American Express® Explorer Credit Card

American Express Explorer Card Art

Earn uncapped Amex points that you can transfer to over 10 major Airline Reward Partner Programs and hotel loyalty programs! The Amex Explorer Credit Card also comes with a travel credit that fully offsets the annual fee.

Signup bonus
75,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points¹ , when you apply online through the link on this page by 1 July 2025, are approved and spend $4,000 or more on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of approval date. T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only.
Points Earned
Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 on all purchases except government bodies where you will earn 1 point per $1 spent⁶
Notable Benefits
  • $400 travel credit every years²
    • Up to US$100 credit when you book a stay of two consecutive nights with The Hotel Collection⁵
    • Free access to The Centurion® Lounge³ at Sydney or Melbourne Airport twice a year
    • Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Status
    • Included insurances – Smartphone Screen Cover, Travel Insurance⁴, Card Refund and Purchase Cover
    • Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay
Annual fee
$395 p.a.

The owner of Australian Frequent Flyer may receive a commission from the card issuer for each applicant of this card.

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Why we like the American Express Explorer Credit Card

If you’re looking for a credit card that’s a solid points earner, but you don’t want to pay the higher annual fee of the Amex Platinum card, the American Express Explorer Credit Card could be a great option.

You’ll earn 2 Amex points per dollar spent, uncapped, which you can transfer to over 10 major Airline Reward Partner Programs and 2 hotel loyalty programs – generally at a 2:1 rate. For example, this means you’re effectively earning 1 Velocity point, Cathay Asia Mile or Etihad Guest mile per $1 spent on the card.7

This card has an annual fee of $395. This is offset by a $400 annual travel credit that you can spend on eligible flights, hotels or car rentals when booking through American Express Travel.2

Amex Explorer Credit Card Members also receive two free annual visits to the Amex Centurion Lounges3 in Sydney or Melbourne Airport, as well as complimentary travel insurance.4

Key Information & How to Apply

Key facts about this cards

Card type
American Express
Signup bonus
75,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points¹ , when you apply online through the link on this page by 1 July 2025, are approved and spend $4,000 or more on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of approval date. T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only.
Annual fee
$395 p.a.
Interest rate
23.99% p.a.
Interest-free days
Up to 55 days
Minimum monthly repayment
2.5% of the closing balance or $30, whichever is greater
Minimum credit limit
$3,000
International transaction fee
3.0%

To apply for this card, you will need

  • To be an Australian citizen, resident or long-term visa holder aged 18 or over
  • No history of bad debt or payment default
  • Your Australian driver’s licence number and proof of income
  • 10-15 minutes to complete your application

The owner of Australian Frequent Flyer may receive a commission from the card issuer for each applicant of this card.

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Sign-up bonus

Apply for an American Express Explorer Credit Card by 1 July 2025 and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of the approval date to earn 75,000 Amex Membership Rewards Points!1 The bonus is equal to 37,500 points or miles with Velocity Frequent Flyer, Cathay and more, or a gift card worth around $375.

Amex Membership Rewards Points earned from this card can be transferred to over 10 major Airline Reward Partner Programs and hotel loyalty programs, generally at a 2:1 conversion rate. You’re then free to spend those points however you like, including for reward flights and upgrades with an airline of your choice.7

To learn more about which loyalty programs you can convert Amex Membership Rewards points into, see our Overview of Amex Membership Rewards Transfer Partners.

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

Travel benefits

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

Annual travel credits

Each year that you hold the Amex Explorer Credit Card, you’ll receive a $400 travel credit to spend on eligible domestic and international flights, hotels or hire car bookings.

You can redeem this travel credit towards a single booking made through American Express Travel. You can book flights on many different airlines through this portal including Qantas, Virgin Australia, Air New Zealand, Qatar Airways and Emirates. However, this credit can’t be put towards a cruise booking. (You can read the full Explorer Credit Card Travel Credit Terms & Conditions on the Amex website.)

