Air New Zealand Air Points - Earning NZ points with Credit Cards

The great 2 points per dollar deal on Amex platinum will end in about 2 months. It's time to start thinking about a replacement card.

Does any have any recommendations - what's the best 'earner' at the moment?

Also, what will happen to the points-per-dollar concept with the arrival of Airbucks?

BTW (not sure if this has been posted), if you are an Amex Plat member there is a Sony night (October 5) where you get 20 (!!!) points per dollar spent. Go and buy that plasma screen for $7K and earn yourself 140000 Airpoints!
:D

Not a lot of info on CC earning under airbucks. Thread here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=349557) and there was some info posted on BNZ Global Plus (cant seem to find it at the moment - mustnt be awake properly).

They're advertising that Amex BNZ (?) co-branded credit card...? Quick look at both sites but can't find anything... Not switched on yet...

Global Plus (which is affiliated to BNZ) are advertising their cards heavily on TV. The current earning rate is $NZ2 spend = 1 airpoint, which will become $NZ150 = 1 Airpoints dollar. Rates are double for gold cards. Global Plus is also offering an Amex card which seems (on my cursory examination) to be a credit card not a charge card, and to offer the same earning rates as normal GlobalPlus gold cards. I haven't seen any offer about platinum cards.

Can you get fractional airbucks? If not then do they round (hoping!) or require multiples of 150 to get each airbuck? I presume it is based on total monthly spend rather than item by item.

The great 2 points per dollar deal on Amex platinum will end in about 2 months. It's time to start thinking about a replacement card.

Just to clarify? The Amex scheme is 2 Amex Rewards Points for $1, which you can convert to Airpoints on a 1 for 1 until Novemebr 16 and then 75 for 1 until Dec 15. After that they can't be converted to Air NZ at all. (Are those dates right?)

But - you can still earn Amex Rewards Points on a 2 : $1 basis after Nov, though airline redemptions options are limited - Air Tahiti Nui for example, at a whopping 350,000 airpoints for an F award to LAX. Ouch!

I think that's right.

Just to clarify? The Amex scheme is 2 Amex Rewards Points for $1, which you can convert to Airpoints on a 1 for 1 until Novemebr 16 and then 75 for 1 until Dec 15. After that they can't be converted to Air NZ at all. (Are those dates right?)

But - you can still earn Amex Rewards Points on a 2 : $1 basis after Nov, though airline redemptions options are limited - Air Tahiti Nui for example, at a whopping 350,000 airpoints for an F award to LAX. Ouch!

Yes, but you can also get points with other airlines such as TG and EK, but not at the 2points/$ rate I don't think (can't remember the actual rate).

The BNZ deal mentioned above is not great as it only earns 25% of the current Amex deal. You'd have to get the gold card to at least get 1 point per $.

Instead of trying to earn NZ points I might go for Qantas or another airline. What other options are there? I have an ANZ Visa which unfortunately now only earns 1point per dollar up to a maximum of $10K (?). I may have to pay for the gold card which has a max of $30K (I believe).

Any other options out there?

AFAIK Qantas is the only other option - through Amex and also ANZ (the bank not the airline).

Of course if you have an overseas bank account then more attractive options are available - but is it worth the hassle and currency speculation (and fees)?

Westpac's credit cards have their own scheme called Hotpoints, which I think can be transferred to Air NZ's Airpoints.

Yes, but you can also get points with other airlines such as TG and EK, but not at the 2points/$ rate I don't think (can't remember the actual rate).

Amex Membership Rewards points (MRp) can also be converted to;

Qantas; 1 MRp = .87 Qantas FF points
Malaysian; 1 MRp = .6 Enrich points
Singapore; 1 MRp = .6 KrisFlyer points
Thai; 1 MRP = .6 Royal Orchid points

refer http://home3.americanexpress.com/newzealand/personal/cards/rewards/transferpartners_airline.asp

Westpac's credit cards have their own scheme called Hotpoints, which I think can be transferred to Air NZ's Airpoints.

They Do, with the Gold Card effective rate of earning at 0.875 airpoints to the NZ$. No word on Airbucks Earning though.

Its supposed to be announced in the next few weeks.

Its supposed to be announced in the next few weeks.

Depending on what the outcome is I may need to find a new credit card. The BNZ LTD Platinum Visa looks nice, but try as I might I cannot find the Airpoints earning rates.

Instead of trying to earn NZ points I might go for Qantas or another airline. What other options are there? I have an ANZ Visa which unfortunately now only earns 1point per dollar up to a maximum of $10K (?). I may have to pay for the gold card which has a max of $30K (I believe).

You may want to consider this offer...

