American Express Explorer Credit Card

Bonus points offer: 50,000 Amex Membership Rewards Points.

How to earn them: You need to apply online through this link and be approved, then spend $4000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months. Points are credited to your account 8 to 10 weeks after meeting the criteria.

Being eligible: You won’t earn the bonus points if you’ve previously held any other card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the previous 18 months. You can still apply but are ineligible for the bonus points.

• 2 points per $1 spent on everyday eligible purchases.
• 1 point per $1 spent on government spending, including payments to the ATO, Australia Post, and Federal/State and Local Government bodies.

Transfer to partner airlines. Points can be redeemed with partnering airlines including Qantas, Delta, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Virgin Atlantic. A list of partner airlines and the points conversion rate can be found at the end of the review.

Book with Amex Travel Online. Pay for your next flight, prepaid hotel or car rental.

Cover charges with points. Use your points to cover eligible purchases you’ve made on your card.

Redeem for gift cards. Cards can be purchased from major retailers including fashion brands, dining, live entertainment and movies, health and wellness services and more.

Points to Shop. Make purchases online with your favourite brands.

$400 Travel Credit. The travel credit is what makes this card economical, since the credit amount is higher than the cost of the annual fee. The credit is for the primary cardholder only, and can be redeemed on one travel booking for flights, hotels and car hire through American Express Travel Online.

Complimentary travel insurance. This card includes domestic and complimentary travel insurance for you, your additional cardholders and eligible spouses, and dependent children aged 25 years or younger. You may be covered for:

• Medical emergency expenses
• Public transport accident up to $300,000
• Trip cancellation and amendment up to $30,000
• Loss or damage to baggage, money or documents up to $10,000
• Travel inconvenience if your flight is delayed
• A range of cover for COVID-19

2 visits to The Centurion Lounge. Each calendar year you’ll receive 2 complimentary invitations to The Centurion Lounge at Sydney International Airport and Melbourne International Airport. Cardholders can bring children 17 years and under for free, but additional guests will be charged an entry fee.

The Hotel Collection benefits. You could receive up to US$100 hotel credit and room upgrade (when available) at certain hotels in The Hotel Collection when you book 2 consecutive nights. Credit is earned by receiving $1 for each dollar you spend on dining, spa and resort activities up to US$100.

Smartphone Screen Cover. When you purchase your phone outright or pay your monthly phone bill for at least 3 consecutive months with your eligible American Express card immediately prior to the screen breakage, you may be reimbursed for the cost of screen repair up to $500 for two events a year. A 10% excess applies to the claimed amount and waiting periods may apply.

Free additional cardholders. It won’t cost anything to add up to 4 additional cardholders (but it does help boost your points faster). Extra cardholders must be over 16.

Plan It Instalments. Plan It Instalments lets you nominate a transaction or a portion of your card balance over $100 to pay off in equal monthly instalments with 0% p.a. interest and a fixed monthly fee.

Card insurance. You’ll get Card Purchase Cover, which covers stolen or damaged eligible items within 90 days of purchase, and Card Refund Cover if you’re having trouble getting a refund on an item. Buyer’s Advantage Cover gives you an extended manufacturer’s warranty of up to 12 months on eligible purchases.