American Express is a big global brand that's known for offering generous rewards and perks. In Australia, you can get an Amex credit card linked to the Qantas Frequent Flyer, Velocity Frequent Flyer and Amex Membership Rewards programs. It also offers a low rate card – and lots of options for business owners. In 2024, Amex won 3 Finder Credit Card Awards: Best No Annual Fee Credit Card, Best No Annual Fee Rewards Credit Card and Best Business Charge Card. It was also highly commended in the Best Frequent Flyer Credit Card – Velocity and Best Business Rewards Credit Card categories.
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Qantas American Express Discovery Card. Earn Qantas Points on your everyday spending and redeem points for flights and more on this no annual fee rewards card.
American Express Membership Rewards credit cards earn points per $1 on your eligible spending, which you can redeem for travel bookings, gift cards, frequent flyer point transfers or to shop at David Jones, Myer, Webjet or Helloworld. If you're new to Amex, some cards have introductory bonus points offers for up to 350,000 points.
If you're a member of different frequent flyer programs, Membership Rewards gives you the flexibility to transfer points to partnered loyalty schemes including Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Air New Zealand Airpoints and Asia Miles. Its also one of the few Australian credit card reward programs to offer point transfers to Emirates Skywards Miles and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. Check out Finder's guide to Amex Membership Rewards for more tips on earning and spending your points.
This includes frequent flyer cards with no annual fee, as well as cards that offer extra features such as complimentary travel insurance, complimentary flight or travel credit and airline lounge passes that can help justify the cost of an annual fee.
Get more value: If you're new to American Express, check for introductory bonus offers that give you extra value when you first sign up. In some cases, you could get thousands of bonus rewards or frequent flyer points – making it easier (and faster) to get the rewards you want.
Amex no annual fee credit cards
There is a small selection of Amex cards that offer no annual fee ever, including the Qantas American Express Discovery Card and American Express Velocity Escape Card. Similar to other credit cards on the market, American Express cards with no annual fees typically earn fewer points per $1 spent or offer fewer perks than cards that charge an annual fee. But these cards do still give you access to perks including Amex Offers, instalment plans and, depending on the card, rewards.
Amex low rate credit cards
The American Express Low Rate Credit Card offers competitive, low interest rates for purchases. It also offers no annual fee and exclusive shopping offers, discounts, ticket deals and more through Amex Experiences and Amex Offers.
Amex business cards
American Express business cards give you access to useful features for business spending, tracking and reporting – including additional cards for employees and integration with popular accounting software like MYOB. You can also earn Membership Rewards or frequent flyer points per $1 spent, depending on the card you choose.
Benefits of getting an American Express credit card
From rewards programs to exclusive perks, here are some of the extra features and benefits you can get with an American Express card.
Membership Rewards
American Express Membership Rewards cards regularly offer competitive bonus points and earn rates for your spending. Membership Rewards lets you choose how you redeem points, with options including travel, gift cards, statement credit and frequent flyer point transfers. Points don't expire as long as you make the required payments for your account by the due date on your statements.
Amex Offers and Amex Experiences
An Amex card gives you access to exclusive discounts and cashback promotions with partnered brands like THE ICONIC, Woolworths and David Jones through Amex Offers. Current offers are on the Amex website and in the app, where you can save or activate them for your card.
You can also access pre-sale tickets to concerts and other events with American Express Experiences. This includes access to American Express Entertainment Lounges at select entertainment venues in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Airport lounge passes
A selection of American Express credit cards come with complimentary lounge entry invitations each year. Depending on the card, you could take advantage of the perks at a Qantas Lounge or one of The Centurion Lounges at Sydney and Melbourne airport.
Mobile payments
You can add your Amex card to Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay to make payments straight from your mobile phone or device.
American Express Plan It instalment plans
American Express Plan It gives you a way to repay new purchases over a set period of time, with an interest-free instalment plan. Each plan has a fixed monthly fee and terms ranging from 3 to 12 months. American Express Plan It is available for purchase balances of $150 or more listed on your most recent statement.
Payment details for Plan It vary based on factors including the repayment term, the card you have and the balance you want to pay off. As an example, a $1,000 purchase could be paid off in monthly instalments of $93.74 over 12 months (including a $10.40 monthly fee). This is based on details from the American Express Plan It calculator. When you have an Amex card, you can log in to your account to get accurate details about the Plan It instalment plan options available to you at any time.
Complimentary insurance
American Express offers complimentary insurance on a range of its personal and business cards. The type of cover you'll get depends on the card you use, but options include:
In most cases, you just need to pay for a trip or eligible item with your card to activate the cover. But all insurance policies have specific requirements, so make sure you read the fine print for any insurance that comes with your Amex card.
Complimentary smartphone screen cover
American Express is currently the only credit card issuer in Australia offering smartphone screen cover on eligible cards, including the American Express Explorer and American Express Platinum.
When you use one of these cards to pay for your monthly phone contract or buy a new smartphone outright, this cover lets you claim up to $500 if the screen breaks after being accidentally dropped or hit. You can make up to 2 claims in a 12-month period, although it's worth noting you'll pay a 10% excess each time. To give you an idea of the value, repairing an iPhone screen can cost between $45 and $520, depending on the model.
Eligibility criteria
You can apply for an American Express credit card online in around 10 minutes. But before you apply, you'll need to meet the card's eligibility criteria. These are different for each card, but below we've included details of what to look for.
Australian residency status. You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or holder of a current long-term visa (12 months or more, not including student visas).
