Travel

Thanks to American Express Fraud Protection, you don’t need to let us know when you’re travelling overseas. Our security systems continually monitor transactions on your Account that we suspect may be fraudulent. If we detect any suspicious activity, we’ll make every effort to contact you.

Currently our operating hours are 6am – midnight AEST, 7 days a week. If your Card has been lost or you can’t identify a transaction on your Account, call us immediately on 1300 132 639 from Australia or +612 9271 8664 from overseas. You can also chat with us 24/7 via the American Express App or your Online Account. Log in to start live chat.

However, before you leave we do recommend that you:

• Update your contact information, in case we need to contact you while you're away.
• Download the American Express Mobile App to help manage your Account on the go.

Yes. While overseas, you can continue to use your Card to make purchases anywhere that accepts American Express. However, keep in mind that currency conversion fees may apply to your transactions.

Our ATM Locator can also help you find American Express accepting ATMs worldwide.

Depending on your Card type, you may be charged a Currency Conversion Fee* when an international transaction is converted into Australian currency. On all Cards this is 3% of the converted amount.

*Currency Conversion Fees. If you make a charge in a currency other than Australian dollars, that charge will be converted into Australian dollars. The conversion will take place on the date the charge is processed by us, which may not be the same date you make the charge. If the charge is in U.S. dollars, it will be converted directly into Australian dollars. In all other cases, it will first be converted into U.S. dollars and then into Australian dollars. However, you will only be charged one Currency Conversion Fee. Unless a specific rate is required by law, conversion rates will be used based on interbank rates selected from customary industry sources on the business day prior to the processing date. If charges are converted by third parties prior to being submitted to us, any conversions made by those third parties will be at rates and may include a fee selected by them.

We recommend doing a few things before you leave to help you make the most of your Card and/or keep your Account in good standing while you’re away:

• Check your Card’s expiry date to make sure it doesn’t expire while you’re away.
• Make note of your insurance company’s phone number and your policy number in case you need them.
• Set up automatic Card payments before you go to help avoid late payment fees.
• For Credit Cards, review your credit limit and ensure this is appropriate based on how you plan to spend while overseas.
• For Charge Cards, use the check spending power tool online or on the App when considering large purchases.
• For Corporate Cards, if you wish to know your credit limit, please speak to your Program Administrator.

Learn more about using your Card overseas

While overseas, you can continue to use Online Services and the American Express Mobile App to make payments on your Account, view your transaction history and more.

We also recommend setting up automatic Card payments before you go to help you avoid any late payment fees while you’re busy exploring.

Redeeming your Travel Credit is easy:

VISIT​

Visit the American Express Travel Online website to book flights, hotels, and car hire.​

BOOK TRIP​

Make a booking to the full value of your Travel Credit or more and select the Travel Credit at checkout.​

STATEMENT CREDIT​

Pay for your booking using your eligible American Express Card and we will credit the amount to your Account within 3 business days.​

Eligible travel credit depends on the Card you hold. Please refer to your individual Card Terms and Conditions

Your Qantas Club Membership or a Qantas domestic return economy flight will be available to redeem once you have paid your annual fee and minimum payment on your most recent statement. It must be redeemed within the same Membership year and cannot be carried forward to any subsequent year.

If you’re eligible to redeem your Qantas Club Membership or a Qantas domestic return economy flight:

Email platinumtravel.au@service.americanexpress.com or call 1800 621 524 (Option 1) Monday-Friday 8am-7pm Eastern Standard Time (except Public Holidays).

Don't worry. You can combine your Membership Rewards points and/or Travel Credit (if applicable) with payment on your American Express Card.

Log in to your Online Account. Eligible Card Members will see a tab labelled ‘Travel Credit’. Choose your itinerary and proceed to the checkout page. Select ‘Use Travel Credit’ on the payment page. Plan your travel and proceed to the checkout page.

