Partner Exclusive: Unlock 20,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points On Selected Cards
For a limited time, you can earn a bonus 20,000 Membership Rewards on top of the standard welcome offers when you apply for selected Cards through the links on Flight Hacks.
For the next 8 days, American Express is highlighting a suite of Membership Rewards-earning Cards for both personal and business use with a select partner offer (that’s us!). From 7 May to 27 May 2025, American Express is adding 20,000 extra Membership Rewards® points on top of its standard welcome offers when you apply for selected Cards through the links on this page.*¹
Why Membership Rewards is our favourite program
American Express Membership Rewards is a flexible rewards program with access to more than 10 airline partners. You earn points first, decide where to spend them later, and only transfer when you are ready to lock in an award seat, hotel redemption or even pay for purchases. That simple difference, compared with being locked into a single airline partner, delivers three powerful advantages.
Lower points cost for travel
A Sydney to Tokyo business class flight with Qantas can cost:
- 82,000 Qantas Points + fees one way, equal to 164,000 Membership Rewards after transfer, or
- 63,000 Cathay Pacific Asia Miles + fees one way, equal to 126,000 Membership Rewards.
Choosing the cheaper partner saves 38,000 Membership Rewards points on exactly the same seat since Asia Miles can be redeemed for Qantas flights as well.
If Japan Airlines and Qantas seats are unavailable, try ANA through Virgin Atlantic or Singapore Airlines through KrisFlyer!
Note: award pricing calculation correct on 15 May 2025.
More seats when you need them
Membership Rewards can be transferred to the following airline partners:
- oneworld: Qantas Frequent Flyer (Platinum Charge only), Asia Miles, Malaysia Airlines Enrich, Qatar Airways Avios, British Airways Avios
- Star Alliance: Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Thai Airways Royal Orchid Plus, Air New Zealand Airpoints
- SkyTeam: Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Independents: Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Virgin Australia Velocity, Hawaiian Airlines HawaiianMiles
Earn, store, redeem
- Points never expire while you keep at least one Membership Rewards-earning Card open.
- Earn rates on everyday spend can vary from 1 to 3 points per dollar across different Cards.
- Transfer bonuses of 10 percent to 30 percent have historically appeared a few times each year with select programs.
Quick redemption wins
🇦🇺 Sydney → 🇯🇵 Tokyo in ANA business class for 45,000 Virgin Atlantic miles (equals 90,000 Membership Rewards) + taxes and fees one way.
🇦🇺 Perth → 🇸🇬 Singapore in Singapore Airlines business class for 60,000 Velocity Points (equals 120,000 Membership Rewards) + taxes and fees one way.
🇦🇺 Perth → 🇫🇷 Paris on Cathay Pacific in business class for 115,000 Asia Miles (equals 230,000 Membership Rewards) + taxes and fees one way.
Note: award pricing calculation correct on 15 May 2025.
Which Amex Cards Are Included?
American Express® Platinum Card*²
When it comes to travel and lifestyle perks, there aren’t many cards that come close to what Amex Platinum offers its Card Members. If you’re a frequent flyer, you may want to learn more about this Card. It comes stacked with benefits such as Priority Pass lounge access, annual dining credits, hotel elite memberships and the highest number of transfer partners in the Amex Membership Rewards lineup.
- Annual fee: $1,450
- Earn Rate: Earn up to 2.25 points per dollar on most spend
- Other Perks: Annual $450 travel credit, $400 global dining credit, worldwide lounge access and hotel elite status
- Welcome offer: When you apply via the link on this page, receive an additional 20,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points on top of the current 200,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points offer when you apply by 27 May 2025, are approved and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Platinum Card within 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
American Express Explorer® Card*³
The Amex Explorer is the all-rounder of the Membership Rewards lineup, delivering a flat 2 points per dollar on most spend and a yearly $400 travel credit that offsets its annual fee. Add uncapped points, complimentary insurances and access to Amex Offers, and you have a value-packed Card that suits everyday spenders who still want meaningful travel perks and access to Amex Membership Reward Points.
- Annual fee: $395 plus a yearly $400 travel credit
- Earn Rate: Earn 2 points per dollar on most spend, 1 point on payments to Australian government bodies
- Welcome offer: When you apply via the link on this page, receive an additional 20,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points on top of the current 75,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points offer when you apply by 27 May 2025, are approved and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Explorer Credit Card within 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
American Express Essential® Rewards Card*⁴
The Amex Essential is built for everyday life, pairing a $9 monthly fee with turbo-charged earn rates such as 5 points per $ on dining and 3 points per $ on streaming. Add device and purchase protection plus Amex Shop Small offers, and it turns routine spending into a steady flow of flexible points without the premium price tag.
- Monthly fee: $9 ($108 a year)
- Earn Rate: Earn 5 points per dollar on dining, 3 on streaming, 2 at major retailers, then 1 point everywhere else on the first 10,000 points each month
- Welcome offer: When you apply via the link on this page, receive an additional 20,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points on top of the current 60,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points offer when you apply by 27 May 2025, are approved and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card within 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
To learn more or apply click here to get this deal.
American Express® Platinum Business Card*⁵
Amex Platinum Business has a suite of benefits that can help companies achieve their growth goals. It earns 2.25 points per $ on almost every purchase, provides up to 55 cash-flow days and unlocks worldwide lounge access for work trips that feel like leisure. Throw in hotel privileges, comprehensive travel insurance and dedicated support, and provides access to valuable Membership Rewards Points.
