The American Express Explorer Credit Card has built a strong reputation as one of the most well-rounded rewards cards for Australian travellers. With a generous sign-up bonus, flexible Membership Rewards points, and a $400 annual travel credit, it offers a compelling mix of everyday earning and travel-focused perks.
Right now, you can receive up to 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points*. That’s 75,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply online by 27 April 2027, are approved and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Explorer Credit Card within the first 3 months of your approval date. Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend a further $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of your second year of Card Membership. T&Cs apply. Only available to new Card Members who have not held any American Express Card within the last 18 months.
In this review, we take a closer look at the American Express Explorer, looking at what it gets right, where it falls short, and who will get the most value.
Earn 75K Bonus Membership Rewards Points with min. spend $4K within first 3 months of approval. Additional 25K Bonus Membership Rewards Points in Year 2 after min. spend of $4K in first 3 months of 2nd year of Card Membership. Offer ends 27.04.2027. New Amex Card Members only. T&Cs apply.
on purchases excluding government bodies in Australia
on purchases at government bodies in Australia
Why We Love The Amex Explorer Credit Card
For starters, you can earn 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points*, which translates into 33,333 frequent flyer points when you transfer to the most important programs, such as Qatar Airways Privilege Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, or Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. For transfers to Velocity Frequent Flyer, that bonus is equivalent to 50,000 Velocity Points.
There is also the generous earn rate of 2 points on (almost) everything, and the $400 travel credit you get every year. This credit basically wipes out the $395 card fee, so in any case, you’re always $5 up. The credit can be spent on flights, hotels, car rentals etc.
Amex Explorer Points Transfer Partners
One of the biggest strengths of holding a card that earns Membership Rewards Points is the enormous flexibility it gives you. Among Australia’s credit card rewards programs, few come close to Amex Membership Rewards for number and quality of transfer partners.
Below you will find a full list of transfer partners you can access with an American Express Explorer Card, as well as how many partner points the current bonus unlocks.
| Airline program | Rate | You get |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin Australia | Transfer rate2 : 1 | You get50,000Velocity Points |
| Singapore Airlines | Transfer rate3 : 1 | You get33,333KrisFlyer Miles |
| Cathay Pacific | Transfer rate3 : 1 | You get33,333Asia Miles |
| Qatar Airways | Transfer rate3 : 1 | You get33,333Avios |
| Emirates | Transfer rate4 : 1 | You get25,000Skywards Miles |
| Air New Zealand | Transfer rate200 : 1 | You get$500Airpoints Dollars |
| British Airways | Transfer rate3 : 1 | You get33,333Avios |
| Malaysia Airlines | Transfer rate3 : 1 | You get33,333Enrich Points |
| Virgin Atlantic | Transfer rate3 : 1 | You get33,333Virgin Points |
| Accor | Transfer rate5 : 1 | You get20,000Reward points |
| Hilton | Transfer rate2 : 1 | You get50,000Hilton Honors Points |
| Marriott | Transfer rate1.5 : 1 | You get66,666Marriott Bonvoy Points |
| Everyday Rewards | Transfer rate1.25 : 1 | You get80,000Everyday Rewards points |
Transfer ratios are shown as Membership Rewards Points : Partner Points.
The Hack To Transfer Amex MR Points To Qantas
As above, you can transfer your Membership Rewards to Woolworths' Everyday Rewards program. This also opens up a loophole which allows you to transfer your Membership Rewards Points to Qantas Points since Everyday Rewards can be converted to Qantas Frequent Flyer at a 2:1 ratio.
Here's how that would play out:
- Amex → Everyday Rewards: 5 MR = 4 ER
- Everyday Rewards → Qantas: 2ER = 1QF
- Effective Amex → Qantas: 2.5MR = 1QF
The Power Of A Flexible Reward Program
In the world of frequent flyer points, flexibility is power! The Membership Rewards program by American Express is a perfect example of this, why restrict yourself to 1 airline reward program when you can have 6 or more? When it comes to finding business or first class award tickets, it pays to have flexibility and plenty of options to chose from.
Even if you’re an avid Qantas fan, consider this example: Asia Miles which is the reward program run by Cathay Pacific, (A One World airline, just like Qantas) allows you to use their points to book Qantas flights, sometimes for fewer points than it would cost using Qantas’s own frequent flyer points!
The Kris Flyer program by Singapore Airlines is by far my favourite transfer partner, not only do they have some of the best business and first class seats in the sky, the taxes and points required for flights to Europe or Asia are much cheaper than what you could get with the local airline programs such as Velocity Frequent Flyer or Qantas Frequent Flyer.
Amex Explorer lets you earn 1 frequent flyer mile on pretty much everything. This ads up fast throughout the year!
Pro Tip!
The American Express Explorer Card earns points in our favourite flexible rewards program Membership Rewards. To learn more about this, check out our in depth guide!
Airport Lounge Access
If you travel through Sydney or Melbourne, this perk can come in handy. The American Express Explorer Card gives you 2 access passes per year to The Centurion Lounge in Sydney or Melbourne. Passes are valued at $55 so it’s a pretty sweet deal if you end up using them.
