Do Airpoints Dollars Expire and What You Need to Know

Airpoints Dollars can be a bit tricky to understand, especially when it comes to their expiration dates. In fact, Air New Zealand recently made some changes to how Airpoints Dollars expire, so it's worth getting up to speed.

If you've earned Airpoints Dollars since 2018, you'll be relieved to know that they don't expire. However, if you've earned them before 2018, you should be aware that they do expire.

The good news is that even if your Airpoints Dollars do expire, you can still use them to book flights and other rewards.

Airpoints Dollars do expire, but they have a generous four-year lifespan. You can earn and hold onto them for up to four years without worrying about them disappearing.

Airpoints Dollars expire on the anniversary of opening your Air New Zealand account, not exactly four years after you earn them. This means you need to keep track of when you opened your account to avoid losing your points.

Airpoints Dollars expire after a generous four-year lifespan.

You don't have to worry about them expiring exactly four years after you earn them, though.

Instead, they're removed from your account on the anniversary of opening your Air New Zealand account.

You can keep your Airpoints Dollars from expiring by holding a selected Airpoints earning credit card, but only if you're the nominated earner or primary cardholder.

If you're the nominated earner or primary cardholder, your Airpoints Dollars will never expire as long as you hold a current card.

Any unexpired Airpoints Dollars you earned before you became an Airpoints credit cardholder will also be included.

However, if you cease to be a cardholder and/or the nominated earner, your Airpoints Dollars will expire according to the Airpoints terms and conditions.

Additional reading: Do Credit Cards Expire

Redeeming Airpoints Dollars can be a bit of a challenge, especially with the new award chart. The redemption rates are now based on distance flown in kilometers, and they vary depending on the class of travel.

Here's a breakdown of the redemption rates for partner awards:

For example, a partner award on Lufthansa from Frankfurt to New York will cost 550 Airpoints Dollars in economy, 1,000 Airpoints Dollars in business, and 1,500 Airpoints Dollars in first class, plus taxes and fees.

Partner redemptions can be a great way to use your Airpoints Dollars, but it's essential to understand the costs involved. The redemption rates vary depending on the distance flown, with different rates for economy, business, and first-class seats.

For partner awards on Lufthansa, for instance, the redemption rates are as follows: economy flights cost 550 Airpoints Dollars, business flights cost 1,000 Airpoints Dollars, and first-class flights cost 1,500 Airpoints Dollars. These rates apply to flights like the one from Frankfurt to New York, which comes in at 6,205 kilometers or 3,856 miles.

To give you a better idea of the redemption rates, here's a breakdown of the costs for different distance ranges:

Keep in mind that these rates are subject to change, and it's always a good idea to check the latest information before making a redemption.

The cheapest way to redeem your Airpoints Dollars is by booking a domestic flight with Air New Zealand.

You can redeem your Airpoints Dollars for a domestic flight with Air New Zealand for as little as 2,000 points.

Booking a domestic flight with Air New Zealand is a great way to get the most value out of your Airpoints Dollars.

Domestic flights with Air New Zealand can be redeemed for 1 cent per point, making them a great option for those looking to maximize their Airpoints Dollars.

It's also worth noting that you can book a domestic flight with Air New Zealand online or over the phone, making the process easy and convenient.

Redeeming your Airpoints Dollars for a domestic flight with Air New Zealand can be a great way to save money on your next flight.

Additional reading: Domestic Liability Dollarization

Air New Zealand Airpoints Dollars have a fixed lifespan and expire after four years.

Points are not automatically removed from your account after four years, but rather on the anniversary of you creating your Air New Zealand Airpoints account.

The points will be removed from your account on the anniversary of the day you joined the Airpoints Programme, after four years from accrual.

You can expect a point removal on the same day every year, marking the four-year anniversary of your account creation.