Why we like the American Express Business Explorer Card

With a low $149 annual fee, the American Express Business Explorer Credit Card could be suitable for businesses that want to earn flexible Amex Membership Rewards Points on business expenses. You’ll earn 2 Amex Points per $1 spent (except on government payments), which for example is equivalent to 1 Velocity point per dollar.

It’s possible to add up to 99 Employee Cards at no extra cost. You’ll also earn points at the same rate when your employees spend on their cards.

While this is a relatively simple credit card, it also comes with two annual complimentary visits to the Amex Centurion Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne. You and all Employee Card members will also receive complimentary travel insurance.

Latest offer

The American Express Business Explorer Credit Card has 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points for new Card Members who spend $3,000 or more on eligible spend in the first 3 months from approval.

The card earns Amex Membership Rewards Points on spend which can be transferred to around 11 different airline and 2 hotel loyalty programs. You’re then free to spend those points however you like, including for reward flights and upgrades with an airline of your choice.

To learn more about which loyalty programs you can convert Amex Membership Rewards Points into, see our Credit Card Points Transfer Assistant.

This offer is not available to existing Amex Card Members, or if you have been the primary Card Member of an American Express card in Australia during the past 18 months.

Amex Business Explorer travel benefits

Here’s an overview of the travel benefits you can expect…

Airport lounge access

Holding an Amex Business Explorer Credit Card entitles you to two complimentary visits to the Amex Centurion Lounge in Sydney or Melbourne each calendar year.

These lounges are accessible when departing from Sydney or Melbourne on any international flight – regardless of which airline you’re flying. See the American Express website for locations and opening hours.

You can also bring in your children (aged 17 or under) with you for free, although additional guests are subject to a fee.

Complimentary travel insurance

This card comes with complimentary domestic and international travel insurance. This insurance is underwritten by Chubb and is available when you pay for your trip using your Amex Business Explorer Credit Card.

Before using this insurance, we’d encourage you to read the PDS here.

Hilton Honors Silver status

Amex Business Explorer Card Members are invited to enrol as a Silver member in the Hilton Honors program. This is one tier above the base level in Hilton Honors and comes with benefits including 20% bonus points on stays, free bottled water and the fifth night free on stays booked using points.

You can register for Hilton Honors Silver status here.

Earning points

With the American Express Business Explorer Credit Card, you’ll earn 2 American Express Membership Rewards Points per $1 spent on eligible transactions (excluding government payments). That’s effectively 1 airline point or mile per dollar, with most frequent flyer programs, once the conversion rate is considered.

This earn rate is not quite as good as the 2.25 Amex Membership Rewards Points per dollar you would earn with an Amex Platinum Business Card. But given the much lower annual fee on the Amex Business Explorer Credit Card, it’s still a very solid earner. This is especially the case when you consider the wide range of ways you can redeem or transfer Amex Membership Rewards Points and the equivalent point earning rates on other business cards in the Australian market.

There is no monthly or annual point-earning cap. You can earn an unlimited number of points at the full rate.

Amex Membership Rewards Points do not expire as long as your account remains active. Therefore, it would be a good idea to keep them in your Amex Membership Rewards account until you’re ready to use them (or wait for a good bonus offer before transferring them to an airline)!

Earning points for ATO & government payments

Payments made directly to the Australian Tax Office (ATO) or other government bodies in Australia with your Amex Business Explorer Card will earn points at a reduced rate of 1 Amex Membership Rewards Point per $1.

Using Amex Membership Rewards Points

Amex Membership Rewards Points earned on this card can be converted to 11 airlines and 2 hotel loyalty programs, generally at a 2:1 conversion rate. Here’s the full list of transfer partners:

Transfer partners	1 Amex Point equals…
Air New Zealand Airpoints	0.005 Airpoints Dollars
Cathay (Asia Miles)	0.5 miles
Emirates Skywards	0.33 miles
Etihad Guest	0.5 miles
Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles	0.5 miles
Hilton Honors	0.5 miles
Malaysia Airlines Enrich	0.5 points
Marriott Bonvoy	0.67 points
Qatar Airways Privilege Club	0.5 Avios
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer	0.33 miles
THAI Royal Orchid Plus	0.5 miles
Velocity Frequent Flyer	0.5 points
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club	0.5 points

Note that Amex Membership Rewards Points earned on the American Express Business Explorer Card cannot be transferred to Qantas Frequent Flyer.

See our Overview of Amex Membership Rewards Transfer Partners for more information.

Alternatively, you could redeem your points through the Amex Membership Rewards program for rewards including:

• Gift cards
• David Jones credit
• Amex Travel Online
• Helloworld travel gift cards
• Cash back

Summary

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)