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Wise: the Best Travel Money Card in New Zealand

Posted by Caitlin Bingham July 26, 2023

It’s fairly easy and convenient to get foreign currency, but it leaves you at the mercy of hidden fees and exchange rates. A quick trip to the ATM while abroad, or currency exchange at the airport, can leave your bank account hurting.

This is when a travel money card can be your friend. Such cards allow you to load up foreign currency, so you can enjoy your holiday without being stung by sky-high exchange rates and fees.

However, not all travel money cards offer the same features or charge the same conversion fees. So, while convenient, it pays to be aware of attached fees, or you might end up paying as much as you would with an FX operator.

As part of our mission to help consumers make the right choices, Canstar’s expert in-house researchers crunched the numbers on several travel money cards. And the winner is Wise, the recipient of our Travel Money Card | Outstanding Value Award 2023.

What is Wise?

Wise is more than just a simple travel money card.

Wise provides users with a single multi-currency account, that allows people in their increasingly global lives to pay, to get paid, and to spend, in any currency – wherever they are and whatever they’re doing.

Through your Wise account you can send, spend and receive foreign currencies, both online or via the Wise debit card.

All of these are done at the real market exchange rate, helping you retain as much value as possible. A single exchange fee is charged up-front, but there are no other hidden fees – you always see the total cost upfront.

What does Wise offer?

A wise account offers:.

• Account details:  get account details in nine currencies (GBP, EUR, USD, AUD, NZD, SGD, CAD, HUF and TRY) in minutes, so you can pay and be paid like a local
• Direct debits: share your AU, EU and UK account details with merchants to conveniently automate and pay bills and subscriptions
• Payment methods: pay bills in NZ via a range of methods including cards, Apple Pay, bank transfer or BPay
• Manage your finances: keep track of payments and manage accounts via integration with accounting software like Quickbooks and Xero
• Saving jars:  set money aside in individual Jars, for rainy days, vacations or anything else
• International money transfers:  send money to over 75 countries at the real exchange rate. Money can be transferred instantly when using PayID
• Scheduled transfers: set up recurring transfers to automate the process of sending money abroad with Wise’s API
• Real-time tracking: transfer money and and view its progress in real-time

What does the Wise debit card offer?

• Spend:  use the Wise debit card in over 200 countries and anywhere online
• Free to use: there are no monthly subscription, maintenance or transaction fees*
• Save money:  spend at the real exchange rate, with no sneaky mark-ups
• Withdraw cash: withdraw up to NZ$350 per month for free (a small fee applies for withdrawals after the first $350)
• Security:  set spending limits, freeze/unfreeze the card instantly in the app and get real-time notifications for every transactions
• Smart money-saving technology:  automatically chooses the currency that offers the best conversion rate
• Virtual cards: No need to wait for your card to be delivered, your card details appear on your account as soon as your order, so you can start spending in store and online immediately, with Google or Apple Pay. Have up to three virtual cards at one time

*A small conversion fee is charged if you card doesn’t have the local currency pre-loaded, requiring currency conversion

Travel money cards: what other options do you have?

While Wise is our Travel Money Card | Outstand Value Award winner, our team crunched the numbers on four other travel money cards in this year’s award.

Air New Zealand OneSmart

Cash passport platinum mastercard, travelex money card.

• Load up to eight foreign currencies plus NZD at any one time (AUD, SGP, HKD, JPY, GBP, EUR, CAD and USD)
• Earn one Airpoints dollar for every NZD $100 spent overseas
• Earn one Airpoints dollar for every NZD $200 you spend domestically
• Use anywhere Mastercard is accepted
• Withdraw local currency from any ATM that accepts Mastercard
• Each month, your first three ATM withdrawals are free
• Load up to ten different currencies on one card (NZD, AUD, EUR, USD, GBP, JPY, CAD, HKD, SGD and AED)
• Lock in exchange rates each time you load and reload
• Manage and track your Cash Passport on the go via your mobile, tablet, laptop or PC
• Use your Cash Passport like you would a credit or debit card, except with your own prepaid funds. In-store, online or to withdraw local currency at ATMs
• Manage nine popular currencies on the go including: USD, AUD, EUR, GBP, CAD, SGD,  JPY, HKD and NZD
• Zero ATM, Eftpos and online shopping fees
• Shop at millions of outlets wherever MasterCard is accepted
• Optional additional emergency card 24/7 global assistance
• Exclusive discounts with Mastercard Priceless Cities benefits

Westpac Global Currency Card

• Manage it online, anytime
• Lock in exchange rates with up to nine different currencies (AUD, USD, GBP, SGD, EUR, NZD, HKD, JPY, CAD)
• No purchase fee, no monthly fees and no bank transfer fees
• 24/7 assistance

Compare Travel Money Cards

Headed off overseas and looking for the best in money cards? Here’s a rundown of some of the most popular cards in New Zealand:

The display order does not reflect any ranking or rating by Canstar. This information is not an endorsement by Canstar of travel money cards or any specific provider. Information correct as of 20/09/23. For full pricing details see individual providers’ websites.

About the author of this page.

This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.

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The 6 best travel money cards for new zealand in 2024.

New Zealand is one of the most visited countries by Australians, being one of our closest neighbours. It is full of pristine and breathtaking wilderness including walks, snow covered mountains and majestic fjords.

In New Zealand you are likely to pay for accommodation, food, transport and entertainment as well as withdraw cash from ATMs with your card.

We have analysed a number of the best overseas travel cards to take to New Zealand for Australians in 2024 and have summarised their best points.

Best 6 Travel Money Cards for New Zealand in 2024:

• Wise Travel Card for the best exchange rates
• Revolut Travel Currency Card for low fees
• Travelex Money Card - Best all rounder
• Australia Post Travel Platinum for best international prepaid debit card
• Westpac Travel Money Card for best prepaid card from major bank
• Macquarie Transaction Debit Card best debit card for use in Australia too

Wise Travel Card - Best Exchange Rates

• 40+ currencies available
• Best exchange rates globally
• One of the lowest conversion fee on the market
• No international transaction fees
• No annual or monthly fees
• Extremely low costs to send money overseas

Wise Travel Card

• Cross currency conversion fees are between 0.24–3.69%. AUD to USD, EUR or GBP was 0.42%, which is one of the lowest on the market
• Free cash withdrawals up to $350 every 30 days. However after that, Wise Card charge a fixed fee of $1.50 per transaction + 1.75%
• Daily ATM withdrawal is $2,700
• Issue up to 3 virtual cards for temporary usage
• It takes between 7 to 14 business days to receive your card
• Can be used wherever MasterCard is accepted

For those traveling to New Zealand, the Wise Travel Card offers a suite of benefits that are particularly well-suited for their travel needs. A standout feature of this card is the access it provides to over 40 currencies at the intermarket exchange rate, globally renowned for being the most cost-effective rate. However if you use ATMs frequently this is not the card to use due to the fees. Finally Wise Travel Card lets you transfer money to an overseas bank account with extremely low fees and the best exchange rate.

Revolut - Low Fees

• 30+ currencies available
• One of the best exchange rates globally
• No annual or monthly fees for standard membership
• No initial card fee
• Instant access to a range of cryptocurrencies

Read our Revolut Card Review

Revolut Travel Card

• No fee ATM withdrawals up to A$350, or 5 ATM withdrawals, whichever comes first, per rolling 30 day period and 2% of withdrawal amount (minimum charge of A$1.50) after that
• Exchanging currency on the weekend can incur a 1% mark-up fee
• Fees on international money transfers were introduced in April 2021.
• Can be used wherever Visa is accepted

The Revolut Travel Card is a decent option for those who travel a lot as it offers over 30 currencies at a great exchange rate, which is the cheapest rate globally. However if you exchange currency on the weekend you can incur a one-percent mark-up fee. In addition they have introduced fees for international transfers. Finally if you use ATMs frequently this is not the card to use due to the fees.

Travelex Money Card - Best All Rounder

Best features.

• Unlimited free ATM withdrawals
• 24/7 Emergency Assistance
• Initial and replacement card are free
• Lock in up to 10 currencies
• Travelex Travel Money app

Read our Travelex Travel Card Review

Travelex Money Card

Minimum load of $100 and maximum load of $100,000

Can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted

Fees include a $10 closure fee, $5 for an additional card and $4 inactivity monthly fee.

While Travelex don't charge ATM fees, some ATM operators may charge their own fees.

Currencies that can be loaded are AU$, US$, EU€, GB£ , NZ$, TH฿, CA$, HK$, JP¥, SG$

If your card is lost or stolen you can access cash in your account through Moneygram or Western Union agents, with no charge

Boingo hotspots offer free wifi and you can look at their number of free hotspots per country on this map

The Travelex Money Card is a good all-rounder no matter if you are heading to the vibrant cities of Auckland or Wellington, or exploring the stunning landscapes of the South Island.

You can use it to take money out of the ATM, for merchant purchases like restaurants and even for online shopping in foreign currency. While the exchange rates aren't as good as Wise or Revolut abroad , the support network if the card is lost or stolen is very good. This perk can be especially handy while experiencing the majestic sights of New Zealand.

Australia Post Travel Money Card - Platinum Mastercard

• Initial card and replacement cards are free
• No fee on reloads via bank transfers
• No monthly or inactivity fees
• Increased protection with Mastercard Zero Liability
• Access to cash from your account through the Global Emergency Assistance, if your card is lost or stolen

Currencies that can be loaded are NZD, AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, THB, CAD, HKD, JPY, SGD and AED

1.1% Admin fee for instore loads, including initial load

$5 fee for reloads via debit bank card

$10 closure fee

2.95% on withdrawals from Australian ATMs is expensive

$3.50 on withdrawals from overseas ATM is expensive

$3.99 + 5.95% fee on cross currency transactions

Min load of $100 and max of $100,000

If your card is lost or stolen you can access cash that is in your account through MoneyGram or Western Union agents, with no charge

Boingo hotspots offer the free wifi and you can look at their number of free hotspots per country on this map

The Australia Post Travel Platinum travel money card is the best of the prepaid cards in New Zealand as its exchange rate for New Zealand dollars is best when compared to Travelex, Commonwealth bank, HSBC or Citibank travel cards.

To avoid the fees on this card we advise to deposit a small amount instore for your initial load and deposit the rest by bank transfer to avoid fees. In addition we recommend this card for tap, swipe or insert card transactions only like paying for hotels, restaurants and entertainment. Do not use it for ATM withdrawals as the fees are expensive and avoidable if you use a different card like the Macquarie Transaction card.

Westpac Travel Money Card

• Best New Zealand dollar exchange rate offered by the major 4 banks
• No foreign transaction fees
• No fee on initial card, load, unload or inactivity fees
• No ATM fee at 50,000 Global Alliance ATMs worldwide
• Free additional card

Macquarie Transaction Account Debit Card

• No ATM fees in New Zealand
• No ATM fees in Australia
• No monthly fees or initial card fee
• No foreign transaction fee
• Contactless limit with no PIN up to $200 per transaction
• Joint accounts available

Learn more about the best credit, debit and prepaid cards for travel

Best Credit Card for International Travel

Best Prepaid Travel Cards

More Travel Card Guides

Learn more about the best travel money cards for your holiday destination.

ASIC regulated

Like all reputable money exchanges, we are registered with AUSTRAC and regulated by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC).

S Money complies with the relevant laws pertaining to privacy, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism finance. This means you are required to provide I.D. when you place an order. It also means the order must be paid for by the same person ordering the currency and you must show your identification again when receiving your order.

• Travel Money Card

Get our best rates on the award winning Travelex Money Card. Manage your card via our app or online.

Buy currency, top up card.

Rate last updated Sunday, 07 April 2024 9:41:02 PM NZST. Please note that these are the Travelex online sell rates.

[fromExchangeAmount] [fromCurrencyCode] New Zealand Dollar

[toExchangeAmount] [toCurrencyCode] [toCurrencyName]

Enter the card number of the Prepaid Card you would like to top up. The number of the Prepaid Card you are topping up must be the Primary Card Number and must have been originally purchased from Travelex.

Card number confirmed

Select the currency you would like to top up to your card

Enter how much you'd like to top up either in New Zealand Dollars, or in the foreign currency amount for the currency you have selected.

Get Dollars on Us!

Load more, save more with the travelex money card.

• We're offering a range of discount codes when you load foreign currency on the Travelex Money Card.
• Load more and save up to NZD $240! View all available discounts here .
• Available online, in-store, or via the Travelex Money App. Ends 28 April at 11.59pm NZST. T&C Apply.

The Travelex Money Card

Travel card foreign currency exchange rate, choose your currency.

Copy for using AUD in other countries

A fee will be charged

List of european countries:

Save with the Travelex Money Card

$0 Eftpos Fees

$0 atm fees 2, $0 currency conversion fees 3, $0 online shopping fees 3, features and benefits: why a travelex money card.

UNLIMITED FREE overseas ATM withdrawals 2

Highly competitive exchange rates 1

NO fees when you buy online $0 Currency conversion fee ^

• 24/7 Global Assistance

Convenient Mobile App Download it here

Shop at millions of outlets wherever Mastercard is accepted

Exclusive offers with Mastercard Priceless TM Cities

No account or membership required

Buy the Travelex Money Card Online

• Award winning travel card
• Order online for next day collection in Travelex stores
• Or just walk in our store and get it in minutes
• No account and no membership required

Emergency Assistance

• Optional Additional Emergency card at checkout

Easy online ordering

• All you need is your passport** ( documents required when collecting )
• Order process takes between 5 and 10 minutes

** Check the required documents when collecting your card in store.

How our Travel Card Works

Order your travel card.

Order your Travelex Money Card and Additional Emergency card online or in-store

Get your travel card

Collect from a Travelex store near you

Home delivery

Delivered within 1 to 3 days

Download the App

Download the app from the Google Play and Apple App stores

Register for My Account

Simply activate your card by registering your account via the app or online

Manage and check your balance online and on your mobile

Exchange leftover currency

After your trip, exchange leftover money for another currency, transfer into your bank account or withdraw in-store or at an ATM.

Download the Travelex Travel Money App

Convenience on the go

• Top up your currency wallet
• Move funds between currencies
• Instantly freeze and unfreeze your card
• Reveal your PIN and card details for online shopping

The app requires Android 5.0 and up or iOS 10.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

Fees and limits

NO fees online

Withdraw daily up to NZ$3,000 (or currency equivalent)

Maximum Card limit of NZ$75,000

Free initial and replacement card

NZ$, AU$, US$, GB£, EU€, CA$, HK$, SG$, JP¥ .

*The currencies available may vary from time to time. Before you make a decision to acquire the card, please check with the Distribution Outlet or on this page.

Load/reload in NZD: the greater of 1.0% of the initial load/reload amount or NZD$10.00. Load/reload in other currencies: zero.For example, for a Distribution Outlet charging a 1.0% initial load fee, if you purchase a Travelex Money Card and load NZD$800, you would be charged (NZD$800 x 1.0%=NZD$8), unless a minimum fee of NZD$10 applies.

This fee is set and charged by Mastercard Prepaid Management Services.

FREE Some ATM operators may charge an additional withdrawal fee.

• Charged at the start of each month if you have not made any transactions on the card in the previous 12 months
• Unless your card is used again, or reloaded, this fee applies each month until the card is closed or the remaining card balance is less than the inactivity fee.

NZ$4.00 per month

Charged when you close or Cash Out your Travelex Money Card. This fee is set and charged by MasterCard Prepaid Management Services.

This is applied when you move your funds from one currency to another currency, or when you request a Cash Out to close your Travelex Money Card and you have funds in a foreign currency

At the then applicable retail foreign exchange rate determined by us. This rate reflects MasterCard Prepaid Management Service’s cost price plus a margin determined by MasterCard Prepaid Management Services. We will notify you of the rate that will apply at the time you allocate your funds from one currency to another and this rate (inclusive of the margin) may be less favourable than the foreign exchange rate for Online reloads where you allocate funds in a foreign currency.

Applied when a purchase or ATM withdrawal is conducted in a currency either not loaded or sufficient to complete the transaction and the cost is allocated against the currency/ies used to fund the transaction

MasterCard® rate plus 4.00% of the transaction value. The MasterCard rate is the exchange rate determined by MasterCard to be their wholesale rate or the government mandated rate in effect in the day the transaction is processed by MasterCard.

