Air New Zealand is the flag carrier of New Zealand and a member of Star Alliance. Based in Auckland, the airline operates passenger flights to 20 domestic and 32 international destinations in 20 countries. While Air New Zealand flies primarily within and around the Pacific Rim, it does venture further to eastern Asia, the United Kingdom and Americas.
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Airpoints is Air New Zealand’s frequent flyer program. Members from the United States can earn “Dollars” by transferring from partner loyalty programs, flying with Air New Zealand or with one of its 30+ airline partners and more.
Airpoints Quick Facts
Airline Alliance | Star Alliance |
Hub | Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington |
U.S. Destinations | Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco |
U.S. Credit Cards | None |
Transfer Partners | Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors |
Redemption Options | Flights, upgrades, companion tickets, ancillary fees, lounge membership, rental cars, travel insurance, merchandise, wine |
Airpoints Elite Status
When you join Airpoints, you’ll automatically become a Standard member. Above Standard are 3 status tiers: Silver, Gold, and Elite. To move up a tier, you need to earn a certain amount of Status Points within a 12-month period:
Status Tier | Status Points Required |
Silver | 450 |
Gold | 900 |
Elite | 1,500* |
When you reach a tier, you’ll have that status for the next 12 months, and you’ll enjoy the following benefits:
Benefits | Silver | Gold | Elite |
Lounge access (Air New Zealand) | X | X | |
Complimentary seating | X | X | |
Recognition upgrade | 1/year | 2/year | 2/year |
Short-haul recognition upgrade | 1/year | ||
OneUp upgrades upweighting | 10% | 30% | 50% |
Carry-on baggage allowance | 1 extra | 1 extra | |
Checked baggage allowance | 1 extra | 1 extra | |
Star Alliance lounge access | X | X | |
Star Alliance priority check-in | X | X | |
Star Alliance extra baggage allowance | X | X | |
Star Alliance priority boarding | X | X | |
Hotel voucher or car rental voucher | Choose 1 | Both | |
Complimentary valet parking | X | ||
Elite Partner membership | X | ||
Status Points rollover | X | ||
Elite banked year | X | ||
Elite threshold gifts | X | ||
Parental status hold | X | X | |
Frequent Flyer Status Boost | X | X |
Airpoints has another status tier called Elite Partner. You gain Elite Partner status when an Elite member nominates you to receive status benefits.
Earning Airpoints Dollars
Compared to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, Delta SkyMiles and other frequent flyer programs based in the United States. Earning Airpoints doesn’t come as easily for Americans. With this in mind, it’s not impossible. Let’s go over all the ways to earn Airpoints Dollars below.
Transfer Partners
The best way to earn Airpoints Dollars is through transfer partners. Marriott Bonvoy members can convert their points to Airpoints Dollars at a 200 to 1 ratio, with a minimum transfer of 3,000 points. For every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred, you’ll get a bonus of 75 Airpoints Dollars, for a total of 375.
![]() The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card offers 3 Free Night Awards up to a 150,000 Total Point Value (each night valued up to 50,000 points) after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • Up to 17X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy • 3X points per $1 on the first $6,000 spent in combined purchases each year on grocery stores, gas stations, and dining. • 2X points for every $1 spent on all other purchase • 1 Elite Night Credit towards Elite Status for every $5,000 you spend. You gain an automatic Silver Elite Status each account anniversary year. Path to Gold Status when you spend $35,000 on purchases each account year. You'll receive 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year & an additional Free Night Award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary. This card does carry a $95 fee; there are no foreign transaction fees. |
![]() The Marriott Bonvoy Bold® credit card offers 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. You'll earn: • Up to 14X total points per $1 spent at over 7,000 hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy • 2X points for all other travel purchases • 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases This card comes with no annual fees or foreign transaction fees and you'll get 15 elite night credits each calendar year! |
![]() The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Each Card renewal year, get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. With this card, you'll earn: • 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. • 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. • 2X points on all other eligible purchases. • $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide. A Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite member will earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at participating hotels for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member. Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck: Receive either a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership for TSA PreCheck (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck. $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card. Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. This card comes with a $650 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. (See Rates & Fees) Furthermore, enjoy unlimited airport lounge visits when you enroll in Priority Pass Select membership. Terms Apply. |
![]() The Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card offers 3 Free Night Awards after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Receive a 7% discount on eligible bookings as a benefit of being both a Marriott Bonvoy member & a Marriott Bonvoy Business American Express Card Member when you book directly with Marriott through an eligible channel for a participating property under the Amex Business Card Rate. You can enjoy a complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card. You'll earn: • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program. • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping. • 2x points on all other eligible purchases. You'll receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. This card does carry a $125 annual fee. (See Rates & Fees) Terms Apply. |
Hilton Honors also transfers to Airpoints, but the ratio is much worse 500:1. We don’t recommend making this transfer unless you’re looking to top off for a specific award.
