- Bonus points (Partner Offer): Earn 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply through this link by 3 October 2024, are approved and spend $4000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months (terms and conditions apply).
- Earn points: You’ll earn 2 points per $1 spent on purchases. Government spending earns 1 point per $1 spent. Points are uncapped and don’t expire.
- Travel perks: Get $400 Travel Credit every year with American Express Travel and earn up to US$100 hotel credit and room upgrades (see review for details). Use complimentary domestic and international travel insurance.
- Flight extras: Use 2 complimentary entries per year to The Centurion Lounge at Sydney and Melbourne International Airports.
- Extras: Complimentary smartphone screen cover and other card covers, plus add up to 4 free additional cardholders. Sync your card with Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay.
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American Express Credit Cards
American Express Explorer Credit Card
Updated 11 September 2024
Partner Offer: Pack your bags with 100k bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply though this link. Plus, get flashy lounge passes and $400 Travel Credit every year (criteria below).
You’ll be able to earn points on purchases and use a plethora of travel benefits including travel insurance, hotel credit and room upgrades where eligible. This card benefits frequent travellers and those who want flexibility in their points program.
Terms and conditions apply.
Points Earn Rate (per $1 spent)
2 points
AmexRewards Program
Amex Membership Rewards
Bonus Points
100,000 pts
Spend $4,000 in first 3 months
Pros and cons
- High interest rate on purchases
- High annual fee unless you use the travel benefits
Creditcard.com.au review
Editor Review
American Express Explorer Credit Card
Pauline Hatch
Pauline is a personal finance expert at CreditCard.com.au, with 8 years in money, budgeting and property reporting under her belt. Ask Pauline a Question about this card.
Overall Rating
The American Express Explorer card comes packed with useful travel benefits, including interesting extras like the ability to earn hotel credit and room upgrades.
The Amex Membership Rewards program is exceptionally flexible and offers loads of ways to redeem your points. If you don’t want to be tied to a frequent flyer program, you can transfer points to more than 12 major airlines including Qantas and Emirates.
Why I love the American Express Explorer card
I’ve received many comments from Amex Explorer customers who say that using the $400 travel credit each year makes this a very affordable premium card, since the value of the credit is more than the $395 annual fee.
On top of that, this card also earns points (including big bonus points) and comes with a few interesting travel benefits. A little savvy can make its value go a long way.
I’ll start by unpacking the points on offer, then the rest of the card’s features. Note: the 100,000 bonus points are a special partner offer when you apply through the link on this page.
Bonus points offer: 100,000 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 10 months. You can still apply but are ineligible for the bonus points.
Points per dollar:
- 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.
Amex’s terms say “Eligible purchases do not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late payment, cash advances, balance transfers, traveller’s cheques and foreign currency conversion”. See the card’s PDS for full details on eligible transactions and government spending.
How can you spend your points?
This card earns Amex Membership Rewards points, which is Amex’s loyalty program. Points can be redeemed easily via the Membership Rewards online dashboard. You can use your points to:
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.
Travel extras
This card ticks a lot of boxes for globetrotters who want great perks or cheaper ways to travel. It offers:
$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.
Other perks and benefits
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 $150 to pay off in equal monthly instalments interest-free. Normally a fixed monthly fee is charged, but the fee is waived for 3-month plans initiated between 22 April 2024 and 31 October 2024.
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.
What’s not so great
A card with this many features also comes with plenty of terms and conditions. Make sure you read all the eligibility requirements and exclusions that might apply to each benefit. Yes, it’s a bit of reading, but it’ll help you maximise the card’s value.
The Amex Explorer has a high interest rate, so you’ll save money by paying off the card in full each month.
Who suits the Amex Explorer credit card?
Since this card is crammed with travel features, it’ll be most helpful and cost-effective for frequent travellers who will use its perks enough to outweigh the higher annual fee and interest rates.
Membership Rewards Points conversion rates
Rates are correct and updated as of 10 September 2024. | Program name | Conversion rate |
|---|---|
| Cathay – Asia Miles | 2 MR = 1 Asia Mile |
| Emirates Skywards | 3 MR = 1 Skywards Mile |
| Etihad Guest | 2 MR = 1 Etihad Guest Mile |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 2 MR = 1 Hawaiian Mile |
| Hilton Honors | 2 MR = 1 Honors points |
| Malaysia Airlines Enrich | 2 MR = 1 Enrich Mile |
| Marriott Bonvoy | 600 MR = 400 Marriott Points |
| Qatar Airways Privilege Club | 2 MR = 1 Avios |
| Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer | 3 MR = 1 KrisFlyer Mile |
| Thai Royal Orchid Plus | 2 MR = 1 Royal Orchid Plus Mile |
| Virgin Atlantic | 2 MR = 1 Flying Club Mile |
| Velocity Frequent Flyer | 2 MR = 1 Velocity point |
User reviews
Rates and fees
Interest rates
Purchase rate 23.99% p.a.
