Looking for a credit card to match your travel aspirations? The Explorer could be just the travel companion you’ve been waiting for. You’ll get $400 travel credit each year to use towards any flight, hotel or car hire, access to the Centurion Lounge at Sydney Airport twice a year and for every dollar you spend you’ll earn up to 2 Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases. Plus, if you're a new Amex Card Member and you apply online, are approved and spend $4,000 on your card within the first three months, you could be eligible for 50,000 Points!
It's no wonder this card took out 2022 Mozo Experts Choice Awards for best Premium Rewards card and best Velocity Frequent Flyer Premium Credit Card. Amex itself also took home the grand prize of 2021 Credit Card Provider of the Year.
Starting off with the credit card basics, the American Express Explorer card has a standard purchase rate of 23.99% p.a. If you pay your balance off in full each month you’ll get up to 55 days interest free. Although, the card can only be used to make purchases online or in person as there is no option to use the credit available for cash withdrawals or cash advances.
The American Express Explorer card is eligible for use with Google Pay, Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, so you don’t even need to carry the physical card with you, but if you are travelling, we highly recommend you take the card just incase your Smartphone goes on the blink.
There is no points cap on the Explorer card, and to help you accrue rewards faster you can additional Card Members at no extra cost. Just keep in mind they must be above the age of 16 and you’ll be liable for all spending and associated charges including interest on your account.
There is an $395 annual fee for the card but the premium benefits more than make up for this cost as long as you take advantage of them each year. They include:
Rewards:
- Transfer your points to a choice of 11 Airline Partner Programs including Singapore, Etihad and Emirates.
- 2 Membership Rewards points for every dollar spent on all purchases except Australian Government bodies where you’ll earn 1 point per $1 spent.
Travel
- $400 annual travel credit through American Express travel. Book travel online for anyone you choose. Credit can go towards flights, hotels, or car hire.
- Travel inconvenience insurance cover including medical emergency, travel cancellation and amendment cover, baggage and inconvenience insurance for you and your family when you pay for your travel with your card.
Insurance
- Get up to $500 for screen repairs if you accidentally break your smartphone screen. 10% excess applies.
- Extend your manufacturer’s warranty by up to 12 months on items purchased with your American Express Explorer card.
- Purchase cover should your new items purchased with your card be stolen or damaged.
- Online fraud protection guarantee means you won’t be held responsible for any unauthorised charges made without your knowledge.
As another bonus, new customers who apply online and spent $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months could receive 50,000 points. Conditions apply, however, so watch out for the fine print.
Like most rewards credit cards, the American Express Explorer is best suited to big spenders that can put the bulk of their expenses on their card but pay the balance off in full each month.
To be eligible
for the card you’ll need to be over 18 years of age and have no history or bad debt or
payment default. You’ll also need to either be an Australian citizen,
permanent resident or hold a long term visa (12 months or more, not including student visas).
While existing American Express customers can transfer to the Explorer card, the 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points offer is only available to new Amex Card Members and bank-issued American Express companion cardholders. Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia in the preceding 18 month period are ineligible for this offer.
Also, there is a late payment fee of $30 and a $6 dishonour fee.
Rates and fees information correct as at 19 April 2024. Mozo has robust processes to ensure our site is updated to reflect the latest information from providers. There may be the odd occasion where updates are delayed, so please confirm information before purchasing.
239,200 points
15,600 points
20,000 points
20,000 points
2 points per dollar on Amex, uncapped
Transfer points to a range of airline programs or redeem your points for travel, gift cards, retail rewards and shopping gift cards.
Flights available with Virgin, Air New Zealand, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines and other partners.
Earn 1 points per $1 spent at government bodies.
Receive a $400 Travel Credit each year booked online with American Express. 2 complimentary lounge entries at the Centurion Lounge at Sydney International Airport.
Receive 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you apply online, 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.
Spend $10,000 (Amex)
Spend $10,000 (Amex)
Spend $7,800 (Amex)
Spend $119,600 (Amex)
Uncapped
Never
|
23.99% p.a. |
|
|
none |
|
|
No current offer |
|
|
no |
|
|
none |
|
|
55 |
|
$395.00 |
|
|
none |
|
|
none |
|
|
none |
|
|
$30.00 |
|
|
2%, min $2.50 |
|
|
3.00% |
|
|
$10.00 |
|
|
$7.00 |
|
|
$0.00 |
|
$30.00 |
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
up to 4 |
|
|
none |
Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Samsung Pay
Extended Warranty,
Account alerts by SMS,
Card Purchase Cover ,
Travel Inconvenience Cover
Every month I have issues with them. When making a payment it took more than a week to payment reflect into my account and although it was there fault they reduced my limit. Stay away!