Flights
Earn Airpoints Dollars when you fly with Air New Zealand and the following airline partners:
- Adria Airways
- Aegean Airlines
- Aerolinas Argentinas
- Air Canada
- Air China
- Air India
- ANA
- Asiana Airlines
- Austrian Airlines
- Avianca Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- Cathay Pacific
- Copa Airlines
- Croatia Airlines
- Egypt Air
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- EVA Air
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- Qantas
- SAS
- Shenzhen Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- South African Airways
- SWISS
- TAP Portugal
- Thai Airways
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Virgin Australia
The number of Airpoints Dollars you earn is directly tied to the number of the New Zealand Dollars you pay. For every one New Zealand Dollar paid, you’ll get one Airpoints Dollar.
Other Ways
Other ways that U.S. residents can earn Airpoints Dollars include:
- Booking accommodations directly with an Airpoints hotel partner.
- Booking accommodations with Expedia.
- Booking rental cars with Avis, Budget or Rent-a-Car.
There are more options to earn Airpoints Dollars, but they’re not worthwhile or convenient for those living in the United States.
Redeeming Airpoints Dollars
Airpoints Dollars are often used for award flights with Air New Zealand. The cash cost of the flight will be the amount of Airpoints Dollars required, with one Airpoints Dollar equal to one New Zealand Dollar. This method of award pricing also applies to upgrades, companion tickets, ancillary fees, lounge membership, rental cars, travel insurance, merchandise, and wine. Remember, Airpoints charges fees between NZ$25 to NZ$100 for non-flight redemptions. See the program fee chart here.
Award flights with Star Alliance and other partner airlines are, available redemption options. However, award pricing here is not based on cash pricing. Instead, the number of Airpoints needed for a partner award is determined by cabin pricing. Instead, the number of Airpoints needed for a partner award is determined by cabin class and number of kilometers per one-way sector. A 100-km flight in Economy goes for 125 Airpoints Dollars, while a 15,000-km flight in First Class will cost 2,500 Airpoints Dollars. Star Alliance and partner airline flight awards are the only way you can squeeze morevalue out of your Airpoints Dollars. See the partner airline award chart here.
Airpoints Dollars Expiration
Every year, on the anniversary of the date you joined the Airpoints program, your account is reviewed and any Airpoints Dollars earned more than 4 years before will expire. This rule does not apply to members with higher elite status.
Airpoints Tips & Tricks
Depart from Australia. Flights from Australia to the United States on Air New Zealand Premium Economy and Business Class may be 50% cheaper than departing from New Zealand.
Book New Zealand domestic flights on airnx.co.nz. It’s up to 75% cheaper than the Air New Zealand site ending in .com.
Opt for a Boeing. For a more comfortable journey, go with a Boeing instead of an Airbus, especially if you’re going on a long-haul flight. Boeing aricrafts have more bathrooms, more overhead locker space and more legroom.
Discount codes. Air New Zealand releases discount codes all year that can save you hundreds of dollars, or Airpoints Dollars. Go to the Air New Zealand homepage, hit “Control” + “F” and search for “promo” to quickly find current discount codes. Another option is to search your email for “air new zealand promo.” Lastly, you can search the Air New Zealand Twitter page.
Sales. Sign up to receive Air New Zealand email newsletters. Sales happen frequently and are often themed around regions (New Zealand, Asia, Pacific Island, Austria, and etc.). Discounts can be up to 35% off an Seat and Seat+Bag fares.
Don’t get Air New Zealand travel insurance. In short, it’s more expensive than other providers, without any additional benefits or protections.
Membership fee. If you don’t fly Air New Zealand at least once a year, Airpoints will charge you a $30 account maintenance fee.
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Conclusion
Air New Zealand Airpoints is a special program that’s almost completely revenue-based. The dollars you earn are directly tied to the fare, and the rate you redeem is also directly related to the flight cost. However, Airpoints has a fixed-price award chart for partner award flights, which is where the best-value redemptions are. Airpoints isn’t the most rewarding frequent flyer program, but it can be useful to those who fly with the carrier ona regular basis.
Check out Qantas Frequent Flyer as well. The loyalty program from Australia’s flag carrier is a Oneworld member, and you can earn Qantas Points by transferring from American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Marriott Bonvoy.