How to maximise the value of your American Express Explorer Card
With the American Express Explorer® Credit Card, all eligible purchases earn Amex Membership Rewards® points1, which can then be redeemed across a wide range of travel, lifestyle, and everyday rewards. The Card also offers an annual $400 Travel Credit2 to spend on eligible domestic and international flights, hotels or car hire with American Express Travel.
Whether you’re thinking about applying for an Explorer Credit Card or are already a Card Member, this article will help you better understand how to get the most out of your points and your Travel Credit and what your points are worth.
How Membership Rewards® points work on the Explorer Card
With Membership Rewards, American Express Card Members earn and redeem rewards points from spending on their Card. It’s a program that allows you to earn points on most of your Card spend (bills, groceries, dining out, entertainment, travel bookings) and redeem them for travel rewards by using your points with major airlines and hotel partners3 or with Amex Travel Online4, as well as for Gift Cards5 or to pay with points when you shop6. There are plenty of options to suit your individual lifestyle needs.
What’s more, Membership Rewards points don’t expire as long as your Account is active and in good standing. This means you can redeem your points at a time that suits you.
How to earn points with your Explorer Card
Earn Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases made with your Card and see how quickly they can add up:
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent on purchases excluding government bodies in Australia1
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on purchases at government bodies in Australia1
- Boost your points balance by adding Additional Cards to your Account for family or friends7. You will earn points every time they use their Card. (Please note that the Primary Card Member is liable for all Additional Card spend.)
You can then use points for your next travel adventure, special gift, must-have purchase, or unforgettable experience.
Why flexibility matters when choosing how to use your points
One of the defining features of the American Express Membership Rewards program is the flexibility it offers. Rather than being locked into a single type of redemption, you can choose how and when to use your points based on what suits your needs at any time.
Some Card Members may prefer to transfer points to airline or hotel partners3, while others may use points for a credit to their Card8, Pay with Points when shopping online6, for Gift Cards5, or bookings through American Express Travel Online4.
Ways to use your Membership Rewards points
Tapping into the Membership Rewards program gives you the flexibility to redeem your rewards points across a variety of options, including:
- Transfer points to Airline Partners3 including Emirates, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand and more
- Transfer points to Hotel Partners3 Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy®
- Transfer points to our Retail Partner Everyday Rewards3
- Use points to book eligible flights, hotels and car rentals with American Express Travel Online4
- Use points for Gift Cards5 including Amazon, Uber, The Iconic, Sephora, Ticketmaster, JB Hi-Fi and more. The full list of retailers can be found here
- Use points to make purchases online with Pay with Points6 at your favourite brands like Apple, Ikea, David Jones, Myer, Louis Vuitton, The Good Guys and more
- Use points to receive statement credits on your Card8 or cover almost anything you’ve purchased on your Card with Cover Charges with Points9
With multiple ways to redeem Membership Rewards points, the right option depends on how you prefer to use your Card. Some options may suit planned travel, while others may be better for everyday spending or gifting.
Before redeeming, it’s always a good idea to review the latest options available in your Account, as redemption choices, partners and availability can change over time.
What you could get with the points on your Explorer Card
The value of Membership Rewards points varies according to how you choose to use them. The examples below show what you could receive when redeeming points across selected options.
What 50,000 Amex Membership Rewards points are worth
25,000 Velocity Points3
Membership Rewards points can be transferred to the Velocity Frequent Flyer program, allowing you to use points for flights, upgrades and more.
$250 Credit with Amex Travel Online4
When you book through Amex Travel Online, you can redeem points for credit to spend on travel benefits like flights or hotels and resorts.
$250 Statement Credit using Cover Charges with Points9
With Cover Charges with Points, points can be applied to eligible purchases that have already been charged to your Card. After selecting an eligible transaction in your Account, a statement credit is applied to help cover all or part of that charge.
Up to $250 in Digital Gift Cards5
Points can be redeemed for digital Gift Cards from a range of participating brands, including Woolworths, Bunnings, and many more.
Membership Rewards points can be transferred to the Velocity Frequent Flyer program, allowing you to use points for flights, upgrades and more.
When you book through Amex Travel Online, you can redeem points for credit to spend on travel benefits like flights or hotels and resorts.
With Cover Charges with Points, points can be applied to eligible purchases that have already been charged to your Card. After selecting an eligible transaction in your Account, a statement credit is applied to help cover all or part of that charge.
