Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
GUIDE
How to earn Airpoints without flying
Air New Zealand Airpoints are the reward currency in Air New Zealand's Koru loyalty programme, and they can be earned away from flights through everyday spending with partners and through card offers such as the Amex Airpoints Platinum Card. [5] Status Points, the separate currency used to move up Koru tiers, can also be earned with a Status Points-earning credit card. [5]
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- Airpoints are one of Koru's two currencies, and Air New Zealand says they are earned on flights and through everyday spending with partners. [5]
- Status Points are separate from Airpoints: they are used to progress through Koru tiers and are earned on flights and by using a Status Points-earning credit card. [5]
- Air New Zealand advertises additional Airpoints through an Airpoints Store spending rate and a card bonus; both carry terms, and the card offer has a deadline and spending condition. [5]
How do you earn Airpoints without flying?
Air New Zealand says Airpoints come from flying and from day-to-day spending with its partners, and that the currency can be put toward a range of rewards. [5] The programme's own examples run from flights to coffee and groceries. [5] Away from the aircraft, the routes shown on its Koru page are partner spending, the Airpoints Store and a card offer. [5]
The Airpoints Store is one advertised route: Air New Zealand says members can now earn 1 Airpoint for every NZ$100 spent there, subject to terms. [5] The card route is a separate bonus offer, covered below. [5] For broader background on shopping and card earning, see shopping portals and card offers.
Koru has five tiers, starting at Koru Bronze and including Koru Black. [5] The tier ladder is separate from the Airpoints balance: Airpoints are spent on rewards, while Status Points move a member through the tiers. [5]
Are Airpoints and Status Points the same?
No. Air New Zealand describes Koru as having two currencies, Airpoints and Status Points, with different jobs. [5] The table below sets out what each currency does and how the programme page says it can be earned.
| Currency | What it is for | How the Koru page says it can be earned |
|---|---|---|
| Airpoints | A reward currency that can be used across a range of rewards [5] | Flights and everyday spending with partners [5] |
| Status Points | Progress through the Koru tiers [5] | Flights and a Status Points-earning credit card [5] |
The distinction matters when checking an offer: an Airpoints bonus adds to the reward balance, while Status Points relate to tier progress. [5] For the card side of earning, see Airpoints credit cards.
What conditions apply to Airpoints card and shopping offers?
As of 18 October 2026, Air New Zealand advertises 400 bonus Airpoints for new Amex Airpoints Platinum Card members who apply by 28 October 2026, are approved and spend $1,500 on the new card within the first three months. [5] The offer is limited to new Amex Card Members, and Air New Zealand says terms and conditions apply. [5]
The advertised conditions therefore turn on the application date, approval, new-member status and completing the required spend within the stated period. [5] The Airpoints Store rate is also subject to terms. [5]
Exceptions and limits
- Shairpoints eligibility. Air New Zealand's Shairpoints feature lets a member combine Airpoints with up to nine family and friends; it is free to join and available to all New Zealand-based Koru members. [5]
- Gift-card spending. Liquorland e-Giftcards can be bought from the Airpoints Store using Airpoints, cash or Flexipay, in values from $20 to $500; each card is valid for three years from purchase, and terms apply. [5]
- Store terms. The advertised Airpoints Store earning rate of 1 Airpoint per NZ$100 spent is expressly subject to terms, so the rate should be checked against the current offer before relying on it. [5]
- Card deadline. The 400-Airpoint Amex offer has an application deadline of 28 October 2026 and a $1,500 spend requirement within the first three months; the offer is for new Amex Card Members only. [5]
Frequently asked questions
Can you earn Airpoints without flying?
Yes. Air New Zealand says Airpoints are earned on flights and through everyday spending with partners, and it advertises an Airpoints Store earning rate of 1 Airpoint per NZ$100 spent. [5]
Do Airpoints and Status Points do the same thing?
No. Airpoints are the reward currency, while Status Points are used to progress through Koru tiers. [5] Air New Zealand says Status Points are earned on flights and by using a Status Points-earning credit card. [5]
What is the Amex Airpoints Platinum Card bonus?
Air New Zealand advertises 400 bonus Airpoints for new Amex Airpoints Platinum Card members who apply by 28 October 2026, are approved and spend $1,500 within the first three months, with terms applying. [5]
Who can use Shairpoints?
Shairpoints lets a member combine Airpoints with up to nine family and friends; it is free to join and available to all New Zealand-based Koru members. [5]
Sources
Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. This guide covers Air New Zealand's Koru programme and its Airpoints currency; other airline and hotel loyalty programmes, and transferable airline-mile programmes, are not covered here.
- Air New Zealand Koru programme and Airpoints page, checked 18 October 2026