At the then applicable retail foreign exchange rate determined by us. This rate reflects MasterCard Prepaid Management Services’ cost price plus a margin determined by MasterCard Prepaid Management Services. For online reloads we will notify you of the rate that will apply at the time you book your transaction (further terms and conditions apply and will be provided to you at that time).

• Initial purchase: NZ$250 or currency equivalent
• Top-ups: NZ$100 or currency equivalent

The maximum amount you can load on the card at the time of the initial online purchase is NZ$10,050 equivalent.

(i) to a maximum of NZD10,050.00 per single top-up; and (ii) to a maximum of NZD10,050.00 per top-up within 24hrs; and (iii) to a maximum of NZD20,000.00 top-up within 21 days. NZ$25,000 or currency equivalent

Some ATM operators may set their own withdrawal limits which may be lower than this limit.

NZD$3,000 or currency equivalent

NZD$15,000 or currency equivalent

NZD$75,000 or currency equivalent

Some financial institutions may set their own withdrawal limits which may be lower than this limit.

NZD$400 or currency equivalent

NZD$0.00 (No overdraft facility available)

Fees & Limits

Terms & conditions, other ways to get foreign currency, all the easy options to access foreign currencies with travelex.

About Travelex Money Card online and in-store

Money Transfer

Transfer money in-store to the world

All you need to know getting foreign cash with Travelex

Get foreign cash from an ATM in New Zealand

Track Foreign Currencies Rate

Receive an alert when your foreign currency has reached your desired rate

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Check out current and historical NZD to FX Travelex rates

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Travel card faq links.

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Fees and Limits

Travel Card FAQs

You can only hold one card in your name at any one time.

An Additional Emergency card is a replacement card only which you must only use if your primary card is damaged, lost, misused or stolen. An Additional Emergency card can only be purchased at the time of purchasing the Travelex Money Card. It cannot be added to your account at a later date.

Online orders:

In-store purchase:

• Passport + proof of address
• NZ drivers license + Supporting ID (see list below) + proof of address
• NZ firearms license + proof of address

Supporting ID documents accepted:

• Birth certificate (NZ or foreign)
• NZ marriage certificate
• Super Gold Card
• Citizenship certificate (NZ or foreign)
• Inland Revenue Department Statement (issued by NZ Govt. within the last 12 months)
• NZ bank statement issued within the last 12 months (Note that a recent bank statement is valid as a supporting ID and proof of address)

Proof of address documents accepted:

• Bank statement issued within the last 3 months (NZ or foreign)
• Utility notice (dated within the last 3 months)
• NZ Govt. issued letter
• Rates notice (issued by Local Govt. authority within the last 3 months)
• Insurance certificate
• Travel itinerary
• Hotel booking confirmation
• Student letter confirming homestay
• Locking in fixed foreign currency exchange rates and avoiding foreign transaction fees before you travel
• The ability to load multiple currencies onto one card, similar to a travel debit card
• The ability to spend money conveniently and comfortably overseas
• No overseas ATM withdrawal fees
• No fees when making online purchases
• Money travel cards can be ordered and topped up online

The initial card fee is free, subject to minimum load amounts. Please see the fees and limits section for more information. There are fees associated with the way you use your card e.g. the type of transaction, the currency you use, and when you move currencies on your card. Limits also apply to top up amounts and method of top up. Please see more information on applicable fees and limits section.

Activity on your Travelex Money Card is monitored every day to detect unusual behaviour, and if something is spotted you'll be contacted to check your transactions. There are also things you can do to help keep your travel money secure: • Sign your card as soon as you receive it • Check your transactions regularly and report anything unusual to Card Services immediately • If you print statements from the internet, keep them safe and shred them when you've finished using them • Never give your personal details to someone on the phone • Don't give out your details in response to unsolicited email • Be wary of anyone who asks for common security details like your mother's maiden name, passwords, date of birth, or information about your work • Never give your PIN to anyone, even if they claim to be from your card issuer • Don't let yourself get distracted when using cash machines or point of sale terminals - somebody may be trying to find out your PIN

Most common questions

A travel money card is a global currency card that allows you to load several foreign currencies into a personal account at a prevailing exchange rate. Like debit and credit cards, a travel money card can be used to make purchases in stores, online, and to withdraw cash at ATMs while travelling. You can buy currencies and add or reload them into your travel money card account online while abroad. You can also use the Travelex travel exchange rate tracker to check currencies in real-time. You can order a travel money card online or purchase one directly from a Travelex store. Find a store near you.

Some of the benefits of a travel card include:

Travel money cards can be ordered online and collected in store, or just walk into the store. Cards purchased and loaded in-store are active and ready-to-use on the spot. We will automatically transfer funds between currencies complete your card transactions. Travelex Money Cards ordered online and picked up in-store, or those purchased directly in-store do not require activation.

The Travelex Money Card is a Mastercard travel card, meaning it is free to make international withdrawals at ATMs displaying the Mastercard acceptance mark. It is also free to obtain cash over the counter and to make online purchases with a travel money card. However, some ATM operators may charge their own withdrawal ATM fees. Be sure to check with the ATM in question prior to making cash withdrawals.

Similar to any bank account, you can withdraw money from your travel money card at ATMs worldwide. When withdrawing cash, select the “credit” option on the ATM machine screen to access funds. You will not be charged credit card fees by selecting this option. If the “credit” option does not work, try selecting “debit” or “savings”. The maximum withdrawal amount is $3,000 New Zealand dollars each 24 hour period. Bear in mind that some ATMs may also have their own ATM fee, adding a cost to your withdrawal.

The Travelex Money Card is a multi-currency card that can be used in most countries around the world to easily use and withdraw local currency. Widely considered the best travel money card for overseas travel, the Travelex Money Card can be used in the US, UK, Europe, Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, and New Zealand.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO CONSIDER BEFORE CARRYING OUT YOUR TRANSACTION

1. The currencies available in respect of Travelex Money Card may vary from time to time and not all currencies may be available at all times. Before you make a decision to acquire the card, please check the available currencies online or by asking in store.

2. Please be advised that although Travelex does not charge ATM fees, some operators may charge their own fee or set their own limits. Please check with the ATM before using.

3. Wifi is provided by Boingo hotspots

3. A foreign exchange ‘Spend Rate’ rate will apply to foreign exchange transactions in accordance with The Product Disclosure Statement.

3. Transacting via some online merchants may incur a surcharge.

* Lock in your exchange rates mean the exchange rate is locked in for the initial load only. The exchange rates for subsequent reloads will be set at the prevailing exchange rate at the time of the transaction. We will tell you the applicable exchange rate before you confirm your reload transaction on travelex.co.nz. If you wish to make a purse to purse transfer to move funds already on your card to another currency, please log in to my account . If you make a purse to purse transfer, you will receive a different exchange rate to the rate you receive when you load funds directly on to your card. You will be notified of the applicable exchange rate before your confirm your purse to purse transfer and this rate may be less favourable than the rate you receive if you reload your card online at travelex.co.nz. Different exchange rates will apply to reload transactions conducted directly via Bank Transfer or Bill Payment (i.e. without booking an online transaction). For more information, please read the Terms and Conditions .

Travelex Money Card is an unsecured debt security issued by EML Payment Solutions Limited (“Issuer”). Travelex Money Card is not guaranteed by the Issuer or any of its related companies or any other entity. A Product Disclosure Statement is available free of charge from Travelex.co.nz . Information has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs and you should consider the appropriateness of the information about the Travelex Money Card facility before making any decisions about whether to acquire or continue using the prepaid facility. You should also refer to the Terms and Conditions , Online Ordering Terms and Conditions , Online Prepaid Card Reload Terms and Conditions , and Privacy Policy . Mastercard® is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

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Travel money guide: New Zealand

Our guide will empower you to have the best combination of travel money when heading to new zealand.

In this guide

Travel card, credit card or debit cards?

These are your options for spending money in new zealand, compare travel credit cards, buying currency in the us, atms in new zealand, what should i budget for my trip to new zealand, find travel insurance for your trip to new zealand.

Travel money type

Compare more cards

Top picks of 2024

Since the Lord of the Rings, the land of the long white cloud has been growing in popularity as a destination for tourists. But you should know the best way to access New Zealand dollars — called the kiwi — when you’re there. Credit cards, debit cards, and cash are all accepted without issue.

A credit card will serve you best during your Tasman travels, particularly one that doesn’t come with foreign transaction fees. But debit cards and cash can still work perfectly well.

Our picks for traveling to New Zealand

50+ currencies supported

• 4.33% APY on USD balances
• $0 signup or subscription fees
• Withdraw $100 per month for free from ATMs worldwide
• Send, spend and withdraw 50+ currencies at the live rate
• Freeze and unfreeze your card instantly

Join to save up to 10% on hotels

• 0.50% APY on checking balance
• Up to 4.60% APY on savings
• $0 account or overdraft fees
• Get a $300 bonus with direct deposits of $5,000 or more

Travel rewards with no annual fee

• 20,000 miles (equal to $200 in travel) after spending $500 in the first 3 months
• Earn unlimited 1.25x miles on all purchases
• Low intro rates on purchases and balance transfers

Visa and Mastercard are accepted almost everywhere — nearly 75% of all transactions in New Zealand are done with cards. Get cash over the counter with your debit cards or find a ATM.

Whether you’re doing a quick business trip or taking a long vacation, it’s smart to have a couple of ways to access your money. Travel-friendly debit cards will let you spend in New Zealand dollars, but most travel cards apply an international ATM withdrawal fee.

A credit card gives you access to an emergency line of credit and can be used for interest free purchases, and some cards offer extras like insurance as well. Choose a mix that suits your needs.

Using a credit card

Look for a card that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee, like the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees ). Some credit cards also offer complimentary travel insurance as well as other travel benefits, including the ability to earn miles on purchases.

Finding the best card for your travel habits can save you a lot of money in the long run, so compare travel cards carefully before making your final decision.

• Protected by PIN and chip
• Accepted worldwide
• Some offer complimentary travel insurance
• Interest-free purchases when account is paid in full
• Emergency card replacement
• Cash advances can charge high interests and fees
• Higher spending limit (depends on your approved credit limit)
• Attracts an annual fee

Explore top debit cards with no foreign transaction fees and travel credit cards by using the tabs to narrow down your options. Select Compare for up to four products to see their benefits side by side.

• Credit cards

Using a debit card

A debit card is a great travel money choice for New Zealand. You’ll have access to cash each time you come across an ATM, without carrying lots of cash on you all at once. Because you’re spending your own money, you avoid interest charges. Find a card that waives the fee for international ATM withdrawals and doesn’t charge a monthly account keeping fee, like the kind offered by Betterment Checking .

• Tip: A debit card can be used to shop over the counter, online and for ATM withdrawals in New Zealand.
• Access to money at ATMs
• Debit cards will not incur an interest rate
• International ATM withdrawal fees may apply
• Currency conversion fees
• No emergency funds

Using a prepaid travel card

**Unfortunately, right now there are no travel cards in the US that allow you to load NZY.

Travel cards can lock in conversion rates once you load USD. Use it for purchases without worrying about rates each time you spend — debit and credit cards often charge 3% for each transaction.

• Ability to lock in the exchange rate
• Secured by PIN and chip technology
• Emergency card replacement and backup cards
• Easily reloadable via a secure online platform
• International ATM withdrawal fees, card issue fees and initial load fees may apply
• Reload fees could be high
• Some charge for inactivity fee

Paying with cash in New Zealand

Currency exchange offices charge a commission to do the exchange, and they also make money off a margin applied to the exchange rate.

You can always send your money to New Zealand ahead of time with a money transfer service and have it waiting to be picked up when you arrive.

• Greater payment flexibility
• Convenience
• Difficult to manage expenses
• Higher risk of theft

Using traveler’s checks

Traveler’s checks have been replaced by debit, credit and travel money cards. A cheaper way to get cash in New Zealand is to make an ATM withdrawal, especially if your card provider has a relationship with the bank of the ATM you use.

The main advantage of traveler’s checks is they can be replaced if lost or stolen.

• Security: You must present ID to cash them
• Availability to cash at banks
• Secure and can be easily replaced if lost or stolen
• Money back guarantee if you’re a victim of card fraud
• Cashing checks is subject to a commission
• Currency exchange rate varies over time

If you want to exchange your currency, have a look at these companies that can sell you foreign cash. Travelex has outlets at major airports and you can make an order online and collect the New Zealand cash before you get on the plane.

• American Express
• Wise (TransferWise)

You can bring the US dollar equivalent of $10,000 New Zealand dollars with you. If you take any more than this, you have to declare your cash when you pass through customs. You’ll get a better deal if you wait to get your money changed in New Zealand, even better if you make a withdrawal from an ATM rather than use a money exchange service.

Exchange rates using your card

When you use your credit card, debit card or travel card to make a purchase in New Zealand, the exchange rate set in place by your card applies to the transaction. When you use your card for over the counter purchases, you’ll get a rate which is a touch above the market rate. The same when you make a withdrawal from an ATM.

Refreshing in: 60s | Fri, Apr 05, 07:28PM GMT

Here are what some of the banknotes look like:

The main banks in New Zealand are:

• ANZ Bank New Zealand
• Bank of New Zealand
• Co-operative Bank
• Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (New Zealand) Limited
• Rabobank New Zealand
• Westpac New Zealand

You should have little issue finding a convenient ATM location during your New Zealand travels. Remember to use a card that doesn’t charge foreign ATM fees, like a debit card from Betterment Checking.

The opportunities for exploration and adventure opens up the possibility of blowing your budget. If you want to get around the country, you’ll need to rent a car — and it can be pricey. If you rely on busses or staying in one place, you can budget less than $50 a day. But for a more adventurous vacation, a realistic budget ranges from $130 to $350 a day. All prices are in US dollars.

Prices are for example purposes only.

Case study: Mike's experience

Mike goes skiing in Queenstown: The adventure capital of the world

Mike says Queenstown has the best skiing experience in New Zealand. The snow, the nightlife, the food and atmosphere are all top notch.

What are your travel money tips?

Mike says if you’re traveling by shuttle bus to the peaks, purchase the tickets in bulk. A single ticket costs $15, but there’s discounts for purchasing packs of 10 or 15 tickets at a time.

New Zealand offers travelers a wondrous land to explore, from ski fields to volcanic hot springs, there are plenty of things for the family to enjoy.

But with every journey comes and element of risk, which is why there is travel insurance to protects against far more than just health issues. Travel insurance covers the following:

• Trip cancellation
• Lost luggage
• Personal liability
• Lost travel documents

Don’t let your vacation turn into a nightmare, compare travel insurance policies today.

Kyle Morgan

Kyle Morgan is SEO manager at Forbes Advisor and a former editor and content strategist at Finder. He has written for the USA Today network and Relix magazine, among other publications. He holds a BA in journalism and media from Rutgers University.

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Travel money card, start saving for your next holiday with a cash passport.

Lock in rates for 10 currencies

Lock in exchange rates each time you load. Load your card with NZD, AUD, EUR, USD, GBP, JPY, CAD, HKD, SGD and AED.

Stay in control

Manage and track your card on the go via the Cash Passport app and stay in control of your travel money, from wherever you are.

Accepted worldwide

Use it like a bank card, expect with your own prepaid funds. In-store, online or to withdraw local currency at ATMs.

How do I order a card?

Getting a card is so easy - you can order online and have it delivered to your door within 5 business days, no need to leave the house.

Once your card arrives, you will need to activate it ready to use. You can then continue to load funds onto your card each month; it's like an online piggy bank for your next holiday. 

Already have a Cash Passport?

Login to your account to check your balance, view your transaction history, reload your card and manage your travel money.

Lets talk details

There’s a lot you get from a Cash Passport that you don’t get from an average old credit card. View the additional features of the Cash Passport card, and information on using the card while overseas .

For all the information you need on pricing and fee structures, check out the fees and limits.

The Cash Passport customer service team is available 24/7 to answer your questions or assist if your currency card has been lost or stolen.

Simply call the number dedicated to the country you’re in:

• New Zealand – 0800 444 691
• Australia – 1800 098 231
• UK – 0800 056 0572
• USA/Canada – 1877 465 0085
• Japan – 00531 780 221
• Thailand – 00180 442 212
• Hong Kong – 800 966 321
• South Korea – 00798 4434 1279
• Other countries – +44 207 694 9404

You can also check the Help Centre for additional information and answers to common questions regarding the card.

