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Points lovers, don’t miss the huge offer of 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points with the Amex Explorer Credit Card – the biggest bonus we’ve had on our site in around two years!
The Explorer Credit Card is a great choice for savvy travellers who want the ultimate flexibility with using points while also enjoying a range of travel and lifestyle benefits.
Points earned with this card can be transferred to 11 airline and two hotel loyalty programs, opening up more redemption opportunities.
Other perks include a strong points earn rate on spend, an annual $400 Travel Credit that fully offsets the card fee, complimentary travel and smartphone screen insurances, and more.
For a very short time, we’re delighted to partner with Amex to offer our readers a huge 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points. This offer is not available by going to Amex directly, rather you must sign up via our partner link.
New Amex Card Members can receive 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you apply online via our Amex partner link by 3 October 2024, are approved and spend $4,000 on your new card in the first 3 months.
Here’s an overview of the perks you can enjoy.
1. Receive a strong points earn rate on spend
The card rewards program, Membership Rewards, is very popular among loyalty program experts and is our favourite for earning and spending points.
Card Members earn a very strong 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on purchases, except with government bodies where you earn 1 point per $1 spent.
Points earning is uncapped.
Hundreds of thousands of merchants accept Amex in Australia, and that number is growing, so there’s no shortage of places where you can earn points with this card.
2. Redeem your points for flexible rewards
Membership Rewards points are easy to use on a variety of rewards. You can redeem them to pay for card purchases, buy a range of gift cards, or pay for travel with American Express Travel.
You can also transfer Membership Rewards points to two hotel loyalty programs (Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors) and 11 airline frequent flyer programs (with all three global alliances represented). These airlines include:
- Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (can be used to book Star Alliance airlines)
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (can be used to book Qantas and oneworld flights)
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club (can be used to book Qantas and oneworld flights)
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (can be used to book Skyteam airlines)
- Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
- Emirates Skywards
- Etihad Guest
- Malaysian Airlines Enrich
- Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus
- Air New Zealand Airpoints.
If you like to use points for air travel, the big advantage of earning Membership Rewards points (over Qantas or Velocity Points) is that you’re not locked into any single airline frequent flyer program, rather you accumulate Membership Rewards points until you’re ready to transfer them to a partner airline.
Use your points to fly with top airlines like Singapore Airlines
Having so many airlines to choose from means it can be easier to find award seats when the time comes to book, especially if you want to fly in a sought-after business or first class cabin.
3. Enjoy a $400 Travel Credit each year
At the start of each card membership year, including when you first receive the card, you’ll get a $400 Travel Credit that you can redeem for flights, hotels or car hire in Australia or overseas.
It’s very easy to redeem the travel credit online at Amex Travel (which is essentially an online travel agency). Simply find the flight, hotel or car hire you want and then apply the $400 credit during the payment process.
You can use the travel credit to book something for yourself or anyone you choose.
Since you receive the travel credit every year, it effectively offsets the card’s $395 annual fee.
4. Get up to US$100 in hotel credits and room upgrades
Amex’s Hotel Collection includes more than 600 hotels and resorts in over 30 countries worldwide, including from trusted brands like Hyatt and Hilton.
Every time you book two or more consecutive nights’ stay at one of these properties with your Explorer card, you’ll receive:
- a hotel credit of up to US$100 for qualifying charges – typically dining, spa, golf or other hotel facility-related charges (but not the room rate, taxes or fees)
- a complimentary room upgrade at check-in (subject to availability).
Enjoy benefits at stylish hotels
These complimentary extras can add a lot of value to your stays, and there’s no limit on how many times you can use this benefit.
5. Save money with a range of insurance covers
You’ll receive complimentary travel insurance cover for you, your partner and dependent children up to the age of 25 when you pay for a return trip with your card, the Travel Credit or Membership Rewards points. The cover is comprehensive and includes medical, trip cancellation and amendment, travel delay and baggage-related costs, as well as many other expenses.
You’ll also receive smartphone screen cover when you pay for your phone or monthly contract with your card, with $500 available for repairs up to 2 times every 12 months (with a 10% excess).
And for good measure, you’ll also get refund and purchase cover and extended warranties for eligible purchases made using your card.
6. Earn more points, save money and enjoy other lifestyle benefits
There are so many other perks to enjoy with this card, including:
- up to 4 free additional cards for family members or friends – an easy way to earn points faster
- two entries each year to Amex’s exclusive The Centurion Lounge at Sydney Airport international or Melbourne Airport international (children under the age of 17 get in for free)
- Hilton Honors Silver Status – earn 20% bonus points on stays and receive every 5th night free on Standard Room Reward stays of 5 nights or more
- up to 55 days interest-free on purchases
- ‘buy now, pay later’ with American Express Plan It™ Instalments: pay off your card balance in equal monthly instalments with 0% interest and a fixed monthly fee
- use your card with Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay
- Amex Offers: save money with regular discount offers with top brands
- American Express Experiences: access sought-after events like music, theatre and film, including via pre-sale tickets, and enjoy exclusive lounges at selected events.
Plus 100,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points
Receive 100,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you apply online via our Amex partner link by 3 October 2024, are approved and spend $4,000 on your new card within the first 3 months (new Amex Card Members only).
Remember, this offer is not available by going to Amex directly, rather you must apply via our website.
This offer is only available to new American Express Card Members. That means you must not have held a card issued directly by American Express Australia in the last 18 months. However, you are still eligible for this offer if you’re an Additional Card Member on someone else’s account.
Don’t miss this opportunity to pick up a top-quality card and a huge swag of Membership Rewards Bonus Points.
To read more and apply on Amex’s website, click here (mobile friendly).
Important: This article is not intended to suggest that you should apply for a card. You should seek independent, professional advice and consider your personal circumstances before deciding to apply for a card.
If you apply for a card via a link in this article, we may receive a commission from Amex. This income helps keep our site running, and we thank you for your support.
Read more in our Cards Disclosure.