Points can be redeemed for digital Gift Cards from a range of participating brands, including Woolworths, Bunnings, and many more.
What 75,000 Amex Membership Rewards Points are worth
37,500 Velocity Points3
Use your points to fly to hundreds of destinations worldwide or treat yourself to a flight upgrade by transferring Membership Rewards points to the Velocity Frequent Flyer program.
$375 Credit with Amex Travel Online4
Take care of car hire, flights, or other travel essentials with credit through American Express Travel Online.
$375 Statement Credit using Cover Charges with Points9
Use points to receive a $375 statement credit on eligible purchases charged to your Card, such as dining, travel, or everyday spending.
Up to $375 in Digital Gift Cards5
Points can be redeemed for digital Gift Cards from participating retailers such as Amazon, Coles and more.
Use your points to fly to hundreds of destinations worldwide or treat yourself to a flight upgrade by transferring Membership Rewards points to the Velocity Frequent Flyer program.
Take care of car hire, flights, or other travel essentials with credit through American Express Travel Online.
Use points to receive a $375 statement credit on eligible purchases charged to your Card, such as dining, travel, or everyday spending.
Points can be redeemed for digital Gift Cards from participating retailers such as Amazon, Coles and more.
What 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards points are worth
50,000 Velocity Points3
Plan your next break by transferring points to the Velocity program3, to use on car hire, flight upgrades, hotel resorts and more.
$500 Credit with Amex Travel Online4
As an eligible Card Member, you can use points for all or part of your flight, hotel, car rental, and more with Amex Travel Online.
500 Statement Credit using Cover Charges with Points9
Use points after you’ve made a purchase by applying them to eligible charges on your Card to receive a statement credit using Cover Charges with Points.
Up to $500 in Digital Gift Cards5
Points can be redeemed for $500 in digital Gift Cards from participating retailers, including Coles, Woolworths and more.
Plan your next break by transferring points to the Velocity program3, to use on car hire, flight upgrades, hotel resorts and more.
As an eligible Card Member, you can use points for all or part of your flight, hotel, car rental, and more with Amex Travel Online.
Use points after you’ve made a purchase by applying them to eligible charges on your Card to receive a statement credit using Cover Charges with Points.
Points can be redeemed for $500 in digital Gift Cards from participating retailers, including Coles, Woolworths and more.
How does the $400 Amex Explorer Travel Credit work?
With the American Express Explorer Card, you receive a $400 Travel Credit2 each year for eligible flights, hotels and rental cars when booked via Amex Travel Online.
It is valid for 365 days from the benefit anniversary date. It does not carry over, so be sure to use it on a booking that is of equal or higher value.
The Travel Credit is available to the Primary Card Member and you can choose to use it for yourself or book for a friend or family member, and you don’t have to be travelling with them.
As the $400 Amex Travel Credit is provided each year, it could also effectively offset the $395 annual Card Fee charged for the Amex Explorer Card.
Using your $400 Travel Credit is simple
- Visit Amex Travel - Visit the American Express Travel Online website to search for eligible flights, hotels, and car hire.
- Book your trip - Make a booking to the full value of your Travel Credit or more.
- Use your Travel Credit - Select the option to use Travel Credit at checkout.
- Statement credit - The amount of the Travel Credit will be credited to your Account within 3 business days but may take up to 30 days.
Please note: You must book your trip using your Amex Explorer Card.
Thousands of hotels, flights and car hire companies to choose from
Hotels
With Amex Travel, you have thousands of places to choose from around the globe from the world-renowned bigger players with the likes of Hilton, Marriott and Accor, to the smaller and more intimate boutique hotels, family-run hotels and lodgings.
Flights
You also have access to an extensive network of both local and international flights to choose from and you still earn Frequent Flyer points when using your Amex Travel Credit.
Car Hire
You can use your Travel Credit with a host of car rental companies in Australia and abroad, like Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, Europcar and Enterprise through American Express Travel. And you’re not stuck to just airport locations, there are pick-up and drop-off locations throughout cities and regional centres both in Australia and overseas. Please note that if you decide to use your Travel Credit it must be for car hire bookings that are pre-paid via American Express Travel, not for reservations that are paid at a later date.
What travel benefits do I get with the Amex Explorer Card?
The Amex Explorer Card will become your new travel companion with the travel perks it offers.