• *Important Information

•   Argentina
•   Australia
•   Deutschland
•   Magyarország
•   New Zealand
•   Singapore
•   United Kingdom
•   United States
•   繁體中文 (香港)

The 6 Best Travel Money Cards for New Zealand 2024

There’s plenty to do in New Zealand - but you’re going to need to think about how you arrange your travel money to make the most of your trip to the other side of the world. Getting a travel money card can help.

UK customers can choose from a broad range of travel debit, prepaid and credit cards. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks - this guide walks through your options to help you decide, plus we’ll introduce a couple of our favourites from each category so you can see if any suit your preferences and needs.

Wise - our pick for travel debit card for New Zealand

Wise accounts can hold and exchange 40+ currencies, and you can get a linked Wise card for a one time delivery fee. Top up your account in GBP and switch to NZD before you travel. All currency conversion uses the mid-market exchange rate, with low fees from 0.41%. Here are some of the pros and cons of the Wise travel money debit card, to help you decide if it’s right for you.

Hold and exchange 40+ currencies , including GBP-NZD

No fee to spend any currency you hold, low conversion fees from 0.41%

Mid market exchange rate on all currency conversion

Some fee free ATM withdrawals every month

No ongoing fees and no interest to pay

7 GBP delivery fee

No option to earn points or rewards

Click here to read a full Wise review

What is a travel money card?

A travel money card offers easy ways to spend and make cash withdrawals as you travel. Travel money cards can be used to make international payments, spend in stores and online, and make cash withdrawals just as you do with your bank card. Some cards let you hold a balance in multiple currencies, others remove the foreign transaction fees you’ll often find from regular credit and debit cards, and other cards can let you earn cash back or rewards overseas.

The good news is that there are lots of different travel money card providers in the UK. The downside is that you’ll need to do some homework to figure out which might suit you best. This guide is here to help.

What are different types of travel cards?

Travel cards can broadly be split into the following categories. We’ll walk through the features and benefits of each in a moment:

Travel debit cards

Travel prepaid cards

Travel credit cards

Quick summary: Best travel cards for New Zealand

This guide covers the different travel card types you might consider for your New Zealand trip - plus we’ve included reviews of 2 of our favourites from each category to help you choose. Here’s what we’ll be looking at:

Wise travel debit card : Hold 40+ currencies including NZD, with no ongoing fees, and spend with the mid-market exchange rate with no foreign transaction fee and low conversion costs from 0.43%

Revolut travel debit card : Hold 25+ currencies including THB, in one of 4 different plan types, including some with no monthly fee, and some which come with ongoing costs but which unlock more benefits and no fee transactions

Post Office travel money card : Hold NZD and 21 other currencies, with no fee to spend a currency you hold - 3% fee applies if you don’t have the currency required in your account

Monese travel money card : Hold a balance in GBP, then spend in NZD with no fees, up to your plan’s limit. Different plans on offer, including Simple which has no ongoing fees to pay

Barclays Rewards Visa travel credit card: Spend with the Visa exchange rate, and earn 0.25% cash back, with no foreign transaction fee and no cash advance fee. Interest and penalties can apply

Halifax Clarity Mastercard travel credit card: No foreign transaction fee, no annual fee, and no cash advance fee if you withdraw money at an ATM. Variable interest and penalties can apply

Travel money cards for Thailand compared

Here’s a brief comparison of all the cards we’ve picked out - in a moment we’ll also look at each card in more detail.

Ultimately, which travel card suits you will depend on your personal preference and spending habits. All of the travel debit, prepaid and credit cards we’ll look at here have their own great features. If you’re looking to hold a multi-currency balance you’ll probably find a travel debit or prepaid card works best.

Pick one with no ongoing costs and you can just keep it after New Zealand and use it the next time you travel too. Travel credit cards are a good choice if you want to spread your costs over a few months - but bear in mind that fees and interest can apply in this case, pushing up the price in the end.

Travel Debit Cards for New Zealand

Travel debit cards work in a similar way to your bank debit card, but they’re issued by specialist providers, and linked to a digital multi-currency account. You can add money in GBP and then convert to NZD in the account, to see your travel money budget instantly. Or if you’d prefer, the cards we’ve picked out below let you leave your money in pounds and then can manage the conversion for you at the point of payment.

Travel debit cards have been optimised for different customer needs, but they’re generally cheap, secure and reliable - so all you’ll need to do is pick the specific card that suits you.

Travel debit card option 1: Wise

There’s no fee to open a personal Wise account , but you’ll pay a one time card order fee of 7 GBP. After that there’s no minimum balance and no monthly charge. Wise accounts can support 40+ currencies for holding and exchange, with low fees from 0.43% when you convert currencies, and transparent ATM fees when you exhaust the monthly free transactions available with your account.

No fee to open a personal Wise account, no minimum balance requirement

7 GBP one time fee to get your Wise card

2 withdrawals, to 200 GBP value per month for free, then 0.5 GBP + 1.75%

Hold NZD and 40+ other currencies, convert between them with the mid-market rate

Get local account details to receive GBP, NZD, EUR, USD and a selection of other major currencies conveniently

Travel debit card option 2: Revolut

Revolut has a selection of different account tiers for personal customers in the UK, including Standard plans with no monthly fee, to the top end Ultra plan which has a 45 GBP/month fee and comes with loads of perks including a fancy platinum plated card. You can hold around 25 currencies, and convert currencies with the mid-market rate to your plan’s allowance. The higher account tiers also come with extras like various different forms of complimentary insurance, discounts, cash back opportunities and travel benefits.

No monthly fee for a Standard Revolut account, or upgrade to one of 4 different account plans which have monthly fees running from 3.99 GBP/month to 45 GBP/month

All accounts have some no fee weekday currency conversion with fair usage fees after that which are 1% for Standard plan holders

Standard plan holders can withdraw 200 GBP overseas per month for free

Hold around 25 currencies

Pros and cons of using debit travel cards in New Zealand

How much does a travel debit card cost.

Travel debit cards are usually free or cheap to order, although there may be a delivery fee to get your first card. Once you have your card there are likely to be some transaction fees, and you may find you pay a monthly cost, depending on the card you pick.

Of the cards we’ve highlighted above, Wise has a one time fee to get your card, but then no monthly charges or minimum balance requirements. Revolut customers in the UK can choose from different account plans, including one with no ongoing charges, or several different account options with a monthly fee in exchange for extra perks and benefits.

How to choose the best travel debit card for New Zealand?

Generally, having a travel debit card when you’re spending in foreign currencies can help you save money and spend securely. However, there’s no single best travel debit card for New Zealand, so you’ll need to compare a few to see which suits your spending and withdrawal needs best.

The Wise card and the Standard Revolut card both offer no ongoing costs, so are a fairly low risk way to try out whether or not a travel debit card suits you. If you use your card frequently you can then consider upgrading to a Revolut plan with an ongoing fee and higher no fee transaction limits.

Is there a spending limit with a travel debit card in New Zealand?  

You’ll probably find there’s a spending limit for your travel debit card. However, this limit can vary quite significantly, depending on the provider you pick. You can also usually adjust your spending limits for security in the provider’s app which means you can set the limit you’re comfortable with.

For the providers mentioned above, Revolut UK travel debit card holders have some spending caps based on merchant and transaction type. This applies to things like sending money to others, buying travellers cheques or money orders, and betting. Wise caps monthly card spending at 30,000 GBP but you can also move your limit lower if you’d like to, for security reasons.

ATM withdrawals

ATM withdrawals with a travel debit card are also likely to be subject to limits. Revolut applies a 3,000 GBP limit based on any given 24 hour period. Wise ATM withdrawal limits are 4,000 GBP per month. Both providers allow you to make some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly, but the exact amount you can withdraw will depend on your account type.

Prepaid Travel Cards for New Zealand

Prepaid travel cards can be bought or ordered through providers like the Post Office, or financial technology specialists like Monese. You can use a prepaid card in a similar way to using a travel debit card, but the linked account might not have quite the same functionality. For example, while Post Office prepaid travel cards support a multi-currency balance in 20+ currencies, Monese lets you hold GBP, EUR and RON, but not New Zealand dollars. On the other hand, Monese is more flexible in terms of its range of account plans, which you can upgrade on will without any penalty. Let’s look at these options in more detail.

Prepaid travel card option 1: Post Office Travel Money Card

You can order a Post Office Travel Money Card online or pick one up in person at a branch as long as you have a valid ID on you. You’ll be able to top up and hold in 22 currencies, although bear in mind a fee applies if you add money in GBP. There’s no fee to add foreign currencies. The exchange rate used when you top up or convert may include a markup, but once you hold a currency balance in your account you can spend it with no further charges.

NZD and 21 other currencies are supported for holding and exchange

No fee to spend a currency you hold on your card

3% cross border fee if you spend in an unsupported currency

3.5 NZD ATM withdrawal fee

Manage your account and card from the Post Office travel money app

Prepaid travel card option 2: Monese Travel Money Card

Monese offers several different account plans which come with linked cards you can use while overseas. Depending on the plan you pick you’ll get some free international spending and some free ATM withdrawals. Simple account plans have no monthly fees, but are more limited in terms of no-fee transactions compared to the other account tiers. While Monese does offer foreign currency account plans, these are not available in NZD.

• Pick the account plan that suits your needs, including a Simple plan with no monthly costs and some plans which do have a fee to pay every month
• Accounts offered in GBP, EUR and RON
• Simple account plan holders can spend up to 2,000 GBP a month in foreign currencies with no fees - other account plans have unlimited overseas spending with no extra fees
• All accounts have some fee free ATM withdrawals every month, with variable limits based on account plan
• Virtual cards available

Pros and cons of using prepaid travel cards in New Zealand

How much does a prepaid card cost.

Using a prepaid travel card when you’re away from home can mean paying less overall compared to some other card payment options - but it’s not usually completely free.

Different providers charge in different ways. For example accounts may have ongoing charges, or you may have to pay a fee or currency conversion charge when you top up. Weighing up a few different prepaid travel cards is the only way to decide which is the best value for your particular needs.

How to choose the best travel prepaid card for New Zealand?

The best prepaid travel card for New Zealand depends on your spending patterns. The Post Office Travel Money Card has the advantage that you can convert your money to NZD and see your budget instantly. However if you don’t do this, you might end up paying a 3% fee. Monese has different plan types, so has the flexibility to allow you to pick the one you want - but you can’t hold a NZD balance.

Prepaid travel card spending limit

The Post Office travel card lets you top up to 5,000 GBP at a time, with the maximum balance at any given time set at 10,000 GBP, or 30,000 GBP annually. Monese accounts may have different limits based on the tier you pick - usually set at a maximum holding balance at any time of 40,000 GBP. You may be limited to spending up to 7,000 GBP a day, depending on your account type.

With the Post Office card, you can make up to 750 NZD maximum daily withdrawals and each withdrawal costs 3.5 NZD. Monese accounts may have a maximum ATM withdrawal of 300 GBP a day, depending on the specific account you pick, so it’s worth reading the fee schedule carefully to understand the details.

Travel credit cards for New Zealand

Travel credit cards work in a similar way to other credit cards, but they’ve been optimised for travel and can offer perks like no foreign transaction fee or more rewards and cash back for overseas spending. Which card you can apply for can depend on your credit score, but most UK card providers offer a no obligation tool to check your eligibility online. Bear in mind that your credit history can also change the interest charged and the maximum credit you’re offered. Overall, credit cards can be safe and convenient, but often more expensive than a debit or prepaid card.

Travel credit card option 1: Barclaycard Rewards Visa 

The Barclaycard Rewards Visa credit card is a good, straightforward option for UK customers looking for a credit card which does not have foreign transaction fees, and which doesn’t have an annual fee. As with any credit card, some costs can apply including interest fees if you don’t clear your bill monthly, but you’ll be able to earn 0.25% cash back on all your card spending at home and abroad.

No annual fee, with 0.25% cash back on card spending

Currency exchange uses the network rate and no foreign transaction fee

No ATM withdrawal fee - but interest can still apply

28.9% representative APR, with penalty fees for late payments

Secure spending with extra protection on some purchases

Travel credit card option 2: Halifax Clarity Mastercard

The Halifax Clarity Mastercard has a variable interest rate which is based on your creditworthiness, but doesn’t use different rates for different transaction types as some cards do. There’s no foreign transaction fee when you spend or withdraw in foreign currencies, but bear in mind that an ATM operator might charge a fee, and interest accrues instantly for cash advance transactions.

No foreign transaction fee when spending or making a cash withdrawal overseas

Interest applies instantly when making cash withdrawals

Same interest rate applies on all purchase categories

Variable APR based on your credit score - you’ll need to check your eligibility online to see the APR you’d be offered

Spending is covered by the Consumer Credit act which means extra protections for purchases from 100 GBP to 30,000 GBP in value

Pros and cons of using credit cards for New Zealand

How much does a travel credit card cost.

Credit cards can end up being a fairly expensive way to handle your card spending, depending on the card you pick and how you use it. The travel credit cards highlighted above have no annual charge, and no foreign transaction fee - but as with any credit card, interest applies if you don’t pay your bill in full every month. If you’re late making a payment, penalties can also apply.

How to choose the best travel credit card for New Zealand?

The best travel credit card for New Zealand depends on your preferences and situation. Because there’s an eligibility screening process with credit cards, you may find you can’t get approved for some cards if you don’t have an established and strong credit history. It’s generally worth looking for a card with no annual fee, and the lowest available interest rate, just in case you can’t always repay your bill monthly.

Travel credit card spending limit

Your travel credit card spending limit will be set by the card provider, and will depend on your credit score. You’ll be shown details of your spending limit when you’re approved for a travel credit card.

The cards we’ve looked at earlier don’t charge a cash advance fee, but this is a common cost when using a credit card at an ATM, so worth looking out for when you select any credit card. It’s also worth noting that it’s very common for ATM withdrawals to start accruing interest instantly, so you’ll end up needing to repay some charges whenever you use your credit card in an ATM.

How much money do I need in Thailand?

From the UK, most people heading to New Zealand are planning on staying for a bit longer than the average holiday. If you’re going to be touring New Zealand for multiple weeks, setting a budget is essential to make sure you don’t end up spending far more than planned. Costs in New Zealand can vary pretty widely. It’s not a particularly cheap destination to visit, but as with most places with a vibrant tourism industry, there’s food, activities and accommodation to suit most budgets if you look hard enough. Here’s a quick look at some common costs in New Zealand:

Conclusion: Which travel money card is best for New Zealand?

New Zealand is a perfect holiday destination because there’s so much to do. But lots of activities means you’ll need to figure out the best way to pay for things while you’re there, to avoid unnecessary costs and make your money go further.

Using one or more travel card options can help you manage your travel budget flexibly, and may also mean lower overall costs. Consider a Wise travel debit card for convenient, low cost spending and withdrawals with ways to pay and get paid in NZD. Or as an alternative, check out a Monese travel prepaid card for free currency conversion to your specific plan limit, or a travel credit card like the Barclays Rewards Visa for cash back opportunities and ways to spread your costs over several months if you need to. No matter what type of travel card suits you best, there’s going to be an option for you - use this guide to research and get ready to enjoy that trip of a lifetime to New Zealand.

FAQ - Best travel cards for New Zealand

Can you withdraw cash with a credit card in new zealand.

Yes. You can use your credit card to make an ATM withdrawal at any ATM in New Zealand where your card network is accepted. However, bear in mind you’ll pay interest instantly when you use a credit card in an ATM. Choosing to withdraw with a low cost travel debit card from Wise or Revolut may bring down your overall fees.

Can I use a debit card in New Zealand?

Yes. Debit cards are widely supported in New Zealand, and can be used in many places, although you may struggle at some small independent merchants or at markets. That said, having multiple ways to pay is reassuring, making carrying both a prepaid or travel debit card and some New Zealand dollars in cash a smart plan.

Are prepaid cards safe?

Yes. Prepaid cards are not linked to your normal UK bank account which means that they’re safe to use. Even if you were unlucky and someone stole your card while you’re in New Zealand, they would not be able to access your main account - and you could freeze your prepaid card in the app easily if you needed to.

What is the best way to pay in New Zealand?

Paying for things with a specialist travel debit, prepaid or credit card in New Zealand is most convenient. However, having a few options for payment is a good plan, just in case your preferred payment method can’t be used for some reason. Consider getting a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut, which has some no fee ATM withdrawals so you can also conveniently get cash as a back up, and for when card payments aren’t offered.

