American Express Credit Cards with a Travel Rewards Program
Posted August 21st, 2009 and last modified October 5th, 2011AMEX Credit Cards offering Rewards when you Travel!
American Express has been operating in Australia since 1954. It has had a stronghold on financial and travel services throughout the country and continues to do so with its links set up with other organisations. In 1974 American Express introduced its first Australian-dollar credit card – the American Express Credit Card. This credit card is often co-branded with other banks and businesses such as NAB, HSBC Bank, AMP, Qantas and David Jones.
The growth of American Express services in Australia has seen several different cards become available which are suitable for different client’s needs. With strong associations in the travel industry, American Express involves many ‘travel features’ in its Rewards Programs. Following on is an expos© on two personal credit cards.
Featured American Express Credit Card
The American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card is a rewards credit card like no other. With the ability to earn up to 3 rewards points at major supermarkets and complimentary enrolment in Membership Rewards Ascent program. Also an introductory balance transfer offer.
- $149 annual fee
- 0% p.a. for 6 months (reverts to 20.74% p.a.) on purchases
- 55 days interest free
- Minimum Income Requirement of $50,000 p.a.
- Receive a complimentary domestic economy return flight every year to selected Australian destinations
- Receive 20,000 bonus Membership Rewards points if you spend $500 on your card in the first 2 months of your Card membership.
Read the American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card terms and conditions.
American Express Gold Ascent Credit Card
This card is a world recognised card and can be used across all purchasing sources. The Gold Ascent credit card has no annual fees and there are no charges for the issue of supplementary cards or fees to join the Rewards program that is offered.
You get up to 44 days interest-free to pay for purchases on the monthly statement and if not paid in that time an interest rate of 0% p.a. for 6 months (reverts to 20.74% p.a.) is charged.
With the Rewards program a member receives a point for every $2 that is spent on the card. These Membership Rewards points can be converted equivalently into air travel point and there are 3 airlines to choose from for your air travel on this conversion rate: Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore Airlines. Alternatively there are 3 airlines where 4 Membership Reward points can be converted into 3 airline reward points and they are: Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways. The Membership does not have a ‘cap’ on the number of points that can be accrued.
American Express Blue Sky Credit Card
The Blue Sky Credit Card does not have any annual fee and it also has up to 55 interest-free days provided the card had no prior outstanding balance, otherwise an interest at 0% p.a. for 6 months (reverts to 20.74% p.a.) would be charged. This card also has benefits for card users of travel insurance, fraud monitoring, post-purchase protection and travel.
Membership Reward points are earned at the rate of one point for $1 spent. Rewards points can be spent on a wide range of items and services, including gift cards. The points can also be used with the travel partners of: Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways, Malaysian Airlines, Virgin Australia Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air New Zealand and others as listed. As well as these benefits, rewards points can also be used on selected accommodation partners.
Flights using travel points do need to be booked 30 days in advance, as does accommodation. It pays to note that some airlines do charge a joining fee to participate in their programs so if you are intending to use them it would pay to check this out before running out of time.
If you are a regular traveller it pays to use your American Express credit card for paying for travel as you will be accruing points towards your next trip.
American Express cards do not offer balance transfers as part of their service. All rewards points are only earned on spending using the American Express card.
Check out today's featured offers:
| Westpac Low Rate | Citibank Clear Platinum | Qantas AMEX Discovery | ANZ Platinum |
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0% p.a. for 6 months on purchases & balance transfers |
2.9% p.a. for 12 months |
$0 annual fee Up to 10,000 Bonus QFF Points |
0% p.a. for 6 months on purchases & balance transfers |
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