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The Best American Express Credit Cards

We break down each AMEX card's advantages, ideal user profile, costs, interest rates, reward systems, exclusive privileges, and critical factors to consider before you decide to become an AMEX cardholder.
Updated 29 August 2026
Important: This guide was relaunched in August 2026. Every rate, fee and rewards figure was checked against each issuer's published terms. Issuers can change these at any time, so confirm the details on the issuer's site (linked under each card) before you apply. Report an error on this page - no name or email needed.

Summary
  • Our guide has been written to appeal to anyone looking for a good value credit card that offers rewards - American Express beats what the banks offer in terms of rewards, and for this reason they've become popular cards in recent years.
  • Rewards will either be in Airpoints, or Membership Rewards points. What you earn depends on the card you choose and how much you spend.
  • As stated above, American Express credit cards are provided directly by American Express. This means cards are not available through banks or other finance companies.
  • Know This: There is a bonus offer for new AMEX Platinum Airpoints card members of 400 bonus Airpoints when you apply by 28 October 2026, are approved and spend $1,500 on your new Amex Airpoints Platinum Card within the first 3 months. New Amex Card Members only.

In this guide, we look at pros and cons of having an American Express credit card, as well as outline what we consider to be the best options offered. Our guide covers:
Best American Express Cards in a Nutshell:
  1. The American Express Airpoints Platinum Card - $195 a year, 1 Airpoint per $70 spent, four lounge passes and travel insurance. The highest Airpoints earn rate in New Zealand; suits anyone spending $1,000+ a month who pays in full.
  2. The American Express Airpoints Card - no annual fee, 1 Airpoint per $100 spent. The only fee-free Airpoints card, and it out-earns the bank Platinum cards.
  3. ​The American Express Gold Rewards Card - $200 a year, 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent, plus up to $200 in dining credits. For people who'd rather have flexible points than Airpoints, and who eat out.​​

Business Class flight awards:
  • If you're looking to earn points for business class flights, they are available, but you'll most likely need an AMEX - our dedicated Credit Cards That Earn Business Class Flights guide has more details and everything you need to know to make it possible.

Know This: Every American Express card charges a 2.50% currency conversion fee on purchases in a foreign currency, overseas or online. ANZ now charges 0% on all its personal credit cards, and ASB announced a reduction to 0% effective September 2026. If a meaningful share of your spending is overseas or on international websites, please consider a wider range of credit cards - our guide to the best credit cards covers the alternatives.

Advertising Disclaimer: We may receive payment if you sign up for a credit card via MoneyHub - please read our advertising policy for more details. 

Airpoints vs Membership Rewards points - What's the Difference?

Most AMEX cards earn one or the other, so choosing a card that meets your reward preferences is essential. Here's the difference in the rewards programs:

Airpoints™
  • This is the currency of the Air New Zealand Koru program. For every dollar you spend on eligible flights and services with Air New Zealand or their partners, you earn Airpoints. Think of them as virtual currency that can be redeemed for flights, upgrade bids and various other travel and non-travel-related products.
  • They essentially work like cash; for instance, if you have 100 Airpoints, you can apply them towards a flight that costs $100 without spending additional money. 
  • More details: Our guide to spending Airpoints has more details. 
  • Cards earning Airpoints: The American Express Airpoints Platinum Card and the American Express Airpoints Card

Membership Rewards points
  • These points are part of American Express's Membership Rewards® program, a versatile loyalty currency you can earn through eligible Amex credit cards. These points can be redeemed for various rewards, including travel, shopping, statement credit, dining, and entertainment.
  • What makes these points particularly appealing is their flexibility - you can transfer them to multiple airline and hotel partners, book travel directly through the Amex portal or even use them to shop online.
  • More details: Our guide to spending Rewards Points has more details. ​
  • Cards earning Membership Rewards points: The American Express Gold Rewards Card

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares his views about the best American Express Credit Cards:

Banks (arguably) offer credit cards aggressively to their customers, but my view is that these cards don't deliver the value offered by American Express. American Express cards stand out by way of their Airpoints, rewards and cashback-earning, exceeding any other bank-issued card. However, as with any credit card, all the benefits are lost if you don't pay the balance in full every month.