Important Notice:

We are performing essential maintenance to upgrade our systems. As a result, the OneSmart website may experience intermittent service disruptions on Saturday 6th April between 2:00am and 8:00am (NZDT) and on Tuesday 9th April between 1:00am and 5:00am (NZST). You can still use OneSmart for purchases and at ATMs during this time.

If you need to contact us, please call 0800 787 555 in New Zealand or +64 9 377 8535 if you’re outside New Zealand. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

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What is OneSmart ™ ?

If you’re an Airpoints™ member travelling the world, we can help make life a little easier when it comes to making purchases overseas.

OneSmart is a reloadable multi-currency prepaid card that can be used anywhere in the world that Mastercard is accepted.

OneSmart makes spending in different countries effortless – load up to eight foreign currencies, plus New Zealand Dollars.

The only prepaid card that earns you Airpoints Dollars™. You’ll earn 1 Airpoints Dollar for every $100NZD spent overseas. i

Learn more about the benefits of using OneSmart

Activate OneSmart

When you receive your card, sign the back of your card, and activate it . You’ll only be able to use OneSmart after you’ve activated it.

To activate a new card, you’ll need two forms of identification. Have your driver’s license, birth certificate, NZ citizenship document, AA membership or a recent utility bill handy.

If you’re activating a replacement card, simply log in and follow the prompts or call our OneSmart Customer Service Centre for assistance on 0800 787 555 or +64 9 377 8535 if you’re overseas (charges may apply).

Activate OneSmart now

Set a PIN for OneSmart

If you are a new member activating OneSmart for the first time, select New Card and follow the instructions on screen. You will be prompted to set up a PIN during this activation.

If you have already activated OneSmart, here’s how you can reset your PIN:

- Login to OneSmart -Select 'Settings' (located at the top of the page, next to your Airpoints number) -Select 'Card settings’. -Select 'Set your PIN’. -Follow the screen prompts by answering the security questions and selecting a 4-digit PIN for your card.

If you have any questions, or run into issues setting your PIN, please call our OneSmart Customer Service Centre on 0800 787 555 or +64 9 377 8535 if you’re overseas (charges may apply).

1. Via a Mastercard or Visa debit card issued in New Zealand. Instantly load NZD or any of our eight foreign currencies available with your debit card. A fee of 1.5% of the load value applies per transaction. Your funds will be available immediately.

2. Via Bank Transfer

Load directly into foreign currency or NZD without a fee.

Here are the steps: i. Log in to OneSmart ii. Select Settings, then 'Load settings' iii. Follow the instructions for Bank transfer Allow one business day for the funds to be available in OneSmart.

Exchange Rates

• AUD Rate: 0.8817
• USD Rate: 0.5801
• GBP Rate: 0.4592
• SGD Rate: 0.7827
• EUR Rate: 0.5357
• HKD Rate: 4.5408
• JPY Rate: 87.6413
• CAD Rate: 0.7868

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Lost your onesmart card.

Temporarily suspend your card online or via the app. Call us on 0800 787 555, or +64 9 377 8535 if you're overseas (charges may apply) to cancel your card and request a replacement.

Alternatively, cancel your card by calling our OneSmart Customer Service Centre on 0800 787 555, or +64 9 377 8535 if you're overseas (charges may apply). We'll send you a replacement and you can use your new card to continue spending.

Download the OneSmart app

Use the app to load money and check the balances of each currency in your account, transfer funds between currencies, review your transaction history, view your Airpoints Dollar balance and more.

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Fees & Limits

In addition to the currency exchange rates, the following fees and charges apply to OneSmart. The fees and charges may be altered by EML at its discretion by providing you with at least 20 days prior notice.

There are limits that apply to the use of your OneSmart facility. These limits are set out below but may be altered by EML from time to time pursuant to the Terms and Conditions.

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Frequently asked questions and contact help

Use OneSmart online or in-store, whether you are overseas or in New Zealand.

Load NZD or any of our eight foreign currencies and use OneSmart for purchases 1 wherever Mastercard® is accepted iii. Your card will utilise the funds available in the currency of transaction unless it is not an available currency or if there is insufficient balance in the relevant currency. In such cases, your card will draw on any available account balances in the following order of priority: NZD, AUD, USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, SGD, HKD, JPY. You can also use OneSmart to withdraw local currency from ATMs wherever you go as long as the ATM machines carry a Mastercard® symbol.

Note: It is currently not possible to use OneSmart due to restrictions in Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria and Russia, Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Additionally, all Mastercards will not work at Russian merchants or ATMs. If you attempt to withdraw cash from an ATM or use your card in any of these countries, your request will be declined. In addition, card acceptance is subject to ATMs and individual merchant POS terminals who may choose not to accept Prepaid Cards.

Your OneSmart Account cannot be used for:

a)        Purchases from merchants where the transaction is processed manually (through a zip-zap machine)

b)        Direct debit, reoccurring or instalment payments

c)         Purchases from merchants who do not accept prepaid Mastercard branded cards.

d)        Gambling merchants

e)        Adult entertainment

f)       Transactions in countries prohibited by US Government sanctions and laws. 

We recommend that you don't use OneSmart to "pre-authorise" payment for hotel bookings or car hire. This is because the hotel or car hire company can put the payment amount plus an additional 15% on hold as a deposit and you won't be able to use that money during the hold period. There is no issue in paying for your hotel using your OneSmart Account at the end of your stay, but we suggest you don't pre-authorise payment on it when booking.

We also recommend you don't use OneSmart for 'pay at the pump' terminals at petrol stations. These terminals place a hold on funds, and that hold may not be removed from your account for some days.

You can use your OneSmart for transactions anywhere Mastercard® is accepted electronically overseas. Simply load NZD and spend local currency wherever you are. You can also use OneSmart to withdraw local currency from ATMs as long as the ATM machines carry a Mastercard® symbol.

Note: Mastercard conversion rates and currency conversion fees will apply.

The limit for ATM withdrawals using OneSmart is NZD $3,000 or the equivalent in a foreign currency over any 24-hour period. Some ATMs may set their own withdrawal limits which may be lower than this.

No. When making a booking through the Air New Zealand website, payments made using OneSmart will not incur the advised card payment fee

For all new Silver tier members, OneSmart will automatically be sent to you. As you move up the tiers, you will be sent a new card if you have activated and used your OneSmart account previously. If you no longer receive OneSmart on your tier renewal, you can request a card at any time by calling the OneSmart Customer Service Centre on 0800 787 555 or +64 9 377 8535 if you're overseas (charges may apply).

Your OneSmart card details are on the back of your Airpoints membership card. Expiry is set at 4 months after your tier renewal date. This means that if you're overseas and haven't received your new card, you can still continue to use your existing card for purchases. Your OneSmart account will remain active, and you can log in using the website or app to manage your account.

The maximum balance allowed at any one time across all currencies is NZD $100,000 or currency equivalent.

Only one card is issued for each OneSmart account. Each family member who is a New Zealand based Airpoints member and who is over 16 can request to have their own OneSmart card. Card to card transfers between two activated OneSmart accounts can be done so you can transfer money to another OneSmart cardholder at no additional cost. Transfers can take up to two business days to process before funds are available for use.

You can view up to date OneSmart Conversion Rates here

If you are transferring funds between currencies, you can lock in your exchange rate at the time you make the transfer, so you know exactly how much it will cost and what will be loaded onto your card.

The side of your Airpoints card with the chip should be facing upwards and the chip goes into the ATM first.

Your card’s security code or CVC is the 3-digit number on the reverse side of your Airpoints card.

Some merchants may offer Dynamic currency conversion (“DCC”) that allows you to pay in your home currency or another currency when you are spending overseas or online. If you accept a Dynamic currency conversion transaction, you may end up incurring two currency conversions which could make the transaction significantly more expensive.

If you make a purchase or ATM withdrawal in a country where the local currency is the same as a currency on your OneSmart (e.g. using your US Dollar funds in the USA) and you opt in to a Dynamic currency conversion service, this may result in a foreign exchange transaction at additional cost to you as the card will seek to transact in New Zealand dollars.

We recommend that if you are given a choice of currency for a transaction and have sufficient funds, that you should choose to pay in the local currency.

Some merchants or ATM operators may charge a fee for dynamic currency conversion, which you might not be advised of at the time of the transaction.

For all eligible purchases with OneSmart 1 , we'll add the Airpoints Dollars you earn to your Airpoints account around the month anniversary of the date you activated your Account.

If you don't have enough funds in a particular currency to pay for a transaction, the balance of the transaction will be automatically processed from other currencies in the following order of priority. The order in which currencies are withdrawn cannot be changed.

NZD AUD USD CAD EUR GBP SGD HKD JPY In this case a currency conversion fee will apply each time a currency that is different to the transaction currency is used to fund all or part of the transaction. If after checking the available balances of all currencies there are still insufficient funds to pay for a transaction, the transaction may be declined, or the retailer may allow you to pay the balance by some other means.

If you had sufficient funds loaded in that currency, then you may have used Dynamic currency conversion.

When you’re paying with your OneSmart card, it will intelligently select the currency of the country you are in. If you do not have sufficient local currency loaded to complete the transaction, the card will deduct funds on the card in this set order of priority.

NZD AUD USD CAD EUR GBP SGD HKD JPY

You cannot spend money you haven’t loaded, as the card is a prepaid facility only. You can load straight into the available currencies of your choice in 'My Account' and lock in up to eight foreign currencies as well as NZD at the daily exchange rate ii .

An unsupported currency is any currency that is not included in the 9 supported currencies including NZD, which your OneSmart account can hold. The nine supported currencies are: New Zealand Dollars, Australian Dollars, Singapore Dollars, Hong Kong Dollars, Japanese Yen, Pounds sterling, Euros, Canadian Dollars, and United States Dollars.

The order in which currencies are withdrawn cannot be changed.

You can manage your OneSmart balances by signing into your account and selecting the Transfer money option from the main menu. To transfer money from your OneSmart account to your bank account follow the prompts for ‘Cash out’ to close your account and cash out any balance on your card free of charge.

You can also manage your OneSmart balances from the OneSmart app .

If you did not make a particular transaction showing on your transaction history, you should call OneSmart Customer Service Centre immediately on 0800 787 555 or +64 9 377 8535 if you’re overseas (charges may apply).

You can download a Dispute Claim Form here . Please allow up to 45 days for your dispute to be processed.

You will need the last 4 digits of your OneSmart card, and the email address associated with your OneSmart account; this may be different from the email address associated with your Airpoints account.

If you'd like to close your account, you can do so by calling the OneSmart Customer Service Centre on 0800 787 555 or +64 9 377 8535 if you're overseas (charges may apply).

Before you close your account, make sure you've transferred your money out of your account. You can also transfer any remaining balance back into NZD and into your bank account. This can be done online and via the OneSmart app.

The expiry date of your OneSmart card is printed on the OneSmart side of your Airpoints card. You cannot use your OneSmart Card to access money loaded onto your OneSmart facility after the expiry date. If you have an active OneSmart account and have made a transaction within the last five years a new card will be sent to you near your expiry date.

All Airpoints members who upgrade to Silver will receive a OneSmart by default. You can request a replacement OneSmart Card at any time. If your OneSmart Card expires, you will still be able to obtain your money loaded onto your OneSmart facility from EML through a cash out.

If you cease to be a member of the Airpoints Programme, you will not be able to continue using OneSmart and will need to cash out your OneSmart facility.

Still have a question?

Contact the OneSmart Customer Service Centre, we’re here to help 24/7.

Within NZ  0800 787 555

From Overseas +64 9 377 8535 (charges may apply)

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To maintain security over your account you need to enter a new password to continue. To change your password, type your current password and your new password twice.

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The 5 Best Travel Cards for New Zealanders to use in the US

Planning a trip to the US? A travel card can make it easier and more convenient to spend internationally - and cut your costs, too. Pick the right travel card and you could get lower fees when you spend in a foreign currency, a better exchange rate, or rewards and benefits that help you do more.

Let’s dive into a deeper look at the best travel cards for New Zealanders to use in the US.

Wise - our pick for travel debit card for the US

• Travelex Money Card - prepaid card for the US
• Cash Passport - prepaid card option for the US

hotpoints® World Mastercard - travel rewards credit card for the US

• American Express Airpoints Card - travel credit card option for the US

If you’re thinking of a travel debit card to make spending in the US easier, check out the Wise international debit card . You can open your Wise account online or with the Wise app , to hold and exchange 50+ currencies, including USD easily and with the mid-market exchange rate.

There’s a one time fee of 14 NZD to get your Wise card , with no monthly charges, no inactivity fee and no minimum balance to worry about. Just top up in NZD, and either switch to USD using the Wise app, or just let the card convert for you at the point of payment. In either case you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate and low fees from 0.43%.

Click here read more on how Wise works

Click here to see the full list of cards and how Wise compares

What are travel cards?

A travel money card is a card that’s been optimised for use when spending and making cash withdrawals while you’ve overseas.

Travel money cards include both debit cards or credit cards, with features and fees which can vary quite widely. If you’re in the market for a debit card for your next trip, you may benefit from a specialist card which lets you hold multiple currencies, with low fees and - often - no ongoing charges. If you’d like to spread the cost of your travel out over a few months you might prefer to get a travel credit card. In this case there may be fees or interest charges to pay, but some travel cards also offer opportunities to access rewards and travel perks like lounge access.

Whichever type of card suits your needs, you can use your travel card to tap and pay in stores when you’re overseas, and to make cash withdrawals in local currency wherever you are. Let’s look at some good cards to consider for your trip, next.

Related: Everything you need to know about International Debit Cards

5 travel money cards for the US compared

To start off, let’s look at 5 different travel cards offered for New Zealanders, and some of the key fees you should know about. We’ll look at these cards in more detail later.

In general, travel debit cards can come with lower overall fees, while travel credit cards offer better reward earning opportunities. Which card is best for you will depend on your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money. We’ll walk through each of these cards in more detail in a moment, so you can see if any suit your needs.

What are the different types of travel cards?

The best choice for you depends on what you'll be using it for, whether that's taking out cash, making card purchases or transferring US dollar to a local bank account.

Broadly speaking, you can split travel cards down into 3 different types - each of which have their own distinct features, advantages and drawbacks:

• Travel debit cards
• Prepaid travel cards
• Travel credit cards

Let's have a look at our top picks for the three best travel cards for New Zealanders heading to the USA.

Travel Debit Cards

Travel debit cards are generally offered through specialist online services, and linked to multi-currency accounts you can use to hold and exchange all the currencies you’ll need for your trip to the US  - and for future travel elsewhere, too. As a debit card you won’t need to worry about interest charges - just top up your account with the money you want to spend while you’re away, and use your card as you would at home, for convenient payments and withdrawals.

Debit cards offer the convenience of a credit card, but work differently. They draw money directly from your bank account when you make a purchase. It's designed for everyday money transactions and means that you're not accumulating debt.

A debit card could make it easier to stick to your travel budget, because you can't overdraw money from your account. Some travel debit cards also let you buy the currency you need for travel in advance, so you can convert when the rates are good, and hold a balance until you travel.

Generally, it makes sense to have the combination of a travel debit and travel credit card for safety, flexibility and convenience on your trip. That way you should always have easy access to USD to pay your way while you’re in the US.

Wise - travel debit card for the USA

The Wise travel debit card is linked to a multi-currency Wise account which can hold 50+ currencies - making it a great pick for your travel to the US, and wherever else you might venture. Ordering a Wise card is easy and you can set up an account, get verified and add a balance all using nothing more than your phone. You’ll have access to a virtual card for online and mobile payments as soon as you’ve ordered your physical card, and your physical card will arrive in the post soon after.

Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate for all currency conversion, with low fees from 0.43%. There’s no foreign transaction fee to pay, and it’s free to spend any currency you have in your account - plus you’ll get some fee free ATM withdrawals every month for those times only cash will do.

• Hold and exchange 50+ currencies with the mid-market exchange rate
• Convert currencies in advance of travel, or let the card convert at the point of payment
• Free to spend any currency you hold in your account
• No ongoing charges, inactivity fees or minimum balance requirements
• Low, transparent fees based on how you use your card
• Variable currency conversion fees apply
• Some ATM charges apply once you’ve exhausted your fee free limits

Read our full Wise review

Prepaid Travel Cards

For prepaid cards, you're able to load the card with a set amount of money in the currencies you need. Ideally you do this before your trip, but often you can reload them as well.

