The American Express Explorer Credit Card is my all-time favourite card. I got this card when I first dabbled into points & miles several years ago, and it has since remained firmly in my wallet. It is the card I put a lot of spending on each month, and unlike many cards in the market – has a simple, easy to follow points earning structure.
Whether you have been in the game for a while or want to kick-start your points & miles journey now, here are 6 reasons you should consider getting this card if you don’t already have it.
100,000 points Welcome Bonus
The card is currently offering a welcome bonus of 100,000 Membership Rewards Points after spending $4,000 within 3 months of your card membership. However, you can pocket an extra 10,000 points (total 110,000 points) when you apply for the card using this unique referral link for The American Express Explorer Credit Card.
At a conservative valuation of 1c per point, the bonus itself is worth $1,100 in value although there are ways to get at least twice as much value if you transfer these points to one of Amex’s airline partners and redeem them to fly long-haul First or Business Class.
Redeem Membership Rewards Points to fly Etihad Airways Business Class
Note that if you currently hold a card directly issued by American Express, or have held one at anytime in the last 18 months, you are NOT eligible for the bonus. However, if your card was issued by a bank, you will receive the bonus points upon meeting the minimum spend.
Disclosure : If you apply for the card using links in this post and are approved, pointsHq or it’s related entity may receive some referral points.
Reasonable $395 Annual Fee
The American Express Explorer Credit Card has a $395 annual fee. The fee is charged in Year 1 after your first monthly statement is generated and upon renewal of the card each year thereafter. You are also able to order up to 4 additional cards for family and friends at no extra cost.
While the annual fee may fee may seem a little high, it is more than offset by the perks and benefits that come with the card, which I have explained below.
Like all Amex cards, this card also has a 3% foreign currency transaction fee which is applied to the converted Australian dollar amount, so this isn’t the card to use when you travel overseas or shop online from overseas based merchants.
$400 Travel Credit
The American Express Explorer Credit Card comes with $400 in annual travel credit which can be used to pay for flights, hotels or car-hire on American Express Travel. This fully offsets the annual fee (in-fact puts an extra $5 in your pocket). Note that the travel credit is NOT a one-off benefit, but is awarded at the start of each card year upon renewal.
As the travel credit can only be applied to a single transaction, it is best utilised for purchases of $400 or more. Any unused credit is forfeited. You can use this credit to book travel for anyone.
Here is a short video from American Express explaining how to use the travel credit.
Video credit : americanexpress.com.au
Access to American Express Lounge
American Express currently operates 2 airport lounges in Australia. One at Sydney International and the other at Melbourne International Airport. There are also plans for a 3rd American Express Lounge in Brisbane, but we don’t know when this may eventuate.
American Express Lounge, Sydney International Airport
The Explorer card allows 2 entries per calendar year to either of these lounges. Solo travellers can use it twice on the outbound travel, or if you are a couple, you can bring in your partner with you and use both entries at once. Complimentary access is also available for children under 18, which is a nice benefit for families travelling together.
Please note that you get 2 entries per calendar year in total to be used at either of the lounges and NOT 2 entries per lounge.
The Hotel Collection $100 Hotel Credit
The Hotel Collection is a benefit under which card-members who book a hotel for at-least 2 consecutive nights and pay with their Explorer card receive US $100 in hotel credit. They are also eligible for a room upgrade when available.
The credit can be applied towards dining, spa and various hotel/resort activities, but not the cost of the room or taxes. If you book multiple rooms, the credit can be applied for up to 3 rooms.
Book JW Marriott Khao Lak under The Hotel Collection program
One thing to be aware of is that the bookings must be made through American Express Travel Online and as such only covers hotels included in the program.
Complimentary Travel Insurance
The American Express Explorer Credit Card comes with a whole range of Insurance Protection. The card provides you, your spouse and any dependent children with Medical Emergency Expense Cover when you charge the full return airfare to it.
You are also covered if you transfer Membership Rewards Points to a partner airline program and use them to book flights or when you directly pay with Membership Rewards points for your flights, or when you pay for the flights with the included travel credit.
Note that the insurance is activated only upon payment of return fare. If you buy a one way ticket, you are NOT covered. The trip must commence and end in Australia.
Besides the Medical Cover, card members also receive:
- Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover
- Personal Baggage, Valuables, Money and Documents Cover
- Travel Inconvenience Cover
For more details on card’s insurance protection, check out this link.
In Conclusion
The American Express Explorer Credit Card is one of the best value rewards card in Australia. It offers well rounded benefits and a perfectly reasonable annual fee. If you have been considering getting this card, now is an excellent time to apply with up to 110,000 points in welcome bonus there for the taking.
Perks such as access to airport lounges and The Hotel Collection $100 hotel credit can easily add hundreds of dollars more in value. The card pretty much sells itself.
Apply here for the 110,000 Bonus Points on The American Express Explorer Credit Card.