Whatever card you decide, make sure it's the best for your immediate needs. There's no point getting a card "for later," as you'll either overpay and/or get the wrong rewards. For this reason, we've explained the cards in detail to help your decision-making process. If you are in any doubt about what you can afford, it's likely that the best credit card is "no credit card". Credit card debt is too expensive to carry, and New Zealand has too much of it already, and I don't want any more being created as many Kiwis find it increasingly difficult to repay".
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

The Best American Express Credit Cards

From the five American Express credit cards offered, we've shortlisted those that stand out:

The Best Card for Earning Airpoints: The American Express Airpoints Platinum Card

Best For: Frequent Flyers and Travel Insurance Seekers

We Say: The American Express Airpoints Platinum Card earns 1 Airpoint per $70 spent - the highest rate available in New Zealand - and adds four lounge passes a year, travel insurance and mobile phone screen cover. The $195 fee is covered by about $13,650 of annual spend on earn rate alone, before the sign-up bonus and the benefits. It's the card to compare against if you fly Air New Zealand more than once a year; if you don't, the no-fee Airpoints Card below earns most of the same rewards for nothing.
​
​Basics:
​Benefits:
  • Every $70 you spend = 1 Airpoint, and $250 spend = 1 Status Point
  • Complimentary Domestic and International Travel Insurance
  • Four lounge passes per year (two in Auckland Airport, two for either Sydney or Melbourne)
  • ​Complimentary Mobile phone screen insurance (if you used your AMEX to pay for the phone, up to repair costs of $500)

Learn more or apply

The Best Free Card for Earning Airpoints: The American Express Airpoints Card

Best For: Cost-Conscious Airpoints Earners

We Say: The American Express Airpoints Card earns 1 Airpoint per $100 spent with no annual fee - a better rate than the bank Platinum cards that charge $125 to $310 a year. Supplementary cards are free, so a household can pool spending onto one Airpoints account. What you give up against the Platinum is the lounge passes, the travel insurance and the faster earn rate; if you spend under $1,000 a month or fly rarely, you're not giving up much.

​Basics:
  • ​Annual Fee: $0
  • Airpoints or Membership Rewards? Airpoints 
  • Annual percentage interest rate: 22.95% p.a.
  • Interest Free Period: up to 55 days
  • Bonus Offer: 50 bonus Airpoints when you apply, are approved and spend $750 on your new Card within the first 3 months. New Card Members only.

​Benefits:
  • The only No Fee option to earn Airpoints offered in New Zealand
  • A reasonable earning rate of 1 Airpoint per $100 spent
  • No supplementary card fee

Learn more or apply

The Best Card for Diners, Travel and Non-Travel Rewards: The American Express Gold Rewards Card

Best For: Dining Enthusiasts and Flexible Point Collectors

We Say: The American Express Gold Rewards Card earns 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent and comes with two $100 dining credits a year at partner restaurants, against a $200 annual fee. The points are the flexible option - convertible to Airpoints at 150 points per Airpoint, to other airline programmes, or to statement credit - which suits people who don't want to be tied to Air New Zealand.

Used for the dining credits and converted to Airpoints, it returns more per $100 than the Airpoints Platinum; used as statement credit, it returns less. Which card wins depends on how you redeem.

Basics:
  • ​Annual Fee: $200
  • Airpoints or Membership Rewards? Membership Rewards
  • Annual percentage interest rate: 22.95% p.a.
  • Bonus offer: $200 statement credit when you apply online, are approved and spend $1,500 on your new Card within the first 3 months. New Card Members only. 
  • Earn Membership Rewards: The Gold Card earns at a rate of 2 points for every $1 spent. You can use Membership Reward points to pay for travel with American Express directly, or you can convert them to other airline and hotel programs. As a background, 150 Membership Rewards points = 1 Air New Zealand Airpoint while 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer Point.

Read more: American Express Gold Rewards Card Review

​Benefits include:
  • Two $100 dining credits every year - American Express has a number of dining partners throughout New Zealand. If you visit them and spend over $100 on one bill, you’ll get $100 credited to your statement. The dining credit resets every six months. The participating restaurants are located all over New Zealand, although Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown have the widest choices.
  • There is no supplementary card fee.

