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American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card
American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card

American Express Credit Cards

American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card

Updated 20 June 2023

As the fastest Airpoints Dollar-earning platinum credit card, this rewards card provides a great way to earn Airpoints Dollars and Status Points, while also offering 300 bonus Airpoints Dollars™, a host of complimentary insurances, and perks such as Lounge access and discount Koru membership.

Points Earn Rate (per $1 spent)

0.017 points

Airpoints Dollars

Rewards Program

Airpoints Dollars

Bonus Points

300 pts

Spend $1,500 in the first three months

0 points over 12 months spend

My monthly card spend

Pros and cons

  • Earn 300 Airpoints Dollars™ when you apply online, are approved and spend $1,500 on your new Card in the first three months
  • Smartphone Screen Insurance for up to $500 for front screen repairs to your Smartphone when you pay for your smartphone outright with your American Express Airpoints Platinum Card, or pay your monthly Smartphone contract or SIM Only Plan.
  • Earn 1 Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollar for every $59 spent
  • Earn 1 Status Point for every $250 you spend on your Card
  • Enjoy 2 complimentary passes per year with Priority Pass™

  • High interest rate of 22.95% p.a. for purchases. Therefore like all rewards cards, is best for people that pay off their balance in full each statement period

Creditcard.co.nz review

Editor Review

American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card

Roland Bleyer
Credit Card Expert with over 15 years card experience and the founder of Creditcard.co.nz. about this card.

Our review of the American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card

When it comes to platinum perks and the potential to earn big on rewards, the American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card certainly doesn’t disappoint. From a bonus 300 Airpoints Dollars upon sign up, to VIP Lounge access to complimentary insurance covers and Koru membership fee discounts, this is the card that has it all – and more!

What we love...

As always in our credit card reviews, we look to the card’s special introductory offers first. With the American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card, that means bonus Airpoints Dollars. Simply apply, be approved and spend $1,500 in the first three months, and you will be credited with 300 bonus Airpoints Dollars. Easy as that! This bonus offer is only available to new Card Members only.

When applying for an Airpoints Card, it’s generally a good idea to choose one that provides the maximum Airpoints Dollar earning potential for your spending. Happily, the American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card is the fastest Airpoints Dollar-earning platinum credit card currently available, giving you 1 Airpoints Dollar for every $59 you spend.

But that’s not all. This card also offers a faster way to tier status, allowing you to earn 1 Status Point for every $250 spent on your card. As you collect Status Points, you can become eligible for Silver, Gold or Elite tier status, providing you with amazing extra travel benefits and privileges as you move up each tier.

Want to earn Airpoints Dollars even faster? Simply apply for a supplementary card for family members to earn more Airpoints Dollar on your family’s credit card spending.

What’s not so great...

When it comes to platinum and rewards credit cards, you always have to think about what you’re paying out, balanced against what you’re getting in return. With a relatively high purchase rate, this card is not one you’d want to carry a balance on month-to-month. To make the most of the rewards you earn and the perks on offer, it’s best to clear your balance before it starts accruing interest.

With the American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card, it’s also worth bearing in mind that the card’s annual fee is significant, at $195 per year. However, when you take into account all the card has to offer, you may find that annual fee does indeed pay for itself.

Lastly, the minimum income requirement. To be eligible for this card, you need to have an annual pre-tax income of $65,000. But, this only becomes an issue if you happen to earn less than this per year.

Why should you choose this card?

If you’re still not sure whether this card is right for you, take a closer look at some of its other redeeming features.

Complimentary Insurance Cover

Like many other platinum credit cards, the American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card offers extra perks in the form of complimentary insurance covers. These can offer a significant saving on paying for insurance elsewhere.

With Smartphone Screen Insurance, you could claim up to $500 for front screen repairs to your smartphone, when you use your American Express Airpoints Platinum Card to pay for your smartphone outright, or your monthly smartphone contract or SIM Only Plan.

With Domestic and International Travel Insurance, you and your family could benefit from:

  • Overseas Medical Emergency Expenses Cover (including Repatriation) up to $2,500,000,
  • Travel Cancellation Cover up to $30,000,
  • Baggage, Money and Documents Cover up to $30,000,
  • Personal Liability Cover up to $2,000,000,
  • Travel Inconvenience Cover offering cover for flight delays, missed connections or delayed luggage.
  • With Purchase Protection, you are covered for eligible items purchased using your card that are damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase. With the Online
  • Fraud Protection Guarantee, you are covered against any fraudulent transactions made using your card.

Travel Benefits

As an American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card holder, you will also be eligible for a range of exciting travel benefits, such as discount membership for Airpoints’ Koru Programme. Not only will you save $255 on your Koru joining fee, you’ll also save $145 per year on the annual fee when you become an Air New Zealand Koru member. That’s a total saving of $400 in the first year!