Read full reviewEvery month I have issues with them. When making a payment it took more than a week to payment reflect into my account and although it was there fault they reduced my limit. Stay away!
An American express person told me over the phone in November the last date to use the travel credit is the 14th of Feb 2020. On the 12th of Feb 2020 I was trying to book a hotel with me travel credit but American Express told me I no longer have the travel credit. And this time they told me last day to use the travel credit was January 2020. I lost my 400 AUD by the misinformation given to me. It is a total fraud. Plus I wasted 2 hours explaining this to American Express but no results. Waste of time and money.
Read full reviewAn American express person told me over the phone in November the last date to use the travel credit is the 14th of Feb 2020. On the 12th of Feb 2020 I was trying to book a hotel with me travel credit but American Express told me I no longer have the travel credit. And this time they told me last day to use the travel credit was January 2020. I lost my 400 AUD by the misinformation given to me. It is a total fraud. Plus I wasted 2 hours explaining this to American Express but no results. Waste of time and money.
Great card. The benefits make this card a good choice.
Read full reviewGreat card. The benefits make this card a good choice.
American Express is great.
Read full reviewAmerican Express is great.
staff
Read full review
Platinum Edge Credit Card
23.99% p.a.
No current offer
$195 $0 in the first year
Qantas Ultimate Card
23.99% p.a.
No current offer
$450
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Platinum Edge Credit Card
23.99% p.a.
No current offer
$195 $0 in the first year
Membership Rewards
Explorer Credit Card
23.99% p.a.
No current offer
$395
Membership Rewards
Velocity Platinum Card
23.99% p.a.
No current offer
$375
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Low Rate Card
13.49% p.a.
0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
$59 $0 in the first year
Qantas Discovery Card
23.99% p.a.
No current offer
$0
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Velocity Escape Card
23.99% p.a.
No current offer
$0
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Qantas Ultimate Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$450
60,000
1.25 points up to 100,000 points/year, then
1 point uncapped
Platinum Visa Credit Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$299
50,000
1 point up to 20,000 points/month
Qantas Rewards Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$250 $150 in the first year
70,000
0.66 points up to $3,000/month, then
0.33 points up to $6,000/month
Qantas Premium Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$249
20,000
1 point uncapped
Rewards Signature Card
NAB Rewards
$295 $145 in the first year
160,000
1.25 points uncapped
Qantas Discovery Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$0
No current offer
0.75 points uncapped
Velocity Escape Card
Velocity Frequent Flyer
$0
No current offer
0.75 points uncapped
Qantas Rewards Signature Card
Qantas Frequent Flyer
$395 $295 in the first year
120,000
1 point up to $5,000/month, then
0.5 points up to $20,000/month
Low Rate Card
0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
13.49% p.a.
$59 $0 in the first year
Premier Credit Card
0% p.a. for 6 months and then 22.24% p.a.
21.49% p.a.
$300 $150 in the subsequent years if you spend $48,000 on eligible purchases or cash advances in previous year., $150 in the first year
Citi Rewards Program
Blue Visa Credit Card
0% p.a. for 9 months and then 21.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 9 months then 20.74% p.a.
$60
Q Rewards
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 20.99% p.a.
20.74% p.a.
$149 $0 in the first year
Velocity Frequent Flyer
More Mastercard
0% p.a. for 6 months and then 19.99% p.a. (1.00% balance transfer fee)
19.99% p.a.
$100
Bankwest More Rewards
Low Rate Card
13.49% p.a.
0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
$59 $0 in the first year
Low Rate Credit Card
12.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 12 months and then 25.99% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
$99
Low Rate Visa Credit Card
9.90% p.a.
No current offer
$59
Low Rate Credit Card
8.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 6 months and then 8.99% p.a.
$59 $0 in the first year
Low Rate Card
13.49% p.a.
0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
$59 $0 in the first year
Low Rate Credit Card
12.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 12 months and then 25.99% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
$99
Low Rate Visa Credit Card
9.90% p.a.
No current offer
$59
Low Rate Credit Card
8.99% p.a.
0% p.a. for 6 months and then 8.99% p.a.
$59 $0 in the first year
Premier Credit Card
21.49% p.a.
0% p.a. for 6 months and then 22.24% p.a.
$300 $150 in the subsequent years if you spend $48,000 on eligible purchases or cash advances in previous year., $150 in the first year
Blue Visa Credit Card
0% p.a. for 9 months then 20.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 9 months and then 21.74% p.a.
$60
Virgin Australia Velocity Flyer Card - Balance Transfer Offer
20.74% p.a.
0% p.a. for 24 months and then 20.99% p.a.
$149 $0 in the first year
