Whether you’re ready to head off on an adventure or start planning your next trip, I'm here to take you through the reasons why American Express can help you travel this beautiful little country we get to call home.

Travelling New Zealand is one of the most rewarding adventures you can experience in my humble opinion. Our incredible landscapes and scenery throughout our amazing country will most certainly leave a lasting impact, whether you’ve been here your whole life or have moved here in the past few years.

When it comes to being prepared for travel, the American Express Airpoints Platinum Card is your best friend. It comes with bonus Airpoints Dollars™ for new card members and the ability to continue earning them when making purchases.

Airpoints Dollars can be used to book flights, accommodation, car hire or help you buy something for your next trip from the Airpoints™ Store such as cameras and accessories or hiking and camping gear!

Here are 5 Reasons to Travel New Zealand with the American Express Airpoints Platinum Card to get the most out of your next trip and help you plan your future holidays.

Disclaimer: This blog post is in partnership with American Express. All opinions and words are my own. This article also features some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you sign up to the Card (sponsored).

1. THE 500 BONUS AIRPOINTS DOLLARS™ OFFER

The American Express Airpoints Platinum Card 500 bonus Airpoints Dollars™ offer has been extended for new Card Members until 29 November 2021! Min spend and T&Cs apply.

That means if you apply online today, are approved and spend $1,500 on your new Card in the first 3 months, you will receive $500 Airpoints Dollars to redeem with spend through Air New Zealand on travel or at the Airpoints Store.

When I am planning my photography adventures away from home there are always a few things that are essential to the trip. I need to book flights for destinations that are far away from where I am based, I need to hire a car so that I can get to the photography spots I have mapped out, and I need to have accommodation so that I can have a base at each location. This is where the bonus Airpoints Dollars come in as I can use them to pay for bookings through Air New Zealand!

But if you’re not looking to use Airpoints Dollars to pay for travel you could use them to pick up some new gear from the Airpoints Store before your next adventure, for example:

• A Camelbak or Merrell backpack to fit everything you need for your hikes and day trips (Airpoints Dollars™ 99.99 - 219.99)

• Men’s or women’s hiking shoes so you’re ready for the trails (Airpoints Dollars™ 199.99 - 349.99)

• A new tent that can fit 3 – 6 people (Airpoints Dollars™ 149.99 - 499.99)

• A powerbank to make sure your phone is charge throughout the day and overnight (Airpoints Dollars™ 49.99 - 119.99)

• A Xeno DIMO Device which is an auto tracking mini tripod for your phone or camera (Airpoints Dollars™ 169.99)

Or kickstart your photography journey by putting the 500 bonus Airpoints Dollars towards a new device:

• Digital or DSLR cameras from Panasonic or Canon (Airpoints Dollars™ 1,069.00 - 2,799.00)

2. THE FASTEST AIRPOINTS DOLLAR EARNING PLATINUM CARD

If you are someone who loves to explore and travel like me, you will appreciate any opportunity to be rewarded for your purchases by earning Airpoints Dollars. Not only does this help us get to the next destination, it’s better on our pockets because it reduces the amount we need to spend on air travel.

Did you know that the American Express Airpoints Platinum Card is the fastest Airpoints Dollar earning platinum Card in New Zealand?

For every $59 you spend, you are rewarded with 1 Airpoints Dollar. You won't find that deal with any other platinum card meaning that American Express is helping you get to your next destination faster than anyone else. All you need to do is use your Airpoints Platinum Card to pay for purchases whether it’s groceries, bills, petrol, shopping, or entertainment.

3. EARN MORE AIRPOINTS DOLLARS™ WITH NO FEE FOR ADDITIONAL CARDS

What’s more, with the American Express Airpoints Platinum Card you can also get Additional Cards for your family members to earn on with no extra fee!!

For example .. take that trip to Queenstown you've been dreaming of and if the family wants to split and do different activities, you can still earn Airpoints Dollars on Additional Card spend! Mum can take her Card to hit the shops, and Dad can take his to the Cinema, and both earn Airpoints Dollars on your Account.

You can acquire up to 4 Additional Cards for family members to accelerate your Airpoints Dollars on all your regular shopping at home or expenses while you travel.

4. COMPLIMENTARY TRAVEL INSURANCE

Travel Insurance .. it is one of the most important things that you can invest in especially if you're planning to do some adventuring and travelling far from home. Even if you are just travelling domestically, it is important to cover yourself in case your plans change unexpectedly.

The great news about the American Express Airpoints Platinum Card is that you receive complimentary domestic and international travel Insurance when you use your Card to pay for your return trip. T&Cs apply. This immediately takes the hassle away of organising travel insurance and instead allows you to put your time into planning out your kiwi adventure!

5. COMPLIMENTARY SMART PHONE SCREEN INSURANCE

To round out the 5 Reasons to Travel New Zealand, number 5 is one that I need always!

I can honestly tell you, that I have cracked my smart phone's screen 3 times on my adventures through New Zealand and I am sure there are many more incidents to come! I use my smart phone as my remote trigger for my camera, and it's as easy as one wrong move with my finger for the phone to slip out of my reach and .. smash.

Smartphone screen repair insurance comes complimentary when you pay for your smartphone outright, or your monthly smartphone contract or SIM only plan with your American Express Airpoints Platinum Card. You’ll be covered for up to $500 towards front screen repairs and an excess of 10% of the claimed amount applies. Up to 2 claims per year. T&Cs apply, click here for more details.

And there you have the 5 Reasons to Travel New Zealand with American Express.

Remember you could start travelling using the 500 bonus Airpoints Dollars™ currently available with the American Express Airpoints Platinum Card. This offer is available if you are a new Card Member who applies online by 29 November 2021, are approved and spend $1,500 on your new Card in the first 3 months. Not only that, you can use your Amex Airpoints Platinum Card while on holiday and earn Airpoints Dollars for your next trip! Learn more.

American Express credit approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. Interest rates, fees and charges apply. All information is correct as of 19 November 2021 and is subject to change. This offer is only available to those who reside in New Zealand. Cards are offered, issued and administered by American Express International (NZ), Inc.

You can also see my 10 Must See Places from North to South of New Zealand guide for more New Zealand Travel inspiration!