What does Koru have to offer? As a Koru member, you can enjoy access to Air New Zealand Lounges and partner lounges, with the option to bring a guest along with you. You can also benefit from priority check-in and boarding, complimentary frequent flyer seating, baggage privileges and access to Fast Bag on domestic flights.

Whether or not you choose to become a Koru member, as an American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card holder, you will enjoy two complimentary passes per year to the Strata Lounge at Auckland International Airport, and two complimentary passes per year to The American Express Lounge at Sydney International Airport or Melbourne International Airport.

Airpoints Dollars

One thing we know about rewards cards is that they should provide the rewards you need, for the spending you do most. Which is why it makes sense to do some homework before you apply.

When paying for travel on this card, you can earn Airpoints Dollars and Status Points on every Air New Zealand flight, as well as on many partner airline and Star Alliance flights. You can also earn points on accommodation and car rental.

The Airpoints Dollars you earn could be redeemed for Air New Zealand flights, or flights to hundreds of destinations with Air New Zealand’s partner airlines. You could also redeem your Airpoints Dollars for car hire with Avis or Budget, to upgrade your flight, or to purchase Koru membership.

Other Benefits

As an American Express customer, you can expect excellent customer service, no matter where you are in the world. You can benefit from Global Card support, as well as mobile phone, laptop or desktop access to your account, with a range of handy organisational tools available online as well.

Overall Rating

As the fastest Airpoints Dollar-earning platinum credit card, this rewards card provides a great way to earn Airpoints Dollars and Status Points, while also offering 300 bonus Airpoints Dollars, a host of complimentary insurances, and perks such as Lounge access and discount Koru membership.

User reviews

American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card ( based on 1 Creditcard.co.nz user review )

68% rating based on 1 review

Rates
Fees
Rewards
Customer Service
Value

Rates and fees

Interest rates

Purchase rate 22.95% p.a.

Cash advance rate 21.95% p.a.

Interest free on purchases up to 55 days

Credit limits

Minimum credit limt $N/A

Maximum credit limit N/A

Fees & repayments

Annual fee $195 p.a.

Additional card holder fee Up to 4 at no extra cost

Foreign transaction fee 2.5%

Minimum repayment $10 or 3% or full closing balance for Amex Platinum Charge Card

Cash advance fee $2

Late payment fee $25

Rewards and points

Rewards program

Rewards Program Airpoints Dollars Airpoints Dollars

Bonus points 300 Airpoints Dollars points

Annual points cap uncapped

Bonus points spend criteria Spend $1,500 in the first three months

Earning points with this card

Airpoints Dollars pointsAirpoints Dollars points 0.017 points per $1 spent

Points cap per month N/A

Overseas earn rateOverseas earn rate same as standard earn rate

Additional features

Complimentary insurance

Overseas travel insurance yes

Flight inconvenience insurance Yes

Transport accident cover No

Smartphone screen insurance Yes

Purchase protection insurance Yes

Extended warranty insurance No

Rental vehicle excess cover No

Overview

American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card

Key features

  • Receive 300 bonus Airpoints Dollars
    Earn 3000 bonus Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars™ when you apply, are approved and spend $1,500 in the first three months. This offer is only available to new Card Members only.
  • Smartphone Screen Insurance
    Smartphone Screen Insurance for up to $500 for front screen repairs to your Smartphone when you pay for your smartphone outright with your American Express Airpoints Platinum Card, or pay your monthly Smartphone contract or SIM Only Plan.
  • Koru Annual Fee Discount
    Save $255 on your Koru joining fee, and save $145 per year on the annual fee when you become an Air New Zealand Koru member. That’s a total savings of $400 in the first year.
  • Earn 1 Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollar for every $59 spent
    Earn 1 Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollar for every $59 you spend on your Card, so you can jet off on your next holiday sooner.
  • Faster way to Tier Status
    Earn 1 Status Point for every $250 you spend on your Card.
  • Access to The American Express Lounge and VIP lounges
    Enjoy 2 complimentary passes per year with Priority Pass™, including the Emperor Lounge at Auckland International Airport. Plus two complimentary entries per year to the American Express Lounge, located at Sydney International Airport or Melbourne International Airport next time you cross the Tasman.

Minimum criteria to apply for this card

  • Be over 18 years old

  • Good Credit and have not applied for multiple credit cards recently

  • Have the right to work in New Zealand

  • Minimum income of $65,000 p.a.

  • You have your personal details ready to complete the online application

Roland B Bleyer

Roland B Bleyer founded Creditcard.com.au in 2005 and has extensive knowledge about credit cards. He personally answers all questions and write the editor reviews for each card here. Always keen to share his passion to educate consumers and help you select better suited credit cards.

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