Airport Lounge Access
Slip away from the crowd before your next international flight. With your American Express Explorer Credit Card, you get two complimentary single entry passes to The Centurion® Lounge located at Sydney International Airport or Melbourne International Airport each calendar year10. All you need to do is show your Amex Explorer Card at the front desk.
Complimentary Travel Insurance
Get domestic and international Travel Insurance11 for you, your partner and your dependent children, when you pay for your return trip on your Card.
Some of the covers included are Trip Cancellation and Amendment Cover, Personal Baggage, Valuables, Money and Travel Documents Cover and Medical Emergency Expenses Cover.
(Terms, conditions, cover limits and exclusions apply such as a maximum age limit of 79 when travel is purchased and a pre-existing medical condition(s) exclusion).
Hotel benefits with The Hotel Collection
Receive up to US$100 hotel credit and room upgrade (when available) at select hotels in The Hotel Collection when you book two consecutive nights’ stay12. The Hotel Collection includes over 1,300 curated properties to choose from popular brands like Hyatt, InterContinental and Crown Hotels.
Redemption options, partner programs, and availability may change from time to time. Factors such as partner participation, booking conditions and point requirements are set by participating partners and are subject to their Terms and Conditions.
Before redeeming your Membership Rewards points, it’s important to review the latest information available in your Online Account or the Amex App. This helps ensure you’re viewing current redemption options and applicable Terms and Conditions before redeeming.
Not a Card member yet? Learn more about the American Express Explorer Card.
FAQs
To ensure that you are up to date with your points balance, simply log in to your Online Account or the Amex App, then go to 'Membership Rewards' to check your points balance.
Your available redemption options can be viewed directly in your Online Account or via the Amex App. From there, you can browse the different ways to use your Membership Rewards points and redeem when you’re ready.
Available options may change from time to time, so checking your Account helps ensure you’re viewing the most up-to-date information.
You can transfer your points to major airline and hotel partner programs by following these steps:
- Visit the Membership Rewards page and view the list of transfer Partners available
- Select the transfer Partner in the list
- Log in to your Amex Online Account to link to the Partner loyalty program (if you don't have one already, you will need to create one)
- In your Online Account, go to 'Explore Rewards' and 'Ready to Redeem'. Alternatively, log in to the Amex App and go to 'Membership' then 'Redeem Rewards'
- Select 'Transfer Points to Partners' from the Catalogue
- Select the number of points you would like to transfer (please note: all transfers are final)
Once your transfer has been processed, you can visit the Partner's site to use your partner points.
Remember: all transfers are final, so it’s important to check flight and hotel availability, as well as points needed before transferring.
Most transfers take between 1 - 3 days. However, to avoid any unnecessary delay, it's best to allow 5 business days. Please check the Terms and Conditions for your partner to ensure you allow sufficient time to transfer your points.
American Express Card Members can redeem their Membership Rewards points for digital Gift Cards as well as physical ones from the Membership Rewards Catalogue5. Select the Gift Card you would like to order (if a digital Gift Card option is available, it will be listed).
Choose the Card that best suits you
Rewards
Premium
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Velocity Frequent Flyer
Business
Cards are offered, issued, and administered by American Express Australia Limited ABN 92 108 952 085, Australian Credit Licence No. 291313. American Express income and credit approval criteria applies. Subject to Terms and Conditions. Interest rates, fees and charges apply. All information is correct as at 16 March 2026 and is subject to change.
1. 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.
You can redeem Membership Rewards points for a statement credit towards an Eligible Purchase charged to an Eligible Card using Cover Charges with Points. For each successful transaction using Cover Charges with Points, points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account and a credit placed on your Card in line with the points chosen to be used for the Eligible Charge. A minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points is required to cover any eligible transaction with points. Any credit to your Card account cannot exceed the amount of the relevant Eligible Charges. A credit will appear on your statement identified as “Membership Rewards Credit”. Points will be debited immediately, and the credit will take up to 3 business days to appear online. Credits processed after the Card account’s statement closing date will appear in the following statement. You are still responsible for payment of the amount due on your Card account by the due date. Any charges covered by points is not redeemable for cash via Credit balance refund. American Express will select and display each eligible charge that can be covered with points (“Eligible Charge”) and the points rate required to cover the Eligible Charge. Each Eligible Charge must: (a) appear within the Online Statement of the Summary of Accounts page; (b) be redeemed within 2 months of the charge appearing on your Card account; (c) not currently or have previously been disputed; and (d) not be a fee. Eligible Charges, including the points rate required to pay for the Eligible Charge, may be changed at any time without notice. Eligible transactions can be covered by points via your online account or American Express mobile app. Covering charges with points is available only to Basic Cardmembers enrolled in the Australian Membership Rewards program and is subject to the full Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions. Authorised agents, authorised account managers, additional Cardmembers and Authorised Additional Cardmembers are not eligible. All Linked Card accounts must be in good standing.
