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The Fastest Way To Earn Air NZ Status Points - The Definitive Guide

Master the art of earning Air NZ Status Points with our comprehensive guide. Discover tips on flying routes, credit card spending, and more to reach and renew Silver, Gold and Gold Elite benefits faster.
Updated 11 November 2024
Summary:
  • There are two way to earn Status Points - by flying, and by using an Air New Zealand Status Points-earning Credit Card.
  • ​If you're serious about qualifying or re-qualifying for Air New Zealand Gold or Gold Elite and you always pay off a credit card balance before it's due, we suggest considering the ANZ Visa Airpoints Platinum which gives a 50% Status Points bonus on every Air New Zealand operated and marketed flight you take, and/or the AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card, which offers a generous signup bonus, more benefits and an Airpoints earning rate almost twice as high as that as ANZ's.
  • Not every airfare earns Status Points. Always check the Airpoints Calculator and Air New Zealand's booking page to identify the status points earned as per this example.
  • Air New Zealand prefers its frequent flyers to choose its flights over its partners and rewards Airpoints members accordingly - many Airpoints members earn next to nothing (or nothing) when buying economy tickets with Singapore Airlines, Swiss, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines and United, among others.
  • You cannot buy Status Points; they must be earned either through flying or credit card spending.

Our guide covers:
Status Points and Flying - What You Need to Know:
  • Status points are related more to the fare class booked than the actual money spent on the ticket. For example, you may spend $400 flying from Auckland to Dunedin and $400 flying Auckland to Brisbane. The Dunedin flight, given the price, is likely to have a higher fare class, and therefore will earn more status points than the Brisbane flight.
  • In essence, Air New Zealand rewards Airpoints members with more status points the higher they go up the fare class.
  • All flights can have any fare class as long as it's available, and shorter flights generally have a better earn rate. However, the later you book an airfare to travel date, the likelihood the cheaper fare classes have sold out leaving the more expensive (and therefore earning you more Status Points).
  • Unless you are flying internationally in business class more than twice a year, domestic flights are arguably the only way to get sufficient status points to renew a Silver, Gold or Gold Elite Airpoints tier.
  • You can maximise your earning of Status Points and Airpoints Dollars by taking connecting flights. For example, it's likely an Auckland to Dunedin flight will earn less than an Auckland - Christchurch - Dunedin flight (assuming there's a change of aircraft).
  • Booking flights on an actual Air New Zealand operated aircraft with an NZ flight number earns more points than booking through a partner like United and Singapore Airlines.
 
Status Points and Credit Cards - What You Need to Know:
  • Using specific credit cards, such as the ANZ Visa Airpoints Platinum or AMEX Airpoints Platinum, can provide bonus status points. For instance, the ANZ Platinum gives a 50% bonus on status points from flights (even if you don't use the card to buy the flight), AMEX Airpoints Platinum offers 1 status point per $250 spend, and other Airpoints Platinum credit cards offer similar or better Status Points earning rates.
  • Air New Zealand AirPoints Platinum Visa offers 1 status point per $200 spend.
  • While we don't suggest anyone apply for a credit card unless they are certain of being able to pay the balance off every month, hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders use Air New Zealand credit cards for expenses like petrol and groceries can quickly add up Status Points.
  • Advertising Disclaimer: We may receive payment if you sign up for a credit card via MoneyHub - please read our advertising policy for more details.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh shares his approach to earning enough Status Points to renew Air New Zealand Gold every year:

"My approach is simple - I don't spend big; value and convenience is what I want first. I use my Airpoints Platinum credit card and make sure I quote my Airpoints number every time I book an Air New Zealand or Star Alliance airline flight. I'm most likely to use Air New Zealand, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and Swiss".

"However, not every airfare earns Status Points. When you're buying a ticket with a partner airline, it's a good idea to check the Airpoints Calculator to see if the fare class you're booking in earns Status Points - many cheap economy fare classes don't. In early 2023, I booked a couple of Lufthansa flights, some Swiss and Air New Zealand and it was enough to renew Gold by also relying on the credit card Status Points to top up the balance and re-qualify with 810+ Status Points. I book a lot in advance so avoid paying more than $100 on Air New Zealand domestic flights, meaning I earn very few from those". 

"My view for anyone wanting to qualify or re-qualify for Air New Zealand Gold or Gold Elite is to always look for value-for-money airfares and don't prioritise earning points or paying more for flights over convenience. Many New Zealand businesses are cutting back on travel with Zoom and working from home (and higher costs), so it's getting harder to keep earning points. However, with some simple planning and a few work trips, you can get there".

