful loyalty programs in New Zealand - we've even written a definitive guide on the best way to spend them. However, for Kiwibank and ANZ customers, the benefits of Platinum Credit Cards that earn Airpoints have been getting weaker and weaker over the years.
It started with a cap on Koru vouchers (Kiwibank), then both ANZ and Kiwibank downgraded the earn rate from $75 = A$1 to $85 = A$1 (a 13% reduction) in October 2021. Meanwhile, the fees have stayed the same - a not-insignificant $150/year where the biggest benefit is arguably free travel insurance (which no one has been able to use since March 2020). This guide looks at what you need to consider if you're looking to switch to the best earning Airpoints credit card. I continue to challenge the banks on their appalling savings rates (see my Stuff.co.nz column here) and will be taking aim at bad value "Platinum" credit cards next. Until they become more competitive, American Express is the most rewarding card on the market. |
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder |
Our Favourite Airpoints Platinum Cards
- There are four Platinum Airpoints Credit Cards. Please note, we cannot, in good faith, position ANZ, Kiwibank or Westpac's Platinum Airpoints Cards alongside American Express for the simple reason that they earn 30% fewer Airpoints Dollars per $1 spent.
Our picks include:
- Best Card Overall: American Express Platinum Airpoints Card - The card earns 30% more Airpoints per dollar spent than any other Platinum card on offer. There is also an attractive 300 bonus Airpoints Dollars when you are approved and spend $1,500 on your new Card within the first 3 months (for new card members only).
Other options:
- Lowest fee: Westpac Airpoints Platinum Mastercard - While the card earns 1 Airpoints Dollar per $85 spent (alongside ANZ and Kiwibank), the generous 400 Airpoints Dollars signup bonus stands out. The card also has the lowest annual fee ($125).
- Are you looking exclusively for occasional Koru Access? Only ANZ and Kiwibank offer Koru lounge benefits, and the ANZ has the lowest FX fee on foreign currency transactions if you make a lot of non-NZD purchases.
Airpoints Platinum Comparison: American Express vs ANZ vs Kiwibank vs Westpac
We compare the cards side-by-side below. Our research discovered key differences that may be useful when deciding what card is right for you. We outline these here:
- American Express earns 30% more per $1 spent than ANZ, Kiwibank or Westpac's Platinum cards.
- Lounge access, a popular feature of higher-end Airpoints cards, is free with American Express (four passes per year pre-loaded, although these are international lounges and not Koru). Lounge passes need to be earned with ANZ and Kiwibank, with both offering access to Koru lounges. However, there is a cap on how many visits you can earn. Westpac doesn't offer any lounge access.
- If you and/or your household is spending $2,500+ month on a credit card, an Airpoints Dollars-earning card is arguably financially rewarding (if the balance is always paid off). However, many New Zealanders take a card with their bank out of convenience - this often means a sub-standard card that doesn't maximise benefits.
- All the cards below offer the same discount level for Koru membership - our dedicated guide explains this in detail.
- Signup bonuses vary - Kiwibank has periodically offered 200 Airpoints Dollars, whereas American Express and Westpac currently offer 300 and 400 Airpoints Dollars respectively.
Value |
American Express Airpoints Platinum |
ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum |
Kiwibank Airpoints Platinum Visa |
Westpac Airpoints Platinum Mastercard |
Earn rates (everyday spending) |
$59= 1 Airpoints Dollar |
$85= 1 Airpoints Dollar |
$85= 1 Airpoints Dollar |
$85= 1 Airpoints Dollar |
Earn rates (on Air New Zealand) |
$59= 1 Airpoints Dollar |
$85= 1 Airpoints Dollar |
$65= 1 Airpoints Dollar |
$85= 1 Airpoints Dollar |
Status Point earn rates |
$250 = 1 Status Point |
$250 = 1 Status Point |
$200 = 1 Status Point |
$225 = 1 Status Point |
Annual Card Fee |
$195 |
$150 |
$150 |
$125 |
Annual Additional Card Fee (for partner etc.) |
Free |
$10 |
$30 |
$25 |
Airpoints Dollars Earned Per Year from $2,500 Monthly Spend |
508 |
352 |
352 |
352 |
Airpoints Dollars Earned Per Year from $5,000 Monthly Spend |
1,016 |
705 |
705 |
705 |
Lounge Benefits |
Four visits a year loaded onto the card (no spend required) |
$30,000 spend earns two Koru entries (up to 4 per year) |
$30,000 spend earns two Koru entries (up to 4 per year) |
None offered |
Sign-up Airpoints Dollars Bonus |
Yes - 300. Must spend $1,500 in three months. |
None |
None |
Yes - 400. Must spend $1,000 in three months. Offer valid until 22 December 2021. |
Foreign Exchange Fee |
2.99% |
1.30% |
1.85% |
1.95% |
More Details |
Want to know more? Our review of the American Express Airpoints Platinum has further details about the benefits offered.
