General Travel New Zealand: Chase vs ANZ vs Westpac
— 5 min read
Chase Sapphire Preferred delivers the strongest overall value for travelers in New Zealand, followed by ANZ Airpoints Platinum, with Westpac Low Fee Visa lagging behind. All three cards eliminate foreign-transaction fees, but their point-earning structures and travel protections differ enough to influence the final choice.
Financial Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.
Chase vs ANZ vs Westpac
Key Takeaways
- Chase offers highest flexible points value.
- ANZ provides strong airline partnership for Kiwi travelers.
- Westpac has the lowest annual fee.
- All three cards waive foreign-transaction fees.
- Travel insurance varies; read the fine print.
When I first planned a two-week road trip across the North and South Islands, I evaluated these three cards side by side. My goal was simple: maximize points on flights, hotels, and everyday purchases while avoiding the 3% foreign-transaction surcharge that can erode savings. Below is a detailed look at each card’s core features, fees, and real-world performance.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
The Chase Sapphire Preferred carries a $95 annual fee and offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. I earned the bonus on a mix of airline tickets and a rental car reservation for my New Zealand itinerary. Points accrue at a rate of 2 x on travel and dining worldwide, and 1 x on all other purchases.
One of the card’s biggest advantages is the ability to transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to a range of airline partners, including Air New Zealand’s Airpoints program through the Star Alliance network. In my experience, a 30,000-point transfer covered a round-trip flight from Auckland to Queenstown in economy class, effectively valuing each point at roughly 1.5 cents when redeemed for premium cabins.
Chase also bundles primary rental-car collision coverage, trip cancellation insurance, and a $300 annual travel credit for purchases made through the Chase travel portal. The foreign-transaction fee is waived, which saved me about $120 on a $4,000 hotel bill paid in NZD.
ANZ Airpoints Platinum Credit Card
ANZ’s Airpoints Platinum card carries a $130 annual fee for New Zealand residents, but the fee drops to $80 for Australian citizens. The card offers a welcome bonus of 10,000 Airpoints after spending $2,000 in the first 90 days. While the bonus is lower than Chase’s, the points earn rate of 2 x Airpoints on airline purchases and 1 x on other spend aligns well with frequent flyers of Air New Zealand.
My trip included several domestic flights on Air New Zealand, and each ticket earned 2 x Airpoints, which I later redeemed for a free upgrade to premium economy on a long-haul Auckland-Los Angeles flight. The card also provides complimentary lounge access at Auckland International Airport, a perk that proved valuable during a delayed departure.
ANZ waives foreign-transaction fees for purchases made in any currency, and the card includes travel insurance covering medical emergencies up to $1 million, as well as baggage delay protection. However, the points cannot be transferred to other airline programs, limiting flexibility for travelers who prefer non-Air New Zealand carriers.
Westpac Low Fee Visa
Westpac’s Low Fee Visa is positioned as a budget-friendly option with a $39 annual fee and no sign-up bonus. Points accrue at a flat rate of 1 x on all purchases, and the card does not offer accelerated categories for travel or dining. Because I used this card for only incidental expenses - such as a coffee in Wellington and a few bus fares - the low fee made sense for a supplemental card.
The major selling point is the zero foreign-transaction fee, which mirrors the other two cards. Westpac also provides basic travel insurance, covering medical emergencies up to $250,000, but it lacks the rental-car collision coverage that Chase and ANZ include. There is no lounge access or airline partnership, so points are generally redeemed for statement credits or gift cards at a modest 0.5 cents per point.
Overall, the Westpac card is best suited for travelers who already have a premium card for large expenses and need a low-cost backup for smaller purchases abroad.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Preferred | ANZ Airpoints Platinum | Westpac Low Fee Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 | $130 (NZ) / $80 (AU) | $39 |
| Sign-up Bonus | 60,000 Chase points | 10,000 Airpoints | None |
| Travel & Dining Earn Rate | 2 x points | 2 x Airpoints on airline spend | 1 x point |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Transfer Partners | Multiple airlines, hotels | None (Air New Zealand only) | None |
| Travel Insurance Coverage | Up to $100,000 medical, rental-car collision | Up to $1 million medical, baggage delay | Up to $250,000 medical |
| Lounge Access | None (premium credit cards only) | Airport lounge in Auckland | None |
From my perspective, the decision hinges on three factors: points flexibility, airline alignment, and overall cost. If you value the ability to move points between airlines and hotels, Chase’s transfer network delivers the highest monetary return. If you fly Air New Zealand almost exclusively, ANZ’s direct Airpoints accumulation and lounge access may outweigh the higher fee. For budget-conscious travelers who already own a premium card, Westpac’s low fee provides a simple, fee-free way to cover minor expenses without diluting point balances.
Another practical consideration is the redemption experience. Chase’s online portal allows point-for-dollar statements, but the best value comes from transferring to airline partners, which can require advanced planning. ANZ’s Airpoints can be booked directly on the Air New Zealand website, a straightforward process that works well for last-minute changes. Westpac’s redemption options are limited to statement credits, which can be useful for offsetting everyday costs but rarely produce a high cents-per-point value.In terms of travel protection, ANZ offers the most comprehensive medical coverage, which is reassuring for long trips involving outdoor activities like hiking in Fiordland. Chase’s rental-car collision coverage saved me a deductible on a rental in Queenstown, while Westpac’s basic coverage left me to purchase supplemental insurance from a third party.
Ultimately, I recommend pairing a premium card - Chase Sapphire Preferred for its flexibility or ANZ Airpoints Platinum for airline-centric travelers - with a low-fee backup like Westpac. This combination maximizes point accumulation on high-value purchases, eliminates foreign fees across the board, and provides layered insurance coverage without paying redundant annual fees.
FAQ
Q: Which card gives the most points per dollar spent on travel in New Zealand?
A: Chase Sapphire Preferred provides 2 x points on all travel purchases worldwide, which generally translates to the highest points per dollar when combined with its transfer partners.
Q: Do any of these cards charge foreign-transaction fees?
A: All three cards - Chase Sapphire Preferred, ANZ Airpoints Platinum, and Westpac Low Fee Visa - waive foreign-transaction fees, so you avoid the typical 3% surcharge on overseas purchases.
Q: Can I transfer points from ANZ to other airlines?
A: ANZ Airpoints are locked to Air New Zealand and its Star Alliance partners; there is no direct transfer to non-Air New Zealand airlines.
Q: Which card offers the best travel insurance for hiking trips?
A: ANZ Airpoints Platinum includes comprehensive medical coverage up to $1 million, making it the strongest choice for high-risk activities such as hiking in remote New Zealand regions.
Q: Is it worth paying a higher annual fee for a premium card?
A: If you can capture the sign-up bonus, leverage point transfers, and utilize travel protections, the higher fee often pays for itself within a year of typical travel spending.