Most prepaid travel cards allow for multiple currencies to be loaded onto the card. So it's important to know what currency you'll be using on your travels. Airlines also offer prepaid cards so the money you spend can earn you reward points.

With prepaid travel cards you need to be careful. They can have numerous fees and charges, which can make it more expensive than other options. But if you're organised and travelling to multiple cities a prepaid travel card is a good option.

Travelex Money card - prepaid card for the US

The Travelex card can be used to hold, spend and withdraw 9 currencies, including USD. That means you can top up your card in NZD and switch over to USD easily before you travel. It’s useful to know that a conversion fee of 4% will apply if you don’t have the right balance to cover your spending while you’re in the US.

The Travelex card has no ATM fee when you make a cash withdrawal, and it’s also handy because you can pick one up in minutes in a Travelex store. Just order online to get a travel card for next day collection, or call into a store with your ID and proof of address, to get one there and then.

• Supports 8 currencies you can manage and load online
• Order online or in person, or walk in and collect in a store 
• No Travelex international ATM fees and no transaction fees to spend currencies you hold
• Preferential foreign exchange fees when you convert currencies in your account 
• Fees apply if you reload the card in New Zealand dollars
• Inactivity fees apply
• 4% fee if you’re spending an unsupported currency, or if you don’t hold enough balance in the currency you’re using

Cash Passport - prepaid card for the USA

Order your Cash Passport before you travel, to hold, spend and withdraw 10 currencies, including USD. Just add money to your card in NZD and switch over to USD before you travel. If you don’t hold the balance you need for your overseas spending, a conversion fee of 5.95% will apply.

The Cash Passport is issued on the Mastercard network for global acceptance - and you can easily order your card online, or pick up in person through select retailers.

Pros and cons of using prepaid travel cards in the US

• Order online or pick up in store, depending on your preference
• Add funds in NZD and convert to the currency you need in advance of travel
• Not linked to your normal NZD account, adding a layer of security
• You may be able to top up your account digitally while you’re away
• Multi-currency holding options
• Not all cards support all currencies - fees can apply when spending an unsupported currency
• Inactivity and top up fees can apply

How to choose the best travel prepaid card for the US?

Travel prepaid cards can have foreign transaction fees when you spend in a currency you don’t hold in your account - either because your balance doesn’t cover the spending, or because the card can’t hold the specific currency. As these foreign transaction fees push up overall costs significantly, it’s useful to look for a prepaid travel card which can support SGD if you’re about to travel to the US, to make your money go further when you’re there.

Is there a spending limit with a prepaid card in the US?

Prepaid cards do typically have spending limits, which can vary depending on the provider and the types of spending. You may find you have a limit to the amount you can withdraw at an ATM for example, as well as a limit to the value of POS payments you can make daily. Check your preferred card’s terms and conditions to learn more.

Travel Credit Cards

Travel credit cards can give you longer to pay back what you've spent - but there will be interest to pay if you don’t clear your bill promptly.

The main advantage with credit cards are the reward points you get in return for your customer loyalty when you spend. This can mean getting cashback, or using your points to offset fees and future purchases, or even to trade in for hotel rooms or flights.

Credit cards are great to use for car hire, restaurants and accommodation - larger expenses that are easier for you to pay back over time. Some services only take credit cards to hold purchases so they can definitely be handy while you're travelling.

If you’re looking for a way to spread the cost of your trip over a few months, and don’t mind paying interest charges, a travel credit card could be the right pick for you. There are quite a few different travel optimised credit cards available for customers in New Zealand, which may offer opportunities to earn rewards when you spend and travel, or travel perks like free insurance or lounge access.

Features and fees do vary widely, and eligibility requirements are usually in place, including a credit check - so do compare a few before you pick one. We’ve got the lowdown on one popular travel credit card coming up, to kick off your research.

• Earn points as you spend on your card, which you can redeem later
• Get 120 days travel insurance, and some lounge access perks
• Spread the costs of your purchases and travel 
• 285 NZD annual fee plus variable interest if you don’t pay your bill in full
• 1.95% foreign transaction fee when you spend or withdraw in a foreign currency 
• Higher rates of interest for cash advance - including if you make an ATM withdrawal 

American Express Airpoints - Travel credit card for the US

Airpoints is the Air New Zealand loyalty and rewards programme - and includes ways to boost your points with credit card spending. The American Express Airpoints Card has no annual fee and allows you to earn one Airpoints dollar for every 100 NZD spend. You can then use your Airpoints dollars to fund your travel spending, or to shop online at the Airpoints store.

If you’d rather earn rewards faster, there are also different Airpoints cards which come with annual fees but which accrue points at a higher rate. Just bear in mind that overseas spending comes with a 2.5% foreign transaction fee, which can push up costs. Weigh up the benefits you’ll get against the potential fees before you sign up.

Pros and cons of using credit cards in the US

• Convenient and easy to use
• Earn rewards as you spend, such as air miles and cash back
• Issued on globally accepted payment networks
• Variety of different cards available depending on your personal needs
• Safe to use, often with extra protections on spending
• Interest charges apply if you don’t repay your bill in full every period
• Other fees can apply including annual fees and foreign transaction fees

How to choose the best travel credit card for the US?

Getting the best travel credit card for the US will be a question of your personal preferences and needs. One thing to watch out for is the fees you’ll pay to unlock travel credit card benefits. Look at the annual fees, interest and any foreign transaction fees in particular, and weigh these costs against the reward earning opportunities to make sure you get the best balance for your spending.

Pros and cons of travel debit cards

Travel debit cards can certainly be a handy tool when you travel or shop internationally. But they’re not perfect and they’re not your only option. If you’re not sure what type of card will suit you, check out these pros and cons of travel debit cards to help you decide:

• Many travel debit cards come with lower overall foreign currency costs, or easy ways to earn rewards as you spend overseas
• Some cards have linked multi-currency accounts you can use to hold major currencies
• Easy to budget with a debit card - no late fees, penalties or overdraft charges, just spend to the card balance
• Most cards let you manage them on an app, convenient when you’re overseas
• Different cards have their own features, and some can come with quite high fees for certain transaction types
• Not all cards support all currencies - check the currencies you need are supported before you order
• You may pay an upfront fee to get your card
• Debit cards aren’t always accepted - if you’re paying a deposit for example, a credit card may be required

Dedicated travel cards are a good way to spend and make cash withdrawals in the US. By picking a card on a globally recognised network you’ll be able to tap and pay - or make cash withdrawals in the US - just as easily as you would at home. And, depending on which card you pick, you may get lower overall costs or options to earn rewards and air miles as you spend.

Compare a few travel cards for the US before you pick the right one for you, including the Wise card if you’re thinking of a multi-currency debit card option, or the Travelex card if you need a prepaid card with no ATM fees to pay.

FAQ - The Best Travel Cards to Use in the US

What currency do they use in the US?

The official currency in the US is the US dollar. Before you travel, plan how best to manage your travel money, which could be to hold a little cash, and have a travel debit card or credit card for spending and withdrawals once you arrive. 

What are the best travel cards to use in the US?

There’s no single best travel card for the US. Which works best for you will depend on whether you’re looking to hold a currency balance, cut your overall costs, earn more points, or access other account features like local currency receiving accounts. The good news is that there are plenty of options on the New Zealand market to pick from - use this guide as a starting point to find the right one for you.

Can I exchange cash at the airport?

It’s usually possible to exchange cash at the airport - but you might find you pay a higher overall fee, including a currency exchange markup, if you do. Passing trade and a captive market usually mean airport currency exchange kiosks have pretty poor rates compared to alternatives - you may find you’re better off withdrawing some cash in the airport you arrive into, or getting a travel debit card to see you through your travel.

Can you withdraw cash with a credit card in the US?

You can generally withdraw cash with a credit card in the US, at any ATM where your card’s network is accepted. However, bear in mind that fees may apply, including charges from your card issuer, and from the ATM operator. Using a travel debit card, such as the Wise card, which has some fee free ATM withdrawals every month, can often be cheaper than using a credit card as you’ll avoid cash advance and interest charges

Do I need a card for overseas trips?

It’s a good idea to have a card for overseas trips so you don’t need to carry a large amount of cash with you when you head overseas. Choosing a specialist travel debit card can also mean you cut the costs of currency exchange and pay less overall for your foreign currency spending.

Compare credit cards

Compare credit cards from New Zealand's leading banks and find the right card for your lifestyle. Earn rewards points, get cashback, save money with a balance transfer, and more.

By Yvonne Taylor   |   Verified by David Boyd   |   Updated 5 Jan 2024

Comparing credit cards

American Express Gold Rewards Credit Card

Balance transfer, purchase rate.

22.95% p.a. ongoing

$200.00 p.a. ongoing

• Get $200 back when you apply online, be approved, and spend $1,500 in the first 3 months. Terms and Conditions apply. New Card Members only.
• Up to 2 x $100 credits annually to spend at the Local Dining Collection featuring some of New Zealand’s top restaurants.
• Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on eligible purchases.
• Includes complimentary travel insurance.
• $200 cashback when you apply online, get approved, and spend $1,500 in the first 3 months. New Card Members only.
• Receive up to $200 credits for the Local Dining Collection of New Zealand’s top restaurants.
• Earn 2 Membership Rewards Points per $1 spent.
• The card is made from metal instead of plastic.
• Some non-chain retailers may not accept American Express cards.
• 2.50% currency conversion fee, which is higher than some competing credit cards.

American Express Airpoints Platinum Credit Card

$195.00 p.a. ongoing

• Earn 300 bonus Airpoints Dollars for spending $1,500 within the first 3 months.
• $195 p.a. annual fee.
• Earn rewards fast at 1 Airpoints Dollar per $59 spent.
• American Express Lounge and VIP lounges and discounted rates on Koru club lounge membership.
• Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance and smartphone insurance for screen repairs.
• Sign up bonus of 300 Airpoints Dollars for spending $1,500 within the first 3 months.
• Earn 1 Airpoints Dollar for each $59 spent.
• American Express Lounge and VIP lounge access with discounted Koru club lounge membership.
• Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance.
• Smartphone insurance for the repair of a damaged front screen.
• The ongoing $195 annual fee.
• This card does not have an interest-free balance transfer feature.
• Some non-chain retailers may not accept American Express credit cards.

American Express Platinum Card

0% p.a. ongoing

$1,250.00 p.a. ongoing

• Get 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $1,500 within the first 3 months.
• Up to $300 Dining Credit a year at the best NZ restaurants. Enjoy a $150 cash back when you spend $150 or more in one transaction at a participating restaurant. Valid twice a year.
• Receive up to $200 travel credit each year through American Express Travel.
• Transfer your Membership Rewards Points to a choice of airline and hotel rewards programs.
• Up to $500 cover towards smartphone front screen repair.
• Signup bonus of 100,000 Membership Rewards Points.
• Big spending gets you big travel-related perks at 2 Membership Rewards Points per $1 spent.
• Domestic and international travel insurance cover.
• Other perks and benefits, including elite hotel status, dining credit, and more.
• Access to the 24 / 7 concierge services.
• VIP lounge access at airports in the Amex Global Lounge Collection.
• Add up to 4 additional cards for free.
• The annual fee is on the high side, at $1,250 p.a.
• Some non-chain retailers do not accept American Express cards.
• The American Express Platinum Card is a charge card, so balances must be paid in full monthly.

American Express Airpoints Credit Card

6 months at 0% p.a. 6 months at 0% p.a., then 22.95% p.a. ongoing.">

$0.00 p.a. ongoing

• Get 50 bonus Airpoints Dollars when you apply online are approved and spend $750 on your new Card within the first 3 months. New Card Members only.  
• Take advantage of 0% p.a. on purchases for the first 6 months.
• No annual card fee.
• No annual fee for life while earning rewards.
• Sign up bonus of 50 Airpoints Dollars.
• Earn 1 Airpoints Dollar per $100 spent.
• Interest-free on purchases for 6 months.
• Up to 4 additional cardholders for free.
• No complimentary insurance cover.
• High ongoing interest rate on purchases.
• No balance transfer offer at the moment.

ANZ Low Rate Visa Credit Card

24 months at 1.99% p.a. 24 months at 1.99% p.a. with a $0.00 fee, then 12.9% p.a.">

12.9% p.a. ongoing

• 1.99% p.a. on balances transferred for 24 months, with no balance transfer fee.
• Low ongoing variable purchase interest rate of 12.90% p.a.
• $0 annual fee and $0 p.a. additional cardholder fee.
• Pay 1.99% p.a. for the first two years on balances transferred.
• Low ongoing interest rates.
• Up to 55 interest-free days on purchases.
• No annual fee for life.
• Free additional cardholders.
• No rewards program.
• No insurance.

ANZ Cashback Visa Platinum Credit Card

19.95% p.a. ongoing

$80.00 p.a. ongoing

• Earn $1 cashback for every $120 spent on eligible purchases.
• Earn unlimited cashback rewards.
• Up to 55 days interest-free on retail purchases.
• No cap on how much cashback can be earned.
• Low foreign transaction fee.
• The annual fee is $80 p.a.
• Ongoing interest rates are around average for a rewards credit card.
• No balance transfer offer.

ANZ Cashback Visa Credit Card

$40.00 p.a. ongoing

• Earn $1 cashback for every $150 spent on eligible purchases.
• $40 p.a. annual fee.
• Up to 55 days interest-free on purchases when you pay your account in full each month.
• Low annual fee.
• Get up to 55 interest-free days on purchases.
• No ongoing sign-up promo on this card.

ANZ Airpoints Visa Platinum Credit Card

$150.00 p.a. ongoing

• Earn 1 Airpoints Dollar for every $110 spent on eligible purchases.
• Earn 50% bonus Status Points on top of the Status Points you earn on eligible flights with Air New Zealand.
• $150 p.a. annual fee (with $75 charged every six months).
• Comes with complimentary overseas travel insurance.
• Earn Airpoints Dollars per dollar spent.
• No cap on what you can earn.
• Get an advance if you need more for a redemption.
• Earn bonus Status Points on eligible flights.
• Complimentary international travel insurance.
• Access to the Visa Concierge.
• $150 p.a. annual fee.
• Average ongoing interest rates.

ANZ Airpoints Visa Credit Card

$65.00 p.a. ongoing

• Earn 1 Airpoints Dollar for every $170 you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn unlimited Airpoints Dollars that never expire.
• $65 p.a. annual fee.
• Up to 44 days interest-free on purchases.
• Earn Airpoints Dollars with no cap.
• Low ongoing annual fee.
• Cheap to add additional cardholders.
• No travel insurance policy.
• No lounge access.
• No concierge service.

Q Mastercard

26.69% p.a. ongoing

$0.00 for 1st year $0.00 for 1st year, then $50.00 p.a. ongoing.">

• Enjoy 90 days interest-free on purchases with no minimum spend.
• Use anywhere Mastercard is accepted, in-store and online.
• Exclusive cardholder days when Q Mastercard cardholders can enjoy exclusive deals and extended finance promotions.
• Enjoy 3 months of 0% p.a. interest on all purchases.
• No annual fee for the first year.
• Annual fee in later years are spread out over two equal instalments.
• No minimum spend required.
• A relatively high purchase interest rate of 26.69% p.a.
• Long term advances come with a $55 establishment fee at the first use.
• Long term finance purchases have a fee of $35.

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Using credit cards is a globally accepted method of making purchases using money borrowed from a lender (usually a bank). Unlike a one-off loan, a credit card offers you a fixed amount of money (i.e. a credit limit) that you can borrow for a brief period and use every month for expenses. You can physically use your credit card to pay for the expenses you have incurred by swiping across a payment terminal (or simply holding it close to the reader in case of a contactless card). You can also use your credit card for online purchases by providing your card details. But it's highly recommended that you only provide your card details to reputable websites and trustworthy online vendors.

In either case, your credit card issuer actually pays the shop/vendor on your behalf, and you then owe money to the card issuer. How you repay your credit has a lot of impact on how much this arrangement is costing you. It also helps you build your credit history (either good or bad), which affects your chances of being approved for a loan, mortgage, or another credit card. It's unsecured debt since you are not borrowing against collateral, and there isn't a guarantor that can take the fall if you are unable to pay off your debt.

Cost of using a credit card

There are several things you need to understand about the costs of using credit cards in New Zealand, but let's start with the simplest scenario.

When you compare credit cards, one of the features you will commonly see listed is 'interest-free days'. While the term seems self-explanatory, it's often misunderstood. Most credit cards come with either 44 or 55 interest-free days.

