Air New Zealand Airpoints guide

With its wide range of benefits and perks and options for earning and redeeming points, Air New Zealand Airpoints offers great value for its members and is one of the most accessible frequent flyer programs.

The program has great opportunities to move up to premium membership levels. It is free to join, and has the ability to earn status points on short flights, even in economy seats. It's good news for customers who look to fly cheaply when they can, whilst there are chances to earn hundreds of points for customers who regularly fly long distance and in business class seats.

Airline

Air New Zealand is the national airline of New Zealand. The airline carried 17 million passengers annually before COVID, and its numbers are steadily recovering. It is based in Auckland and flies to 50 destinations – 20 domestic and 30 international. International destinations are scattered across 18 countries, but its main concentration is on Pacific Rim Destinations.

The airline joined the Star Alliance global airline alliance in 1999. In October 2022, Air New Zealand had a fleet of 101 aircraft – 49 jets and 52 turboprops.

The airline has won many awards, including 'Best airline in Airline Excellence Awards 2020', carried out by AirlineRatings.com.

Flights

Air New Zealand routes focus on Australasia and the South Pacific, but there are also long-haul services to Asia (Taipei, Seoul, Shanghai, Narita, Hong Kong, Singapore) and North America (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Vancouver, Houston, New York and Chicago).

If you frequently fly to these destinations, Air New Zealand Airpoints could be a frequent flyer program option for you. Flights to these destinations are regular, offering you plenty of opportunities to earn rewards.

Earning Airpoints Dollars

As well as flying with Air New Zealand or a partner airline, Airpoints members can earn points through car rentals, stays at participating hotels, and shopping online at the Airpoints Mall.

Flying with Air New Zealand and partners

Earn Airpoints Dollars by flying with Air New Zealand and its Star Alliance partner airlines, including Lufthansa, ANA, United Airlines and Singapore Airlines, and other partner airlines like Cathay Pacific.

Credit cards linked with Airpoints

One of the easiest ways for Australian residents to earn Airpoints Dollars is via everyday spending and sign-up bonus points with an Australian rewards credit card that has a partnership with Air New Zealand. This means that your Australian rewards points can be converted into Airpoints Dollars if you wish. Participating Australian credit cards include those linked with the following programs:

• American Express Membership Rewards cards
• Westpac Altitude Rewards cards
• NAB Rewards cards
• ANZ Rewards cards
• HSBC Star Alliance Credit Card

How to earn points through everyday spending

With a rewards credit card with Airpoints as a transfer partner, you can easily rack up the Airpoints Dollars on everything from your morning coffee to bills.

There are other ways to earn Airpoints Dollars if you don't have such a card.

• Shop via the Airpoints Mall. Log in, find the store you want to buy from, click through, and order. This is a very easy way to earn Airpoints Dollars. Pay with your credit card to "double-dip" and earn more points.
• Hotel stays. Earn Airpoints Dollars per dollar spent. Choose from thousands of hotels worldwide.
• Car rental. Book with Avis or Budget to top up your account with Airpoints Dollars.

Airpoints status tiers

Air New Zealand offers four membership levels: Blue, Silver, Gold and Elite. The more Status Points you earn by flying, the faster you will move up the membership tiers.

• Blue is the basic level, with no benefits other than being able to earn and redeem Airpoints Dollars.
• Silver tier benefits include upgrades, lounge access vouchers and discounted Business class fares.
• Gold members have access to all the benefits of Silver membership and receive additional perks such as extra baggage allowance, Star Alliance lounge access and priority check-in.
• Elite members receive all the benefits of Silver membership, plus extra lounge and upgrade privileges.

Redeeming Airpoints Dollars

Airpoints Dollars can be redeemed for flights (any flights, not just award flights) on Air New Zealand and its partner airlines, seat upgrades and a wide range of products from an online catalogue. Members can also redeem points for car rentals, hotels, and Air New Zealand Koru membership (similar to Qantas Club). One Airpoints Dollar is equivalent to one Australian dollar when redeeming for flights and merchandise.

FAQs

Do Airpoints expire?

Yes. Unused Airpoints Dollars expire after four years, except for Gold and Elite members, whose points never expire.

Can I earn Airpoints Dollars by flying with other airlines besides Air New Zealand?

Yes, as a member of the Star Alliance, Air New Zealand allows members to earn points on flights with 25 other airlines, including ANA, Lufthansa, United Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

Can I redeem my Airpoints Dollars for flights to other destinations besides New Zealand?

Yes. Since Air New Zealand is a member of the Star Alliance, you can redeem your Airpoints Dollars for flights to destinations worldwide, as well as seat upgrades and a wide range of products and experiences.

Are there any fees associated with redeeming my Airpoints Dollars?

There may be fees associated with certain redemptions, such as airport charges or government taxes.

How long do my Airpoints Dollars last?

Unused Airpoints Dollars expire after four years for Blue and Silver Members. Airpoints Dollars earned by Gold and Elite members never expire.

Can I pay for redemptions with a mixture of Airpoints Dollars and cash?

Yes. Many redemptions, including flight redemptions, allow you to do this.