Customer notice: we may receive a commission from Amex if you apply for a card via a link in this article (read more in our Cards Disclosure). This income helps keep the site running, and we thank you for your support.

The Amex 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. You can also use points to pay off card purchases.

Other card 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 also 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. With these redemptions, you get $50 of value per 10,000 points redeemed.

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:

• 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, you’ll receive 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 via Amex Travel and you can use it 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.

100k points can be transferred to most airline partners at a 2:1 ratio (meaning you’ll get up to 50k airline miles) or you could use the points to cover $500 of card purchases.

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.

Customer notice: we may receive a commission from Amex if you apply for a card via a link in this article (read more in our Cards Disclosure). This income helps keep the site running, and we thank you for your support.

The Qantas Amex Ultimate Card is Amex’s most popular and rewarding Qantas card, and our top pick of cards on the market.

Not only does it let you accumulate points fast thanks to a very strong points earn rate on spend, but you can also enjoy range of travel and lifestyle perks.

These include a $450 Qantas Travel Credit each year that fully offsets the card fee, four airport lounge entries per year, comprehensive travel insurance, and more.

Right now, our readers can also receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online via our Amex partner link by 14 January 2025, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new card within the first 3 months (new Amex Card Members only; T&Cs apply).

Points don’t expire so long as you keep your Qantas Frequent Flyer account active by earning or redeeming at least one point every 18 months. Plus, reward bookings are refundable if your plans change.

Here’s an overview of the card benefits you can enjoy.

1. Earn piles of points and fly with top airlines

You’ll turbocharge your points balance by earning 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases – one of the highest Qantas Points earn rates in Australia.

You’ll receive 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on selected Qantas products and services in Australia, and 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent with government bodies.

After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent.

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.

There’s no limit on the number of points

You can use those points to fly with Qantas and an array of international partners, including top airlines like American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways and more.

With so many partners to choose from, the whole world is within reach.

2. Take off with a $450 Qantas Travel Credit every year

You’ll get a $450 Qantas Travel Credit at the start of each card membership year, including when you first receive the card, which effectively offsets the card’s $450 annual fee.

The Qantas Travel Credit is redeemable for Qantas flights online at American Express Travel. It’s valid for 12 months and you can book any available flight in the future.

The Qantas Travel Credit is very flexible. While you need to use it in a single booking, that can be for one or more people, travelling one way or return, and on domestic or overseas flights. Plus, the booking can be in anyone’s name and doesn’t have to include you.

Eligible flights are standard Qantas flights with a QF flight number, so you’ll have plenty of routes to choose from.

Take off with a $450 Qantas Travel Credit every year

3. Enjoy four airport lounge entries each year

Relax before your next flight in style, even if you’re flying economy.

Each year, you’ll receive two Qantas lounge invitations valid for both domestic Qantas Clubs and Qantas International Lounges in Australia and overseas. These invitations will be activated in your Qantas Frequent Flyer account after your first card spend on selected Qantas products and services, such as flights.

You can use one of the Qantas lounge invites to bring in a guest, or transfer one or both invites to another Qantas Frequent Flyer member.

Relax in the lounge before you fly

You’ll also receive two entries each year to Amex’s exclusive The Centurion Lounge at Sydney Airport international or Melbourne Airport international, which are the two airports in Australia that have Amex lounges so far.

Simply present your physical card at the door to get in, and you may use one of the entries to bring in a guest (children under the age of 17 get in for free).

4. Travel securely with domestic and overseas travel insurance

You’ll receive comprehensive travel insurance cover when you pay for a domestic or international return flight with your card or use Qantas Points or the $450 Qantas Travel Credit to book.

This cover extends to your domestic partner and dependent children up to the age of 25 when they are travelling with you.

You’ll receive cover for:

• inconvenience – flight delays, cancellations or missed connections, and delayed luggage
• medical emergency expenses
• damaged, destroyed, lost or stolen baggage, money or documents
• trip cancellation and amendment costs
• personal liability
• COVID-19 related changes and costs.

If you’re currently paying for travel insurance and this cover meets your needs, you can save money by relying on it.

5. Enjoy a range of other benefits

There are many more perks to enjoy with this card, including:

• up to 4 complimentary Additional Cards for family members or friends – an easy way to earn points faster
• complimentary premium membership to Qantas Wine (worth $99) – get free delivery Australia-wide and earn 3 points per $1 spent
• up to 44 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 and earn bonus points via regular 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 50,000 bonus Qantas Points

Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online via our Amex partner link by 14 January 2025, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new card within the first 3 months (new Amex Card Members only).

Not only can you use those points to travel, but they’ll also help you become a member of Qantas’ Points Club. Membership is automatic when you earn 150k points in a year, and benefits include two extra Qantas lounge passes, a $50 hotel voucher, a $50 wine voucher, the ability to earn Status Credits on reward bookings, and more.

This offer is only available to new American Express Card Members. That means you must not have held an American Express card in the last 18 months. However, you are eligible if you’re an Additional Card Member on someone else’s account (including a corporate account).

It’s very simple to apply for this card, including on mobile devices.

We’re delighted to partner with Amex to bring our readers this offer.

To read more and apply on Amex’s website, click here.

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.