The Hotel Collection
The Amex Explorer now has access to The Hotel Collection, it’s similar to Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts where you get extra perks by booking through the site. For most properties participating this is a US$100 hotel credit which you can then use on food, drinks or even a spa treatment. In addition, some properties also offer upgrades as part of the deal.
American Express Explorer Card Members can get extra perks at participating Hotels Collection properties every time they book two consecutive nights stay using their American Express Explorer Card.
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. Via this method, you can also use your annual travel credit to book and pay for The Hotel Collection participating hotels online.
$400 Travel Credit
A great benefit of the Explorer it the $400 travel credit (which completely offsets the annual fee). It’s available in your account and can be used for all travel-related services offered via the Amex Travel Portal within your online account. Best of all, when booking flights through Amex Travel, you won’t be paying any card surcharges typically added on by the majority of airlines when booking direct.
It’s worth noting that you need to use it all in one go. For example, you can’t split it up for multiple transactions and most importantly if the total falls under $400 you are forfeiting the difference.
The best use for the credit, in my opinion, is flights and hotels. Both these categories are usually more than $400 so it’s easy to find a great use for your credit. The travel credit resets yearly so this card is definitely worthwhile to keep around.
You can find the portal to book your travel here: http://americanexpress.com.au/travel
How The Travel Credit Works
If your card has a Travel Credit benefit, it can be redeemed through American Express Travel online on a single eligible booking by selecting the Travel Credit when you checkout. To redeem, 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, 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.
Smartphone Screen Cover
Now, this is a killer perk!
Who hasn’t dropped their phone and accidentally cracked the screen? With the American Express Explorer Card, you can smash your screen twice per year! The best thing is, excess is limited to 10% of the repair cost so in most cases $20-30 will be all you end up paying.
The Smartphone Screen Cover is valid if you've paid your mobile plan for 3 consecutive months prior to the front screen breakage using your Explorer Card. It's also included if you bought the phone outright in 1 single transaction on the Card.
Complimentary Travel Insurance
Like most premium credit cards Amex Explorer comes with travel insurance, which offers cover for both domestic and international getaways. Cover is offered for you, your partner and your dependent children, when you pay for your return trip on your Explorer Card.
Some of the covers included are:
- Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover
- Travel Inconvenience Cover
- Public Transport Accident Cover
- Personal Baggage, Valuables, Money and Travel Documents Cover
- Medical Emergency Expenses Cover
- Personal Accident Cover
Buyer’s Advantage Cover
Extends your manufacturer’s warranty by up to 12 months on eligible items purchased with your American Express Explorer Credit Card.
Card Purchase Cover
Stay protected with Card Purchase Cover providing cover should your new items be stolen or damaged. Refund Protection is also available should a store refuse to accept the return of a recent, unused purchase.
Fraud Prevention
Online Fraud Protection Guarantee means you won’t be held responsible for any unauthorised charges made without your knowledge.
Bonus Points Eligibility
American Express have a rule which dictates who can and can’t receive a sign up bonus for a new card. As it stands, both personal and business cards are classified under the same umbrella regarding sign up bonuses. Unfortunately, this means that if you currently hold or have held an Amex Card within the last 18 months, you’re not eligible for the sign up bonus.
There is 1 exceptions to this rule: Card Members who have or have held an American Express Corporate Card. Those members can still apply for a personal or business American Express and obtain the bonus offer when meeting all the other criteria.
Amex Explorer In Conclusion
Is this the best American Express card? Yes! In my humble opinion, this is the best all-round credit card and it does deserve a prime position in your wallet. Sure it’s expensive but never forget what perks you’re getting in return and the yearly travel credit makes it totally worth it.
Important Note
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Terms & Conditions
To earn up to 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points you must apply online by 27 April 2027, be approved and meet the following criteria: You’ll receive 75,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $4,000 or more on eligible purchases on your new Card in the first 3 months from the Card approval date. To receive an additional 25,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points, you need to remain on the American Express Explorer Credit Card after the first year and spend a minimum of $4,000 on eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of your second year of Card Membership. 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 after the spend criteria has been met in both your first and second years of Card Membership for the Bonus Points to be credited to your Account. You will still be eligible to earn the additional 25,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points in the second year of Membership, even if you did not meet the $4,000 minimum spend criteria to receive the 75,000 Bonus Points in the first year of Membership. This offer is only available to new American Express Card Members. 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. Information is correct as at 4 November 2026.
The following Terms and Conditions govern the entry to The American Express Centurion Lounges at the Sydney International Airport and the Melbourne International Airport.
1. Eligible Cards
(a) The Cards listed below that are current and issued by American Express Australia Limited and American Express International (NZ), are eligible to enter The Centurion Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne:
American Express Centurion Card
American Express Platinum Card
American Express Platinum Card Plus
American Express Platinum Business Card
American Express Corporate Platinum Card
American Express Qantas Corporate Platinum Card
American Express Explorer Credit Card
American Express Business Explorer Credit Card
American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card
American Express Airpoints Platinum Card
American Express Elevate Premium Credit Card
(b) Internationally issued American Express Centurion and American Express Platinum Cards that are current are eligible to enter the The Centurion Lounge.
