The American Express Explorer is one of the few cards that offer a yearly travel credit, giving you $400 value towards an Australian or overseas trip booked with American Express Travel. If you use this travel credit every year, it also helps justify the card's $395 annual fee. The bonus points also adds value and potential savings. As an example, you could redeem 100,000 Membership Rewards points for $500 worth of shopping at Myer. You can also transfer them to 11 partnered frequent flyer programs – including Velocity Frequent Flyer, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Emirates Skywards and Air New Zealand Airpoints – or use them for anything else available through Membership Rewards.
American Express Explorer Credit Card
![American Express Explorer Credit Card](https://www.finder.com.au/niche-builder/5f20b81659d8e.jpg)
- Bonus points
- 100,000
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Reward points per $ spent
- 2
- Annual fee
- $395 p.a.
Our verdict
The Amex Explorer offers 100,000 bonus points with a $395 annual fee.
Pros
-
100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points
-
$400 travel credit every year
-
2 complimentary airport lounge passes per year
Cons
-
The ongoing 23.99% p.a. purchase rate is high
-
$395 annual fee is high if you cannot make full use of the travel benefits
Details
Product details
Product Name | American Express Explorer Credit Card |
Purchase rate p.a. | Purchase rate p.a. 23.99% |
Interest-free period | Up to 55 days on purchases |
Min credit limit | $3,000 |
Card type | American Express |
Eligibility
Available to temporary residents | Yes - Conditions apply |
Joint application | No |
Rewards
Rewards program | Membership Rewards |
Bonus points | 100,000 |
Rewards points per $ spent | 2 |
Rewards points cap | Uncapped |
Fees
Annual fee | Annual fee $395 |
Minimum monthly repayment | 2.5% of the closing balance or $30, whichever is greater |
Late payment fee | $30 |
Foreign currency conversion fee | Foreign currency conversion fee 3% |
Cash advance fee | 2% or $2.50, whichever is greater |
Additional cardholder fee | $0 |
Number of additional cardholders | 4 |
![Jack K's headshot](https://www.finder.com.au/finder-au/wp-uploads/2024/05/FinderEyes_Supplied_600x600.jpg)
"I have had this card for years. Initially I got it because of a generous points offer for new customers, but I kept it because it doesn't cost me anything. Even though there is a $395 annual fee, I actually get it all back via the $400 travel credit, which I easily use for hotel bookings. Everything else is essentially free, like the 2 lounge passes per year, the free travel insurance and a little-known benefit of the smartphone screen insurance, which is going to come in handy for me as I just smashed the screen on my phone!"
Your reviews
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Amy Finder
Editor
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Amy Bradney-George Finder
January 31, 2024
Hi Justin,
These lounge passes can be used at the Centurion lounges in the international terminals at Sydney and Melbourne airports, but not lounges located overseas. This means you could use them at the start of an international trip if you were flying from either of these airports. I hope this helps.
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Sur
July 26, 2023
I applied for this card recently and got rejected. The reason given to me was that as I am a on a temporary visa (subclass 485) which AmEx regards as a student visa. This visa is clearly not a student visa and has full working rights with a validity over 4 years.
The terms and condition with AmEx only mentions a valid visa with more than 12 months of expiry.
My question is if I can challenge this?
Just to let you know – I have one of my mate who is on the same visa receive an AmEx credit card (not this one). I don’t understand – How is this possible!
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Stuart
August 29, 2019
When exchanging Amex points for Velocity points, is it a 1 for 1 swap?
Jeni Finder
August 30, 2019
Hi Stuart,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Transfer rates from an existing eligible American Express credit card Membership Reward points to the Velocity Frequent Flyer account vary. In Australia, you may only transfer American Express credit card Membership Rewards points to the Velocity Frequent Flyer account if you have one of the following Amex cards:
- American Express David Jones
- American Express Essentials
- American Express Gold Card
- American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
- American Express Platinum Card
- American Express Business Card
- American Express Gold Business Card
- American Express Platinum Business Card
Please note that a minimum of 2,000 points per transfer is required. You can also refer to our guide about transferring frequent flyer points for more details.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
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anne
February 20, 2019
How does the balance transfer int rate work when you have other transactions on it. If we wanted to pay the current transaction off and leave the balance transfer to only pay what it works out to be each month to have it paid within the twelve months. Is this possible
Nikki Angco
February 20, 2019
Hi Anne,
Thanks for getting in touch! Balance Transfer interest rate (20.74% p.a.) will only be applied to the balance transfer amount and not on purchases made to the account. The purchase rate (20.74% p.a.) will be applied to purchases made on the card if not paid on time. Ideally, you are required to pay the full amount required of your balance transfer for 12 months and at least the minimum monthly payment for purchases/transactions made on the card. Ultimately, check the terms and conditions of the card to obtain more information.
Hope this helps!
Best,
Nikki
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ron
November 09, 2018
what is the best way to acquire 50,000 points whit out buying them .
Nikki Angco
November 09, 2018
Hi Ron,
Thanks for reaching out! As it says on our page to earn 50,000 bonus points, you need to apply online and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months and the best way to acquire those bonus points. Hope this clarifies.
Best,
Nikki
Justin
January 24, 2024
Complimentary airport lounge pass is only avalible for Sydney and Melb? Not international?