Learn more or apply

The Card for Frequent Travellers Who Will Use the Benefits: The American Express Platinum Card

Best For: People who fly a few times a year, stay in hotels and eat out - and will use $850 of benefits a year

We Say: The American Express Platinum Card earns 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 - the same rate as the $200 Gold Rewards Card - so the extra $650 of annual fee buys benefits, not points: access to 1,550+ airport lounges including Centurion Lounges (Priority Pass for the Basic Card Member), up to $300 a year in dining credits, an ALL Accor+ Explorer membership with two free Stay Plus nights, Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits and travel insurance with $5 million of overseas medical cover. If you would use those anyway, the benefits can outrun the fee. If you would have to change how you spend to use them, they won't, and the Gold Rewards Card or the Airpoints Platinum is the better buy.

Know This: It is a credit card at 22.95% p.a. with a 2.50% foreign currency fee, so it suits only people who pay in full every month and use a 0% FX card overseas.

Basics:
  • Annual Fee: $850 (up to two Additional Cards at $0)
  • Airpoints or Membership Rewards? Membership Rewards
  • Annual percentage interest rate: 22.95% p.a.
  • Minimum credit limit: $5,000
  • Bonus offer: Earn 160,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online by 30 November 2026, are approved and spend $2,500 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Platinum Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only.
  • Earn Membership Rewards: 2 points for every $1 spent. Transfer them to Airpoints at 150 points per Airpoint or to Qantas at 2 points per Qantas Point, spend them through American Express Travel (Amex values them at up to 0.75 cents each), or take a statement credit ($250 costs 52,000 points).
  • Read more: American Express Platinum Card Review

Benefits include:
  • Airport lounges - 1,550+ lounges in 140+ countries, including Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass for the Basic Card Member (Strata Lounge Auckland, Manaia Lounges Christchurch and Queenstown).
  • Up to $300 a year in dining credits - $150 back when you spend $150 or more in one bill at a participating Dining Collection restaurant, twice a year (one per half-year).
  • ALL Accor+ Explorer membership - two free Stay Plus nights a year, each booked with a paid night, and up to 30% off dining at participating Accor hotels. Accor sells it for $379.
  • Fine Hotels + Resorts - guaranteed 4pm checkout, breakfast for two and upgrades when available at 1,800+ hotels booked through Amex Travel.
  • Travel insurance - $5 million overseas medical, $30,000 cancellation, $20,000 baggage, for you, your partner and dependent children, when you pay for your return trip on the Card. Pre-existing conditions excluded.
  • No fee for up to two Additional Cards.

Learn more or apply

American Express Cards - Pros and Cons

Pros
  • The highest Airpoints earn rate in New Zealand: 1 Airpoint per $70 on the Airpoints Platinum, 57% more than the bank Platinum cards at $110.
  • A fee-free Airpoints card: the Airpoints Card earns 1 per $100 with no annual fee - no bank offers one.
  • You deal with Amex directly: Amex issues the card and runs the network, so disputes, fraud and replacements are handled by Amex, 24/7, rather than referred by a bank to Visa or Mastercard.
  • Benefits banks have dropped: the Platinum's four lounge passes, travel insurance and mobile screen cover; the Gold's two $100 dining credits.
  • Apple Pay and Google Pay on every card.

Cons
  • A 2.5% foreign currency fee - now the highest of the major cards. ANZ charges 0% on all its personal cards, ASB 0% from 15 September 2026, Westpac 1.83%. On overseas spend, ANZ's Airpoints Visa Platinum earns less but costs nothing. Please see our guide to credit card FX fees.
  • Acceptance: most supermarkets, petrol stations and major retailers take it; many small businesses don't, and some add a surcharge. If you'd need a second card, you earn on less spend.
  • Travel insurance has a cap: the Platinum's medical cover is $2.5m with a $250 excess; ANZ and ASB are unlimited with $200.
  • 22.95% p.a. on any balance carried - the rewards are gone the first month you don't pay in full.

A MoneyHub reader shares their experience with the AMEX promotions: "Over the past six months I've received $75 in cashback - $25 from a Shop Small promotion and $50 from a Sony/Amex promotion. It's not massive, but it helps offset the annual fee. The key is to register for each promotion as it comes up."

