Best cards for Air New Zealand Airpoints points
Star Alliance
Ways to build Airpoints Dollars with an Australian credit card — cards that earn the currency directly, plus flexible bank points that can transfer in.
Last updated
Direct earners
0
Transfer-in routes
3
Top earn rate
—
Airpoints Dollars are earned flying Air New Zealand and through its earning partners. Australian earning options are more limited than for the big local programs, so the currency suits trans-Tasman travellers and New Zealand-linked flyers best.
Earns Airpoints Dollars directly
No card in our list earns this currency directly yet.
Flexible points that may transfer in
These earn transferable bank points. Transfer availability and ratios change — confirm with the rewards program before relying on a transfer.
How to pick the right card
- 1.Start with the sign-up bonus.It's usually the biggest points haul of year one — but check the minimum spend and whether you can meet it without buying things you don't need.
- 2.Weigh the earn rate against the annual fee. A higher points-per-dollar rate only pays off if your spend is large enough to outrun the fee.
- 3.Decide: direct or flexible. Earning Airpoints Dollars directly is simplest; earning transferable bank points keeps your options open if your plans (or Air New Zealand Airpoints's value) change.
- 4.Have a redemption in mind.Points are only worth earning if you'll use them — check what Airpoints Dollars actually books before you apply.
Frequently asked
- What's the best credit card for Air New Zealand Airpoints points in Australia?
- No card in our list earns Airpoints Dollars directly. The usual approach is a card that earns flexible bank points which can then transfer in, from 3 sources we track.
- Is it better to earn Airpoints Dollars directly or transfer points in?
- Direct-earning cards are simpler and lock you into one currency. Cards that earn flexible bank points keep your options open — you can transfer to Air New Zealand Airpoints or to a different program later — but transfers are one-way and ratios change, so they suit people who value flexibility over simplicity.
- Do sign-up bonuses count toward Airpoints Dollars?
- Yes — a card's sign-up bonus is usually the single biggest chunk of points you'll earn in year one, often dwarfing everyday spend. Weigh the bonus (and any minimum-spend requirement) against the annual fee when comparing cards.