Air New Zealand Air Points - SA*G new to Airpoints: which credit card?

I'm Aeroplan Elite, but am moving to NZ so it makes sense to start strategizing about a shift over to Airpoints, yes?

Which credit card(s) do folks use/recommend and why? I have a platinum Visa here in Canada; used to have an AMEX, but found I was only using it in one store each month.

Thanks!

Q1. Are you sure you want to join NZ FFP?

Q2. Have you done some research on the credit cards that is available in NZ?

i think Q1 is very very important if you have read this forum;)

by the way, your title said SA but your post said AC. two different airlines.

I'm Aeroplan Elite, but am moving to NZ so it makes sense to start strategizing about a shift over to Airpoints, yes?


Go ahead and strategize, but it's unlikely you'll be satisfied with the program.

SA*G refers to Star Alliance Gold. Aeroplan Elite in my case. I could retain Aeroplan as my preferred FQTV program, but:

1. unless I travel on AC each year at least 10k miles I can't maintain Gold status--even if I fly 60k miles on other SA carriers
2. using my Canadian credit card, specfically paying it, when my finances are otherwise based in NZ, would be a pain.

Any CONSTRUCTIVE responses? Thanks!

What type of flying are you thinking about when you live here?
Domestically you will only have flying credits of small miles (if any) on the high fare levels only.
If working for the government you will not fly on fares that give credit to any scheme but only status points to NZ Airpoints only.
If flying domestically using your own cash then Jetstar has a small network that will only credit to Qantas.
Only ther local based option is Virgin Australia Velocity programme where you can earn points and status on a variety of airlines, eg. NZ, EY, SQ and use NZ Koru Lounges here.

You might as well open an Airpoints account as most non-flexi domestic/short-haul fares don't credit elsewhere anyhow, but I wouldn't consider moving your long-haul and flexi-fare travel to Airpoints unless you're 1) certain you won't retain your AC status and 2) certain you can make it to Gold/Gold Elite with NZ.

If redemption is more more important to you than status, then you're best to stay where you are.

Oh if you do open an Airpoints account then do it using your Canadian address so to avoid paying the joining fee.

This is the sort of info I was hoping to find--thanks!

I will be travelling overseas 1-2 year (Europe and/or North America and/or Asia), plus Australia and domestically. AC doesn't fly to any part of the region except Sydney; NZ flies non-stop to Vancouver. Will be working for a major public university, which in Canada is quasi-government (we get government hotel rates but otherwise have our own institutional travel policy).

I'll drill down into Velocity; one thing I'm not keen to lose is SA Gold--lounges, priority check-in, easy boarding, that sort of wanky thing. :D SQ in particular isn't known for treating it's non J or F class passengers from other FQTV programmes as well as its own Kris flyers.

Thanks again!

What type of flying are you thinking about when you live here?
Domestically you will only have flying credits of small miles (if any) on the high fare levels only.
If working for the government you will not fly on fares that give credit to any scheme but only status points to NZ Airpoints only.
If flying domestically using your own cash then Jetstar has a small network that will only credit to Qantas.
Only ther local based option is Virgin Australia Velocity programme where you can earn points and status on a variety of airlines, eg. NZ, EY, SQ and use NZ Koru Lounges here.

Thanks--very helpful.

I've already run into this: the fare booked to bring me to Auckland only accrued Airpoints, not Aeroplan. In order to consolidate this year (where I've already several other trips completed or scheduled before the move to NZ) I've paid out of pocket a few hundred dollars to get those 7k points. I'll probably be going to Wellington in November for a conference and expect to hit the same issue. But at lease I can use the Koru Lounge until the end of Feb 2013 ^

I've joined Airpoints (for free; found a waiver so figured that much out on my own). But I'm a planning kind of person, so the next question is which credit card to use to feed the Airpoints monster...

Cheers!

You might as well open an Airpoints account as most non-flexi domestic/short-haul fares don't credit elsewhere anyhow, but I wouldn't consider moving your long-haul and flexi-fare travel to Airpoints unless you're 1) certain you won't retain your AC status and 2) certain you can make it to Gold/Gold Elite with NZ.

If redemption is more more important to you than status, then you're best to stay where you are.

I've joined Airpoints (for free; found a waiver so figured that much out on my own). But I'm a planning kind of person, so the next question is which credit card to use to feed the Airpoints monster...

Cheers!

Why bother? If you are really keen, you can just buy them when you have a New Zealand address. I would credit my credit card spend to a more useful program. But of course, in New Zealand you don't have many choices.