- Annual fee: $1,750, reduced to $875 in the first year for applications lodged by 27 May 2025
- Earn Rate: Earn 2.25 points per dollar on almost every purchase, up to 55 cash-flow days and no preset spend limit
- Other Perks: Priority Pass lounge access, hotel privileges and comprehensive travel insurance
- Welcome offer: When you apply via the link on this page, receive an additional 20,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points on top of the current 250,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points offer when you apply by 27 May 2025, are approved, and spend $12,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Platinum Business Card within 3 months of your approval date. New American Express Card Members only. Plus, you’ll also enjoy a half annual Card fee of $875 in the first year (normally $1,750). Offer ends 27 May 2025. T&Cs apply.
American Express® Business Gold Plus Card*⁶
Business Gold Plus balances uncapped points with practical savings. You get an accelerated points rate on select suppliers and collect 3 points per $, score statement credits worth up to $550 each year and still enjoy up to 55 days to manage cash flow. For small enterprises that value both rewards and breathing space, it is a smart middle ground between core perks and controlled costs. This Card also makes an excellent second business Card if you’re looking to take advantage of the accelerated earn rate on certain spend categories such as Google and Meta advertising.
- Annual fee: $395
- Earn Rate: Earn 3 points per dollar with selected suppliers, 1.5 points on everyday purchases, 1 point on government spend, up to 200,000 points each calendar year before accelerated rates reset.
- Up to 55 cash-flow days, flexible spending power and statement credits worth up to $550 with key vendors
- Welcome offer: When you apply via the link on this page, receive an additional 20,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points on top of the current 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points offer when you apply by 27 May 2025, are approved and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Business Gold Plus Card within 3 months of your approval date. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
Summing Up
Membership Rewards Points have great value and flexibility in their redemption capabilities. Adding 20,000 extra points gives these five Cards extra value until 27 May 2025. Apply through our links to take advantage of this limited time select partner bonus points offer!
Full disclosure: as an American Express partner, we may receive a commission when you apply and are approved for one of the above products. We appreciate your support!
Full disclosure:
We’re proud to partner with American Express to bring you exclusive offers such as this one. If you choose to apply for a card through one of our links and are approved, we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep Flight Hacks running, and allow us to spend the time researching, testing and writing helpful content for our readers.
If you’ve found our guides useful, applying through our links is a simple way to support what we do. We truly appreciate it.
Disclaimers
An additional 20 000 Membership Rewards bonus points offer is available to new American Express Card Members who apply by 27 May 2025 via the link on this page, are approved and meet the minimum spend criteria on eligible purchases as per the Terms and Conditions detailed for each applicable Card. 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. 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 bonus Membership Rewards points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member’s account eight to ten weeks after the spend criteria has been met. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Program available at https://www.americanexpress.com/en-au/benefits/rewards/membership-rewards/. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.
Earn 200 000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points plus additional 20 000 bonus points: Offer only available to new American Express Card Members who apply by 27 May 2025 via the link on this page, are approved and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on their new Card in the first three months from the Card approval date. If you apply via a different link or visit the Amex site separately, you will not be eligible for the offer. 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. 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. 220 000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member’s account eight to ten weeks after the spend criteria has been met. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Program available at https://www.americanexpress.com/en-au/benefits/rewards/membership-rewards/. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.
Earn 75 000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points plus additional 20,000 bonus points: Offer only available to new American Express Card Members who apply by 27 May 2025 via the link on this page, are approved and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on their new Card in the first three months from the Card approval date. If you apply via a different link or visit the Amex site separately, you will not be eligible for the offer. 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. 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. 95 000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member’s account eight to ten weeks after the spend criteria has been met. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Program available at https://www.americanexpress.com/en-au/benefits/rewards/membership-rewards/. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.
Earn 60,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points plus additional 20,000 bonus points: Offer only available to new American Express Card Members who apply by 27 May 2025 via the link on this page, are approved and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on their new Card in the first three months from the Card approval date. If you apply via a different link or visit the Amex site separately, you will not be eligible for the offer. 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. 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. 80 000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member’s account eight to ten weeks after the spend criteria has been met. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Program available at https://www.americanexpress.com/en-au/benefits/rewards/membership-rewards/. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.
Earn 250,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points plus 875 dollar Year 1 annual Card fee plus additional 20,000 Bonus Points: Offer is only available to new American Express Card Members who apply via the link on this page by 27 May 2025, are approved and spend $12,000 on eligible purchases on their new Card in the first three months from the Card approval date. If you apply via a different link or visit the American Express website separately, you will not be eligible for the offer. The American Express Platinum Business Card will have an annual Card fee of 875 dollars in the first year for new and existing Card Members who apply by 27 May 2025. From the second year of membership an annual Card fee of 1 750 dollars applies. 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. 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 the 270 000 Bonus Membership Rewards points offer. 270 000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member’s account eight to ten weeks after the spend criteria has been met. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Program available at americanexpress.com/en-au/rewards/membership-rewards/terms. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.
Earn 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points plus additional 20,000 bonus points: Offer only available to new American Express Card Members who apply by 27 May 2025 via the link on this page, are approved and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on their new Card in the first three months from the Card approval date. If you apply via a different link or visit the American Express website separately, you will not be eligible for the offer. 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. 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. 120 000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member’s account eight to ten weeks after the spend criteria has been met. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Program available at https://www.americanexpress.com/en-au/benefits/rewards/membership-rewards/. The American Express Business Gold Plus Card has an annual Card fee of 395 dollars. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.
