• Rates
  49%
• Fees
  68%
• Rewards
  95%
• Customer Service
  98%
• Value
  77%

Roland Bleyer

Credit Card Expert with over 15 years card experience and the founder of Creditcard.com.au.

The Big Review: David Jones American Express Credit Card

A flexible rewards card with a fantastic earn rate on supermarket and petrol purchases, the David Jones American Express Credit Card is an excellent choice for those who shop at David Jones – and even those who don’t. As a retail rewards card, it offers plenty of David Jones-related extras, including free delivery and gift wrapping on DJ’s purchases, and access to interest free shopping and exclusive fashion events. On top of that, new cardholders can enjoy 15,000 Membership Rewards Points or 7,500 Qantas Points, and $0 annual fee for additional cardholders for the first year.

• Receive 15,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points or 7,500 bonus Qantas Points
• Choice of two rewards programs: American Express Membership Rewards or Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Earn 3 Reward Points per $1 at major supermarkets and petrol stations
• Earn 2 Reward Points per $1 at David Jones
• Earn 1 Reward Point per $1 everywhere else
• 1 Reward Point = 1 Membership Rewards point
• 1 Reward Point = 0.5 Qantas Points
• No points cap
• Take advantage of David Jones extras, including free standard delivery, complimentary gift wrapping, access to exclusive fashion events, up to four years interest free on eligible items at David Jones, and a fashion pay later option and Christmas deferred payment option.
• Connect to a world of special benefits at Amex Connect

• Bonus points available when you spend $750 outside of David Jones within the first three months of becoming a cardholder.
• Annual Fee: $99
• Annual Fee for Additional Cardholders: $0 for the first year, $29 per cardholder per year thereafter.
• Purchase Rate: 20.74% p.a. (variable)
• Interest Free Period: Up to 44 days

This Card: The Lowdown

Marketed as a David Jones credit card, the David Jones American Express Credit Card certainly rewards David Jones devotees. Not only can you earn points on your David Jones purchases, you can also benefit from an excellent selection of David Jones extras.

When shopping at David Jones, you could save on interest with up to four years interest free on big ticket items, while spreading the cost using the card’s deferred payment option on fashion items and Christmas purchases. DJ’s fans may also enjoy complimentary gift wrapping and delivery, as well as instant rewards instore and access to exclusive fashion events.

But, you don’t have to be a regular David Jones shopper to benefit from this card. As a cardholder, you can choose to earn points on the Qantas Frequent Flyer program or the American Express Membership Rewards program. Simply by using the card for your supermarket shop and your petrol station purchases, you can enjoy one of the best earn rates around.

Taking into account the card’s reasonable annual fee – and $0 annual fee for additional cardholders in the first year – you have an affordable rewards card with an awesome earn rate and NO points cap. As a nice little bonus, you can enjoy 15,000 Membership Rewards Points or 7,500 Qantas Points, simply by spending $750 within the first three months outside of David Jones of becoming a Card Member.

Digging Deeper

With the basics covered, it’s time to dig a little deeper into what’s on offer with the David Jones American Express Credit Card, so you can decide whether this card is right for you.

This Card: As a Rewards Card

An attractive incentive for new cardholders, the David Jones American Express Credit Card is currently offering 15,000 Membership Rewards points or 7,500 Qantas Points simply for spending $750 outside of David Jones within the first three months of card approval.

So, if you opt in to Membership Rewards, you’ll receive Membership Rewards points, and if you opt in to Qantas Frequent Flyer, you’ll receive Qantas Points. After making those three initial purchases, the points will be credited to your account within eight to ten weeks. It’s that simple.

In terms of eligibility, you cannot have previously held any other David Jones credit card issued by American Express in the preceding 18 months.

Earning Points

When you apply for the David Jones American Express Credit Card, you will choose to earn points on either the American Express Membership Rewards or Qantas Frequent Flyer program. Then, as you earn points on the card, they will be automatically converted to your choice of rewards program. You may choose to switch rewards programs up to a maximum of once a year.

In terms of points-earning potential, this card is a great little earner, allowing you to earn more on supermarket and petrol station purchases, and on shopping at David Jones. What cardholders may really appreciate though, is the card’s lack of points cap.

• Earn 3 Reward Points per $1 at major supermarkets and petrol stations
• Earn 2 Reward Points per $1 at David Jones
• Earn 1 Reward Point per $1 everywhere else

Supermarkets include Bi-Lo, Coles, Fishers, Food For Less, Fresh Provisions, Harris Farm Markets, IGA, Macro Wholefoods, Safeway, Supabarn, Thomas Dux and Woolworths. Petrol stations include Ampol, BP, Caltex Woolworths, Gull, Metro, Mobil, Peak, Safeway Petrol, Shell, United, Woolworths Petrol and 7 Eleven. Reward Points are earned for every whole dollar spent on goods and services.

If you opt in to the Membership Rewards program, each Reward Point you earn will be converted to 1 Membership Rewards point. If you choose to earn on the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, each Reward Point will convert to 0.5 Qantas Points.

It’s worth pointing out that you must be a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to earn and redeem Qantas Frequent Flyer points. If you’re not already a member, that may mean a $99.50 sign-up fee.

Redeeming Points

Your options for points redemption will, of course, depend on your choice of rewards programs.