"As a starting point, if you don't have a Status Points-earning credit card already and always pay off a credit card, I suggest considering the ANZ Visa Airpoints Platinum which gives a 50% Status Points bonus on every Air New Zealand operated and marketed flight you take, and/or the AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card, which offers a generous signup bonus, more benefits and an Airpoints earning rate almost twice as high as that as ANZ's. Both of these cards are perfectly suited to someone who uses Air New Zealand as their primary airline of choice".

"This guide is published to explain the fast-tracks and hacks to get the required 810 or 900 Status Points to enjoy Air New Zealand Gold (and keep renewing it) without frittering away your hard-earned (or the money of an organisation)".
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

Understand How Air New Zealand Calculates Status Points

In simple terms, the more you spend, the more points you earn. However, high-cost domestic and international business class airfares always earn the most Status Points. We explain below:

Domestic Flights:
All of the different fare types, also known as 'classes', book into the following booking classes: B,G,H,K,L,M,P,Q,S,T,V,W,X,Y. You'll see them advertised on the Air New Zealand website or app as the following fare groups:
  1. seat
  2. seat+bag
  3. flexichange
  4. flexirefund

On any flight, a 'seat' fare will earn the least Status Points, whereas a 'flexirefund' fare will earn the most. It ranges per flight, you'll earn between 20-40 Status Points for a flexirefund ticket, whereas seat and seat+bag and be between 4-10, or more if you book closer to the departure date.

Australia and Pacific Islands Flights:
All of the different fare types, also known as 'classes', book into the following booking classes: B,G,H,K,L,M,P,Q,S,T,V,W,X,Y. You'll see them advertised on the Air New Zealand website or app as the following fare groups:
  1. seat
  2. seat+bag
  3. theworks
  4. worksdeluxe
  5. Premium Economy
  6. Business

Again, just like domestic fares, the more you pay, the more the Status Points. seat fares earn much less than Premium Economy and Business Class fares.

International Flights:
Air New Zealand sells the seam seat many ways, as seen by the different booking classes:
  • Economy Saver: Includes the following booking classes: G,K,L,P,S,T,V,W
  • Economy Flexi: Includes the following booking classes: B,H,M,Q,Y
  • Premium Economy: Includes the following booking classes: A,E,O,U
  • Business: Includes the following booking classes: C,D,J,Z
  • Domestic add on:  A Domestic Add-on is earned when a domestic sector is flown in conjunction with an international sector. The domestic sector flight must have a different flight number from the international sector.

Our view is that you'll earn very few Status Points for long-haul flights in economy, whereas premium economy and business class tickets will accelerate your balance.

For example, an Auckland to Chicago Economy Saver ('S' booking class) earns 56 Status Points, whereas a Business ('J' booking class) earns 326. So it would take you three business class tickets to earn the 900 Status Points to reach Gold (326 X 3 = 978) whereas you'd need to fly seventeen economy class tickets (56 X 17 = 952).

And again, an Auckland to Singapore Economy Saver ('S' booking class) earns 44 Status Points, whereas a Business ('J' booking class) earns 178. So it would take you six business class tickets to earn the 900 Status Points to reach Gold (178 X63 = 1,068) whereas you'd need to fly twenty one economy class tickets (44 X 21 = 924).

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh explains why the right credit card accelerates status points and Airpoints Dollars earning:

"The American Express Airpoints Platinum Card offers around twice the Airpoints Dollars per $100 spent than any bank-issued card, and the banks aren't going to change that. The AMEX earn rate for status points is not too different to what the banks offer. As a result, cardholders benefit from a tailwind of both points credited: Airpoints Dollars for travel and Status Points for higher-status membership.

​The addition of comprehensive travel insurance and four pre-loaded annual AMEX lounge passes make it a premium choice for travellers who value comfort and security as much as they do savings. For this reason, it's arguably AMEX's most popular card.

Best of all, cardholders can fly and spend their way to Silver, Gold or Gold Elite while having the travel benefits of this AMEX card available 24/7. This includes complimentary Domestic and International Travel Insurance, four lounge passes per year (two in Auckland Airport, two for either Sydney or Melbourne) and complimentary Mobile phone screen insurance (if you used your AMEX to pay for the phone, up to repair costs of $500)".
​
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

The Fastest Way To Earn Air NZ Status Points - Facts and Tips

Business Class on Air New Zealand operated and marketed beats all other Status Points Earning

Air New Zealand likes big spenders - they're profitable for the airline and get a boat-load of Status Points for choosing to fly with Air New Zealand. The more flexichange, flexirefund, worksdeluxe, Premium Economy and Business Class tickets you buy, the faster you'll earn Status Points.

Credit Cards Provide Consistent Status Points Earning (for the Typical New Zealander)

Our view is that many Air New Zealand Gold members have their Status Points boosted by credit card spend. For example, spending $50,000 a year on an Air New Zealand credit card can earn up around 250 Status Points. That's a lot easier than flying 50+ seat+bag flights to get the same amount.