7500 pts sign-up bonus

http://www.anz.com/nz/consumer/creditcards/range/qtv/5000points.asp

Interesting the link has 5000 points in it, but it is for 7500 points!

That card has a cap and reverts to lower $2 = 1 QFF point at 31 December?

Also QFF points arent worth as much as airpoints.

On the 28th of November this year, the Australian "Telstra ANZ Visa" card will be renamed the "ANZ Rewards Visa". The Rewards Points from this card will be able to be converted to AU-Airbucks at a rate of 133.33 Rewards Points to the AU-Airbuck.

Standard earning rates are 1 point per AU$1.50 spent up to a ceiling of $50,000 [$100,000 for the Gold] so for every AU$199.995 spent one can earn an AU-Airbuck.

Extremely poor value, and it has a cap. :td:

[Double Post]
Moderator please remove

But in Line with GlobalPlus Classic here in New Zealand.

BNZ Platinum Cards earn Platinum Points which can be converted to airbucks, with an effective rate of 10 airbucks for NZ$1000 [Same as the Gold GlobalPlus].

The Gold GlobalPlus Amex does 20 airbucks for NZ$1000 until the end of 2005.

BNZ Platinum Cards earn Platinum Points which can be converted to airbucks, with an effective rate of 10 airbucks for NZ$100 [Same as the Gold GlobalPlus].

The Gold GlobalPlus Amex does 20 airbucks for NZ$100 until the end of 2005.

Unfortunately that's $1,000 ;)

This does seem to be the best card from December. Two questions:

1) Has anyone with an AMEX Platinum rewards or similar card tried to switch to a Globalplus Gold (any) card? Will they 'comp' you or do you have to jump through a million hoops?

2) What do the good people here reckon: go to Globalpus for Airbucks or stick with AMEX and get TG points (assuming they will continue to be 2 Membership reward points per dollar, or 2 x .6 = 1.2 TG miles per NZ $). I am a member of both, but am not quite sure what would make most sense.

go to Globalpus for Airbucks or stick with AMEX and get TG points.

I'll be sticking with Amex and their Membership Rewards. Until a week or so ago I hadn't thought through the impact of being able to swap them for TG points (or others), but this is a real selling point for me. Being able to earn nothing but AP$ doesn't do much for me at all I'm afraid.

A question for you specifically too Fliar, if you'd be so kind. Is your experience that it's been relatively easy to redeem your TG points for Star Alliance awards, specifically on Air NZ?

I'll be sticking with Amex and their Membership Rewards. Until a week or so ago I hadn't thought through the impact of being able to swap them for TG points (or others), but this is a real selling point for me. Being able to earn nothing but AP$ doesn't do much for me at all I'm afraid.

True, but if you have to choose it boils down to which one is the best earner. I find it difficult to get my head around that one (with the difference in cc earning rates/burning rates/airbucks vs miles)

A question for you specifically too Fliar, if you'd be so kind. Is your experience that it's been relatively easy to redeem your TG points for Star Alliance awards, specifically on Air NZ?

Sorry kiwibigdave, I haven't redeemed a single point yet. I'm saving up for a F award ticket (on SQ of course!). I have heard and read several times on the TG board that redemption is generally very good compared to other airlines.

Westpac has announced their change for airbucks

125 hotpoints = 1 airbuck

$1 = 1 hotpoint, except for Gold cards $1 = 1.25 hotpoints

Since used to be 1 hotpoint = 0.7 airpoint and 75 airpoints = 1 airbuck, the earning rate is 14% less than previously.

Is Gold GlobalPlus or Gold GlobalPlus Amex now the best earning credit card?

I'm ignoring the ANZ Qantas Visa (a) because its QF points and (b) because of low annual cap, although I believe the year is a fixed period so if I time it right may be okay for one year (get the bonus 7500 miles as well).

Can you get fractional airbucks? If not then do they round (hoping!) or require multiples of 150 to get each airbuck? I presume it is based on total monthly spend rather than item by item.

I dont suppose anyone knows the answer to this?

Does anyone know what the AmEx MR to Airbucks exchange rate will be? I realise there's only a period of a month or so when this will apply (until AmEx ends redemptions on 15 Dec) but if it's better (or worse) than 1:75, I'll wait 'til the last minute (or do it now.)

I would phone AmEx but as we know, they have given new meaning to the phrase "phone hell" :p

justakiwi

Does anyone know what the AmEx MR to Airbucks exchange rate will be? ... if it's better ... than 1:75, I'll wait 'til the last minute

If it's 1:75 then I'll be waiting until Nov 17th, then booking some kind of F award to the Caribbean ;-)

Seriously though, it may be naive of me but I can't think of any reason why the rate would be anything other than 75:1.