Earning points on the American Express Membership Rewards program allows you to use your card to Shop With Points online at davidjones.com, and pay for your purchase using your Membership Rewards points or a combination of Points + Pay. You could also redeem your points for a wide range of gift cards, or alternatively, at Ticketmaster, Hoyts or Event Cinemas.

As for travel options, you may choose to redeem points for flights from nine leading airline partners, including Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, Malaysian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Virgin Australia and Virgin Atlantic, as well as Hilton and Starwood’s frequent guest programs.

Other points redemption options include booking travel through one of the card’s travel agency partners, and turning your points into a credit on your account, and in doing so, using them to cover pretty much anything.

On the other hand, if you earn points on the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, you have a great range of travel options at hand. You could redeem your Qantas Points for Classic Flight Rewards with Qantas or its many airline partners and their affiliates, or opt for Classic Upgrade Rewards on eligible Qantas domestic and international flights.

Alternatively, you could swap your points for merchandise and gift cards through the Qantas Store, or redeem them for Qantas Club or Qantas Wine membership, for car hire or accommodation while travelling, or on Qantas insurance.

This Card: As a Retail Rewards Card

As the David Jones American Express Credit Card is a retail rewards card designed to specifically rewards David Jones customers, it provides plenty of David Jones features and extras.

Free Delivery

When you shop online or instore at David Jones, you can enjoy free standard delivery when using your card. This excludes gift cards, hampers and fresh food, Wine Club, Gift Registry and large items.

Complimentary Gift Wrapping

No need to waste time wrapping gifts, David Jones will do it for you. Especially handy at Christmas, this feature offers complimentary gift wrapping on all items purchased instore or online at David Jones, whenever you use your card to pay.

Access to Exclusive Fashion Events

If you love to stay on top of the latest fashion trends, you can keep your finger on the pulse when you attend exclusive fashion events at David Jones. All you need to do is use your card regularly, and you will be invited to exclusive cardholder shopping nights.

Interest Free Shopping

Offering you the opportunity to save on interest, you could benefit from up to four years interest free with no deposit when you use your card to spend $500 or more on homewares, furniture, bedding or electrical items at David Jones.

Depending on the plan, your purchase will be repayable in either 12, 18, 24, 36 or 48 equal monthly instalments. It’s worth noting that while there in no deposit required, fees and charges will apply. Each new plan incurs a $35 establishment fee and a $2.95 monthly account keeping fee.

Fashion Pay Later Option

Allowing you to spread the cost of your fashion purchases, this Fashion Pay Later option means you will have three months to pay, when you spend $250 or more on your card on any women's or men's apparel, shoes and fashion accessories instore at David Jones.

Christmas Deferred Payment Option

Another handy feature, this can help make Christmas somewhat more affordable, delaying your payment for purchases made using your card between 1 November and 24 December instore at David Jones, until February of the following year.

Instant Rewards

If you love a little extra when shopping at David Jones, you could enjoy Instant Rewards when using your card, including discounts and bonus gifts on a huge selection of fashion, accessories, homewares and more.

This Card: Extras on Offer

As an American Express card, the David Jones American Express Credit Card provides a nice selection of functional extras.

Interest Free Days

While the various money-saving features mentioned above can help you save on interest on David Jones purchases, you can also save on interest elsewhere, with up to 44 days interest free on purchases.

This is available when you pay the full closing balance of your monthly statement by the due date each month. Remember, the total number of interest free days will depend on when you make the purchase, and when your statement is issued.

Service and Support

American Express is renowned for its customer service, so it’s no surprise the David Jones American Express Credit Card offers cardholders excellent service and support. You can benefit from:

• Purchase Protection, covering items purchased on your card (in Australia and overseas) against theft or damage for up to 90 days after purchase.
• Online Fraud Protection Guarantee, covering you for any unauthorised charges, as long as you notify AmEx immediately upon discovery of the fraudulent transactions.
• Emergency Card Replacement, providing you with a replacement card within 48 hours, virtually anywhere in the world, backed by Global Card Support.

Compatibility

Helping to make it even easier to use your card while out and about, you can sync your card with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay.

This Card: The Essentials

Compared to other rewards cards, the David Jones American Express Credit Card has a fair annual fee, at $99 per year. With no points cap and an additional cardholder fee of $0 in the first year ($29 per cardholder, per year thereafter), this card could let you earn some serious points, for a very reasonable payout.

What you may want to look out for, however, is the card’s standard purchase rate. While it does offer ways in which you can save on interest on eligible purchases, this is not a card you want to carry a balance on. Happily, there is no cash advance feature available, but it’s probably best to avoid interest accruing on purchases as well, by clearing the balance each month by the due date.

As for eligibility, you will need to be aged 18 years or over, with no history of bad debt or payment default, and an annual income of $40,000 or more. You will also need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or hold a current Business Long Stay Visa (subclass 457).

Decision Time

Offering an excellent earn rate on supermarket and petrol purchases, the David Jones American Express Credit Card could be the perfect everyday earner for anyone looking to earn Membership Rewards Points or Qantas Points. David Jones fans can benefit from a number of David Jones extras, while enjoying a nice bonus of 15,000 Membership Rewards Points or 7,500 Qantas Points, simply for making a $750 spend on non-DJ’s purchases on the card in the first three months.