The American Express Essential Credit Card

The basics

• Additional cardholders. Get up to 4 additional cards for family and friends to use at no extra cost. The main account holder will be responsible for the management of the card's credit limit, payments, etc.
• Digital wallets. This card is compatible with Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.
• Gambling transactions. It isn't possible to use this card for transactions classified as gambling.

Rewards and benefits

• Complimentary travel insurance. There is no complimentary international travel insurance available with this card.
• Concierge services. The American Express Essential Credit Card does not come with access to a concierge service.
• Insurances. Comes with a Smartphone Screen Cover of up to $500 when you pay for your phone outright or monthly bill with your American Express Essential Credit Card.
• Rewards points. Cardholders can earn 1.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on eligible purchases except on government bodies where you'll earn 1 point per $1 spent. Membership Rewards points can be transferred to a number of airline partners including Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer, Emirates Skywards, and Air New Zealand Airpoints, etc. The benefit of this is flexibility when it comes to redeeming points for travel as opposed to being limited to one airline and its partners.
• Sign-up bonus. Get $100 back when you apply, are approved, and spend $1,500 on your card in your first 3 months of Card Membership. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only.

Rates and fees

• Annual fee. This card has no annual fee, making it one of the few cards to earn points with no annual fee.
• Balance transfers. A balance transfer is not possible with this card. You may be interested in what's available with other credit cards for balance transfers.
• Cash advances. Cash advances will be charged interest at the cash advance interest rate of 18.99% p.a. A one-off cash advance fee will also apply. Interest on cash advances begins to accrue from the date of the transaction.
• Foreign exchange fee. All purchases made in a foreign currency will encounter a 3% foreign transaction fee.
• Interest-free period. This card offers an interest-free period of up to 55 days on purchases except for cash advances if you have paid off your previous balance or made minimum required payments
• Purchases. The American Express Essential Credit Card does not have an introductory offer on purchases. Purchases made with this card will incur interest at 18.99% p.a. until repaid.