Air New Zealand is rolling out an overhaul of its Airpoints frequent flyer program. The two biggest changes will see the program take on the new name of ‘Koru’, and the introduction of a new top tier for elite members.
For the most part, the change will be coming into effect next year. From April 2026, the Airpoints programme transitions to Koru, with a range of changes that the new name brings.
What is changing?
Koru – A new name
The most obvious change for most will be the change of branding to Koru in April 2026. That name will shuffle its way around the program. The levels in the program will get the Koru branding. For Gold and Silver that will mean adding the Koru name to the start. Airpoints Elite will become Koru Platinum.
What that means, is that a base level member will start at Koru Bronze, then work up through Koru Silver, Koru Gold, Koru Platinum, and the all new Koru Black (see below).
New Elite Koru Black Tier
Right at the top of the program, there will be a new “Koru Black” tier. In order to be in line for this tier, you will need to earn 3,200 Status Points within one year, In addition, 1,920 of those Status Points will need to come from qualifying flights.
If you are already there, it will take 3,040 Status Points (1,824 from qualifying flights) in order to retain the status. That’s a 5% discount on the amounts need to first attain the status.
On the benefits front, Koru Black members can look forward to five Recognition Upgrade vouchers per year. They will consist of three recognition upgrades, and two short-haul recognition upgrades.
Koru Black members will be able to access Status Points Top Ups once every three years, Basically, Air New Zealand will gift up to 70 Status Points if you fall a bit short or retaining status.
Other benefits include
- extra valet parking vouchers,
- an increase in the weighting if OneUp upgrade requests.
- Koru Circle allowing you to extend some of your status to others. There’s a couple of options:
- Family Package – includes one Koru Black Nominee, and Koru Family Nominees for dependants
- Friends Package – includes two Koru Black Nominees
Lounges
The Air New Zealand lounges will now be called Koru Lounge. The paid membership option will be known as Koru Club.
What is not changing?
While that all sounds a lot, there is much that is not changing. In fact, the basic architecture of the program is staying in place. That means that the way you earn, redeem or upgrade stays pretty much the same.
There are a few naming tweaks – for example Airpoints Dollars. While they will just become Airpoints, they will retain the same value at present. That means an Airpoint will be values at 1 New Zealand Dollar.
Final Words
Air New Zealand are touting this as a significant overhaul. Outside the name change, it appears that the most significant thing is a new super elite tier. Under the covers, not so much change.
Still, if you are in line for Koru Black, there are some worthwhile benefits to be had.