Let's say you choose a credit card with 44 interest-free days. If you make a purchase using your credit card on the first day of your billing cycle, you will have 44 days interest-free on that purchase. If you pay off your debt within this time, you will not pay any interest charges. But understand that these 44 days didn't start from the day you made the purchase . They started with your billing cycle . If you buy something ten days in your billing cycle, you will have only the remaining 34 days in your 44-day interest-free cycle, in which to pay off your debt interest-free.

So if you use credit cards to make purchases and pay off your debt completely within your interest-free period, it costs you nothing to use your credit card. Well, apart from an annual account fee (or simply annual fee), which for a basic card is usually $20 to $30 a year.

Tip: Some banks offer credit cards with no annual fees to pay.

But life is rarely that simple. What happens when you cannot pay off your credit within the interest-free period? First of all, you will lose your interest-free days for the next billing cycle, at least until your previous debt is paid off. Secondly, you will start accumulating debt according to your card's purchase interest rate (calculated daily based on the per annum rate). Also called the Annual Percentage Rate (APR), it's the interest that you are charged for purchases you made using your credit card until you pay off your carried-over debt completely.

Meanwhile, you will have to make regular minimum payments on your credit card, to ensure that you are only charged the purchase rate interest, and not incurring additional late payment penalties and interest. But if you just pay the minimum payment due (typically a small percentage of your outstanding balance), you will keep accumulating interest on your outstanding debt.

Interest calculation and minimum payments

While the rate is expressed as a percentage per annum, it's calculated on a daily basis. If your credit card's purchase rate is 20% p.a., the daily interest you will accumulate (once your interest-free period has expired) is 0.055% (20% divided by 365 days). If you have an outstanding debt of $2000, you will accumulate $1.10 daily, up until the end of your monthly billing cycle. Your interest amount in the following month will be calculated based on the debt remaining after the minimum payment has been deducted.

Assuming you have a 2.5% minimum monthly payment, you will need to pay $50 when your credit card bill arrives. That amount will be subtracted from your outstanding balance. So $2,000 now becomes $1,950. But you have also accumulated interest at a rate of 0.055% per day for the number of days in the billing cycle (e.g. 30 days)

So: 0.055% x $2,000 x 30 = $33, which will be added to the balance, making it $1,983.

As you can see, the cycle will continue, especially if you keep putting off repaying your debt completely and just pay the minimum amount. Every month the minimum repayment will be subtracted from the outstanding balance, but new accumulated interest will be added. It increases your chances of getting caught in a long-term debt trap, and you can end up paying way more than the principal amount you borrowed if you don't pay off your outstanding credit in sizeable chunks.

Order of payments

If you have accumulated different kinds of credit debt on a single card, your repayment can get a little more complicated. For example, if you have both outstanding purchase debt and cash advance debt (charged at a higher interest rate), the latter will be paid off first when you make a payment towards your outstanding balance.

Purchases and cash advances

The most common use of a credit card is to pay for goods or services, which is why its default interest rate is dubbed the purchase rate. Another frequent use of a credit card is to take out a cash advance. Cash advances are typically charged at a higher interest rate, and don't qualify for interest-free days. Just like a personal loan , you will start incurring interest from the moment you take out a cash advance, and it will keep accumulating until you pay it off completely. Credit cards are expensive when they aren't paid off in time. But they are even more expensive when used for cash.

Balance transfers

Another common way to use a credit card is to make a balance transfer . That is, if you transfer your outstanding debt from one card to another with a promotional balance transfer offer, you may be able to pay zero or low interest for an introductory period. It's not available on every credit card and may have some other more stringent requirements.

When considering a balance transfer option, compare credit cards for all the terms and interest rates. Also, consider your ability to pay off your outstanding balance before the revert interest rate kicks in.

International spending

While Visa, Mastercard, and American Express cards issued in New Zealand can be used internationally, it's a good idea to look into your card's terms and conditions, and the additional charges incurred for international use. Two typical fees associated with international use are currency conversion assessment and foreign currency margin. The extra cost is typically 1.80-4.5% added to your original purchase amount after conversion to NZD.

Credit card features

While credit cards serve a common purpose, there are a few different types of credit cards available in New Zealand. The right credit card type depends upon your spending habits and your overall financial goals. There are a few features you can compare in different credit cards to help you decide which one suits your needs best.

• Credit limit: While it's always advisable to stay well within your credit limit, a higher credit limit may sometimes be needed, especially if you are a heavy spender. However, a higher credit limit might be an issue when you are applying for a mortgage because banks in New Zealand calculate your ability to repay your mortgage based on your available credit limit, and not on how much credit you actually use per month.
• Low interest: Low interest cards are best suited to people who use their cards frequently but rarely pay them off in full, i.e., they mostly make the minimum repayment with an occasional overpayment, but they typically always carry a revolving balance. In cases such as these, the lower the interest rate the better, since it keeps the debt more manageable.
• Low fee: In a lot of cases, low-interest cards inherently have a low-fee or no-fee feature. In New Zealand, the ASB VISA Light is an example of a no-fee and low interest rate credit card.
• Balance transfer: A good balance transfer credit card would ideally have a decent zero-interest period, and low interest rates afterward, compared to the card you currently have. Even if you stick with the bad habit of making minimum payments for several consecutive months, transferring your debt to a card with better terms/rates can save you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars.
• Interest-free: Permanently interest-free or 0% interest credit cards don't exist. A few credit cards come with an interest-free period (typically for the first six months), but that's rare for a new card. This feature is usually only available on balance transfers.
• Rewards, benefits and cashback: To stay ahead of the competition, and to provide incentives other than low interest rates, many banks offer very lucrative rewards and incentives. When you are making a comparison between different credit cards, be sure to consider the rewards that each card is offering. These rewards can be Airpoints dollars , in-store discounts, luxury rewards (like high-end smartphones), online purchase discounts, and cashback per dollar spent . Apart from providing good points of comparison, sometimes credit card rewards and benefits can be a very financially savvy decision when choosing one card over another.

Credit card alternatives

Despite all the added benefits, credit cards have the inherent risk of incurring and increasing your debt obligation, especially if you can't or don't pay off your debt in full on the due date. However, if used wisely, and while exercising strict financial discipline, credit cards can be efficient tools for managing your finances.

• Cash: The simplest alternative to credit cards is good old cash, but it's becoming less and less a norm as we enter into an era of cashless transactions. According to an estimate, only about seven percent of people in New Zealand use cash in most of their transactions.
• Debit card: The second, most viable and most used option is a debit card, where you pay for your expenses using your own money. It's smart, efficient, doesn't incur debt and additional expenses, and the best part is that it forces you to stay within your means. With credit cards, you can get into a bad habit of buying things that you don't need, knowing that you don't need to pay for them for a while. Even people that are careful with their spending can get a little carried away with a credit card.
• Q Card: While not a true alternative to a credit card, Q Card is also very common in New Zealand. It combines the features of a store card and a credit card, but unlike the latter, you can defer paying off your Q Card for up to three months without incurring any interest or additional penalties. That is, if you keep up with the minimum payment. Thousands of vendors in the country accept Q Card payments, and some even offer additional incentives for using Q Cards.
• Buy now pay later services: One of the most popular credit card alternatives, especially with millennials, are the buy now pay later services. Afterpay, Laybuy, Zip, and Oxipay all operate in New Zealand. These services allow you to spread the cost of a purchase over a fixed term. Unlike a credit card, you know it will be paid off in a fixed amount of time and typically with no interest charged. However, there are serious concerns that these services facilitate impulse spending, which is particularly problematic given that they can be funded with a credit card.
• Personal loans: Depending on what you want to use the funds for, a personal loan may be a better option. Personal loans provide the funds you need, but since they do not operate like a credit card, you are less likely to get further into debt. They can be used to fund many things like holidays, home renovation work, wedding expenses, buying a car , and much more. They are also popularly used to consolidate multiple debts into one loan .

Cards, including both credit and debit cards, are by far the most common mode of payment in New Zealand. And by adopting some good credit card practices, you can enjoy the added benefits of using credit, without accumulating interest payments and debt.

Learn about credit cards

Answers to common questions about applying for and using a credit card.

Pros & cons

Can i use a credit card to pay for another credit card.

No, you can't do this. You'll normally need to make your repayments by transferring funds from a bank account (using online banking, phone banking, an ATM, a mobile app or an automated repayment system). But some banks may give you the option of making repayments in cash (over the counter in a branch), or even by using the antiquated cheque-in-the-mail method.

Who can apply for a credit card?

There are a few things that banks/lenders look into when they issue a credit card – starting with your age and citizenship. Most banks offer credit cards to citizens and permanent residents (some will exclude Resident Visa holders) who are over 18 years of age.

Each bank might have its own requirements for issuing a credit card. Generally, you have to produce proof of income, which will tell the bank that you are earning enough to stay ahead of your debt. Other requirements may include a decent credit score. In New Zealand, there isn't a national minimum threshold for a credit score, but generally a score of 500 or above is considered good enough for a basic credit card. Individual banks may have different minimum score requirements, especially when it comes to their premium credit cards.

Based on these requirements, any working adult with a decent credit history may be eligible for most credit cards offered in New Zealand. For students, the options are relatively limited. They can either look for the typical low-fee, and low-interest credit card (if their student bank account allows it), or choose a tertiary student package which sometimes includes a credit card with the credit limit capped at $1,000 or $2,000 at most.

How is interest calculated?

Interest rates on credit cards are calculated on a daily basis. Your interest rate is divided by 365, then applied to your outstanding debt. But if you qualify for interest-free days because you have no debt carried over from the previous month, you won't pay any interest on purchases in the current month.

If you do have carried-over debt, interest accumulates daily on purchases, starting from the transaction date of each purchase, and is added to your balance at the end of your billing cycle.

For cash advances there are no interest-free days, ever. Interest starts accumulating from the day the advance is taken until it is fully repaid.

Is it better to not have a credit card at all?

No. If you are financially disciplined and used to living within your means, then having a credit card and using it efficiently is a good thing. It helps you build a good credit score and makes you eligible for better financial products, loans, and lines of credit.You may also save money by using Airpoints, or reward points, or any complimentary benefits attached to the card.

Can I get a credit card with no credit history or a low credit score?

If you are a student, you may be eligible for a tertiary bank account that includes a credit card. For migrants who have recently arrived in New Zealand, applying for a credit card will require them to provide details about their residency status, residential address, employment, and in some cases, additional financial information. It might make them eligible for basic credit cards with low credit limits, but that would be enough to establish a credit history.

For locals with a bad credit score, the first thing to do is start fixing your credit report. If you're earning enough to qualify for a credit card, then you need to take care of any outstanding debt and liens you have on your name. Until you pay them off, applying for new credit cards only to get rejected will push your credit score down even more. Another option is a prepaid card, where you load your own money onto the card so that you can access the convenience of paying with a card – but it's not actually a credit card.

How should I make payments against my outstanding debt?

On your credit card statement you will usually see two amounts – the full balance  that you can pay off to avoid paying any interest in the following month, or a minimum payment. While repaying the minimum each month  prevents you from suffering late or no-payment penalties, it is not an effective way to stay ahead of your credit card debt.

You can pay any amount between your minimum payment and your total outstanding credit. Even if you can't pay it off fully, try paying as much as you can. The faster you pay off your balance, the less interest you will accumulate. Ideally, pay off all your balance every month, which means you'll never pay any interest.

Annual fee (or Annual account fee)

The annual fee is a fixed amount charged for keeping a credit card on a half-yearly or yearly basis.

Additional card fee

An additional charge applies to joint accounts and additional cardholders, and it's due annually.

Airpoints Dollars

Based on a predetermined ratio, certain credit cards earn Airpoints . These points can be redeemed for flights with Air New Zealand and its partners.

Credit card holders can transfer their outstanding balance from one card to another, typically for better interest rates or even zero interest, for long periods.

Balance transfer fee

A fee charged as a percentage of the balance being transferred.

Billing cycle

The time which elapses between the start and end of the card's billing period. It can start on any day of the month (usually the day on which your account was first approved) and ends around 30 days later (depending on the number of days in the calendar month). A grace period of around 14 or 25 days (depending on whether 44 or 55 interest-free days are allowed) is then added to the billing cycle end date in order to arrive at the payment due date.

Cash advance

A cash advance occurs when you use a credit card to withdraw cash. The maximum amount you can take out as cash is a sum less than your remaining credit limit. Some other transactions that are considered cash advances are gambling transactions, credit card cheques, purchasing prepaid/gift cards, or purchasing foreign currency. The interest rate is also usually higher for cash advances.

Cash advance fee

In addition to interest, a fee is charged for every cash advance transaction.

Complimentary travel insurance

Some credit cards offer built-in travel insurance for up to 40 days. Policies vary, but many cover  medical expenses, property loss, loss of deposit and cancellations, among a few other things.

Credit limit

The maximum dollar limit of your credit card for making purchases. Once you've reached that limit you need to repay some of the balance before you can use your card again for purchases.

Credit score

A numerical score based on your credit history, including the use of credit, repayment frequency, promptness, and any debts in default. Typically, the range is from 0 to 1000 (it can vary depending upon the bureau), but most credit scores start from 300. A higher credit score helps you qualify for better credit cards, personal loans and mortgages.

Dynamic Currency Conversion

A process in which the amount of an overseas credit card transaction made in person is converted by a merchant or ATM to the currency of the payment card's country of issue. It allows you to see how much you've spent in NZD and lock in the exchange rate, but the exchange used may disadvantage the cardholder.

Interest-free days

The number of days a credit card holder has to pay back the bank before any interest is charged on the balance. The number of days is calculated cyclically, and not according to the day of the transaction or purchase. No interest-free days apply to cash advances.

Interest rate

The interest percentage applied to your outstanding balance if you don't fully repay it at every billing cycle. Stated as an annual percentage (APR), but calculated on a daily basis. Different rates may apply to purchases and cash advances on the same card.

Late payment fee

A fee charged if minimum payments aren't made on time.

Minimum payment

The minimum amount you can repay per month. Typically a small percentage of your outstanding balance (e.g. 2% or 3%) or a minimum dollar amount, whichever is higher. Making the minimum payment doesn't prevent interest accumulating on the outstanding balance.

Over-limit fee

For transactions that exceed the credit limit, an over-limit penalty fee is levied upon the cardholder, typically a fixed amount.

Revert interest rate

The interest rate which is applied to any unpaid balance after the expiry of a 0% or low-interest introductory offer. The revert rate can be either the card’s ongoing interest rate on carried-over purchases balances, or its cash advance interest rate.

Benefits and incentives you can earn by using a particular credit card, for example Airpoints or cashback.

Buy on your own schedule

With a credit card, you don't have to wait till payday to buy the things you want or need.

Instills bad spending habits

Frequently using the money you don't have can encourage and facilitate some bad spending habits and nudge you towards expenses that you can't really afford.

Improve your credit score

Responsible credit card usage is one of the easiest ways to improve your credit score.

Earn rewards

You can claim several rewards and incentives, such as merchandise, vouchers, cash discounts and Airpoints &c, by using credit cards.

Complimentary insurance and other benefits

The more expensive cards usually have valuable complimentary benefits attached. These may include, for example, travel insurance, purchase protection insurance, a price protection program, extended warranty, and extra privileges or discounts when staying at hotels.

Better personal loan alternative

If you only need a small amount (a few thousand dollars), which you can pay back within your interest-free period, using a credit card instead of taking out a personal loan is much more cost-effective and comes with easier repayment terms. You will pay no interest at all on the money you borrow using a credit card, if you can pay it back within the interest-free period.

Encourages bad spending habits

Frequently using money you don't have can encourage bad spending habits if you are not financially disciplined, nudging you towards expenses that you can't really afford.

An expensive way to spend money

If you don't pay off your credit card within the interest-free period, whatever you buy using your card will cost you more with the added interest cost.

Constant debt cycle

If you use your credit card for every financial transaction, and then pay off the credit card with your monthly income, you can get trapped in a constant debt cycle if you face an unexpected expense or your monthly income is discontinued for any reason (such as layoff or business failure). Try to keep your credit card spending well within your income level.

Annual and other additional fees

The annual fee is an added expense of using a credit card, along with other fees, penalties, and surcharges you may incur by using your credit card for payments.

Stay well within your credit limit

Maxing out your credit card will make it harder for you to pay off your outstanding balance, and it will also negatively impact your credit score. Ideally, you should stay within 30% of your total credit limit.

