New Zealand travel bubble: what are your credit card options?

It’s been almost two weeks since the Trans-Tasman travel bubble opened up between Australia and New Zealand. 

With the option now available for quarantine-free travel for Aussies, many are looking to bungee jump, hit the slopes, or just soak in the scenery our neighbours to the south have to offer. 

So if you’re one of the ones that has the New Zealand travel itch, you may be asking yourself: what are my travel money options? (Bet you haven’t asked that question in a while!)  

So to give you a bit of a refresh, a travel credit card may be a good way to go. 

Whether it’s a card with no foreign exchange rate or a card that could earn you a tonne of points as you fly and spend, or both, it’s all about making sure you get the most out of your travel money option. 

What is the best credit card to use in New Zealand?

As we said, it depends on what you’re after when it comes to your overseas spending. 

If you simply want to save on foreign exchange fees every time you make a purchase, a card without this charge is the ideal choice.

There are a number of credit cards that have a foreign exchange charge, ranging from 1.50% to 3.65%. This means each time you make an international purchase you’ll be charged a percentage extra on top of the cost of the transaction. 

Currently on the Mozo database there are over 20 credit cards with a 0% foreign exchange margin. So if your current credit card charges you this fee, it could be worth making the switch. 

On the other hand, if you’re all about earning rewards points on your credit card, you may want to choose a card with a solid rewards program and even a top bonus points offer. 

On the Mozo database there are over 110 rewards credit cards to choose from. Of those, over 65 cards have bonus points attached to them ranging from 7,500 points to 200,000. 

It’s important to keep in mind that these bonus points offers come with spending requirements, so there’s no point applying for the card if you aren’t going to meet the conditions. Similarly, unless you’re heading to New Zealand later this year, your holiday will likely be a way to earn bonus points rather than use them. This is because after you apply for a bonus points credit card, the points are made available after a period indicated by the credit card provider, not upfront. 

There are also a number of credit cards options that have no foreign exchange fee as well as a killer rewards points program. So if you are savvy and snag one of these deals, you could be getting the best of both worlds on your NZ holiday. 

Plus, some of these cards might also come with complimentary travel insurance attached to them too, so it's worth keeping an eye out for that. 

Want to start comparing travel credit card options now? Check out these offers below or head to our credit card hub for even more!