American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card

Roland Bleyer

Credit Card Expert with over 15 years card experience and the founder of Creditcard.co.nz. Ask Roland a Question 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.