Pay off your balance

Kiwis are among some of the most avid credit card users in the world. With such frequent use, you may forget that you are essentially borrowing money by using a credit card to pay for stuff. Unless you pay that money back on time (i.e., pay off your total debt on or before the payment due date) you will incur interest. The interest cost will typically be greater than the money you have saved in rewards and benefits by using the credit card in the first place.

Don't apply for too many cards

If you can't keep track of them all, or can't pay them off promptly, don't apply for too many credit cards. Having multiple credit cards can help your credit history and your credit score if you can manage them well. But if you can't, more credit cards mean more debt traps. Even for financially disciplined people, it's prudent to keep between three and five active cards at most. And since every application for credit will appear on your report, you can also damage your credit score by applying for cards too frequently.

Choose a credit card based on your spending habits and everyday needs

Many cards that offer amazing rewards and benefits also come with higher annual fees and interest rates, which can make it difficult to pay them off if you make too many expensive purchases while chasing the rewards.

Don't take out a cash advance

Cash advance interest is usually charged at a higher rate, and it's calculated from the day you withdraw the cash – there are no interest-free days.

Don't buy what you can't afford

If you can't pay for it now (with the money you have in the bank), it's unlikely that you will be able to afford it at the time of paying your credit card bill.

Strategically use balance transfer cards

Take advantage of banks competing with each other for business, run your numbers, and if a balance transfer deal can significantly reduce your interest burden, take it. But be sure that you aim to pay off your outstanding debt as soon as possible.

Be sure to check your credit history

Monitoring your credit history will help you keep track of your credit score as well as your purchase patterns.

Efficiently use your interest-free period

Make all major purchases at the start of the billing cycle (i.e. at the beginning of your interest-free period) if you possibly can. This will give you the maximum amount of time in which to pay off your full balance and not incur any interest on your purchases.

Keep track of your spending

Use your credit card statements to have a better idea of your spending habits. By adjusting your shopping habits and schedule, and your repayment routine, you can ensure that you aren't paying anything extra on your credit card purchases.

Use your credit efficiently

If you can afford multiple cards, make sure they all confer to your spending pattern and lifestyle. If you are a frequent traveller, use reward cards that can help you accumulate Airpoints. If you have accumulated a lot of debt, a balance transfer card with a generously long interest-free period can make repayment easier. With multiple credit cards, make sure to maximise the benefits you can get by using the appropriate card in each situation. However, be sure to run the numbers to check out that the cost of holding on to multiple cards does not outweigh the benefits they provide. You can't get everything in one card, but sometimes making peace with the rewards you have with a single card is better than having multiple cards and not be able to keep track of them all.

Know your credit card terms before travelling abroad

Using your card overseas can trigger some unexpected expenses, like a poor foreign currency exchange rate, foreign transaction fees and Dynamic Currency Conversion. Make sure you are familiar with your credit card terms, exchange rates, and limitations on overseas use. If your card offers travel insurance, you should know what's included in the insurance, whether it will be applicable for your trip, and whom you should contact if you need to make a claim.

Keep credit card safety tips in mind

Whether you are using your credit card for online purchases or buying something from your favourite shop, never get complacent about credit card security. For online purchases, only provide your details to a trustworthy website. If unsure, search for the store online to see if there are any reviews about fraud or scams. Similarly, if you hand over your card to someone else, watch them like a hawk. Skimming is a common practice used to steal your credit card info if you aren't vigilant. Cover your hand when you are entering your card PIN (no matter how silly it looks).

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Credit cards with travel insurance

There is no shortage of credit cards that offer complimentary travel insurance in New Zealand. We help you make the right choice for you.

Home > Credit cards

The breakdown

• Some credit cards have complimentary travel insurance that covers both international and domestic trips.
• Pre-existing conditions are not covered as standard, but many providers let you add them to your existing cover for an additional premium.
• It’s important to review policy documents to ensure the travel insurance offered by a card provider meets your needs.

Author: Kevin McHugh, Head of Publishing at Banked.

In this guide, we look at what we think are some of the best credit cards for travel insurance, and how they compare with the rest of the competition. We look primarily at the travel insurance benefits of each card (what they cover, any excess involved, eligibility, and so on). But we will also cover other card features and fees that are important to factor in when deciding.

Bear in mind that everyone has different requirements for their travel insurance. For you, great coverage for personal baggage may be a priority, while domestic travel cover will be a must-have for someone else. We hope the information we provide here is useful, but it’s important that you consider your own needs and circumstances before deciding.

We cover the high-level benefits of each card’s travel cover, but if you’re looking for more specific detail, be sure to check the relevant policy document — we have included a link to each.

If you’re looking for a more general option, don’t forget to read our credit card comparison guide to find the best one for you.

The best credit cards with travel insurance

We look at some of the best credit cards that include complimentary travel insurance as standard.

1. American Express Airpoints Platinum

The AMEX Airpoints Platinum has a number of advantages over other credit cards when it comes to travel insurance.

Firstly, the cover it offers applies to both international and domestic travel , unlike many other cards that only cover international. This is a feature all AMEX cards with complimentary travel insurance share, while only one other card provider (TSB) offers the same. This is a welcome benefit in a country where many of us love to take regular trips in our own country.

Another advantage of AMEX Airpoints Platinum is the coverage period. Many other cards limit cover to a comparatively short period per trip, such as up to 35 days for the Westpac Airpoints Platinum Mastercard. But for AMEX credit cards, the coverage period is up to a much longer 180 days .

The AMEX Airpoints Platinum is also one of the most feature-packed credit cards, beyond its travel insurance offering. It includes free airport lounge access via Priority Pass, smartphone screen insurance , and the best Airpoints earn rate of any credit card in NZ (to name just a few benefits).

However, bear in mind that those extra benefits come at a price as the card has an annual fee of $195, which is among the higher annual fees for a credit card that offers complimentary travel insurance (see our table further down for a full comparison).

Important points

• Travel insurance eligibility: To be covered, you must pay for your full trip with the AMEX Airpoints Platinum credit card or with Air New Zealand Airpoints.
• Excess: An excess may apply for some claims. This varies with the type of claim, for example, a $100 excess applies for lost or damaged baggage and a $250 excess applies for cancelled travel. Provider: Chubb Insurance New Zealand.

Scope of cover

This is just a selection of what is covered. Check out the AMEX Airpoints Platinum travel insurance policy document for full details.

• Personal baggage: $30,000
• Medical emergency and repatriation: $2,500,000
• Cancellation of journey: $30,000
• Personal liability cover: $2,000,000
• Accidental loss of life: $10,000

Key card details

• Annual fee: $195
• Purchase interest rate: 22.95%
• Interest-free period: 55 days

Other card benefits and features

• Earn Airpoints:  The AMEX Airpoints Platinum has the best Airpoints earn rate of any credit card — earn 1 Airpoints Dollar for every $59 spent. The card also comes with 300 bonus Airpoints Dollars when you sign up and spend at least $1,500 on the card in the first three months. See how it compares with other Airpoints credit cards.
• Free Priority Pass airport lounge access: Get free access to two VIP airport lounges per year. Access is available to over 1,200 airport lounges around the world, including the Strata Lounge at Auckland Airport .
• Smartphone screen cover: Repairs to fix your phone’s screen will be covered automatically. As long as you bought the phone outright with your card, or you use it to pay for your phone plan, you’ll be covered up to $500.
• Earn Status Points: For every $250 spent on the card, you’ll earn 1 Status Point. Status points can be used for travel benefits including lounge access, priority service, seat upgrades, and more.

Learn more in our full American Express Airpoints Platinum review .

2. TSB Platinum Mastercard

The TSB Platinum Mastercard is another strong credit card for travel insurance.

Like the AMEX Airpoints Platinum, it also covers both international and domestic travel. The card’s travel insurance covers the user for up to 90 consecutive days travel, which is not as long as the AMEX card, but will be more than enough for most people.

The TSB Platinum Mastercard has the weakest cover for personal baggage of all cards we assessed (covering up to just $4,000), but it makes up for it in other ways. For example, it offers unlimited cover for medical emergency and repatriation , plus at $90, it has one of the lowest annual fees for an NZ credit card that comes with complimentary travel insurance.

• Travel insurance eligibility: You must purchase at least 50% of your pre-paid travel expenses on the TSB Platinum Mastercard.
• Excess: None.
• Provider: Allianz Partners.

This is just a selection of what is covered. Check out the TSB Platinum Mastercard travel insurance policy document for full details.

• Personal baggage: $4,000
• Medical emergency and repatriation: Unlimited
• Cancellation of journey: $10,000
• Personal liability cover: $675,000
• Accidental loss of life: $100,000
• Annual fee: $90
• Purchase interest rate: 20.95%
• Interest-free period: 55 day

Other features and benefits

• Earn cashback: The card currently has the best cashback earn rate of any card in NZ, with $1 earned for every $80 spent. See how it compares to other cashback credit cards in our guide.
• Mobile phone insurance: Cover against accidental damage or theft of your mobile phone if you pay your post-paid monthly bill or prepaid top-up using the TSB Platinum Mastercard.
• Purchase protection insurance: Benefit from 180 days of cover against theft or accidental damage for items bought on the card.
• Price protection insurance: Get reimbursed for the difference between the price of an item you purchased and the lower price for the same item within 30 days of the original purchase.

3. ASB Visa Platinum

Benefit from up to 90 days of travel insurance on the ASB Visa Platinum.

Unlike the AMEX and TSB cards described above, the ASB Visa Platinum does not cover domestic travel — it only covers international trips . However, the card has a low annual fee of $80 .

The ASB Visa Platinum also performs strongly in terms of coverage, with unlimited cover in some instances, such as for medical and evacuation expenses and cancellation of travel.

As with the AMEX Airpoints Platinum credit card, making a travel insurance claim involves an excess in some cases (in this case you must pay $200).

• Travel insurance eligibility: You must have paid for at least half of your travel on your ASB Visa Platinum in order to be eligible for its travel insurance.
• Excess: An excess of $200 applies for some types of claims.
• Provider: AIG Insurance New Zealand.

This is just a selection of what is covered. Check out the ASB Visa Platinum travel insurance policy document for full details.

• Personal baggage: $20,000
• Cancellation of journey: Unlimited
• Personal liability cover: $2,500,000
• Accidental loss of life: $50,000
• Annual fee: $80
• Purchase interest rate: 19.95%
• Earn rewards: Choose to earn either True Rewards or AA Smartfuel discounts on your spend using the card. See how the ASB Visa Platinum compares to other rewards cards .
• 0% balance transfer: Transfer the balance of another credit card or store card to your ASB Visa Platinum and pay 0% interest for the first six months.

Compare all credit cards with travel insurance

Find out how our picks compare against other credit cards that come with complimentary travel insurance. Most platinum credit cards come with complimentary travel insurance too, so you might what to check out that guide too.

Does credit card travel insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

No, there is no credit card travel insurance that covers pre-existing medical conditions by default.

However, almost all providers allow you to add cover for your pre-existing medical condition by getting in contact with them before you travel. A medical assessment is required and additional cover is not guaranteed.

If you do add cover for your pre-existing condition, you will need to pay a premium.

The ability to add cover for pre-existing conditions (at a premium) is offered by ASB, TSB, ANZ, Kiwibank, and Westpac. The only exception is American Express.

Do I have to contact the card provider to activate the travel insurance?

No. We reviewed the terms and conditions of all currently available credit cards that offer travel insurance and none require you to call them to activate cover. You will be covered automatically as long as you meet the travel insurance eligibility guidelines (typically that you pay for either at least half or all of your trip using the card).

However, it can be helpful to check the terms and conditions of your cover before you rely on it. It may not cover what you want it for (a special sport such as skiing, for example) or you may find that that you do not meet the travel insurance eligibility criteria (you paid for less than half of your journey on the card, for example).

It’s always sensible to ensure your credit card travel insurance meets your needs and that it is available to you if you need it.

Does credit card travel insurance cover domestic travel?

Only some credit cards that come with complimentary travel insurance cover both international and domestic trips. Those are cards offered by American Express and the TSB Platinum Mastercard .

However, it’s worth bearing in mind that contents insurance policies also tend to cover your things when you’re away from home in New Zealand. Some contents insurance policies even cover you for personal liability in some instances. Learn more about what contents insurance can cover in our guide .

Contents insurance can’t replace domestic travel insurance in all respects, but if you do have a policy already, it’s certainly worth checking what cover you have when you are out travelling in New Zealand.

Kevin McHugh

Credit cards, share trading, money transfers, about banked.

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How a Travel Credit Card Can Be Your Ticket to Big Savings

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Next time you're planning a vacation, a travel credit card could defray some or all of the costs if it packs the right incentives. Typically, cards with higher annual fees provide the most value with perks like ongoing rewards, free checked bags, airport lounge access or other benefits. But even cards with low or no annual fees make it possible to earn some value toward travel, if you can qualify.

These cards generally require good credit (scores of 690 or higher), and even if you're eligible, it's not worth pursuing one if you can't pay off the credit card bill in full every month to avoid steep interest charges. And if you're working toward paying down existing debt, it might not be worth chasing points and miles until you've made progress on that front.

But as long as travel credit cards align with your financial goals, their potential savings merit consideration — even if you travel just once or twice per year. Explore the flexibility of a general-purpose travel credit card to book travel anywhere, or a branded credit card to book travel with a favorite hotel or airline. Either option may offer money-saving benefits toward your next trip.

Valuable features can lower costs

Offers will vary among general-purpose travel credit cards and airline- or hotel-branded credit cards, but some savings opportunities may include:

If a credit card offers a lengthy list of perks, the value can quickly add up. Here are some features to look out for:

A sign-up offer: Travel credit cards generally come with lucrative sign-up offers that let new cardholders earn a pile of points or miles by meeting a minimum spending requirement. It’s easier to snag if you can strategically time a credit card application around planned purchases during a heavy-spend month or season.

Free checked bags: Some airline credit cards offer free checked bags , which can add up to real savings when applied per person on a round trip. This is one way that Doug Figueroa, a content creator at the YouTube channel Zorito y Doug, makes up the cost of the $150 annual fee on an airline credit card. “The savings are $70 round trip per passenger listed in the same reservation,” he says. 

TSA or Global Entry credit : Some travel cards issue a credit (up to $100) when you use them to pay for a TSA or Global Entry application fee. These expedited airport security screening programs can save time while traveling.

Travel credits: Depending on the card’s terms, travel credits may be used to save money on a variety of travel expenses like rideshare services, airfare or accommodations. 

Airport lounge access: You can skip the pricey airport food with some travel credit cards that offer complimentary airport lounge access . Austin Maxwell, a South Carolina-based content creator at the blog The Maxwells Travel, uses a travel credit card to avoid those costs. “I’m saving $20 to $30 every time I go to the airport because I don’t have to buy food or drinks during a layover or preflight,” he says.

A companion ticket: Some airline credit cards cover the cost of a ticket for a friend or family member. Depending on the card's terms, you may have to pay taxes and fees on the fare, the companion ticket may have an expiration date and/or a spending requirement may apply.

Automatic elite status: You may earn elite status without much effort on some hotel-branded credit cards. Elite status can add up to valuable savings if the program offers free food, bonus points or suite upgrades.  

Free nights: If your favorite hotel has a branded credit card that offers annual free night awards, it can stretch your vacation budget. 

Protections and other benefits

A travel credit card that offers trip delay or cancellation insurance, lost baggage insurance, rental car coverage or other protections may also be of value to you. To qualify for these benefits you typically need to pay for the trip or covered purchase with the eligible credit card. Read the terms carefully to understand the extent of your coverage.

Figueroa says he saved $90 over three days with his card’s primary rental car coverage on a trip to Miami.

“Once you make the online reservation, you must decline all insurance offered by the rental company and pay for everything with your [card],” he says.

High-value reward redemptions

Points or miles on some travel credit cards might lose value if they are used for non-travel redemptions like cash back, gift cards or other options. Travel redemptions typically offer the best value, and you might squeeze out even more value with a general-purpose travel card that allows points to transfer to airline or hotel partners. It’s a strategy that Maxwell uses often to his advantage.

“It’s even better if there’s a transfer bonus associated with that," he says. "Credit card companies offer transfer bonuses — 15%, 20%, 30% bonus — if you are to transfer points to a specific airline.”