2. $400 Travel Credit.
If your Card has a Travel Credit benefit, 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. Transfer Points to Partners.
To redeem points at any Partner Program you must be a member of the applicable Program. Enrolment in such Programs is solely your responsibility and fees may apply. The minimum requirement and transfer rate varies. Subject to the Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions.
4. American Express Travel Online.
To earn or redeem Membership Rewards points, Cards must be enrolled to the American Express Membership Rewards program, and your Card Account must be in good standing. To redeem Membership Rewards points with American Express Travel Online, you need to have available limit on your Card for the full transaction amount of the booking. You will then receive a statement credit within 3 business days for your points redemption. If the credit isn’t on the same statement as the transaction, it should appear on your next statement. Please pay all amounts due each month. You will earn Membership Rewards points on the full dollar amount charged to your Card. All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions of our Membership Rewards Program.
5. Gift Cards.
Gift Card or voucher rewards are not redeemable or exchangeable for cash or credit and are valid for a period of minimum 3 years from the date of issue, unless otherwise stated. We are not responsible if any Gift Card is lost, stolen, or destroyed, or the Gift Card is used without your permission. Membership Reward terms and conditions apply. Normal retailer gift card or voucher conditions apply, refer to the gift card or retailer website for details.
6. Pay with Points.
You may use Points to make purchases at certain retailers listed on our website. You need to indicate at the time of purchase that you wish to Pay with Points. Individual retailers provide specific delivery and refund polices. Refund policies for Pay with Points retail Partners are subject to the Terms and Conditions of the retail Partner. The retailers’ conditions and refund policies may be amended by the retailers from time to time.
7. Additional Card Members.
Additional Card Members must be 16 years of age or over. The Primary Card Member will be liable to pay for all transactions made by Additional Card Members. Earning of points is subject to the terms and conditions of the Rewards Program the Primary Card Member is actively enrolled. All points earned on Additional Card Member spend will go to the Primary Card Members Account. The Primary Card Member cannot add an Additional Card under their own name or email address and cannot add an Additional card under the name or email address of a previously approved Additional Card application on the Account.
8. Points for Credit.
The redemption of Points for a credit to your Card (Points for Credit) will be administered by us within three business days and cannot be reversed. Amounts credited will appear on the first monthly statement following redemption. If you hold multiple Cards linked to the one Membership Rewards Account, the Points for Credit redemption will automatically be credited to the Primary Account only. Points may be redeemed by the Card Member for a credit on the Primary Card Account. American Express may decline a Points for Credit request where the Card Account or Card Member’s other accounts with American Express are not in good standing.
9. Cover Charges with Points.
For each successful transaction using Cover Charges with Points, points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account and a credit placed on your Card in line with the points chosen to be used for the Eligible Charge. A minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points is required to cover any eligible transaction with points. Any credit to your Card account cannot exceed the amount of the relevant Eligible Charges. A credit will appear on your statement identified as “Membership Rewards Credit”. Points will be debited immediately and the credit will take up to 3 business days to appear online. Credits processed after the Card account’s statement closing date will appear in the following statement. You are still responsible for payment of the amount due on your Card account by the due date. Any charges covered by points is not redeemable for cash via Credit balance refund. American Express will select and display each eligible charge that can be covered with points (“Eligible Charge”) and the points rate required to cover the Eligible Charge. Each Eligible Charge must: (a) appear within the Online Statement of the Summary of Accounts page; (b) be redeemed within 2 months of the charge appearing on your Card account; (c) not currently or have previously been disputed; and (d) not be a fee. Eligible Charges, including the points rate required to pay for the Eligible Charge, may be changed at any time without notice. Eligible transactions can be covered by points via your online account or American Express mobile app. Covering charges with points is available only to Basic Cardmembers enrolled in the Australian Membership Rewards program and is subject to the full Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions. Authorised agents, authorised account managers, additional Cardmembers and Authorised Additional Cardmembers are not eligible. All Linked Card accounts must be in good standing.
10. Travel 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.
11. Centurion lounge Access.
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.
12. 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.