Credit history. You must have a good credit rating.
Age. You must be at least 18 years or older.
Bonus points eligibility. If you're getting an Amex card with a bonus points offer or another introductory offer, you'll need to be a new card member. This usually means you will only be eligible for an Amex introductory offer if you do not currently hold an Amex card, or if you have held one within the previous 18 months.
Information and documents you need to apply
Personal information. You need to share personal details including your name, email address, phone number, residential address and a valid form of ID, such as your driver's licence number.
Employment. This includes your current job, your employer’s contact information or your accountant's details if you’re self-employed. You'll also need to provide details of any savings.
Debts and liabilities. You need to provide information about your ongoing expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments, your weekly food budget, loan repayments and any existing credit card debts.
Business details. If you're applying for an American Express business or corporate card, you'll need to provide the Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN) and relevant financial details.
What happens after you apply?
American Express will give you an initial response in around 60 seconds. You'll also be sent details about your application by email.
Frequently asked questions about Amex credit cards
There isn't a single best American Express card in Australia because everyone has different goals and ways of using a card. But the 2024 Finder Credit Card Awards used expert analysis of 12 months' worth of data to determine the best cards in 12 categories and American Express cards won 3 awards and received highly commended for 2 categories.
Best No Annual Fee Credit Card (winner): American Express Low Rate Credit Card
Best Business Charge Card (winner): American Express Platinum Business Card
Keep in mind: There's no one best credit card for everyone, so check details that matter to you. You can also view the full list of 2024 Finder Credit Card Awards, including details of the methodology for each category to help decide if one of these Amex cards is right for you.
You can use your American Express credit card with many major brands in Australia including:
Apple
Bunnings Warehouse
Chemist Warehouse
Coles
David Jones
Netflix
Woolworths
The American Express Australia website includes searchable categories of where you can use your card, as well as a map that you can also access through the app.
You usually can't take advantage of promotional bonus points offers and other introductory offers if you're an existing American Express cardholder. If you've held an Amex credit card in the past, you may have to wait around 18 months until you can qualify for another bonus points offer that's only eligible for new cardholders. If you're unsure, check the terms and conditions or contact American Express directly to confirm if you're eligible to earn the bonus points.
Most American Express cards in Australia offer additional cardholders and don't charge an additional cardholder fee. You can request an additional cardholder by logging into your Amex account and filling in a simple application. Just keep in mind that you're legally responsible for all repayments and other account features.
American Express cards don't currently offer balance transfers for new applications. But you can transfer a balance from an Amex card to a credit card with a different bank or brand if you want to get a 0% balance transfer offer for it.
Most Amex cards are regular credit card accounts, which allow you to carry a balance on your account as long as you pay at least the minimum amount listed on your statement by the due date. If you do carry a balance, you'll be charged interest on it at the applicable rate.
With an Amex charge card – such as the American Express Platinum Card – you're required to pay off your balance in full for each statement period. As you don't carry a balance on these cards, standard interest rates do not apply. However, there can be serious penalties if you don't pay the full balance by the due date on each statement.
If you crack the screen on your smartphone, follow these steps to make a claim:
Get your phone repaired. Take your phone to a repairer and get a copy of the receipt.
Submit your claim. Complete the American Express Insurance claims form and submit it online. You'll need to attach a copy of your credit card statement that shows the purchase of your smartphone or ongoing contract payments, as well as a copy of the receipt for the repair.
Remember, you can claim cover for a repair price of up to $500 when your smartphone screen breaks because of an accidental fall or impact. A 10% excess applies for each claim and you can make up to 2 claims in a 12-month period. So if the claim you submitted was for the maximum $500, you'd pay an insurance excess of $50.
Note that you won't be able to claim the insurance if the screen breakage is a result of any of the following:
The act of cleaning, servicing, inspection, maintenance, adjustment or repair
Breach of the manufacturer's operating or guidance instructions
Wear and tear or gradual deterioration of the equipment, or any damage that cannot be attributed to a single incident
Corrosion, rust, condensation or evaporation, dampness, dust or change in temperature, unless directly attributed to sudden and unforeseen damage
Any willful act, or intentional or reckless misuse of the equipment by you or anyone authorised by you
Any wrongful act committed or attempted by you or by anyone authorised by you
Any competitive sports activity
Important links and details
American Express customer service number: 1300 882 538
Amy Bradney-George was the senior writer for credit cards at Finder, and editorial lead for Finder Green. She has over 16 years of editorial experience and has been featured in publications including ABC News, Money Magazine and The Sydney Morning Herald.
The American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card offers 170,000 bonus Qantas Points, no pre-set spending limit and perks including complimentary insurance.
The American Express Qantas Corporate card offers a combination of expense management tools and rewards for businesses with an annual turnover of $10 million or more.
The American Express Velocity Business Card earns points per $1 spent and offers complimentary travel insurance and two complimentary Virgin Australia lounge passes each year.
The American Express Velocity Platinum Card offers a range of frequent flyer benefits including a complimentary domestic return flight with Virgin Australia, airport lounge access and points per $1 spent.
From Membership Rewards Points to savings on first, business and premium economy class flights, this charge card is packed with features to help you manage business spending.
Compare the fees and features of this charge card, including complimentary travel insurance cover for business trips, compatibility with MYOB, additional cardholders and the option of earning Membership Rewards.
The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card earns up to 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent, a yearly $450 travel credit and additional premium travel features.
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