Take NZ’s South Island To The Next Level With The American Express® Platinum Card

When it comes to the American Express® Platinum Card, we’ve always believed in pushing its benefits to the limit. It’s one thing to know about the flight redemptions, global lounge access¹, the hotel perks, and the fine dining credits² on paper, but it’s another thing entirely to weave those benefits into a seamless itinerary.

For our latest instalment of the Platinum Card Challenge, John and I swapped the sunny beaches of Cabo San Lucas and the highlands of Scotland for the larger-than-life landscapes of New Zealand’s South Island.

The trip saw us savouring caviar at 35,000 feet flying Emirates First Class, fly fishing for trout in glacial rivers, and kicking back at Rosewood Matakauri, one of Queenstown’s most luxurious lodges. It was raw and rugged enjoyment balanced perfectly with the little luxuries afforded by the American Express Platinum Card.

Here’s how you can maximise your next New Zealand jaunt to its full potential with the American Express Platinum Card.

Enjoying Emirates Suite Life Using Qantas Points

For our first Platinum Challenge in Scotland, I was lucky enough to fly Qantas First over to Europe. For Cabo, John returned serve and flew the incredible Singapore First Suites. But what’s a First Class seat without a mate sitting across the aisle, giggling with glee?

Enter Emirates First Class on the A380. Emirates fly from Sydney to Christchurch return every day, and the three-hour flight in first is one of the most fun redemptions you can find anywhere in the world.

It’s also one of the most accessible First Class experiences, available on most days (pro-tip: lots of seats open up 2 weeks out) for 64,500 Qantas Points plus $194.46 in taxes & fees. Platinum Card holders can transfer Membership Rewards points to Qantas at a 2:1 rate, which means this flight can be redeemed for 129,000 Membership Rewards points⁷.

Settling into my private suite, I couldn’t help but feel like a kid at Christmas. The space was impeccable: sliding doors for complete privacy, a minibar stocked with premium beverages, and even a vanity mirror. A flight attendant appeared almost instantly, presenting me with a glass of champagne and a bag of goodies for the flight.

With just three passengers (including us) in the first cabin, service was immediate and intimate, and very friendly to boot. The moment we sat down, the vintage 2013 Dom Pérignon 2013 arrived, and we clinked glasses across the aisle, grinning at the madness of it all. A gold-trimmed minibar at arm’s reach, Bowers & Wilkins noise-cancelling headphones waiting for us, and a touchscreen to open and close our private suite doors. A crew who seemed just as delighted as we were to be part of this miniature spectacle, “What are you guys filming? Can we watch it on Instagram?”, indulging us as if we were old friends reunited for an outrageous reunion at 38,000 feet.

“Shall we do the caviar service?” John joked, grinning from his seat. And of course, that’s exactly what we did. Served with all the traditional accompaniments—blinis, crème fraîche, and mother-of-pearl spoons—it was the kind of indulgence that makes you forget you’re cruising over the Tasman.

The flight is a morning service that departs at 07:50, so we both opt for the Bircher Muesli and get a quick kip in before what promises to be a big few days.

All good things must sadly come to an end, and after a very enjoyable flight, we land in Christchurch, breezing through customs. Now the real fun begins.

On The Road Again With Avis Preferred

First things first: ground transport – in this case, car hire – another area where the Platinum Card excels. Avis is one of two car hire partners of the Platinum Card (the other being Hertz), and for this trip – the only operator with availability for our dates that allowed us to pick a car up in Christchurch and drop it off in Queenstown.

On top of regular Avis Preferred perks, Platinum Card Members get a complimentary one-car-class upgrade whenever possible, and increased savings on car rentals worldwide³. John and I used this perk to get an upgrade from a small SUV to a mid-sized, and a 15% discount on our booking. It’s worth noting here that manual pre-enrolment is required to unlock these benefits.

The drive from Christchurch to our fly fishing grounds in the middle of the South Island takes you through the heart of New Zealand’s rugged and untamed landscape. Leaving the city behind, the road opens up into wide, windswept plains, dotted with sheep grazing lazily under the shadow of distant mountain ranges. The further you get from Christchurch, the more the land transforms – a patchwork of golden fields giving way to rolling hills and craggy peaks.

Two and a bit hours later, we’re in the tiny Kiwi town of Fairlie – our base for the night being the rustic Musterer’s Quarters, where we get a good night’s sleep before an early start.

At 6 am the next morning, we meet our fishing guide Scotty from Hydro Fishing & Adventure, and before we know it we’re knee-deep in a frigid stream, casting our lines into the glassy current. Definitely a change of scenery from the last time we were fishing together in Cabo.