Do you have any status on any other alliance? If not, then you're probably best to either chose one of the AirPoints partner cards (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/airpoints-direct-earn-credit-card-comparison-table) OR apply for a card that gives you straight cash-back rewards and forget about crediting them to your Airpoints account.

Why bother? If you are really keen, you can just buy them when you have a New Zealand address. I would credit my credit card spend to a more useful program. But of course, in New Zealand you don't have many choices.

Could you explain what you mean? What would you suggest, then?

Do you have any status on any other alliance? If not, then you're probably best to either chose one of the AirPoints partner cards (http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/airpoints-direct-earn-credit-card-comparison-table) OR apply for a card that gives you straight cash-back rewards and forget about crediting them to your Airpoints account.

My secondary plan is Alaska Airlines--most of the OneWorld airlines, but in more flexible plan. Very sensible choice for someone living in Vancouver; probably of less value in NZ though QF, CX, JL and BA all participate.

I've aggregated the data myself--but I know nothing about the financial services organizations/banks that offer the cards. Except that I used to bank with ANZ in Australia and grew to loathe them.

Any tips?

My secondary plan is Alaska Airlines--most of the OneWorld airlines, but in more flexible plan. Very sensible choice for someone living in Vancouver; probably of less value in NZ though QF, CX, JL and BA all participate.

I've aggregated the data myself--but I know nothing about the financial services organizations/banks that offer the cards. Except that I used to bank with ANZ in Australia and grew to loathe them.

Any tips?

It really boils down to your spending habits and how many Airpoint Dollars (APD) and Status Points (SP) you'd collect on the cards based on these patterns, versus the annual fees.

IMO the Amex card isn't really worth it as they are not widely accepted in NZ or Australia, and has a very high annual fee.

The KiwiBank GoFly cards are a bit cheaper on the annual fee than other cards, but don't allow any SP accumulation unless you're using the Platinum card. They also offer two lounge vouchers, but if you're *G already that's not an issue.

Personally, I have a Global Plus Gold card, and find this is the perfect balance between the annual fee, APD earning (AP$1 for NZ$100), and SP earning (1 SP for NZ$250).

Could you explain what you mean? What would you suggest, then?A NZ resident gets a 'one smart' card with which that can purchase Air NZ Airpoints Dollars at NZ$1 each.

It really boils down to your spending habits and how many Airpoint Dollars (APD) and Status Points (SP) you'd collect on the cards based on these patterns, versus the annual fees.

IMO the Amex card isn't really worth it as they are not widely accepted in NZ or Australia, and has a very high annual fee.

The KiwiBank GoFly cards are a bit cheaper on the annual fee than other cards, but don't allow any SP accumulation unless you're using the Platinum card. They also offer two lounge vouchers, but if you're *G already that's not an issue.

Personally, I have a Global Plus Gold card, and find this is the perfect balance between the annual fee, APD earning (AP$1 for NZ$100), and SP earning (1 SP for NZ$250).

Very helpful--thanks a lot!

IMO the Amex card isn't really worth it as they are not widely accepted in NZ or Australia, and has a very high annual fee.
In general I agree with the advice given so far in this thread, except for the bolded part. This has been discussed a couple of times in other threads here, and I still don't understand the view. Of course you need to weigh whether the AmEx card gives you enough rewards to justify the fee, but the perception of "not widely accepted in NZ or Australia" just seems incorrect to me - I rarely have issues.

In general I agree with the advice given so far in this thread, except for the bolded part. This has been discussed a couple of times in other threads here, and I still don't understand the view. Of course you need to weigh whether the AmEx card gives you enough rewards to justify the fee, but the perception of "not widely accepted in NZ or Australia" just seems incorrect to me - I rarely have issues.

It depends where you shop - the major Hotels, Supermarkets, service stations and chain stores generally accept them, however smaller retailers often do not.

From a personal perspective, we have run into issues at optometrists, one insurance company (AMP I think), dentists, motels, garden centres, restaurants, and non-chain store clothing and bookstores.

I have also noticed a few retailers charging larger service fees for AmEx cards than for Visa/Mastercard transactions.

If your core spending is with the chain stores, and the financial cost/benefit analysis of the AmEx card weights up on just that alone, then I say go for it. Overall AmEx acceptance has impoved greatly over the years.

SA*G refers to Star Alliance Gold

In these here parts we usually use *A = Star Alliance.

Welcome! Cheers, TK

In these here parts we usually use *A = Star Alliance.

Welcome! Cheers, TK

Particularly since SA*G would be the designation for a a South African Airways Star Gold status-holder.

Particularly since SA*G would be the designation for a a South African Airways Star Gold status-holder.

Fair enough. But I'm old skool: I remember when they were ZA (and NZ was TE). :)