ANZ's Visa Platinum Airpoints Credit Card Boosts Status Points on Every Air New Zealand Flight by 50%

The card is best explained by a comparison:
  • Earning Without the Card: An Airpoints member will earn a set number of status points for a given flight. For example, a flight might normally earn 100 status points.
  • Earning With the Card: If an ANZ Visa Platinum Airpoints Credit Card cardholder books that same flight, they would earn an additional 50% Status Points. So, on a flight that normally earns 100 Status Points, they would earn an additional 50 status points for 150. It's the same for any flight - 10 Status Points = 15, 20 = 30, etc. 

This boost in status points can be a significant advantage for any New Zealander looking to get a boost, but it does come at the cost of earning Airpoints Dollars compared to the AMEX Airpoints Platinum Card.

Singapore Airlines and United Airlines Don't Generate Many Status Points

Air New Zealand understandably prefers its frequent flyer to fly with it, not its partners. Economy, Premium and Business Class fares on partners don't earn nearly as many. In some cases, depending on the fare class, they may earn zero, which is why the Airpoints Calculator is a useful tool.

Also, Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines frequently offer business class tickets that are booked into 'P' class. This limits the Status Points earned, as Air New Zealand recognises this airfare as 'discounted business class' which earn a lot less than 'standard' business class.

Connecting on a Domestic Route Earns More Status Points - But Is It Worth The Hassle?

The more expensive the airfare, the more Status Points, and connecting in hubs like Wellington and Christchurch will mean more Status Points. However, unless it's cheaper to do so, it can be a hassle and increases your risk of being delayed.

Work Trips Continue to Generate Most Status Points

Businesses around New Zealand are either relying on team members to fly every week or are looking at ways to trim spend. Some may be doing both. You can only have so many holidays - a few weekend domestic flights, an Australian or Pacific trip and a long-haul will be tricky to generate enough Status Points to reach or renew Gold unless you're flying business or premium economy. However, adding in an Air New Zealand credit card can get you over the line.

You Can't Buy Status Points - You Can Only Earn Them From Flying or Spending on a Credit Card

Some frequent flyer programs allow you to buy status credits or miles if you fall short - Air New Zealand Airpoints is not one of them.

Checklist - How to Maximise Your Status Points

Based on our research and sumarry the above points, our checklist covers what you need to know:

1. Fare Classes and Booking:
  • Understand that fare classes (e.g., B,G,H,K,L,M,P,Q,S,T,V,W,X,Y) and the type of ticket (e.g., seat, seat+bag, flexichange, etc.) affect the number of Status Points earned.
  • High-cost domestic and international business class airfares earn the most points.

2. Credit Card Strategies:
  • Air New Zealand Platinum Airpoints credit cards can provide additional Status Points. 
  • The ANZ Visa Platinum Airpoints Credit Card, in particular, gives a 50% boost to status points for every Air New Zealand-operated and marketed flight.

3. Partner Airlines:
  • Be cautious when booking with partner airlines. Many don't earn as many Status Points as flights operated by Air New Zealand. Some fare classes on partner airlines might earn zero points. So don't assume because you're booking Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa or United, for example, that you'll earn Status Points.

4. Connection Strategies:
  • Connecting on domestic routes can lead to more Status Points. But balance this with the hassle and risk of delays. 

5. Business Travels:
  • Business-related travels continue to be a primary source of Status Points for many. However, we understand many Gold-level Airpoints members use an Air New Zealand credit card to bridge the gap if one falls short of renewing their tier.

Overall:
  • Not every airfare earns Status Points. Always check the Airpoints Calculator.
  • Air New Zealand prefers its frequent flyers to choose its flights over its partners and rewards Airpoints members accordingly.
  • You cannot buy Status Points; they must be earned either through flying or credit card spending.

MoneyHub Founder Christopher Walsh explains why the right credit card accelerates status points and Airpoints Dollars earning:

"The American Express Airpoints Platinum Card offers around twice the Airpoints Dollars per $100 spent than any bank-issued card, and the banks aren't going to change that. The AMEX earn rate for status points is not too different to what the banks offer. As a result, cardholders benefit from a tailwind of both points credited: Airpoints Dollars for travel and Status Points for higher-status membership.

​The addition of comprehensive travel insurance and four pre-loaded annual AMEX lounge passes make it a premium choice for travellers who value comfort and security as much as they do savings. For this reason, it's arguably AMEX's most popular card.

Best of all, cardholders can fly and spend their way to Silver, Gold or Gold Elite while having the travel benefits of this AMEX card available 24/7. This includes complimentary Domestic and International Travel Insurance, four lounge passes per year (two in Auckland Airport, two for either Sydney or Melbourne) and complimentary Mobile phone screen insurance (if you used your AMEX to pay for the phone, up to repair costs of $500)".
​
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder
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