Note that you’ll need to use this credit towards a booking that costs at least $400, and $400 will be credited back to your account after completing the booking.

Inflight economy cabin passengers are getting food served in Qantas A330
You can redeem the Amex Explorer Credit Card travel credit to fly on most major airlines, as well as for hotel or car hire bookings. Photo: Qantas.

As an Amex Explorer Credit Card Member, you can also receive up to USD100 in hotel credit and a room upgrade (subject to availability) at selected hotels participating in The Hotel Collection. This is offered when booking a stay of at least 2 nights through American Express Travel.

Airport lounge access

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

The Amex Centurion Lounge at Sydney Airport
The Amex Centurion Lounge at Sydney Airport. Photo: American Express.

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 & other insurance

This card comes with complimentary domestic and international travel insurance4, including some cover for COVID-19. This insurance is underwritten by Chubb and is available when you pay for your trip using your Amex Explorer Credit Card.

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

The Amex Explorer Credit Card also offers other types of complimentary insurance, including:

  • Smartphone Screen Cover – with coverage of up to $500
  • Buyer’s Advantage Cover – adding an extra 12 months of extended warranty on eligible purchases4
  • Card Purchase & Refund Cover – with coverage for replacement items or if a store refuses a return4

Hilton Honors Silver status

Amex Explorer Credit 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.

Hilton hotel
Get complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status without staying the usual 10 nights each year. Photo: Hilton.

Earning points

With the American Express 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 card. But compared to most other cards in the Australian market, it’s a very solid earner – especially when you consider the wide range of ways you can redeem or transfer Amex Membership Rewards points.

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 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 Platinum card will earn points at a reduced rate of 1 Amex Membership Rewards point per $1.6

However, you can use a payment service such as pay.com.au or Sniip to pay tax and other bills with this card, and still earn points at the full rate!

Amex Offers

From time to time, American Express Card Members receive exclusive offers of bonus points or cashback when spending at specific retailers. These Amex Offers can be quite lucrative.

Amex also runs Shop Small promotions from time to time, giving rewards for shopping at participating small businesses.

Using Amex Membership Rewards points

Amex Membership Rewards points can be converted to over 10 major Airlines Reward Partner Programs and 2 hotel loyalty programs, generally at a 2:1 conversion rate.7 Here’s the full list of transfer partners:

Transfer partners1 Amex Point equals…
Air New Zealand0.005 Airpoints Dollars
Asia Miles0.5 Asia Miles
British Airways0.5 Avios
Emirates Skywards0.33 Skyward miles
Etihad Guest0.5 Etihad Guest miles
Hawaiian Airlines0.5 HawaiianMiles
Hilton Honors0.5 Honor points
Malaysia Airlines Enrich0.5 Enrich miles
Marriott Bonvoy0.67 Marriott Points
Qatar Airways Privilege Club0.5 Avios
Singapore Airlines0.33 KrisFlyer miles
Thai Royal Orchid Plus0.5 Royal Orchid Plus miles
Velocity0.5 Velocity points
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club0.5 Velocity Points
Amex Membership Rewards transfer partners

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

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

New Emirates 777 First Class
You could transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Emirates Skywards and redeem for Emirates First Class. Photo: Emirates.

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

  • Gift cards
  • Amex Travel Online
  • Helloworld travel gift cards
  • Cash back

Summary

Signup bonus
75,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points¹ , when you apply online through the link on this page by 1 July 2025, are approved and spend $4,000 or more on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of approval date. T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only.
Points Earned
Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 on all purchases except government bodies where you will earn 1 point per $1 spent⁶
Notable Benefits
  • $400 travel credit every years²
    • Up to US$100 credit when you book a stay of two consecutive nights with The Hotel Collection⁵
    • Free access to The Centurion® Lounge³ at Sydney or Melbourne Airport twice a year
    • Complimentary Hilton Honors Silver Status
    • Included insurances – Smartphone Screen Cover, Travel Insurance⁴, Card Refund and Purchase Cover
    • Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay
Annual fee
$395 p.a.