I’ve been fly-fishing a few times before and never caught a single fish, so expectations were low to say the least. Scotty pointed to an eddy a few metres away from me and said “see that, there’s a trout” – I couldn’t see anything other than water, but thought I’d practice a cast – and BOOM – fish on.

My first brown trout and one of 15 that John and I would catch and release over the next three hours. Fly fishing really doesn’t get much better than doing it with a mate in the heart of New Zealand’s stunning South Island, and while it’s not a tangible perk of the Platinum Card per se, it’s the Platinum Card that got us here and made it possible to tick off the bucket list.

John, always competitive, reckons he caught the biggest trout — a wild rainbow that we released back into the water. For hours, we were entirely in the moment, surrounded by nothing but nature and the sound of rushing water.

From there, the scenery changes again. We drove through some of the most cinematic landscapes I’ve ever seen: turquoise glacial lakes, rolling hills, and mountain passes that seemed to touch the sky. We stopped frequently, snapping photos and marvelling at how untouched the scenery felt. It was the kind of drive that reminds you why road trips are just so damn good. Even better when you’ve got a hotel like the Rosewood Matakauri as your destination.

Checking Into Rosewood Matakauri

I’ll still admit that the flexibility of my Membership Rewards is my favourite perk of the Platinum Card, but access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program is a very close second.

Any hotel you book through Fine Hotels & Resorts gets you a noon check-in (when available), a guaranteed 4 pm late check out so you can really make the most of your time, complimentary daily breakfast for two⁴, and another property specific perk – in the case of Rosewood Matakauri – a US$100 property credit to use on whatever you’d like. John and I used it on a celebratory bottle of bubbly after a particularly enjoyable day.

But my favourite thing about the FH&R program is undoubtedly the fact that if the hotel has availability, you’ll get a room upgrade (subject to room type originally booked). At Rosewood Matakauri, I booked the Lake View Suite, and was upgraded to an epic Grand Lake View Suite, which retails for almost $800 a night more. Not a bad way to start the evening.

The suite was spectacular: floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Remarkables mountain range, a cosy fireplace, a freestanding bath, and a private terrace perfect for a sunset drink.

Just a 5-minute drive from downtown Queenstown, Rosewood Matakauri sits in a private bay on Lake Wakatipu and is an exercise in understated elegance. After settling in, John and I had a dip in the beautiful hotel pool before settling by a fire on the hotel’s main terrace to recap the day that was. As the sun started to make its way behind the mountains, it was time to head into town for dinner.

Read more about redeeming your Membership Rewards points for hotels here. Platinum Card Members can dive further into the perks of their card at Fine Hotels & Resorts over at this article.

The Last Supper: Thanks To Global Dining Credit

Platinum Card Members get up to $400 to spend at over 2,000 participating restaurants around the world. That’s up to $200 in Australia and up to $200 outside Australia². The beauty of the Global Dining Credit is, in my opinion, its simplicity. No registration required – just find a restaurant from the list, enjoy a meal, and you get up to $200 back on your card statement.

There are seven restaurants in Queenstown part of the program, and as big Rodd & Gunn fans, we had to hit The Lodge Bar & Dining. It’s right on the water in Queenstown and the perfect place to cap off the trip.

John absolutely smashed a big rib-eye, and I opted for a cacio e pepe paired with a glass of Central Otago Pinot. The last two days had been a whirlwind, and we just took it all in, while debating who actually caught the biggest fish. Time for some shut-eye at Matakauri before an early flight home the next morning. Brush up on some more Global Dining Credit fast facts here.

Using Our Annual Travel Credit To Get Home

After an incredible few days seeing the South Island, it was time to head home. While the journey over was all about luxury and indulgence, we wanted to make the most of the American Express Platinum Card’s practical perks on the way back.

One of the most underrated benefits of the Platinum Card is the $450 annual travel credit⁵, which can be used towards flights, hotels, or car rentals booked through American Express Travel. The value of the credit, when you stack it up against the card’s annual fee, effectively offsets a big chunk of it, and we put it to excellent use by booking our flight home.

We opted for a direct Virgin Australia flight from Queenstown to Sydney in Economy. While definitely no Emirates First Class, it was a no-fuss and efficient way to get back across the Tasman. Given that trans-Tasman economy fares can fluctuate quite a bit, using the travel credit on this flight was a great way to extract maximum value from the benefit. The process of redeeming the credit was seamless – simply book through the Amex Travel portal, apply the credit, and enjoy the savings.

We’ve unpacked the details of the annual travel credit perks in this article, so you don’t have to.