If your booking is cancelled, you will forfeit your annual Travel Credit benefit and American Express may reverse the statement credits issued.

Follow these steps to apply your Travel Credit as a payment option:

1. Ensure you are logged in.
2. Ensure you are selecting the products eligible for payment with Travel Credit.
3. If you still cannot see your Travel Credit, contact the number on the back of your Card.

No. You have to Make a booking to the full value of your Travel Credit or more and select the Travel Credit at checkout.

You can use your Travel Credit when it appears on the American Express Travel website at checkout.

Yes, your Travel Credit can be used to book travel for others, provided the tickets are not for resale, promotional or commercial use.

Please log in to your Online Account to check the expiry date of your Travel Credit.

Eligible Card Members will see the Travel Credit tab. Hover your mouse over the tab to view the expiry date and Terms and Conditions.

Only one Travel Credit may be used per booking.

No, if your complimentary flight is not redeemed within your Membership year, it will not be carried forward to any subsequent year.

To book your annual complimentary flight:

1. Visit the dedicated Virgin Australia website
2. Log in with your Velocity Account details
3. Search and book your flight.

Please note: The flight must be a non-stop economy return flight between a Departure City and one of its corresponding Arrival Cities, as identified on this flight map.

Your annual complimentary flight will be available to redeem once you have paid your annual fee and minimum payment on your most recent statement. It must be redeemed within the same Membership year and cannot be carried forward to any subsequent year.

If you’re eligible to redeem your annual complimentary flight:

1. Visit the dedicated Virgin Australia website
2. Log in with your Velocity Account details
3. Search and book your flight.

Please note: The flight must be a non-stop economy return flight between a Departure City and one of its corresponding Arrival Cities, as identified on this flight map.

The benefit is only available to American Express Velocity Platinum Primary Card Members after the first eligible spend on the Card. In order to redeem the complimentary flight, your Card Account with American Express must be in good standing and the minimum amount on your first statement must be paid by the due date.

After a flight has been booked and purchased, cancellations and route changes are not permitted. Contact Virgin Australia directly by calling 1300 153 006 from within Australia or +61 7 3119 7006 from overseas to change the time and/or date of a booked flight.

Changes to the time and/or date of a booked flight are permitted up until midnight prior to the scheduled flight departure (no further changes are permitted after this time).

Simply redeem your Qantas Travel Credit by following these steps:

1. Log in to the American Express Travel Online portal with your American Express ID and password
2. Search for an international or domestic Qantas flight and make your choice
3. Select ‘continue to Checkout’
4. On the checkout page, select ‘Use Travel Credit’.

Note: You may pay for any additional costs with your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card.

Your Qantas Travel Credit must be redeemed within the same anniversary year and cannot be carried forward. To view your Qantas Travel Credit expiry date, simply log in at American Express Travel Online and view the Qantas Travel Credit tab located in the top right of the page.

If you are eligible, a new Qantas Travel Credit will be issued each anniversary year commencing from the date when your Card Account was opened by American Express. In order to redeem it, your Card Account must be in good standing and you need to have paid the annual fee and minimum payment on your most recent statement.

There are a number of reasons why your Qantas Travel Credit may not be showing at the checkout. Try the following tips:

• Make sure you are on the Australian American Express Travel site and not the US site
• Log in at americanexpress.com.au/travel
• After logging in, select the Account/Card with the Qantas Travel Credit benefit
• Check you have not already redeemed your Qantas Travel Credit in this Membership year
• Confirm you are the Primary Card Member on the Account. Additional Card Members are ineligible to view/redeem the Qantas Travel Credit directly
• Confirm you have paid your Card’s annual fee and your Account is in good standing

If you are still unable to view your Travel Credit, simply call the number on the back of your Card.

Your Qantas Travel Credit may only be redeemed once each anniversary year and will not be refunded in cash or credit if your booking is cancelled.