The owner of Australian Frequent Flyer may receive a commission from the card issuer for each applicant of this card.

More about this →

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the requirements to apply for an American Express Explorer Credit Card?

To apply for an American Express Explorer Credit Card, you would need to be an Australian citizen, resident or long-term visa holder. Other criteria may apply.

What is the minimum credit limit on the Amex Explorer Credit Card?

The minimum credit limit is $3,000.

What airport lounges can you access with an American Express Explorer Credit Card?

American Express Explorer Credit Card Members receive two complimentary visits to the international Amex Centurion Lounges in Sydney or Melbourne each calendar year.

Can you use the Amex Explorer Credit Card to pay the ATO?

Yes, but payments to government bodies including the Australian Tax Office (ATO) will earn points at a reduced rate of 1 Amex point per dollar (instead of the usual 2 Amex points per dollar). You can still earn full points on ATO payments by using a bill payment service such as Sniip or pay.com.au.

Is the Amex Explorer Credit Card compatible with Apple Pay?

Yes, the Amex Explorer Credit Card supports Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay. So, you can still use this card to make purchases when you’re out and about without carrying the physical card.

Can you add additional Card Members?

Yes, when the Primary card holder is at least least 18 years, the Amex Explorer primary Card Member can add up to 4 additional Card Members at no extra fee, who must be at least 16 years old.

Do Amex Membership Rewards points expire?

Amex Membership Rewards points do not expire, as long as your account remains open and in good standing. This can be useful as it means you can “warehouse” points in your account and then transfer points to a frequent flyer program of your choice as needed – preventing them from expiring in the airline’s program.

Can you earn status credits with the Amex Explorer Credit Card?

This card does not offer additional ways to earn status credits with airlines, although you can of course use your card (including your $400 travel credit) to purchase flights and earn status credits for those flights.

Does the Amex Explorer Credit Card travel insurance include cover for COVID-19?

The complimentary international and domestic travel insurance for Amex Explorer Credit Card Members includes limited coverage for some COVID-related risks. See the PDS for full details.


American Express Terms & Conditions

¹ Bonus & Eligibility

75,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points are only available to new American Express Card Members who apply online by 1 July 2025, are approved and spend $4,000 or more on eligible purchases on your new Card in the first 3 months from the Card approval date. 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. Please allow 8-10 weeks for the bonus points to be credited to your Account after the spend criteria has been met. If you previously held a David Jones American Express Card and have not held any other American Express Card(s) in the past 18 months, you will be eligible for the offer. All other Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the past 18 months are ineligible for this offer. The American Express Explorer® Credit Card has an annual Card fee of $395. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.

² Travel Credit

If your Card has a Travel Credit benefit, the Primary Card Member is eligible for an annual Travel Credit, subject to the full Travel Credit Terms and Conditions at amex.com.au/explorer-travelcreditterms. The Travel Credit can be redeemed through American Express Travel Online on a single eligible travel booking by selecting the Travel Credit when you checkout. To redeem the Travel Credit, the full value of the Travel Credit (or more) must be charged to the eligible Primary Card. Eligible travel includes flights, hotels and car hire when you prepay in advance. The Travel Credit can be used for 365 days from the benefit anniversary date and cannot be used past the expiration date. To check the expiration date of your Travel Credit if you have not already redeemed it, please visit americanexpress.com.au/travel; log in and click ‘Travel Credit’. If your booking is cancelled, and your Travel Credit has already been used and associated statement credit applied to your account, you will forfeit your annual Travel Credit benefit and American Express may reverse the statement credits issued. You need to be able to spend on the Card to access the Travel Credit benefit and it should be credited to your Card Account within 3 business days but may take up to 30 days. Your account must be in good standing and you must have paid the annual fee and minimum payment by the due date. If you cancel your Card, change your rewards program or Card type, you will no longer be eligible for the Travel Credit.