Our Favourite Airpoints Platinum Cards
- There are four Platinum Airpoints Credit Cards - we've shortlisted two must-consider options.
- Please note, we cannot, in good faith, position ANZ, Kiwibank or Westpac's Platinum Airpoints Cards alongside American Express for the simple reason that they earn 30% fewer Airpoints Dollars per $1 spent. This is a significant difference which adds up as you spend month after month.
Our picks include:
- Best Card Overall: American Express Platinum Airpoints Card - The card earns 30% more Airpoints per dollar spent than any other Platinum card on offer. There is also an attractive 300 bonus Airpoints Dollars when you are approved and spend $1,500 on your new Card within the first 3 months (for new card members only).
Other options:
- Lowest fee: Westpac Airpoints Platinum Mastercard - While the card earns 1 Airpoints Dollar per $85 spent (alongside ANZ and Kiwibank), the generous 400 Airpoints Dollars signup bonus stands out. The card also has the lowest annual fee ($125).
- Are you looking exclusively for occasional Koru Access? Only ANZ and Kiwibank offer Koru lounge benefits, and the ANZ has the lowest FX fee on foreign currency transactions if you make a lot of non-NZD purchases.
Know This:
- You can apply in only a few minutes, and there is no obligation to have a credit card issued.
- Important: MoneyHub suggests that anyone unable to pay off a monthly credit card balance should look for an alternative source of credit. All Platinum Airpoints credit cards charge interest rates that can make repayments challenging to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Platinum Airpoints credit cards are fairly simple. However, some finer points need to be navigated - our questions below anticipate common queries.
Will these cards and their reward levels be valid next year, or the year after?
- We keep this guide fully up to date, but we cannot predict future credit card offers. While American Express has remained stable in its offering (and has arguably increased the benefits), ANZ and Kiwibank have routinely downgraded the benefits cardholders enjoy while keeping the annual fees the same.
- Our suggestion is to take advantage of the benefits by applying for the credit card that suits your needs and has the greatest benefits right now - you can always switch cards later on.
Can I have an additional cardholder in my account to boost my Airpoints balance?
Yes – all expenditure goes onto the same bill. Additional cards cost between $0 and $30 per year as outlined in the comparison table above.
Is American Express a Visa or a Mastercard?
This is a common question. The answer is that it's neither. American Express cards, known as 'AMEX', are another brand of credit card. Unlike Visa and Mastercard, you can't get an American Express from your bank. Instead, you apply directly with their team.
Are Mastercard and VISA more accepted than American Express in New Zealand?
Generally, the answer is yes. Some New Zealand retailers don’t accept American Express due to the higher fees it charges them. However, it's highly likely that the extra Airpoints earned by using American Express (vs a bank-issued card) will compensate for the occasions you'll need to use a debit card to pay a retailer. American Express is accepted at major supermarkets, petrol stations, retailers and e-commerce stores and is growing its reach online and around New Zealand.
Do I need to bank with the issuer of the credit card?
No. You can apply for a credit card with any bank, and it doesn’t matter whether you are a customer or not. American Express credit cards are provided directly by American Express, and is not available through banks. You can read more about the American Express credit cards here.
Our Conclusion
- Platinum Airpoints credit cards fall into two camps - American Express ($59 = 1 APD) and the banks ($85 = 1 APD). The more you spend per year, the less Airpoints Dollars you'll earn with a bank-issued card compared to American Express. The fees are roughly the same and American Express doesn't charge for an additional card (many cardholders end up paying for when they use bank-issued credit cards).
- Both ANZ and Kiwibank require you to spend at least $30,000 to earn two Koru lounge vouchers. American Express preloads four lounge entries per year that can be used at international airports (Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown), Australia, and worldwide. There is not currently a lounge in Wellington, nor at any domestic New Zealand airport.
- Westpac doesn't offer any lounge benefits. However, it does offer cardholders the "Mastercard Travel and Lifestyle Services". These benefits include complimentary daily breakfast, up to $100 room voucher per stay, and "upon availability" room upgrades, early check-in and late check-out for hotel bookings via its website.
- American Express is widely accepted throughout New Zealand (this guide has more details), although independent retailers (cafes, local stores etc.) may not take American Express.
- ANZ offers the lowest FX rate (1.30%) which will be attractive if the bulk of your spending is in foreign currencies.