Some American Express Cards include certain complimentary domestic and international Travel Insurance benefits if you book your trip using your Card. We suggest you read the Terms and Conditions applicable to your Card to understand your insurance benefits, eligibility and activation criteria, and to determine whether you require additional travel insurance.

Click on the link below to view the insurance benefits and eligibility criteria applicable to your American Express Card.

Yes, you can purchase American Express Travel Insurance up to the day your journey begins but not after you’ve started travelling.

Single Trip Travel Insurance*: This can be purchased up to 9 months before your journey begins. From the date we confirm your insurance, you’ll be covered for loss of deposits and cancellation charges – however, all other cover will start from the date your journey begins and continue up until the final date indicated on your policy.

* American Express Travel Insurance is issued and underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia Limited ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL No. 239687 (Chubb) and distributed by American Express Australia Limited ®, ABN 92 108 952 085, AFSL No. 291313 (American Express). Chubb and American Express only provide general advice and do not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before deciding whether this product is right for you, please read the Product Disclosure Statement and Policy Wording (PDS). A copy of American Express Financial Services Guide can be found here.

Eligibility criteria applies. You must be an Australian resident and all covered persons must be seventy-nine (79) years of age or younger before the issue date on your certificate of insurance. Terms, conditions, exclusions, maximum age limits, pre-existing medical condition exclusions and limits apply as set out in the PDS.

The target market for this product is described within the product’s Target Market Determination, found here.

Yes – the maximum journey period is 180 consecutive days.

There are many ways your points can book you the perfect trip:

American Express Travel Online: Book flights, accommodation, car hire and more with your points.¹

Airline and Hotel Partners: Save money on flights and accommodation by transferring Membership Rewards points to up to 11 airline and hotel partner programs including Air New Zealand, Velocity, Emirates Skywards and more.

Webjet: Redeem your Membership Rewards points² on flights from 150 plus airline partners when booking online with Webjet.

Helloworld: If you prefer to book and plan your trip in person, visit your local Helloworld Travel branch and book your next trip using points² or a combination of points and Card payment.

T&Cs

1. American Express Travel Online. You can redeem points for prepaid travel of a nominated value through American Express Travel Online with the point-of-purchase redemption capability. Travel bookings using points may be made for any person, provided all your Accounts are kept in good standing and are not overdue. All travel bookings are subject to availability. Subject to the American Express Travel Online standard booking Terms and Conditions.

2. Minimum redemption amounts apply. You can redeem points for prepaid travel of a nominated value through Webjet.com.au and Helloworld with the point-of-purchase redemption capability. Travel bookings using points may be made for any person, provided all your Accounts are kept in good standing and are not overdue. Partner Terms and Conditions apply. Webjet is not available to Card Members enrolled in the Gateway program. Subject to the Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions and the partners' booking terms and conditions.

You can transfer your points to up to 12 travel partners by following these steps:

1. Link your Membership Rewards Account to your Frequent Flyer or guest loyalty Account. If not already linked:
   a. Visit the Membership Rewards page to view the Frequent Traveller Partners
   b. Click the appropriate link in the dropdown box and then click ‘Next’ and add your Account information
2. Select an amount of points to transfer (Remember: all transfers are final, so it’s important to check flight and hotel availability, as well as points needed before transferring)
3. Check your Frequent Flyer or guest loyalty Account to confirm your points have been transferred, then redeem directly through them.

Most transfers take between 1-3 days. However, to avoid any unnecessary delay, it's best you allow 5 business days. Please check the Terms & Conditions for the airline or hotel partner to ensure you allow sufficient time to transfer your points.

Note: Please ensure you select an ‘Accepted’ partner account, or ‘Add Another Partner Program’ with the full name and account number matching that held with the partner.

For information on each program’s Terms and Conditions, click here.

No. You won’t incur any fees for using your Membership Rewards points at American Express Travel Online.

The airport lounges you can enter will depend on your Card type. You can find detailed information on the lounges you can access by locating your Card through the link below.