At the discretion of American Express, other American Express Card Members may also enter The Centurion Lounges.
2. Access to The Centurion Lounge
(a) American Express Centurion, American Express Platinum, American Express Platinum Business and American Express Corporate Platinum Card Members have complimentary access to The Centurion Lounges for each American Express Card Account and are entitled to bring their children 17 years of age or younger. Platinum Personal and Platinum Business Card Members may bring one (1) complimentary guest into The Centurion Lounge. Centurion and Corporate Platinum Card Members may bring up to two (2) complimentary guests into The Centurion Lounge. Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on your Centurion or Platinum Account are not eligible for complimentary access. Card Members wishing to bring additional guests will be subject to a charge that is to be processed on the Card Member's American Express Card. Please refer to the reception desk at The Centurion Lounge for the applicable charges. If you have paid for additional guests and choose to visit multiple locations of The Centurion Lounge on the same day, guest fees will apply at each location.
(b) All other eligible cards are entitled to a total of two entries into The Centurion Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne per calendar year (1st January to 31st December). The entries may be used by the Primary Card Member, Additional Card Member or a guest travelling with a Card Member. Complimentary access is available for the Card Member's children 17 years of age or younger. Card Members wishing to bring additional guests will be subject to a charge that is to be processed on the Card Member's American Express Card. Please refer to the reception desk at The Centurion Lounge for the applicable charges.
3. General Conditions of Entry
(a) The Centurion Lounge at Sydney International Airport and Melbourne International Airport are operated by Plaza Premium Lounge Management (“Lounge Operator”). To access The Centurion Lounge, eligible Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. During a layover, all eligible Card Members (excluding Centurion) must arrive within 5 hours of their connecting flight. Same day round-trip itineraries are not considered connecting flights.
Card Members will not be granted access to the lounge with a boarding pass for a flight that has landed at the final destination. All guests must be travelling on the same flight as the eligible Card Member (excluding Centurion). Upon arrival at The Centurion Lounge, eligible Card Members must present the following upon each visit: their valid American Express Credit or Charge Card and upon request, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for a departing flight on the same day on any carrier and a government-issued I.D. Name on boarding pass must match name on the Card. Failure to present this documentation may result in access being denied.
(b) Card Members must be at least 18 years of age to enter without a parent or legal guardian. All Centurion Lounge visitors must be of legal drinking age in the jurisdiction where the Lounge is located to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
(c) The Lounge Operator reserves the right to remove any person from the lounge for inappropriate behaviour or failure to adhere to lounge rules, including, but not limited to, conduct that is disruptive, abusive or violent. Soliciting other Card Members for access into our lounge is not permissible.
(d) Access to The Centurion Lounges is subject to space availability. The Centurion Lounge hours may vary and are subject to change without prior notice. Amenities vary among The Centurion Lounge locations and are subject to change. Card Members will not be compensated for changes in locations, rates or policies. In addition to the complimentary services and amenities in the Lounge, certain services, products or amenities may be offered for sale.
(e) American Express will not be liable for any articles lost or stolen or damages suffered by the Card Member or visitor inside the The Centurion Lounge.
(f) If American Express, in its sole discretion, determine that you have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with lounge access in any way, we may remove access to The Centurion Lounge from your Account. Use of The Centurion Lounges is subject to all rules and conditions set by American Express and the Lounge Operator. American Express reserves the right to revise the rules at any time and may do so without prior notice but will provide advance notice of material changes where reasonably practical.
The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more made through American Express Travel with participating properties and are valid only for the following Eligible Cards: 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 Business Gold Plus Card, American Express Platinum Card, American Express Platinum Business Card, American Express Corporate Platinum Card, American Express Qantas Corporate Platinum Card and American Express Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Explorer or Platinum Reserve Credit Card Members, Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members, or Centurion Members. Each eligible THC booking includes the following program benefits: (1) a US$100 credit towards eligible charges, (2) 4pm late check-out when available, (3) 12pm check-in when available, and (4) room upgrade upon arrival when available.To receive program benefits, (i)the booking must be made and paid for using inEligible Card, or another American Express Card in the Eligible Card Member's name,(ii) the Eligible Card Member must be traveling on the itinerary booked,and (iii) charges for program benefits (if applicable) must be billed to the hotel room.If paying for the booking at the property, the Eligible Card Member may need to provide a physical American Express Card.Any applicable program-related credits will be applied at checkout in USD or the local currency equivalent.Noon check-in,4pm late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and any additional benefit(if applicable) varies by property; the credit will be applied to eligible charges up to the amount of the credit.Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay).Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, bookings made by different Card Members staying in the same room or bookings made by different Card Members traveling in the same party, in each case, within a 24-hour period at the same property, are considered one stay and only eligible for one set of THC benefits for the entirety of such stay.American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you may have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits.Eligible Card Members are entitled to the benefits offered by the property on the booking check-in date.Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked.Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your Eligible Card Account must not be cancelled.
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