American Express

American Express is a global service company, providing customers with exceptional access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success.

American Express credit cards

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Apply by 23 July 2024

American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Highlights

Experience $0 Annual Card Fee (usually $149) in the first year when applying by July 23, 2024, and getting approved for the American Express® Business Explorer Credit Card. T&C’s apply. Exclusive to New American Express Card Members.
Benefit from two American Express Lounge passes per year at Sydney and Melbourne airports.
Receive Complimentary Travel Insurance when paying for your return trip with your Card.

Pros

$0 annual fee on the first year.
Earn up to 2 points per $1 spent.
No fee for up to 99 employee cards.
Up to 55 interest-free days.

Cons

Annual fee reverts to $149 after the initial year.
There is no balance transfer offer for this card.
Cash advances are blocked, which might be inconvenient for some.

American Express Explorer Credit Card

Highlights

Obtain 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points upon application approval and spending $4,000 on your new Card within the initial 3 months. T&Cs apply. Exclusive to New Amex Card Members.
Enjoy a $400 Travel Credit annually for flights, hotels, and car rentals when booked online using this card.
Benefit from complimentary domestic and international travel insurance coverage.

Pros

The 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points when approved and reach spend requirement within the first 3 months.
Receive a $400 travel credit every year.
Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on purchases except for government bodies in Australia where you will earn 1 point per $1 spent (uncapped).
Get two complimentary entries per year to The Centurion® Lounge.

Cons

The $395 p.a. annual fee.

American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card

Highlights

No annual fee in the initial year, saving you $195.
Accrue 3 Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent at major supermarkets and petrol stations.
Access $200 allocated for annual travel expenses, applicable towards eligible flights, hotels, or car rentals when booked through American Express Travel.

Pros

$0 annual fee in the first year, saving you $195.
Receive $200 to spend on eligible domestic and international flights, hotels, or car hire with American Express Travel.
Smartphone Screen Cover for smartphone screen repairs up to $500.

Cons

The ongoing purchase rate of 23.99%.

The Qantas American Express Premium Card

Highlights

Receive 20,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 in 3 months. New Amex Card Members only.
Relax with 2 complimentary Qantas Club invitations every year (conditions apply).
Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance.

Pros

20,000 bonus Qantas points for signing up and hitting the spending target.
Earn points on your everyday spend. Also earns points at a reduced rate on government spend.
Give up to 4 of your friends and family a card — at no extra cost — to earn more points.
$450 Qantas Travel Credit, which is fairly easy to trigger with your first Qantas purchase each year.
Comes with complimentary card purchase cover and travel insurance.

Cons

There is an annual fee of $249.
The purchase rate is quite high, but can be avoided with responsible use.
No balance transfer facility.

Apply by 3 September 2024

American Express Qantas Ultimate Credit Card

Highlights

Get up to 90,000 bonus Qantas Points. Acquire 70,000 bonus Qantas Points by applying before 28 May 2024, getting approved, and spending $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months. Plus, an additional 20,000 bonus Qantas Points in your second year upon fee renewal. T&Cs apply. Exclusive to New Card Members.
Receive 2 complimentary Qantas Club lounge invitations annually.
Access a $450 Qantas Travel Credit each year (conditions apply).

Pros

Earn up to 90,000 bonus Qantas Points when you meet the criteria.
Excellent earn rates on everyday spending. Earns points on payments to the ATO.
Access to The Centurion® Lounge. after your first card spend on the card for Qantas products and services each anniversary year.
2 complimentary Qantas Club lounge invitations each year.
Add cards for up to four family and friends at no cost.

Cons

The annual fee of $450.
There is no concierge service, even though it's a high end card.
Balance transfers are not possible.
Transactions in a foreign currency attract a fee.

American Express Velocity Escape Card

Highlights

Earn Velocity Points and enjoy a $0 Annual Fee.
Velocity Points earned on your card are transferred directly to your Velocity account each month and can be redeemed for a range of rewards including flights, accommodation, car hire, gift cards, and much more.
Earn 0.75 Velocity Points per $1 spent, except for government bodies in Australia where you will earn 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 spent.

Pros

$0 Annual Fee, but still earn points.
Earn 1.75 Velocity Points per $1 spent on purchases with Virgin Australia.
Get 0.5 points per $1 when paying tax to the ATO using the card.
55 days interest-free on purchases when the previous balance has been cleared in full.

Cons

Doesn't come with complimentary travel insurance.
No complimentary lounge access.
No access to the concierge service.
There is no balance transfer offer for this card.

American Express Velocity Platinum Credit Card

Highlights

Receive 60,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months. Available to new Amex Card Members only.
Complimentary Virgin Australia return Economy domestic flight between selected cities each year after your first Card spend each anniversary year.
Enjoy 2 complimentary Virgin Australia lounge passes each anniversary year at selected domestic airports.

Pros

Receive 60,000 bonus Velocity Points when you meet the criteria.
Complimentary Virgin Australia return Economy domestic flight between selected cities each year after your first Card spend each anniversary year.
Enjoy 2 complimentary Virgin Australia lounge passes each anniversary year at selected domestic airports.
Receive 100 Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Credits, when you spend a minimum of $50,000 within your card membership year.
Complimentary domestic and international travel insurance.
Get the Amex Experiences App to access information on Platinum benefits, travel offers, events and recommended merchants.
Add up to 4 additional cardholders for free.

