With the right Credit Card, you can score all sorts of extra perks while you're away on holiday.
Sponsored by American Express. Experience your next holiday in style with the American Express Explorer® Credit Card. Receive 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points when you apply online, are approved and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express® Explorer Credit Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. $395 annual fee required. New American Express Card Members only.
When you're heading off on a holiday, you want to pack everything you'll need. That includes having the right credit card!
👋 Hey there! We've partnered with American Express for this article. So we'll be using the American Express Explorer Credit Card as an example throughout. However, you should always do your own research. Make sure to read the product T&Cs before you sign up for any financial product.
1. Use points for upgrades
At the moment, when you apply for American Express Explorer Credit Card, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months, you'll receive 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points1. New Amex Card members only. T&Cs apply.
These Points can be used to purchase tickets, pay for upgrades to existing flights or help cover accommodation costs for your destination.
Points can be redeemed through one of American Express' 11 airline partner programs.7
Having the right card handy can be a great way to score some bonuses while you're travelling.
Learn how the American Express Explorer Credit Card can work for you
One of the great things about going on holiday is taking in new experiences. So why not spice up your next trip within Australia with a concert, sports match or special event?
As an American Express Explorer Credit Card Member, you can access presale tickets to a huge range of events. So next time your favourite act is in town, you may be able to lock in your tickets early.
In fact, it entitles you to $400 of travel credit each year2. It can be used for a range of purposes, like flights, hotels and vehicle hire.
Additionally, when you book your accommodation for two consecutive nights or more with a hotel that's part of The American Express Hotel Collection on American Express Travel Online, you can receive up to US$100 hotel credit and a room upgrade3.
4. Airport lounge access
It's important that you can relax in style during your journey.
Having lounge access makes that much easier – letting you get away from all the hustle and bustle of the airport.
If you're an American Express Explorer Credit Card Member, you'll receive two complimentary entries each year to The Centurion Lounge at Sydney or Melbourne International Airport4.
So wherever you're flying to, you'll be able to kick things off in comfort.
5. Earn points while you're away
In addition to using points to upgrade your travel, you can also earn points while you're travelling.
The American Express Explorer Credit Card earns two Points per dollar spent on purchases, aside from government services. You can still earn Points on spend for government services, though – one point per dollar spent5.
So expenses that come up while you're away can help you earn future rewards.
6. Complimentary travel insurance
Travel insurance is a must-have, even when you're travelling domestically.
Typically it adds extra expense. But with the right card, you could get complimentary domestic and international travel insurance included.
When you purchase your trip on your American Express Explorer Credit Card, you may be eligible for complimentary domestic and international travel insurance.6
Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age-limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). It is important you read the American Express Card Insurance Terms and Conditions and consider whether the insurance is right for you.
We currently don't have a partnership for that product, but we have other similar offers to choose from (how we picked these
):
1. Bonus & Eligibility
50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points is only available to new American Express® Card Members who apply online, are approved and spend $4,000 or more on eligible purchases on the new Card in the first 3 months from the Card approval date. 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. This offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Please allow 8-10 weeks for the Bonus Points to be credited to your Account after the spend criteria has been met. The Bonus Points will not be applied to your account if it has been suspended or cancelled. The Bonus Points may be reversed if your qualifying purchase is refunded or cancelled. If you don't hold or have previously 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 other Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the preceding 18 month period are ineligible for this offer. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.
2. Travel Credit.
The Primary Card Member is eligible for an annual Travel Credit, subject to the full Travel Credit Terms and Conditions at amex.com.au/explorer-travelcreditterms. The Travel Credit can be redeemed through American Express Travel Online on a single eligible travel booking by selecting the Travel Credit when you checkout. To redeem the Travel Credit, the full value of the Travel Credit (or more) must be charged to the eligible Primary Card. Eligible travel includes flights, hotels and car hire when you prepay in advance. The Travel Credit can be used for 365 days from the benefit anniversary date and cannot be used past the expiration date. To check the expiration date of your Travel Credit if you have not already redeemed it, please visit americanexpress.com.au/travel; log in and click 'Travel Credit'. If your booking is cancelled, and your Travel Credit has already been used and associated statement credit applied to your account, you will forfeit your annual Travel Credit benefit and American Express may reverse the statement credits issued. You need to be able to spend on the Card to access the Travel Credit benefit and it should be credited to your Card Account within 3 business days but may take up to 30 days. Your account must be in good standing and you must have paid the annual fee and minimum payment by the due date. If you cancel your Card, change your rewards program or Card type, you will no longer be eligible for the Travel Credit.
