Understanding how Credit Cards work is the first step towards financial health. This section provides information about Credit Cards and Charge Cards, from interest rates, fees, and application process – to help you make an informed decision and use them wisely.
What is a Credit Card?
A Credit Card is a line of credit that allows you to pay the balance back later.
You need to repay at least the minimum amount due each month to avoid late payment fees and prevent a negative mark on your credit score, but interest will be applied to any balance outstanding. If you pay off your bill in full monthly, you won’t pay interest on anything you’ve borrowed.
As well as providing a convenient way to make purchases, some American Express Credit Cards allow you to earn rewards as you spend.
How do I apply for a Credit Card?
Apply for an American Express Credit Card online. You’ll get a response within 60 seconds.
How do Credit Card limits work?
A credit limit is the maximum balance that you can have on your Credit Card at any time, including your purchases, interest charges, and fees.
What fees do I pay?
Some American Express Credit Cards charge an annual fee in return for rewards, features and benefits. The amount varies from Card to Card.
How do Credit Cards differ to Charge Cards?
A Credit Card will have a set Credit limit. A Charge Card comes with no pre-set spending limit1, which means your spending limit can vary depending on a variety of factors. With a Charge Card, you’ll also need to pay off the full balance each month.
What is surcharging?
A surcharge is a fee passed on from a business to a customer for using a Card to make a purchase. American Express opposes surcharging.
What’s the difference between a Credit Card and a Debit Card?
While both offer an easy and convenient way to pay for purchases, there’s a big difference between Debit and Credit Cards. One works with the money you already have, whereas the other uses borrowed funds which you then pay back later.
Credit Card Benefits
Card Members could enjoy purchase protection, boosted buying power and more. Whether you’re set on building your credit score, extending your cashflow or want to get more out of your spending, there may be a Card to suit your lifestyle.
Discover the benefits (and disadvantages) of owning a Credit Card and how to enjoy purchase protection and boosted buying power.
What is a Credit Score?
In Australia, there isn’t one unique, fixed credit score that’s available to consumers or credit providers, however, a good credit history will impact your credit score in a positive way and help to show that you’re a reliable borrower.
Useful Credit Cards terms
American Express is accepted at hundreds of thousands of places around Australia, including various shops, restaurants, hotels and more. Use it for your purchases to enjoy membership benefits and rewards more often.
Explore and compare our range of Cards and their benefits to find the one that best suits your needs.
Rewards
Earn Membership
Rewards points from
everyday spending
Frequent Flyer
Maximise rewards
for every trip
Platinum
Enjoy premium
benefits and service
No Annual Fee
Save more with no
annual fee
From money-saving ideas to travel inspiration and daily life tips, get inspired to do great things and make your life more rewarding.
At American Express, we take your security seriously. That’s why we have measures in place to ensure you can shop with confidence.
Get more peace of mind through our Intelligent Security Systems, Secure Payment Process, and Fraud Protection Guarantee2.
Damaged a purchase or having trouble getting a refund? With eligible Cards, you can rely on us to put things right with 90 days’ Card Purchase and Refund Cover3.
We’re continually updating our online security features, but there are also some simple steps you can take to protect yourself.
Leave your wallet at home and enjoy the convenience of mobile payments. You can now make payments through contactless technology with your American Express® Card using Apple, Samsung and AndroidTM devices. To get started, all you have to do is scan your Card into the app and follow the prompts.
Whether you’re just getting started, looking to pay a bill, use Membership Rewards points, or keep track of your spending, here’s how to get the most out of your Credit Card.
As an American Express Card Member, you get to enjoy travel benefits that take you further, points that are more rewarding, and services that open more doors around the world.
Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the US and other countries. Apple Pay and Touch ID are trademarks of Apple Inc.
Google Pay and the Google Logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
Samsung, Samsung Pay, Galaxy S (and other device names) and Samsung Knox are trademarks or registered trademarks of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Pay is available on select Samsung devices.
1. No pre-set spending limit. No pre-set spending limit does not mean unlimited spending. Your purchases are approved based on a variety of factors, including current spending patterns, your payment history, credit records, and financial resources known to us.
2. Fraud Protection. Provided that you don’t contribute to, or unreasonably delay, reporting any misuse of your Account, and you have complied with your Card Conditions, you won’t be held liable for any unauthorised charges.
3. Card Purchase and Refund Cover. American Express Card Insurances are 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.