I guess that means I'd like to know a definitive answer too :-)

Yes, it's 1:75 ^

After that Globalplus Gold Amex is the best card, but still earns 25% less than the current Amex MR card. The latter will continue, as pointed out above, with other programmes, like TG and Emirates. (Currently $1 spent = 1.2 TG miles). Apart from the fact whether or not you prefer to earn TG points or NZ points or vv, this will still be the highest earning card.

Royal Brunei and Aerolineas Argentinas are now also Amex partners. This in addition to TG, SQ, Emirates, Origin Pacific, Air Tahiti Nui, Qantas and Asiamiles. Also HH, *wood and others are now members.

Direct awards are possible but the worst possible value you can imagine (rtn on Qantas to Europe 220,000, using points 110,000, to Asia on TG 120,000 on points 80,000) (What ARE they thinking?)

Are there any Visa cards that earn NZ points?

If you are just after a visa card that will earn you airpoints try https://www.globalplus.co.nz/aboutglobalplus/welcome.asp

If you are just after a visa card that will earn you airpoints try https://www.globalplus.co.nz/aboutglobalplus/welcome.asp

I'm probably missing something but on the site there's only mention of Amex...

Are there any Visa cards that earn NZ points?

BNZ recently changed there Platinum program so that the cards are no longer by Invitation only. Has a $295 annual fee and the same NZ$1000 = Airbucks $10 rate but as a platinum card has many other benefits.[www.bnzplatinum.co.nz]

Westpac Visa Gold has the same rate.

Yes, but you can also get points with other airlines such as TG and EK, but not at the 2points/$ rate I don't think (can't remember the actual rate).

The BNZ deal mentioned above is not great as it only earns 25% of the current Amex deal. You'd have to get the gold card to at least get 1 point per $.

Instead of trying to earn NZ points I might go for Qantas or another airline. What other options are there? I have an ANZ Visa which unfortunately now only earns 1point per dollar up to a maximum of $10K (?). I may have to pay for the gold card which has a max of $30K (I believe).

Any other options out there?


If you have the BNZ Global plus credit cards and flybuys you can exchange your flybuys to Airpoints so in theory if you book through reservations 0800 737 000 or at a Air NZ travel centre you can get Air points with the credit card and flybuys (when transfered) and the airfare

Direct awards are possible but the worst possible value you can imagine (rtn on Qantas to Europe 220,000, using points 110,000, to Asia on TG 120,000 on points 80,000) (What ARE they thinking?)

The direct awards, i.e. redeeming Amex Rewards points directly for flights as opposed to transferring them to a FF programme and then redeeming them there, are indeed outrageously expensive.

And to add to the mix I believe Air NZ are about to become an Amex direct awards option too. So you can't swap MR points for AP$ after Dec 15, but you will be able to redeem MR points directly on Air NZ flights. I'd hate to think what that will cost . . .

Well anyone wanting to take advantage of current transfer rates better hurry. Less than a week to go!

Well anyone wanting to take advantage of current transfer rates better hurry. Less than a week to go!

With Amex the transfer rates are pretty much the same so you have until December 15 - unless you want to transfer AND burn your points right now.

Slighlty OT but do people here use their CC as their main source of travel insurance or do you have additional insurance. I've always had an annual business-type policy. Costs around $500 a year.

I just noticed however that the Visa Platinum (BNZ offers this) covers you for travel incidents even if you don't pay your travel with your card. At $300 a year that sounds like a good deal.

Any comments?

I have the Westpac gold Altitude card (Australian market only) which lets me convert points to NZ, QF or MH points or DJ vouchers or buy travel directly (which is usually expensive, but would at least have the advantage of being points earning). It's not the greatest of cards but I like the flexibility (plus it's the only way I earn NZ points these days to use for upgrades!), and the fact that it has a good travel insurance policy (which pretty much covers the cost of the annual fee). I never bother to buy any other travel insurance now.

and the fact that it has a good travel insurance policy (which pretty much covers the cost of the annual fee). I never bother to buy any other travel insurance now.

Do you have to pay for your travel with the card?

Do you have to pay for your travel with the card?

Yes. Luckily this is not usually a problem for me.

Having transferred across before the big devaluation I now need a new cc I think. Recommendations?

Should I consider one linked to QF rather than NZ?

After the latest QF devaluation I forget about QF earning CC (unless its earning rate is pretty amazing).

Found Cardwatch airpoints summary (http://www.fundsource.co.nz/ShowNewsArticle.asp?NewsID=562). Unfortunately out of date for latest changes.

Also summary of premium cards - insurance, fees (http://www.fundsource.co.nz/cardwatch_premium.asp)