There are 3 key ways you can spend Airpoints Dollars. These are redeeming on 1. Air New Zealand flights, 2. Partner airline flights, 3. Products at the Airpoints Store.
Each are all great ways to redeem Airpoints Dollars. With that, the value you actually get per single Airpoint can vary depending on what you redeem. However, it can be tricky to work out if you’re spending your hard-earned Airpoints wisely or not.
My guide to The Best & Worst Ways to Spend your Air NZ Airpoints, will help you decide the best way for you to spend Airpoints. I’ll cover the three redemptions you can make, plus how to maximise the value of every Airpoint you own!
Table of Contents >>>
- Understanding the Value of Airpoints Dollars
- Air New Zealand Flights
- Partner Airline Flights
- Airpoints Store
- Bottom Line
Understanding the Value of Airpoints Dollars
The real value of an Airpoints redemption can be calculated. Simply divide the cash price by the Airpoints price.
If the value per Airpoint is below $1, it is bad value (you’re better to pay in cash). If the value per Airpoint is equal to or above $1, it is good value (therefore best to pay in Airpoints). I will include a few examples of Airpoints values below.
Air NZ Flights: When you redeem Airpoints on Air New Zealand flights, the value is always $1NZD = 1 Airpoint.
Partner Airline Flights: For example, a one-way business class flight on United Airlines from Paris to New York costs 1000 Airpoints, plus NZ$240.70. Business Class flights trans-atlantic like this one, start from NZ$3000 one way. So, 3000 – 241 = $2759 (cash), so the value per Airpoint is an impressive $2.759. Air New Zealand reward flights can be found cheaper in the partner rewards portal too.
Airpoints Store: For example, a pair of Apple AirPods 4 costs 249APD (costs $249NZD using Flexipay – What is Flexipay?). I found the same AirPods retailed at JB-HI-FI (NZ) for $236. So if you bought the Airpods with Airpoints, the value is 1 Airpoint = $0.95. You are better off buying the AirPods with cash.
Air New Zealand Flights
To redeem Airpoints on Air New Zealand flights, follow these simple steps:
- Go to airnewzealand.co.nz/flights
- Start booking your flights as normal
- At the checkout choose the option ‘pay in Airpoints’ option
- This will change the payment method to your Airpoints balance
- If you don’t have enough points, split the cost using Flexipay
- Then simply complete the transaction
Summed up, you pay for an Air NZ operated flight with Airpoints so that they have a 1:1 value ($1NZD = 1 Airpoint Dollar). You can pay in full, or use Flexipay if you don’t have enough Airpoints. You must pay for at least 20% of the full airfare and a small fee when paying with Flexipay.
Tip: Instead of using Flexipay, search for the flight you want to book on the partner airline portal. You might find better reward pricing for Air New Zealand operated flights in this search engine.
Partner Airline Flights
Spending Airpoints on partner airline flights is entirely different to spending on Air NZ flights. This redemption also provides much better value!
To redeem Airpoints on partner airline flights, go to the partner portal and search.
You can spend Airpoints on flights operated by all Star Alliance airlines, Qantas and other partners such as Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Virgin Atlantic & more. Do keep in mind, partner rewards have limited availability and you may not always be able to purchase the flight you want to. Your best luck will be on quieter days of travel.
The cost of an Airpoints partner airline reward flight is consistent. See table below for the costs (prices exclude taxes and fees).
Airpoints Store
The Airpoints Store is Air New Zealand’s platform to purchase household goods, vouchers and experiences with Airpoints. This is a very useful way to redime Airpoints if you don’t have a lot of Airpoints, at neither good nor bad value.
When purchasing, you have the option to pay in Airpoints, cash, or both (Flexipay). If you pay in cash, it is the same price as in Airpoints dollars. This is the same if using Flexipay, and you can split the payment at any amount you like.
For the proportion you spend in cash, you will earn 1 Airpoint for every $100NZD you spend.
Make sure to listen out for Airpoints Store sales and offers. Often some of the prices can actually be very competitive, even in cash, compared to retailers. Most products come from New Zealand based producers, and also make great gift ideas.
Bottom Line
Despite Airpoints being one of the worst value airline loyalty program currencies out there, you still can find good value, and simplicity when redeeming.
Ultimately, your best value Airpoints redemptions will be made on partner airlines. This is followed by Air New Zealand flights and the Airpoints Store – which maintain a 1:1 value ratio.
With just about every redemption you make, you’ll be able to compare prices with paying in cash. Make sure you do this, especially when the NZ$1 = 1 Airpoint valuation gives an easy calculation, based on my examples above.
Thank you for reading, and make sure to check out more of my Air New Zealand and Airpoints travel hacking guides now!
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