Applying for an American Express Credit Card - What You Need to Know

To apply for any American Express credit card, you will need to:
  1. Be over 18 years of age.
  2. Have a good credit history.
  3. Be a permanent resident or citizen of New Zealand.
  4. Meet the minimum income criteria for your chosen Card.
  5. If you are self-employed, you will need to have been trading for at least 18 months, or 12 months if you have an existing American Express issued Card.

You will need to provide:
  1. A copy of your New Zealand driver’s licence (if you hold one)
  2. Personal information, including your current address details.
  3. A current email address and a mobile or landline number.
  4. Financial Information including your annual income, household income (if married/de facto), monthly living expenses, employment details, superannuation (if retired), or other sources of income.
  5. Details about any other credit cards and loans you have and their balances.

Final steps:
  1. American Express will perform a credit check to assess your financial history
  2. After that, American Express will assess your credit card application and provide a response in between 5 and 10 working days from when you submit your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes American Express credit cards stand out from bank-issued cards?

​American Express credit cards offer competitive rewards, such as Airpoints and Membership Rewards points, which almost always surpass the benefits of bank-issued cards. Additionally, American Express provides direct service, exclusive perks, and tailored options for various spending habits.

How do I choose between earning Airpoints and Membership Rewards points?

The choice depends on your personal preferences and spending habits. Airpoints are ideal for those who frequently fly with Air New Zealand and its partners. At the same time, Membership Rewards points offer flexibility with various redemption options, including travel, shopping, dining, and more.

Are American Express cards accepted everywhere in New Zealand?

​While American Express is widely accepted in New Zealand, there may be some retailers that do not accept it due to higher merchant fees. It's advisable to check with the merchant or have a backup payment option. Our guide to AMEX acceptance has more details.

What are the criteria for applying for an American Express credit card?

​Applicants must meet certain criteria, which typically include a good credit profile, a stable income, and being over the age of 18. Specific requirements can vary between different AMEX cards.

Is there a fee for additional cardholders?

No, American Express New Zealand does not charge a fee for supplementary cardholders on any of the cards outlined in our guide.

How does the American Express travel insurance work?

Comprehensive travel insurance is a benefit with certain AMEX cards, typically covering international and domestic travel. Policy coverage details and activation requirements are in each card's terms and conditions.

What should I consider before applying for a high-annual-fee American Express card?

Consider whether you'll use the card's benefits enough to justify the annual fee. High-annual-fee cards usually offer more rewards and benefits, which can be valuable to frequent travellers or those who spend heavily on their cards.

As a business owner etc, can I use my American Express card to pay government bills like IRD and ACC?

Yes, you can use your American Express card to pay IRD and ACC bills using services like RewardPay, although fees may apply. This allows you to earn points on these payments.

How does the interest-free period on American Express cards work?

The interest-free period is the time during which you can pay off your purchases without being charged interest, usually up to 55 days. To avoid interest, you must pay the full balance by the due date each month.​

Five Must-Know American Express Credit Card Facts:

​Selecting a Membership Rewards Points or Airpoints American Express needs consideration

  • If you fly Air New Zealand at least once a year and will spend at least $1,000 a month on the card, the American Express Airpoints Platinum Card pays for itself. You’ll get benefits like free travel insurance and lounge passes thrown in too.
  • If you don’t fly that often and don’t spend a regular amount on a credit card, the American Express Airpoints Card still rewards you. Best of all, it doesn’t charge an annual fee.

Our view:
  1. For anyone looking for an awards credit card, American Express Airpoints Platinum Card is a strong offering.
  2. As an example, spending an average of $2,500 per month will earn you around 430 Airpoints per year with the American Express Airpoints Platinum Card.

When dealing with credit cards and loyalty programs, you often come across specialised financial terms. It's important to understand these terms to make informed decisions


Interest Rate: This is the cost of borrowing on the card if you don't pay it off monthly. The interest rate is expressed as a yearly rate and includes fees and costs associated with the transaction. It's important to know the interest rate because any balances carried beyond the grace period will accrue interest at this rate.