Cons

The interest rates applied to balances carried over is on the high end.
There is no balance transfer offer on this card.

American Express Platinum Business Card

Highlights

Receive 350,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you apply by 5 November 2024, are approved, and spend $12,000 on your card within the first 3 months. New American Express Card Members only.
Earn up to 2.25 pts per $1 spent.
Get exclusive Platinum travel, experience, and dining privileges.

Pros

The offer of 350,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you meet the criteria.
Earn up to 2.25 pts per $1 spent and 1 point per $1 spent at the ATO.
Access to more than 1,400 lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge.
Gold status match at Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Premium status at Radisson Hotel Group.
Get the Amex Experiences App to access information on Platinum benefits, travel offers, events and recommended merchants.

Cons

The annual fee of $1,750 p.a.
Since this is a charge card, the balance must be cleared every statement.
No balance transfer facility.

American Express Platinum Card

Highlights

Receive 200,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $5,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only.
Receive a $450 Platinum Travel Credit each year, which can be redeemed for flights, hotels, or car hire.
Enjoy up to $400 per calendar year when you dine from a curated collection of over 1,400 hand-selected restaurants both locally and abroad. Terms and Conditions apply.

Pros

Receive 200,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you meet the criteria.
Receive a $450 Platinum Travel Credit each year.
Enjoy up to $400 Global Dining Credit per calendar year.
Access to more than 1,400 lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge.
Get the Amex Experiences App to access information on Platinum benefits, travel offers, events and recommended merchants.

Cons

The annual fee of $1,450.

American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card

Highlights

Enjoy 150,000 bonus Qantas Points with the American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card when you apply 1 October 2024, get approved, and spend at least $3,000 within 3 months of your approval date. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
Earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent on Qantas products and services, up to 1.25 points per $1 spent on everyday spend and 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent on government spend, utilities and insurance.
After a total of 500,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday business earn rate will change from 1.25 to 0.75 Qantas Points per $1 spent.*For Card Members who applied for the Card between 1 July 2023 – 9 January 2024, this change will come into effect from 10 July 2024.

Pros

Earn 150,000 bonus Qantas Points when you meet the criteria.
Two complimentary passes for the Qantas Club lounge every year.
A flexible Payment Option is available to spread costs over time for a portion of your balance.
Power up your business – Spend with Dell Technologies and get up to $100 credit.

Cons

The $450 p.a. annual fee.
Balance must be repaid in full each month.
No concierge service.
Lounge passes are valid for Qantas Club and not the international business lounges.

Qantas American Express Discovery Credit Card

Highlights

Earn 1.75 Qantas Points on eligible Qantas products and services.
Earn 0.75 Qantas Point for every $1 spent on Card purchases, except spend at government bodies in Australia where you will earn 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent.
$0 Annual Fee.
Up to 4 Additional Cards for family members or friends with no extra fee.

Pros

$0 Annual Fee, a rarity among rewards credit cards.
Earn 0.75 Qantas points per $1 spent and 0.5 Qantas points per $1 for government spend.
No cap on the number of points you can earn.
Add up to 4 additional cards for family members or friends with no extra fee.
Complimentary Card Purchase Cover and Card Refund Cover.

Cons

There is a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Lacks complimentary travel insurance.
There is no access to a concierge service.

Apply by 27 August 2024

American Express Velocity Business Charge Card

Highlights

Receive 100,000 Bonus Velocity Points when you apply by 27 August 2024, are approved, and meet the minimum spend criteria of $3,000 within 2 months of approval. New American Express Card Members only.
Earn 2 points per $1 spent on Virgin Australia services and up to 1 point per $1 spent on other purchases. Earn 0.5 points per $1 on ATO and government spending.
Enjoy 2 complimentary single-entry passes to the Virgin Australia Lounge at selected domestic airports every year.

Pros

Receive 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you meet the criteria.
Earn up to 2 Velocity Points per $1 spent.
No pre-set spending limit and up to 51 days to pay for purchases.

Cons

The annual fee of $249 p.a.
Each employee card costs $99.

The Low Rate Credit Card from American Express

Highlights

Enjoy a low 10.99% p.a. interest rate on purchases.
$0 annual fee for as long as you have the card.
Up to 55 days interest-free.

Pros

Low 10.99% p.a. interest rate on purchases and $0 annual fee.
Comes with Card Purchase Cover and Card Refund Cover.
Up to 55 days interest free.

Cons

There are no rewards program for this card.

American Express money transfer

AMEX FX International Payments

Highlights

Simple Online Enrollment.
24-hour access to FX payment specialists, Monday to Friday.
Transfer to 110+ countries and 80+ currencies.
Receive Membership Rewards points, if enrolled (Terms and Conditions apply).

Pros

Supports a wide range of currencies and countries.
Offers different transfer options.
Earn rewards.

Cons

Other service providers may offer higher exchange rates.

Learn all about

Q&As

What financial services do American Express offer in Australia?

You'll know American Express from their iconic Centurion embellished cards. The American financial behemoth operate a number of credit cards and charge cards for personal customers, small businesses, and larger corporate clients which earn points and benefits in the Membership Rewards program.

In addition, the company also operates Amex Travel for hotel and flight bookings. And there's also Amex branded travel insurance and a American Express FX payments to send money overseas.