Cash advance rate N/A
Interest free period on purchases up to 55 days
Credit limits
Minimum credit limit $3,000
Maximum credit limit N/A
Fees & repayments
Annual fee $395 p.a.
Additional cardholder fee Up to 4 at no extra cost
Foreign transaction fee 3%
Minimum repayment $30 or 2.5%, whichever is greater (personal & business); N/A (charge cards)
Cash advance fee N/A
Late payment fee $30
Rewards and points
Rewards program
Rewards Program 
Amex Membership Rewards
Bonus points 100,000 points
Annual points cap uncapped
Bonus points spend criteria Spend $4,000 in first 3 months
Earning points with this card
Amex Rewards points 2 points per $1 spent
Points cap per month N/A
Overseas earn rate same as standard earn rate
Additional features
Complimentary insurance
International Travel Insurance Yes - up to 6 months
Flight Inconvenience Insurance Yes
Transit Accident Insurance Yes
Smartphone Screen Insurance Yes
Purchase Protection Insurance Yes
Extended Warranty Insurance Yes
Rental Vehicle Excess In Australia Insurance No
Extras
$400 Travel Credit every year
Eligible with Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay
Two entries to The Centurion® Lounge at the Sydney or Melbourne International Airport each year
Overview
American Express Explorer Credit Card
Enjoy 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply through the link on this page by 3 October 2024, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. Enjoy great travel benefits including $400 Annual Travel Credit, complimentary airport lounge access, up to US$100 hotel credit and a room upgrade (when available) at selected hotels in The Hotel Collection and a range of complimentary insurances plus, Smartphone Screen Cover. Points can be transferred to 11 airline rewards partner programs.
Key features
- Partner Offer: Enjoy 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply through this link by 3 October 2024, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.
- $400 Travel Credit every year
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on purchases excluding government spend in Australia where you’ll earn 1 point per $1 spent
- Earn up to US$100 hotel credit and room upgrade (when available) when you book at least 2 consecutive nights at select hotels in The Hotel Collection using your American Express Explorer credit card
- Up to $500 Smartphone Screen Cover
- Two complimentary entries per year to The Centurion Lounge at Sydney International Airport or Melbourne International Airport
- Transfer your points to 11 airline rewards partner programs including Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Emirates Skywards and more
- Uncapped earn rate and no expiry on Membership Rewards points
- Complimentary domestic and international Travel Insurance (including limited cover related to COVID-19, T&Cs apply)
- Up to 4 free additional Card Members
- Eligible for use with Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay
Minimum criteria to apply for this card
-
Be over 18 years old
-
Good Credit and have not applied for multiple credit cards recently
-
Australian citizen or permanent resident or hold a long term visa (at least 12 months; does not include student visas).
You have your personal details ready to complete the online application
Pauline is a personal finance expert at CreditCard.com.au, with 8 years in money, budgeting and property reporting under her belt. Pauline is passionate about seeing Aussies win by making their money – and their credit cards – work smarter, harder and bigger
Recently Asked Questions
Something you need to know about this card? Ask our credit card expert a question.
Ask a question51 questions (showing the latest 10 Q&As)
What income do you need to make
Hi Alex, I see that Amex no longer publishes the income requirements for their cards. You can call their contact centre at 1300 557 743 to inquire about the application eligibility requirements.
I currently have an Amex David Jones Platinum card if I change to the Explorer card will I receive the 50,000 bonus points. Or should I wait to see if When the DJs amex closes Will there be any offers to card holders to encourage taking a new Amex card.
Hi Victoria, the terms for the bonus points on the Explorer card say “If you are an existing David Jones Card Member and don’t hold or have previously held any other American Express Card(s) in the past 18 months, you will be eligible for the offer”. So I think that answers both questions - you could be eligible if that’s your only Amex card, and it looks like that’s how Amex is encouraging DJ cardholders to switch! Good luck Victoria!
I am an explorer CC holder. I currently have a Priority Pass - it expires in Feb 2024 I see, is this card z/ or was this card through you ?
Hi Graham and Julie! We compare credit cards but you would have ultimately applied directly through Amex. You also would have had to sign up for Priority Pass through its website. This is its help page where you can update or renew your pass. Hope that helps!