Status Points: These are different from the Airpoints or Membership Rewards points. Status Points are earned alongside these rewards and count towards your tier status in a loyalty program, e.g. Air New Zealand Airpoints or Qantas Frequent Flyer. For example, with flight programs, more Status Points mean a higher membership tier, which often grants access to exclusive benefits like lounge access, priority boarding, and additional baggage allowances. These points are a key part of airline loyalty programs as they incentivise frequent travel and brand loyalty.

Understanding these terms will help you navigate the complexities of reward programs and make the best choices for your financial and travel plans.

Some businesses add a surcharge for American Express - ask before you pay

Merchants pay more to accept Amex than Visa or Mastercard, and some pass that on as a surcharge at the till or online, typically 2-3%. Amex opposes surcharging but can't prevent it. On a card earning 1.4% in Airpoints, a 2.5% surcharge wipes out the reward and then some - so if a surcharge is on the sign, we suggest paying with your backup card.

​Many businesses charge a flat card surcharge on every card type, in which case it makes no difference.

American Express cardholders are offered curated tickets via ‘American Express Experiences’

Generally, American Express states that for certain concerts and events, cardholders have access to ‘the best-reserved tickets’.

To earn Airpoints, you’ll need to be a member of the Air New Zealand Koru program

It’s free to join, and there is no annual fee. If you book domestic flights, there are no additional taxes or fees to pay either. If you book an international flight, you will have to pay these additional fees in cash (i.e. card or bank payment).

Award-Winning Cards - Our Editor's Choice Selection Reveals All

The following American Express cards feature in our Editor's Choice Awards:
Favourite Airline Credit Card - The American Express Airpoints Platinum Card

Our view:
  • The numbers don't lie - $70 spent gives cardholders 1 Airpoint, whereas, with bank-issued platinum cards, you'll spend close to double to get the same amount of Airpoints. 
  • The card also offers lounge passes (four per year), a treat that most bank-issued cards discontinued some time ago.
  • The card is competitive for anyone needing to top up status points to renew Air NZ Koru Gold or Platinum, providing a great tailwind to reach the 810/1350 point thresholds (assuming sufficient qualifying flights are taken).
  • Add in travel insurance benefits and a sign-up bonus, and it's easy to be convinced that the $195 annual fee offers a lot of value, given all the benefits and earning potential.

MoneyHub's editor Christopher Walsh says:
"Banks have scaled down what they offer regarding airline credit cards; we consider this the best Air New Zealand card, bar none, for any of the 500,000+ New Zealanders with a 'platinum' card".
Favourite Rewards Credit Card - The American Express® Gold Rewards Card

​Our view:
  • Banks in New Zealand are notoriously stingy with cashback and rewards, and this was before the 2022-2023 downgrade of rewards. American Express offers much better value when redeeming its Membership Reward points for statement credit.
  • Better yet, if you don't want cashback, American Express lets you use the points you earn to travel; cardholders can redeem points for vouchers at Bunnings, Woolworths, Event Cinemas, Harvey Norman, New World, Westfield, Z Energy and other known retailers.
  • With $200 annual dining credits, free domestic and international travel insurance (when you use your card to book the flights), a one-off $200 statement credit on signing up and AMEX's protection for chargebacks, it's a leading rewards card that banks cannot compete with.

MoneyHub's editor Christopher Walsh says:
"We're big fans of The American Express® Gold Rewards Card​ for many reasons. No other credit card offers so much flexibility and generosity, and as more major retailers take American Express, cardholders will compound their rewards and cashback without friction. The free travel insurance and annual dining credit are added perks to make this the ultimate rewards credit card for anyone who likes to dine out and travel locally or overseas".
Favourite No Annual Fee Credit Card - The American Express Airpoints Card

Our view:
  • Free credit cards usually don't offer much, but the American Express Airpoints Card is the exception. Cardholders earn 1 Airpoint for every $100 spent, which can be used on flights or at the Airpoints Store (which has thousands of reward options). 

MoneyHub's editor Christopher Walsh says:
"American Express' free credit card generously offers a 1% reward rate, unrivalled among other card issuers. While it is an Airpoints-earning card, the choice of awards offered is extended to cover thousands of options via the Airpoints online store. The card has a lot of power, no annual fee, and an interest rate in line with the market".
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