With an early morning departure from Queenstown, and a short three-hour hop later, we were back in Sydney and already plotting our next Platinum Challenge.

Terms & Conditions:

1. The American Express Global Lounge Collection. The Centurion® Lounge: Platinum Card Members have unlimited complimentary access to all locations of The Centurion Lounge. Gold Card and Green Card Additional Cards on your Platinum Account are not eligible for complimentary access. Card Members may bring up to two (2) companions into The Centurion Lounge. Children under 2 years of age can access the lounge free of charge, provided an accompanying parent or guardian is able to produce a “lap infant” boarding pass or proof of age. Guest access policies may vary internationally by location and are subject to change. To access The Centurion Lounge, the Card Member must present The Centurion Lounge agent with the following upon each visit: their valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and a government-issued I.D. Failure to present this documentation may result in access being denied. The Centurion Lounge is a day of departure lounge. Platinum Card Members who have landed will not be able to access the lounge. Card Members with layovers or connecting flights who produce proof can access the lounge. Platinum Card Members cannot access The Centurion Lounge more than 3 hours before the scheduled departure time on their same day, confirmed boarding pass. This does not apply to Card Members with a connecting flight. Card Members will not be compensated for changes in locations, rates or policies. A Card Member must be at least 18 years of age to enter without a parent or legal guardian. For locations with a self-service bar, the Card Member must be of legal drinking age in the location’s jurisdiction to enter without a parent or legal guardian. Must be of legal drinking age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly. American Express reserves the right to remove any person from the Lounge for inappropriate behavior or failure to adhere to rules, including, but not limited to, conduct that is disruptive, abusive or violent. Soliciting other Card Members for access into our lounge is not permissible. Access is subject to space availability. Hours may vary by location and are subject to change. Amenities vary among The Centurion Lounge locations and are subject to change. Services and amenities in the Lounge are complimentary, however you are responsible for any purchases and/or servicing charges you authorize our Member Services Professionals to perform on your behalf. Some American Express Cards are not eligible for all services provided by Member Services Desk. American Express will not be liable for any articles lost or stolen or damages suffered by the purchaser or visitor inside The Centurion Lounge. If we in our sole discretion determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with lounge access in any way or that you intend to do so, we may remove access to The Centurion Lounge from the Account. Use of The Centurion Lounge is subject to all rules and conditions set by American Express. American Express reserves the right to revise the rules at any time without notice. The Centurion Lounge – Sydney & Melbourne, Australia: Guest access policies for The Centurion Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia may vary to the Global Lounge Collection terms. For more information on the Australian Lounges access, visit americanexpress.com.au/airportlounge
2. Global Dining Credit. Maximum amount back is $200 on spend at participating local restaurants (Local Dining Credit) and AUD$200 on spend at participating abroad restaurants (Abroad Dining Credit) per redemption period: Each redemption period resets on 1 January until the offer end date of 31 December 2025. The redemption periods are:
   • 05 July – 31 December 2022
   • 1 January – 31 December 2023
   • 1 January – 31 December 2024
   • 1 January – 31 December 2025
     Spend can be in one or more transactions. You cannot carry any unused offer value from one redemption period into the next. Primary Card Member Only: The Benefit is only available to Primary American Express Australia Platinum Card Members using their Platinum Personal Charge Card. Transactions made with an Additional Card is not eligible for this Benefit. Save this Benefit First: A one-time enrolment is required. You must first save the Benefit to your Platinum Card before making your payment to qualify for the Benefit. Benefit limited to the Card to which the offer is saved and only spend on this Card counts towards the Benefit. If you use another card to make a payment at any time, you will not be eligible for the Benefit on that card. If you switch to a new Card product that is not eligible for this Benefit, enrolment will be removed from your Card Account. If a Card you hold is ineligible, you will not be able to see the Benefit, nor will you be able to save the Benefit to the Card. If you are no longer eligible for this Benefit due to a change in Account status, including but not limited to fraudulent flags, suspension or cancellation, it will be removed from your Account. Eligible Transactions: Benefit only available for dine-in services made in-person at a participating restaurant, full list can be found here. Participating restaurant list subject to change without notice, please check before you dine as you won’t be eligible to receive a credit if the restaurant isn’t on the list at the time of your transaction. Excluded Transactions: Benefit excludes purchases of gift cards and vouchers, transactions made towards deposits charged upfront by the venue, booking, cancellation, and no-show charges, takeaway or dine-at-home services. If you spend in a currency other than Australian Dollars a Currency Conversion Fee of 3% applies and this fee does not count towards the Benefit. For more information regarding charges made in foreign currencies refer to your Card Member Agreement. Direct Payments Only: If you pay using payment