He says he has also transferred points to hotel partners to book hotel rooms with them. “It would be the equivalent of getting a hotel room at $120 that’s actually valued at $500,” he adds.

To determine whether to redeem rewards for travel or transfer them to a partner, compare costs by checking the credit card’s booking platform and the partner’s website. Also factor in whether rewards transfer on at least a 1:1 ratio, meaning that you'll get the equivalent value in points or miles transferred.

On a similar note...

Find the right credit card for you.

Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.

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The Best Frequent Flyer Credit Cards - 2024 Edition

• New Zealanders typically signing up for a frequent flyer program will choose Air New Zealand's Airpoints program . This is because it's easy to earn points (known as Airpoints Dollars), given Air New Zealand has a huge domestic flight network. The program also has many partners - supermarkets, petrol stations, insurers and other retailers where you can earn Airpoints Dollars by spending money.
• While Airpoints is very convenient to earn and redeem rewards, it's not always the most rewarding - Air New Zealand is often criticised for being expensive, and you can't book business class award flights at any discount unless you're a Silver-level frequent flyer (or higher).
• New Zealand has a simple landscape for frequent flyer credit cards. There are credit cards which earn Airpoints  and credit cards which offer points transfers to a range of airlines and their respective frequent flyer program. In almost all cases, the most rewarding credit cards are issued by American Express ,  given their focus on rewards and benefits for cardholders .
• To help explain what you need to know to make an informed choice, this guide looks at frequent flyer credit cards available and shortlists the best options available and explains why they deliver value above the alternatives.
• For Air New Zealand , AMEX's popular Airpoints Platinum card earns close to twice the number of Airpoints Dollars for every $100 spent compared to any bank card. This makes it an unrivalled card, and even more so when you factor in all the travel benefits it offers. 
• When it comes to other airlines , again, only AMEX offers a frequent flyer credit card that syncs with the programs of Qantas, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Malaysian Airlines, among others. There are two cards - the Gold Rewards Card and, for serious spenders, the Platinum Charge Card . However, we argue that most New Zealanders will be more likely to consider the Gold Card (which we have extensively reviewed ).
• If you want to earn points for business class flights, our dedicated guide has you covered . Again, the options skew in favour of American Express given the extensive airline partners they work with.
• The Best Air New Zealand Airpoints Program Credit Cards
• The Best Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Cards
• The Best Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific (and Other Airlines) Frequent Flyer Credit Cards​
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Air New Zealand Credit Cards
• Emirates Credit Cards
• Cathay Pacific Credit Cards
• Singapore Airlines Credit Cards
• Firstly,  bank-issued airline credit cards  are limited to Air New Zealand and offer poor flight rewards . This will not change and is frustrating given the high annual fees and lack of other card benefits.
• Secondly, AMEX cards earning AMEX points are designed to be rewarding and consistently give cardholders the ability to earn points for upgrades and business class flights  (as well as economy flights) on top-rated airlines. The flexibility is unrivalled.
• Thirdly, not every airline's frequent flyer program is the same – some airlines have appallingly limited award flight availability (Qantas and Cathay Pacific are examples), while others are generous (Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines being examples). You won't usually be able to redeem for travel during peak periods, but if you are flexible, there's a lot of value to take advantage of .
• Before signing up to any frequently flyer program, you'll need to have low expectations and be flexible around your travel dates. As such,  this guide isn't for everyone,  given many New Zealanders' travel needs are best met with cash bookings.
• While there is no 'entry' requirement for annual spending, these cards will benefit any household routinely spending $5,000+ a month on their credit card. And, as always, it's essential to always pay off the balance every month – any interest charged reverses the gains from awards and is an expensive debt to carry.  Do not go into unpaid credit card debt chasing awards - you cannot win; you can only lose .

MoneyHub Founder, and Head of Research, Christopher Walsh shares his views about frequent flyer credit cards:

Christopher walsh moneyhub founder and head of research outlines this 'class of its own' credit card for anyone looking for an air new zealand frequent flyer credit card:.

• The only credit cards currently available that earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points in New Zealand are American Express cards . These are the American Express Gold Rewards Card ( $200/year fee) and the high-end and arguably exclusive American Express Platinum Card ($1,250/year fee).
• These American Express cards earn Membership Rewards Points ; both cards earn 2 Membership Rewards Points per NZ$1 spent. You can then convert Membership Rewards Points into Qantas Frequent Flyer Points at a rate of 2:1 (2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Qantas Point). The estimated transfer time is up to one business day, and the minimum transfer amount is 500 Membership Rewards Points.
• We calculate that both American Express cards effectively earn Qantas Points at a rate of $1 spent = 1 point , given the American Express earning rate ($1 = 2 Amex points) and the conversion rate (2 Amex points = 1 Qantas point).
• However, you won't earn Status Credits on any AMEX card, so if you want to retain (or progress to) silver, gold or platinum, you'll need to fly Qantas. This is the case with Qantas credit cards globally - none offer the ability to earn Status Credits.
• The alternative to AMEX for earning Qantas points is the BNZ . The BNZ also offers a transfer of points deal, where  4 BNZ points = 1 Qantas Point . As a background,  $1 spent = 1 or 1.67 BNZ points, depending on the card . This means you'll earn 0.25 or 0.42 Qantas points per $1 spent. This is around a 58% to 75% lower earning rate than the AMEX cards and shows the BNZ to be poor value .

What can I earn with a Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card?

• Luxury flights offer the best rewards, given the high cost of paying cash for any airfare, which can be avoided if you have enough points.
• Auckland to New York (one way), Qantas Business Class (126,500 Qantas points) is a leading flight reward for anyone earning Qantas Frequent Flyer points from a credit card. Using an AMEX card earning Membership Reward Points, y ou'd need to spend $126,500 on your card (given the earning rate of 2 per $1 spent and the transfer rate to Qantas of 2:1); there's no required timeframe to do this in as AMEX points don't expire unless you cancel your credit card.
• Given the estimated $5,000 value of the flight, every $1 spent on your AMEX Card would give you a return of approximately 3.95 cents (or 3.95%) in the form of this specific Qantas flight.
• Our research highlighted two leading AMEX cards that reliably and consistently reward New Zealanders with Qantas points and offer many benefits, perks and award-earning opportunities.
• Please note both cards earn at a rate of  2 Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent. You can convert your balance to Qantas; 2 Membership Rewards points = 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer Point.
• For example, if you spend around $4,000 a month on your credit card, you'll earn around 48,000 Qantas Frequent Flyer points per year.
• Our pick for earning Qantas Frequent Flyer Points (most popular):  Th e  American Express Gold Rewards Card  - $200/year fee. You'll also get  a $200 statement credit  when you   apply online , ar e approved and spend $1,500 on your new card within the first 3 months. New Card Members only.
• Our pick for a premium and travel card : The  American Express Platinum Card   - $1,250/year annual fee. Please note, the card is a  charge card ; if you don't pay the balance due, you'll be liable for a $20.00 fee or 3.25% of the closing balance, whichever is greater, of the overdue amount. For example, if you have a $10,000 balance due and don't make the repayment, you'll be charged $325. You'll also get  100,000 Membership Reward points   (the equivalent of 50,000 Qantas points) when you apply online , are approved and spend $1,500 on your new Card within the first 3 months. New Card Members only.
• Important:   MoneyHub suggests that anyone unable to pay off a monthly credit card balance should look for an alternative source of credit. Most credit cards, with AMEX being no exception, charge interest rates that can make repayments challenging to manage.
• Cathay Pacific (Asia Miles)
• Hawaiian Airlines (HawaiianMiles)
• Malaysia Airlines (Enrich Miles)
• Qantas Airways (Qantas Points)
• Virgin Australia (Velocity Points)
• Emirates (Skywards Miles)
• Qatar Airways (Privilege Club Avios)
• Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer Miles)

Understanding American Express Membership Rewards Points' Conversion to Airline Programs

• The AMEX Gold Rewards Card and AMEX Platinum Charge Card   both offer an earning rate of 2 Rewards Points for every $1 spent. However, when converting these accumulated points into airline loyalty program currencies, the conversion rates vary depending on the airline.
• As outlined above, converting to Singapore Airlines' Krisflyer requires more Membership Rewards points per Krisflyer Mile (3:1) than converting to Qantas Frequent Flyer Points (2:1). However, a high conversion rate doesn't necessarily mean better value - Qantas typically doesn't offer as many business award seats as Singapore Airlines, and all flights from New Zealand (other than New York) require a stop in Australia.
• American Express outlines the  transfer times , which can range from 1 to 10 business days, depending on the airline. However, to book business class flights, you'll usually need to look 8 to 11+ months in advance and  be flexible with the days you can travel.
• Sign up for a frequent flyer program that suits your travel needs – we suggest Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines as good starting points if you're looking for Asia, Europe, Africa and/or the Middle East.
• Check the availability of award business class flights – you can do this by logging in and making a mock booking to see what's available.
• Once you're comfortable that there is sufficient availability, we suggest converting AMEX points to airline points. For most airlines, the balance will take one business day to convert and appear in your account. Malaysia Airlines and Air New Zealand take a little longer (10 and 2 days, respectively).  
• Book the flights you want once the points appear in your frequent flyer program – you'll need to pay taxes and any surcharges with a debit or credit card. 

How does the value compare between airline partners with different point transfer ratios?

What are the most flexible frequent flyer credit cards available in new zealand, are high annual fee credit cards worth it for frequent flyers, how do i choose the best frequent flyer program for my travel habits, are there any hidden costs with frequent flyer credit cards.

• ​​ Compare Air New Zealand Airpoints Credit Cards : This guide extensively compares credit cards that earn Airpoints Dollars, highlighting the best cards for maximising your earnings for every dollar spent.
• AMEX Gold Rewards Card Review : We assess the features, benefits, and earning potential of the American Express Gold Rewards Card, making it an essential read for those considering this card for its frequent flyer perks.
• Credit Cards for Business Class Flights : This guide offers insights into how to best use credit card points to secure business class flights, comparing various credit cards and their partnerships with airline frequent flyer programs and what they offer.
• Analysis of Credit Card Foreign Transaction Fees : We explore the impact of foreign transaction fees on overseas purchases and provide strategies to minimise these costs, a crucial guide for frequent international travellers.

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Your Next Pavlova on Your American Express® Card

Moving to new zealand.

The easiest way to retain your existing Card Membership status in New Zealand is to apply for a new Card online. Please ensure you provide your existing Account number when you apply, in addition to the other information listed below.

• Select your preferred new Card from our All Cards page.
• Click to apply online.
• Complete the application with your existing Account number, your new New Zealand home address and New Zealand phone number.

Please note:

• Documents and other information may be requested for the purposes of assessing your credit application and verifying your ID and address.
• If you have a New Zealand credit file, it will be taken into account when processing your application. American Express reserves the right to decline applicants who do not satisfy credit approval and income criteria.
• The process takes 2-3 weeks provided we receive all necessary information and documents to assess your application.
• If your new Card is part of the Membership Rewards program, your existing Membership Rewards ® points can be transferred by contacting the number on your existing Card. Otherwise, please redeem your points before you cancel that Card.
• You will need to pay your existing Card balance as it cannot be transferred to any new Card approved in New Zealand. You will continue to receive billing statements until the balance is paid in full.
• If you wish to cancel your existing Card please call the number on that Card.
• If you wish to keep your existing Card, you will continue to be billed any annual fees you are currently paying.
• To be eligible for processing, to American Express Card Members, your existing Consumer Card (including Small Business Cards, where applicable) must be issued by American Express. You must be the Basic Card Member, and have held the Card for at least 3 months. Your Card Account must be current and in good standing at the time of application. Or if the Card was previously cancelled by you, it must have been cancelled within the preceding 3 months prior to the application. Corporate Card Members and Global Network Card Members (whose Cards were issued by Banks other than an American Express Bank) are not eligible through this Card application process.

Must haves for a New Zealand move:

• Your American Express Account number
• New Zealand home address
• New Zealand phone number

Pros and cons of travel credit cards

I f you're new to the world of credit cards and/or travel rewards, you might be wondering if a travel credit card makes sense for you.

If you travel frequently or even semiregularly, travel credit cards are some of the most rewarding cards on the market. With plenty of perks and earning categories — to go along with their sometimes very high annual fees — travel cards can provide plenty of value if used correctly.

Here are some of the upsides and downsides of travel credit cards so you can figure out if it's the right card type for you.

Pros of travel credit cards

Travel perks and benefits.

Premium and even mid-tier travel credit cards often come with lavish perks that pretty much anyone can take advantage of when they're on the go.

Common benefits include annual credits for general travel, services like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck , elite status with a given airline or hotel , access to airport lounges , free checked bags and priority boarding .

Most of these perks are conferred automatically on cardholders, meaning it won't take much effort on your part to take advantage.

Travel-based rewards bonuses

If you spend a lot on travel, you'll also enjoy many cards' travel-focused rewards categories, which offer extra points or miles when you spend with an airline or hotel or use a card issuer's travel portal.

For example, the popular Chase Sapphire Preferred offers 5 points per dollar on travel booked through the Chase travel portal, 5 points per dollar on Lyft purchases (through March 2025) and 2 points per dollar on all travel not booked through the Chase travel portal.

If you're loyal to a particular airline or hotel brand, consider applying for one of its cobranded cards , like the Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Credit Card or the Marriott Bonvoy Bold Credit Card , to enjoy all the perks and rewards bonuses of that program.

Flexible rewards

Many travel cards offer the ability to redeem your points or miles across various hotel and airline transfer partners, leading to even more valuable redemption opportunities .

To do this, most card issuers have their own dedicated travel portals so users can find the best way to utilize their rewards. Some even offer the chance to earn additional points or miles on trips booked through the portal, as mentioned above.

For example, eligible Chase cardholders can get more than 1.25 cents per point in value by transferring rewards to the issuer's 14 different airline and hotel partners . Some of the best Chase transfer partners include United Airlines MileagePlus, World of Hyatt and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.

Valuable welcome bonuses

Lastly, premium travel cards often come with hefty welcome bonuses, which, if obtained, can justify the card's annual fee multiple times over.

Most cards come with a spending threshold that you have to hit within the first three to six months of card membership, so pay attention to that number to see if it's a reasonable spending requirement for you. If a card has a special or elevated welcome offer when applying, even better.

Cons of travel credit cards

Credit score requirements.

While conferring plenty of valuable benefits, travel credit cards usually have stringent credit score requirements, making it difficult to apply for some.

Most travel cards will require a "good" to "excellent" credit score of 670 or higher, with the most premium cards having an even higher requirement. If you're not in that range, consider improving your credit score before getting denied and hurting your score further with a hard inquiry .

High annual fees

Travel credit cards can also come with a bit of sticker shock: high annual fees, with the most lavish cards having price tags upward of $500.

While these annual fees typically justify themselves if you take full advantage of the card's benefits, that can be hard to do if you aren't traveling frequently or laser-focused on maximizing value. Consider starting small with a no-annual-fee or low-annual-fee card and going from there.

Travel credit cards also typically come with high annual percentage rates , which is the amount of interest you'll pay on your debt if you don't pay promptly.

Of course, this can be avoided entirely if you pay your card off in full each month, one of TPG's 10 commandments of rewards credit cards . But it's still a consideration if you can't do so.

Difficult to maximize value

It might also be hard for some to get the maximum value from their travel credit cards if they aren't constantly on the go or looking to fund a big upcoming trip .

Unsurprisingly, the best way to take advantage of your travel rewards is to put them toward travel. If you instead redeem rewards for cash back or statement credits, you likely won't get the full value. Moreover, many hotels and airlines are constantly revamping their rewards programs, meaning the value of your points and miles themselves can fluctuate.

For help maximizing value, keep an eye on TPG resources like our evaluations of what points and miles are worth and our guides on getting the most out of your next credit card or vacation stay.

Should you get a travel credit card?

If you have the required credit score and can justify the annual fee, you'll almost definitely be able to squeeze value out of a travel rewards credit card. Remember that welcome offers on cards , to say nothing of benefits and rewards programs, always change. If you have your eye on a card that you think might fit you, apply at a good time to get the most bang for your buck and cash in on a great welcome offer.

Bottom line

Choosing the right travel credit card can help get you over a financial hump and fund your next big trip , or it can just put a little extra money in your pocket each month. How you use it — and how much value you derive from it — is highly dependent on your lifestyle and what makes the most sense for you and your wallet at the time.

For more resources and advice, check out our beginners guide to credit cards .

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.