The American Express Explorer Card is, in our opinion, one of the most versatile and value-packed credit cards on the market — and to sweeten the deal even further, American Express are offering 75,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points when you apply online by 1 July 2025, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Explorer® Credit Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.1
On top of the 75K bonus points, American Express Explorer Card Members get a $400 Travel Credit per annum (must be charged at full value or more), 2 passes to The Centurion® Lounge,7 travel insurance for travel booked on the card,6 and a smartphone screen cover all for an annual fee of just $395 — which means if you travel just once a year using the Amex Travel Credit, this card is effectively costing you nothing.5
American Express Explorer Card
With the current offer, you can enjoy 23.99% PA on eligible purchases for the first 12 months. Do note that the Promotional Interest Rate reverts back to the standard purchase Interest Rate after that initial 12 months.
Unlike the more extravagant (and expensive) Amex Platinum Card aimed at a more affluent demographic, the Explorer is a more reasonable every day card, and may be a better choice depending on your spending habits.
Let’s take a more in-depth look at the ins and outs of this card offer:
- Transfer your points to a choice of over 10 major Airline Reward Partner Programs.9
- Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on purchases except government bodies in Australia where you will earn 1 point per $1 spent.
- No cap on earn rate. You can earn up to 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent, no matter how much you spend each month.4
- Receive a $400 Travel Credit each year to use towards any eligible flights, hotels, or car hire booked and paid online with American Express Travel at americanexpress.com.au/travel. You can use this credit to book travel for anyone you choose. Must be charged at full value or more.5
- Enjoy two complimentary entries per year to the The Centurion® Lounge, located at both Sydney International Airport and Melbourne International Airport.7
- Book two consecutive nights’ stay and enjoy a hotel credit up to US$100 and a room upgrade, (when available) at properties part of The Hotel Collection.19
- Travel with peace of mind knowing that you’ll also enjoy extensive travel insurance for you, your partner, and dependent children when you pay for travel on your American Express Explorer® Credit Card.6
- Medical Emergency Expenses Cover up to $2,500,000 towards medical treatment.6
- Trip Cancellation & Amendment Cover up to $30,000 in the event your travel is cancelled for specific reasons.6
- Baggage, Money, and Documentation Cover up to $10,000 to cover loss or damage to baggage, money, or documents.6
- Travel Inconvenience Insurance up to $500 if your flight departure is delayed for four hours or more.6
- 23.99% interest rate on eligible purchases for 12 months.2
To take advantage of this American Express Explorer offer, apply through the link here.
American Express Explorer Card
Boss Hunting earns a referral bonus from American Express for anyone that’s approved through the links in this article. This commission helps keep Boss Hunting running, and we thank you for your support.
Cards are offered, issued, and administered by American Express Australia Limited ABN 92 108 952 085, Australian Credit Licence No. 291313.
American Express income and credit approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. Interest rates, fees and charges apply. All interest rates are quoted as an Annual Percentage Rate. All information, including fees, charges and interest rates are correct as at 6 November 2024 and are subject to change. Applicants must be 18 years of age or over to apply for the American Express Explorer Credit Card. They must be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident or hold a long term visa. Long term means 12 months or more and does not include a student visa.
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. Interest Rate.
This interest rate does not apply for Cash Advances and associated fees.
3. Interest Free Period.
You will have up to 55 days interest free on purchases provided you pay the full closing balance of your monthly statement by the due date each month. There is no interest free period on balance transfers or if you carry forward a balance from the previous statement period. The total of interest free days will depend on when you make the purchase and when your statement is issued.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Explorer Card 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.
7. 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.
8. Additional Card Members.
Additional Card Members must be 16 years of age or over. The Primary Card Member will be liable to pay for all transactions made by Additional Card Members. Earning of points is subject to the terms and conditions of the Rewards Program the Primary Card Member is actively enrolled. All points earned on Additional Card Member spend will go to the Primary Card Members Account. The Primary Card Member cannot add an Additional Card under their own name or email address and cannot add an Additional card under the name or email address of a previously approved Additional Card application on the Account.
9. 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.
10. Webjet.
A minimum of 7,500 points must be redeemed at any one time. Travel bookings using points may be booked for any person, provided all your accounts are kept in good standing and are not overdue. Webjet is not available to Card Members enrolled in the Membership Rewards Gateway program. Subject to the Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions and the partners’ booking terms and conditions.
11. American Express Travel.
To earn or redeem Membership Rewards Points, Cards must be enrolled to the American Express Membership Rewards program, and your Card Account must be in good standing.
12. To redeem Membership Rewards Points with American Express Travel Online, you need to have available limit on your Card for the full transaction amount of the booking. You will then receive a statement credit within 3 business days for your points redemption. If the credit isn’t on the same statement as the transaction, it should appear on your next statement. Please pay all amounts due each month. You will earn Membership Rewards Points on the full dollar amount charged to your Card. All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions of our Membership Rewards Program. For full Terms and Conditions, please visit the Membership Rewards website.
13. Gift Cards.
Gift Card or voucher rewards are not redeemable or exchangeable for cash or credit. Normal retailer gift card or voucher conditions apply, refer to the gift card or retailer website for details
14. Cover Charges with Points
Cover Charges with Points. For each successful transaction with cover charges with points, points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account and a credit placed on your Card. A minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points is required to cover any eligible transaction with points. Account cannot be in credit when using cover charges with points. A credit will appear on your statement identified as “Membership Rewards Credit”. Points will be debited immediately and the credit will take up to 2-4 business days. to appear online. Credits processed after the Card account’s statement closing date will appear in the following statement. You are still responsible for payment of the amount due on your Card account by the due date. Any charges covered by points is not redeemable for cash via Credit balance refund. View full terms and conditions here.
15. Myer
You can Pay with points at Myer online if you are the Primary Card Member of an eligible American Express Card issued by American Express Australia Limited; your Card is enrolled in an eligible Membership Rewards program; and your Card Account is in good standing (i.e., not overdue or in collections). Additional or Employee Card Members, Card Members enrolled in Qantas or Velocity Direct program, Business Ascent program or Business Card Members with spend locked to one supplier or Card Members who hold an David Jones American Express Card are not eligible to use Pay with points at Myer online. The minimum redemption value is 1,000 Membership Rewards points. The full transaction amount will be charged and appear on your account and the credit will appear within 72 hours of the charge (this may not be the full transaction amount). The credit may not appear on the same statement as the full charge. In this case, you must still pay the amount due on your statement, and the credit will apply to charges on your next statement. For full terms and conditions click here.
16. Fraud Protection Guarantee.
Provided that you do not contribute to or unreasonably delay reporting any misuse of your Account and you have complied with your Card Conditions, you will not be held liable for any unauthorised charges.
17. Emergency Card Replacement.
If your Card is lost or stolen, you must report it immediately. You can call American Express 24 hours a day. In Australia, call us on 1300 363 687. If you are overseas, report your lost or stolen Card to the nearest American Express Travel Service or Representative Office. Once you have notified us, you will not be liable for any unauthorised charges.
18. Plan It.
You can create an Instalment Plan as long as your account is in good standing. We may limit the amount that can be transferred to an Instalment Plan. Each Instalment Plan will begin from the date it is successfully created, as communicated to you in your Online Account. Payment of your first Monthly Instalment will be due in your next payment cycle. You will be charged a Monthly Plan Fee for each Instalment Plan created. This fee will be charged each month your Instalment Plan is active and will be notified to you before you create the Instalment Plan. View the full Plan It Instalments Terms and Conditions here.
19. 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. A one category room upgrade is based on availability and eligibility at check-in to the hotel.