processors such as QR payment or restaurant in-app purchases, you may not be eligible for the Benefit. Please request to pay at the restaurant’s designated checkout register. Award of Credits: Credit(s) should appear on your billing statement within 30 days from the date of payment but may take longer. Credit(s) are not redeemable for cash or any other payment form. Credit may be reversed if your qualifying purchase is refunded or cancelled. Expiry or Withdrawal of Benefit: The Benefit will expire on 31 December 2025. American Express can withdraw the Benefit at any time by giving you 60 days’ notice. Your use of participating restaurants: Your purchase of goods and/or services from the participating brands is governed by their respective terms and conditions (including privacy policies). American Express is not responsible in any way for the goods and/or services of the participating brands. Inquiries or complaints related to the participating brands’ goods and/or services should be directed to their customer service. Our General Offer Terms: Our General Offer Terms also apply to the Benefit and contain important additional terms.
3. Avis Preferred program. Enrolment in the Avis Preferred program is required to receive benefits. Benefits are subject to change. All Avis Preferred Terms and Conditions apply. To view partner terms and conditions, visit avispreferred.eu. American Express Terms and Conditions apply. American Express reserves the right to instruct Avis to cancel your membership if you cease to be a Platinum Card Member or your account is not in good standing.
4. Fine Hotels + Resorts. Average USD$550 value based on Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in 2024 for stays of two nights. Actual value will vary based on property, room rate, upgrade availability and use of benefits. Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade; call Platinum Travel for details. Special amenity and / or Experience Credit and Platinum benefits vary by property; call Platinum Travel for details. Experience credit[s] will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the Experience Credit. Advance reservations are recommended for certain Experience Credits. Valid only for new Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings made through Platinum Travel Service, Business Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service, or American Express Travel Online. Available for Australian Platinum Charge Card Members and Centurion® Members only, and excludes Platinum Credit Card Members such who are not also Australian Platinum Charge Card Members or Centurion Members. Payment must be made in full with an American Express Card in the Australian Platinum Card Member’s or Centurion® Member’s name. Primary Card Member may be able to use Membership Rewards® points and /or Travel Credit on the American Express Travel website or on request through Platinum Travel Service or Centurion Travel Service, as payment towards Fine Hotels + Resorts, if the selected hotel and room type provides you the option to prepay in advance. Platinum Card Member or Centurion Member must travel on itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in and room upgrade are based on availability and are provided at check-in. Benefit restrictions vary by Fine Hotels + Resorts property and cannot be redeemed for cash, and may not be combined with other offers unless indicated. Benefits and additional Fine Hotels + Resorts promotions are only applied at checkout and expire at checkout. Participating Fine Hotels + Resorts properties and benefits are subject to change. Limit one benefit package per room, per stay. Three room limit per Card Member, per stay. Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits (“Prohibited Action”). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits.
   • Benefits vary by property; call Platinum Travel Service or Centurion Travel Service for details.
   • The type and value of the daily breakfast (for two) varies by property; breakfast will be valued at a minimum of US$60 per room per day.
   • Complimentary In-Room Wi-Fi is provided. In the case where a Property includes cost of Wi-Fi in a mandatory resort fee, the Card Member will receive a daily credit from the Property in the standard amount that the Property charges for Wi-Fi. The credit will be issued on the Card Member’s final statement upon check-out
5. Travel Credit. If your Card has a Travel Credit benefit, the Primary Card Member is eligible for an annual Travel Credit, subject to the full Travel Credit Terms and Conditions at amex.com.au/platinumtravelcreditterms. The Travel Credit can be redeemed through American Express Travel Online on a single eligible travel booking by selecting the Travel Credit when you checkout. To redeem the Travel Credit, the full value of the Travel Credit (or more) must be charged to the eligible Primary Card. Eligible travel includes flights, hotels and car hire when you prepay in advance. The Travel Credit can be used for 365 days from the benefit anniversary date and cannot be used past the expiration date. To check the expiration date of your Travel Credit if you have not already redeemed it, please visit americanexpress.com.au/travel; log in and click ‘Travel Credit’. If your booking is cancelled, and your Travel Credit has already been used and associated statement credit applied to your account, you will forfeit your annual Travel Credit benefit and American Express may reverse the statement credits issued. You need to be able to spend on the Card to access the Travel Credit benefit and it should be credited to your Card Account within 3 business days but may take up to 30 days. Your account must be in good standing and you must have paid the annual fee and minimum payment by the due date. If you cancel your Card, change your rewards program or Card type, you will no longer be eligible for the Travel Credit.​
