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American Express Platinum Airpoints Credit Card - Pros and Cons

The American Express Platinum NZ Airpoints Credit Card is a premium credit card that offers a range of benefits and rewards for frequent travelers.
 

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Here at Money Compare we are big fans of Credit Cards when they are used appropriately.  The Amex cards come with a range of great benefits and below is a pros and cons review of this credit card.

Pros of the Amex Card:

Airpoints rewards: The American Express Platinum NZ Airpoints Credit Card offers a generous rewards program that earns Airpoints Dollars on every dollar spent. This makes it an excellent choice for frequent travelers who can redeem their rewards for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses.  The earn rate on theAmerican Express Airpoints Platinum Card for example is an amazing 1 Airpoint Dollar for every $59 spend.  That is the fastest earning Platinum card in New Zealand. 

Koru Lounge discount & Airport Lounge access:  Cardholders can enjoy complimentary access to a range of partner airline lounges worldwide. This is a valuable benefit that can save travelers money on lounge access fees and whilst there is no Amex lounge at Auckland airport cardholders can save $255 on the Koru joining fee when you become an Air New Zealand Koru member and a Koru annual fee discount (save $145 p.a.) for as long as you hold your Amex card. 

Travel insurance: The credit card offers a range of travel insurance benefits, including travel accident insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and baggage insurance. This can provide peace of mind for travelers and help them save money on travel insurance premiums.

Hotel benefits: The credit card also offers a range of hotel benefits, including room upgrades, late checkouts, and complimentary breakfast. This can provide significant savings for frequent travelers who often stay in hotels.

Concierge service: The credit card comes with a 24/7 concierge service that can assist with travel bookings, restaurant reservations, and other travel-related services. This can be a valuable service for busy travelers who need assistance with travel arrangements.

Cons of the Amex Card:

Annual fee: Like many cards, the American Express Platinum NZ Airpoints Credit Card has an annual fee, however when you consider the earn rate and welcome bonus this fee can quickly be converted to value.

High-interest rates: The credit card has high-interest rates, which can be a significant disadvantage for those who carry a balance on their credit card.

Not as widely accepted  as Visa and Mastercard: Whilst American Express is good to use at almost all major retailers it is still not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard, which may limit the usefulness of this credit card for some users.  However, with more people joiing Amex due to the amazing benefits, more and more merchants are starting to accept and over 46,000 new merchants have begun accepting Amex in NZ since 2019, so coverage is growing. 

Foreign transaction fees: The credit card charges a foreign transaction fee, which can add up for frequent travelers who use their credit card overseas.

Airpoints redemption restrictions: While Airpoints rewards are a great benefit of this credit card, there are restrictions on how and when they can be redeemed. This may be a disadvantage for some users who prefer more flexibility in their rewards programs.

Overall, the American Express Platinum NZ Airpoints Credit Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who can take advantage of its generous rewards program and travel benefits. However, the annual fee, high-interest rates, and limited acceptance may make it less suitable for some users. There are several different Amex cards available - you can compare Amex cards on Money Compare.

 

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