Not so much a question but an interesting case study and it revolves around the minimum income which is $65000 (pre-tax I gather) for the Explorers Card. I am 75, retired, my superannuation balance is $760,000 and I own a house outright which is worth about $2M. I draw down $55,000 pa from super which is not taxed - I can draw down $65000 if I wish to - it is my option. My wife has a house and her own superannuation but this is of course not relevant to my application. I was after an Explorers Card with a credit of about $7500 for overseas travel which included the 'seemingly attractive' option of an unlimited excess for damage to a rental car or theft thereof etc. Amex will not give me an Explorers Card. Amex says it has reviewed my superannuation balance and applied some tests and I do not qualify for a card. Perhaps Amex is saying a drawdown of $65,000pa is not consistent with my balance. It seems crazy to me that, given my assets, and tax free income, I cannot take out this card. I will have to stick with my Commonwealth Bank Mastercard.
Hi Denis, thanks for looping back and sharing your story. It must be super frustrating that Amex said no, but hopefully other users will read your story and learn from it. Hopefully you’ll still have a great time in Europe!
Hi Pauline, I will rent a car in Europe in 2023. I prefer to be fully insured in case of significant damage to the car. Comprehensive car insurance is expensive but I understand the Explorer card will cover any costs to the renter of damage up to $100,000 (provided the rental agreement is not breached). Is this your understanding? Does the 3% transaction fee mean that every time I use the card (e.g. to pay for my international airfares and hire the rental car I am liable for 3%? How does this compare to the Commonwealth Bank Diamond Mastercard? Is Covid cover comparable with other credit cards?
Hi Denis, it’s a tricky area with Rental Vehicle Insurance Excess. There’s a whole lot of information to unpack in the Amex Explorer Insurance T&C’s. Amex insurance is underwritten by Chubb, so it would be best to get the details straight with them. Give them a call on 1800 950 797 after 9am and before 5pm on Monday to Friday. The 3% fee is for transactions done in a foreign currency, so if the merchant isn’t located in Australia - you’ll pay this fee. The Commonwealth Bank Diamond card also has a 3% fee too. We did a deep dive into complimentary covid cover with credit cards in this piece which should help shed some light on what you’re after. Hopefully we’ve shed some light on your questions for you, and hope you have a great time in Europe!
Hi, Do you know the maximum amount of credit available on this card is please? Cheers
Hi Adam, unfortunately, American Express does not state the maximum credit limit they can set for their cards. However, it indicates that you may be approved for at least a $3000 credit limit if you’re eligible and approved for the card.
Hi, are NZ citizens eligible to apply for this card? Noting NZ citizens are technically classified as a "temporary" resident on a subclass 444 visa, however are entitled to reside here indefinitely. Thanks!
Hi there Nicole, the Amex site states that you must hold a long term visa, with more than 12 months or more left on it. There may be other conditions attached to your individual application, so best to check with Amex directly before applying.
amex explorer card insurance
Hi Anil, this card features Complimentary domestic and international Travel Insurance (including COVID-19 coverage, T&Cs applicable), Complimentary Smartphone Screen Cover, Buyer’s Advantage Cover, Card Purchase Cover and Card Refund Cover.
My application for this card has just been approved yesterday. Will purchasing Coles gift cards and paying visa processing fee to Immigration Department be counted as eligible purchases to meet the minimum $4,000 spend in 3 months? Thanks.
Hi Julius, congratulations on your new card! The great thing about Amex cards is that you earn points for your spend at government bodies. However, buying gift cards could be considered a cash advance. You can check with American Express by calling the phone number listed on the back of the card.
I have an Explorer card and my spouse has an additional card on my account. Is she able to access reward points to transfer to her own KrisFlyer account?
Hi Colleen, to transfer points you’ll need to login to your account and transfer to your partners account. You’ll get a 2:1 ratio of Amex Member Rewards to Krisflyer points
My wife and I are recently retired. We own our own home, own two investment properties and have no outstanding debt apart from $500k for an investment property. We have an excellent credit rating and have lived at our current home for nearly 20 years. Do we qualify for this Amex card please?
Hi William, as long as you meet the minimum income requirements of 65k a year then you can apply. This can be household income with AMEX as they are quite flexible. The income can be made up of payments from super, income from your investment properties and other sources. Best of luck with your application.
Chris
20 March 2024If you’re planning on travelling at least once a year, this card is a no-brainer. You technically make $5 as your annual ‘fee’
Recommends this cardBrenna
29 September 2022I absolutely love the Amex Explorer Card. I will always use the $400 travel credit each year, so the $395 annual fee is irrelevant and technically means I make $5 by having the card. I pay the full balance due each month so I have never incurred the high interest rate charges. I had previously had a Gold Amex that cost me $80, but I didn't get anything for that. 2 points for each $1 spend, excluding government services, which you still get 1 point. I pay my quarterly tax and GST using the card and the fee the Tax office charge for using Amex is a tax deduction.
Recommends this card