6. Priority Pass^TM: These Terms and Conditions govern American Express Platinum Card Members’ participation in and use of the Priority Pass™ program. Priority Pass is an independent airport lounge access program. Your Priority Pass benefit is limited to airport lounge access only. Non-lounge airport experiences in the form of credits for restaurants, cafes and bars are not available. Primary Platinum Card Members and one nominated Additional Platinum Card Member per Account are eligible for Priority Pass membership. At any visit to a Priority Pass lounge that admits guests, you may bring in 1 guest for no charge. You will be charged the prevailing retail rate for any additional guests. Some lounges do not admit guests. By enrolling in Priority Pass, you agree that you will be responsible for any additional accompanying guest visits and that your Card will be automatically charged after you have signed for the additional guest visit and it has been reported to Priority Pass by the participating lounge. Additionally, you acknowledge and agree that American Express will verify your Card account number and provide updated Card account information to Priority Pass. Priority Pass will use this information to fulfill on the Priority Pass program and may use this information for marketing related to the program. Once enrolled, Platinum Card Members whose Card account is not cancelled may access participating Priority Pass lounges by presenting your Priority Pass card and airline boarding pass. In some lounges, Priority Pass member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Priority Pass members must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Amenities may vary among airport lounge locations. Conference rooms, where available, may be reserved for a fee. Priority Pass lounge partners and locations are subject to change. All Priority Pass members must adhere to the Priority Pass Conditions of Use, which will be sent to you with your membership package, and can be viewed at prioritypass.com. Upon receipt of your enrollment information, Priority Pass will send your Priority Pass card and membership package which you should receive within 4-6 weeks.
7. International Airline Program. American Express reserves the rights to change these conditions from time to time with 21 days prior notice and/or to discontinue the whole programme. To earn or redeem Membership Rewards points, Cards must be registered to the American Express Membership Rewards program, and be active and current in their payments. When paying with a combination of your American Express Card and Membership Rewards points, only the value applied to the Card is eligible to earn Membership Rewards points. Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions apply when booking on the American Express Travel website. Please visit the Membership Rewards website to view the full Terms and conditions (membershiprewards.com.au/termsandconditions). Airlines reserve the right to change, cancel or restrict flight operations without notice. IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares may be limited by airlines to certain flights and/or dates (“blackouts”). IAP is subject to the terms and conditions of each participating carrier. American Express does not guarantee that seats or tickets will be available. Cabins of service and discounts vary by airline and route. To qualify for the IAP upgrades or specially negotiated fares: a) Your journey must start and end at the same port as designated by the participating airline and be completed within the period during which your selected carrier participates in the programme. You will be advised of any applicable dates at the time of booking. b) IAP tickets must be purchased through the American Express Travel Service and must be charged to a valid Australian American Express Platinum Card which is in good standing. c) The Platinum Cardmember who purchases the ticket(s) must be one of the travellers. d) IAP tickets are non-transferable and nonendorsable. Any travel on non-participating airlines must be ticketed and paid for separately and is not part of the IAP. Certain code share or flights on the worldwide partners of the participating airlines may not apply. Certain IAP airlines or non-participating airlines impose restrictions such as ticketing time limit on advance booking to indicate a timeline for ticketing upon making your reservations. For each individual airline Terms & Conditions, please check with the Platinum Travel Service for details.IAP upgrade offers or specially negotiated fares may not be combined with any other promotion, discount, negotiated or corporate rate.American Express acts only as an agent for travel service providers and does not own or operate any airline or means of transportation. American Express is not liable for service deficiencies on the part of airlines or other service providers, including but not limited to: accidents and injuries; delays; changes in routes or itineraries; loss, theft or damages to possessions. American Express strongly advises travellers to insure themselves against travel risks. Travellers are responsible for ensuring that they have valid documentation and for complying with the health, customs, currency and other laws of any country they enter or attempt to enter. IAP is available to Platinum Cardmembers from a variety of participating airlines each with specifically designated ports of departure and arrival. Please refer to the Platinum Travel Service for details of participating airlines, applicable routing and timetables and fares in force at any particular time. Other International Airline Program Terms & Conditions may apply. Savings are based on full-priced retail year-round airfares from Australia to select destinations with participating airlines in selected booking classes in First, Business and Premium Economy. Savings are calculated on the base fare and do not include applicable charges such as taxes, service fees, date change fees and cancellation fees. A maximum of 8 tickets can be purchased per Card Member per transaction. Prices are subject to availability and subject to change.