3. The Hotel Collection.
Valid only for new The Hotel Collection bookings of at least two consecutive nights with participating providers made through American Express Travel Online (americanexpress.com.au/travel or americanexpress.com.au/thc), Platinum Travel Service or Centurion Travel Service. Online bookings currently only available to Primary Card Members. The following American Express Card Members are eligible to book through The Hotel Collection: American Express® Rewards Advantage Card, American Express® Explorer Credit Card, American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card, American Express® Gold Card, American Express® Gold Business Card, American Express® Platinum Card, American Express® Business Platinum Card® and American Express® Centurion Card. Payment must be made in full with an eligible American Express Card in the Card Member's name. Card Member must travel on itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Membership Rewards® points and Platinum Travel Credit cannot be used towards The Hotel Collection bookings as payment.
The eligible Card Member will receive the credit as a deduction from the final hotel bill when checking out of the hotel; they will receive $1 for each eligible dollar spent up to $100 USD. Eligible spend includes dining, spa and resort activities. Eligible spend does not include charges for taxes, gratuities, fees and cost of room. Additional exclusions based on specific hotel restrictions may also apply (including without limitation purchases within the hotel that are unaffiliated and/or owned by third parties) - see hotel front desk for details. Credit must be used in conjunction with initial stay and cannot be carried over to another stay, is not redeemable for cash and expires at check-out. Credit is non-exchangeable and non-refundable and is applied in USD or equivalent in local currency based on exchange rate on day of arrival. Limit one credit per room, per stay. Three-room limit per Card Member per stay; back-to-back stays within a 24-hour period at the same property considered one stay. If an eligible Card Member cancels their room, any additional rooms will no longer qualify for benefits as the eligible Card Member must be staying at the hotel. Participating providers and benefits subject to change. Taxes, surcharges and additional fees are as supplied by the hotel at the time of reservation; however they are subject to change and will be charged as applicable at the time of settlement of your hotel account. Note that payments made in foreign currencies will be subject to a foreign currency conversion and fee at the time of payment upon departure. You may be able to use Membership Rewards® points and/or the Travel Credit on the American Express Travel website as payment towards The Hotel Collection, if the selected hotel and room type provides you the option to prepay in advance.
A one category room upgrade is based on availability and eligibility at check-in to the hotel.
4. The Centurion® Lounge.
Entry into The Centurion® Lounge is governed by the full Terms and Conditions available at amex.com.au/airportlounge. All entrants must adhere to the General Conditions of Entry. American Express Explorer Card Members are entitled to a total of two (2) entries into The Centurion® Lounges in Australia per calendar year (1 January to 31 December). Complimentary access is available for the Card Member's children 17 years and younger. Card Members wishing to bring additional guests may be subject to a charge that is to be processed on the Card Member's American Express Card.
5. Membership Rewards Program.
Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program available here. You will earn 1 point per dollar spent with Merchants classified as 'government', including the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post), Federal/State and Local Government bodies, including where you use a payment account, payment aggregator, services of a third party or online retailers that sell goods for another merchant.
6. Explorer Card Insurance.
The insurance on American Express Cards is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). You must use your American Express Explorer Credit Card to pay for your trip in order to be covered under the travel insurance and pay for eligible items for those items to be covered under the retail insurance benefits. It is important you read the American Express Explorer Credit Card Insurance Terms and Conditions and consider whether the insurance is right for you. We do not provide advice about the insurance or whether it is appropriate for your objectives, financial situation or needs. This insurance is underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL No. 239687) under a group policy of insurance held by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085, AFSL No. 291313). Access to this insurance is provided solely by reason of the statutory operation of section 48 of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth). Card Members are not a party to the group policy, do not have an agreement with Chubb and cannot vary or cancel the cover. American Express is not the insurer, does not guarantee or hold the rights under the group policy on trust for Card Members and does not act on behalf of Chubb or as its agent. American Express is not an Authorised Representative (under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)) of Chubb.
7. Partner Programs.
Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Gateway program available at membershiprewards.com.au. You must be a member of the airline partner program, joining fees may apply and points transferred will be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable airline partner program.
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