³ The Centurion® Lounge

Entry into The Centurion® Lounge is governed by the full Terms and Conditions available at amex.com.au/airportlounge. All entrants must adhere to the General Conditions of Entry. American Express Explorer Card Members are entitled to a total of two (2) entries into The Centurion® Lounges in Australia per calendar year (1 January to 31 December). Complimentary access is available for the Card Member’s children 17 years and younger. Card Members wishing to bring additional guests may be subject to a charge that is to be processed on the Card Member’s American Express Card.

⁴ Insurance

The insurance on American Express Cards is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). You must use your American Express Explorer Credit Card to pay for your trip in order to be covered under the travel insurance and pay for eligible items for those items to be covered under the retail insurance benefits. It is important you read the American Express Explorer Credit Card Insurance Terms and Conditions and consider whether the insurance is right for you. We do not provide advice about the insurance or whether it is appropriate for your objectives, financial situation or needs. This insurance is underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL No. 239687) under a group policy of insurance held by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085, AFSL No. 291313). Access to this insurance is provided solely by reason of the statutory operation of section 48 of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth). Card Members are not a party to the group policy, do not have an agreement with Chubb and cannot vary or cancel the cover. American Express is not the insurer, does not guarantee or hold the rights under the group policy on trust for Card Members and does not act on behalf of Chubb or as its agent. American Express is not an Authorised Representative (under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)) of Chubb.

⁵ The Hotel Collection

Valid only for new The Hotel Collection bookings of at least two consecutive nights with participating providers made through American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc), Platinum Travel Service or Centurion Travel Service. Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. The following American Express Card Members are eligible to book through The Hotel Collection: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Business Platinum Card® and American Express® Centurion Card. Payment must be made in full with an eligible American Express Card in the Card Member’s name. Card Member must travel on itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Membership Rewards® points and Platinum Travel Credit cannot be used towards The Hotel Collection bookings as payment.

The eligible Card Member will receive the credit as a deduction from the final hotel bill when checking out of the hotel; they will receive $1 for each eligible dollar spent up to $100 USD. Eligible spend includes dining, spa and resort activities. Eligible spend does not include charges for taxes, gratuities, fees and cost of room. Additional exclusions based on specific hotel restrictions may also apply (including without limitation purchases within the hotel that are unaffiliated and/or owned by third parties) – see hotel front desk for details. Credit must be used in conjunction with initial stay and cannot be carried over to another stay, is not redeemable for cash and expires at check-out. Credit is non-exchangeable and non-refundable and is applied in USD or equivalent in local currency based on exchange rate on day of arrival. Limit one credit per room, per stay. Three-room limit per Card Member per stay; back-to-back stays within a 24-hour period at the same property considered one stay. If an eligible Card Member cancels their room, any additional rooms will no longer qualify for benefits as the eligible Card Member must be staying at the hotel. Participating providers and benefits subject to change. Taxes, surcharges and additional fees are as supplied by the hotel at the time of reservation; however they are subject to change and will be charged as applicable at the time of settlement of your hotel account. Note that payments made in foreign currencies will be subject to a foreign currency conversion and fee at the time of payment upon departure. You may be able to use Membership Rewards® points and/or the Travel Credit on the American Express Travel website as payment towards The Hotel Collection, if the selected hotel and room type provides you the option to prepay in advance.

⁶ Membership Rewards Program

Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program available here. You will earn 1 point per dollar spent with Merchants classified as ‘government’, including the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post), Federal/State and Local Government bodies, including where you use a payment account, payment aggregator, services of a third party or online retailers that sell goods for another merchant.

⁷ Partner Programs

Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Gateway program available at membershiprewards.com.au. You must be a member of the airline partner program, joining fees may apply and points transferred will be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable airline partner program.


Bert is the General Manager of Australian Frequent Flyer, based in Melbourne. With a background in genetics, Bert now uses his scientific research skills to research the best ways to earn and use points to help family and friends, get to his favourite destination of Singapore, and visit family in his homeland of Belgium. When he's not enjoying Belgian beer and fries, you might find him cycling or surfing.
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