Kiwibank Airpoints Credit Card Replacement

Baagin on 28/05/2025 - 16:07

So Kiwibank and AirNZ are parting ways, I've had their card for years so what's the best option?

Have looked at Moneyhub who recommend American Express for airpoints, but it says to get the free travel insurance you have to book and pay with the credit card whereas with Kiwibank i could use airpoints to book and just had to have a nights accommodation booked on the credit card - claimed a couple of times so is a worthwhile benefit to me. It also covered a supplementary card I have for family so was a good saving on travel insurance there when they traveled alone. American Express also doesn't have Google Pay?

I like airpoints as I do travel so points do get used, but if a rewards card was significantly better in terms of earning then open to that. Again moneyhub recommends American Express, their gold rewards card.

General Discussion

Comments

  • nzsaver on 28/05/2025 - 16:20
    +1

    Hi - you can use APD:

    Cover is effective when You pay the full fare for a Trip on the American Express Airpoints Platinum Card Account or with Air New Zealand Airpoints.

    Consider our referral links also if you are signing up :)

    • Baagin on 28/05/2025 - 17:05
      +1

      Thanks, good to know - i found it now hidden in some hard to find link!

  • Savey on 29/05/2025 - 07:44
    +1

    So annoying they are changing - I'd like to support a NZ bank but want to keep the no-expiry on our Airpoints so will need to change to an Aussie bank, probably to ANZ at this stage. Amex is better earn but I just prefer a Visa card.

  • Nesianone on 29/05/2025 - 10:28
    +1

    Have a look on reddit under personal finance. Some guy posted a excel file with the alternatives. Next best was Amex platinum.

  • Lolouloulables on 29/05/2025 - 11:17
    +1

    the amex application process was instense and i still didn't qualify. No idea why, i've got good income but maybe it was because of my mortgages, the system just said no.
    From my research anz airpoints was next best - but only because they were offering a bonus $300 on signup at that point. I'd wait for one of those deals

  • mdsl32 on 29/05/2025 - 18:19
    +1

    Currently using the Westpac Platinum
    Earns status points on purchases and dollars which is a good perk if you are short of a higher tier.

    Extended warranty also was an interesting perk yes CGA exists but convenience is a perk.

  • AhhNo on 03/06/2025 - 06:58

    +1 for Amex - I have just had a good experince with them. I think they get a bad wrap, its true its not for everyone but generally credit cards arent for everyone. If you pay it in full each month, earn more than the yearly fee in APD your winning. All of my expenses get charged to the card, only my rates bill cant be charged Ive found. not a deal breaker, I have also found some New Worlds dont take it, other than that I really havent had an issue. I also wanted to point this URL out, if you are playing the travel game use https://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/partner-reward-flights/ to redeem APD, avoid using APD for AirNZ flights ive found some really good deals via this URL for overseas flights. For exmpale I am flying Bejing - Shanghai on AirChina cost me 150APD + $12 NZD for tax. I have also brought other flights, such as Bejing to Korea on EVA for 150APD + 12NZD for tax. Of course there are factors you need to consider but I also have a ANZ Creditcard. Only for the double Status Points perk. Amex+ANZPlam cards are prefect for those to are playing the travel points game.

    • CheapJimmy on 05/06/2025 - 15:29

      Don’t forget the complimentary travel insurance pretty much covers the cost of the annual fee to be fair. Also lounge access in Melbourne, Sydney plus Priority Pass membership.

  • Baagin on 06/06/2025 - 15:08

    Just got an email from AirNZ basically saying if i get a new airpoints credit card by end of July they will give me 300AP or 50 status points. This is in addition to any sign on bonuses from Amex etc.

    • Slogan on 07/06/2025 - 11:17

      Air NZ website human chat said today this doesn't exist. They're sometimes wrong, can you provide more details?

  • Baagin on 07/06/2025 - 14:01

    email basically says as above. t&c are

    Terms and Conditions

    *The offers listed in this email are only available to customers who have an active Kiwibank Airpoints earning credit cards as at 6 June 2025 only.

    To be eligible, Airpoints members must: (i) have received a personalised email titled "(name), a special Airpoints offer for you" from Airpoints on 6 June 2025; (ii) applied for a new Airpoints earning credit card with one of our trusted banking partners; (iii) met the lending criteria set by the card provider; and (iv) activated your card by 11:59pm, 31 July 2025.

    Once all criteria are met, an email will be sent with the reward options to select and confirm reward choice. Once selected, the reward choice cannot be reversed. The selected reward will be applied to Airpoints accounts within 4-6 weeks from activating a new Airpoints earning credit card. Reward selection must be completed by 11:59pm, 31 August 2025 to be deemed as valid. This offer is limited to one per member.

    Bonus Airpoints Dollars are offered by Air New Zealand and are separate to any bonus Airpoints Dollars that may be offered by our co-brand partners. For qualification rules on any offers from our co-brand partners and definition of ‘eligible purchases’, find out more here.

    If you have elected to receive the 50 Status Points as a reward as part of this offer, the 50 Status Points offered will be added to your Airpoints account and count toward your total Status Points balance. These Status Points will not count toward the flight portion required to upgrade or retain Silver, Gold or Elite tier status. To change or maintain your tier, at least half of the required Status Points must be earned from qualifying Air New Zealand operated flights, alliance flights or Star Alliance partner flights. Find out more here.

    Card provider’s lending criteria, terms and fees apply. Certain purchases and transactions are not eligible to earn Airpoints Dollars. See the applicable Credit Card Conditions of Use for full details.

    ^With selected Airpoints earning credit cards, your Airpoints Dollars will never expire as long as you hold a current card. This benefit is only available to Airpoints members who are the nominated earner (or primary cardholder) for the account. Airpoints Dollars will expire in accordance with the Airpoints terms and conditions when the cardholder ceases to be a cardholder and/or ceases to be the nominated earner of the Airpoints earning credit card (that has non-expiry of Airpoints Dollars as a benefit).

    • Slogan on 07/06/2025 - 16:26

      Ah I see - so you got the email because (1) you personally already have a Kiwibank Airpoints card and (2) Air NZ is making you the offer because the KB card is leaving the Airpoints scheme?

      • Baagin on 07/06/2025 - 18:10

        yep

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