When and how to upgrade your American Express Card
Think you could be getting more from your Credit Card? If your spending habits or lifestyle have changed, upgrading your Amex Card could help you unlock more rewards, benefits and features that better suit your needs.
Here's when upgrading your Credit Card might make sense, what to consider before upgrading and how to get started.
What does it mean to upgrade your Credit Card?
Upgrading your Credit Card means switching from your current Card to another Card within the Amex range that offers a different suite of rewards and features. This could include enhanced rewards points earnings, travel benefits or lifestyle perks.
As an Amex Card Member, eligibility requirements and application approvals still apply and upgrade options vary depending on your current Card and Account status and your financial circumstances.
How upgrading differs from applying for a new Card
Upgrading your existing Card means moving to another eligible Card rather than applying as a brand-new Card Member. It allows Card Members maintain their existing relationship and Account history with American Express.
- Your Account history, including your credit limit, often carries over.
- Your Card number and PIN remain unchanged.
- Any existing direct debits on your Account won’t need to be updated.
- Upgrades usually don't need a new credit check, as you're an existing Card member, so your credit score may not be affected.
Benefits of upgrading your existing Credit Card
Upgrading your Card could bring benefits better suited to your current needs. Depending on the Card you upgrade to, you could enjoy:
- Higher rewards point earning potential
- Travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary Travel Insurance
Upgrading your Card could also mean a higher Annual Card Fee, so it’s important to check all the Card’s Terms & Conditions to see if they align with your personal circumstances.
When should you upgrade your Credit Card?
The right time to upgrade depends on how your financial situation and lifestyle have changed. If you're using your Card differently than when you first applied, you may benefit from a Card with features that better match your needs.
Your spending habits have changed
As your income or monthly spending increases, a higher-tier Card may allow you to earn more rewards from the purchases you're already making.
You travel more often
If you now travel regularly, a Card with travel benefits such as airport lounge access, Travel Insurance or Travel Credits may provide greater value.
You want more rewards and benefits
As your lifestyle changes, you may find yourself spending more on dining, entertainment, shopping or subscriptions. Upgrading to a Card with enhanced rewards could help you earn more rewards points on eligible purchases while enjoying additional Card Member benefits.
Things to consider before upgrading your Credit Card
Upgrading your Credit Card is a financial decision as well as a lifestyle one. Before requesting an upgrade, consider whether the benefits align with how you use your Card.
Will you use the additional benefits?
Select Cards can include valuable travel and lifestyle benefits. Consider how often you'll actually use these features and whether they provide enough value to justify any increase in Annual Card Fees.
Can you offset the Annual Credit Card Fee?
Compare the Card's Annual Fee against the rewards and benefits you'll receive. For many Card Members, frequent use of Travel Credits, lounge access or enhanced rewards can offset the higher cost.
Review the Card's eligibility and Terms & Conditions
Every Card has its own eligibility criteria, rewards structure and benefit conditions. Before upgrading, take time to review the Product Disclosure Statement, Terms and Conditions, fees and eligibility requirements so you understand exactly what's included.
Which Amex Card should you upgrade to?
American Express currently offers a range of Card upgrades available for different lifestyles and spending needs.
Rewards Cards
Ideal for everyday spending, Rewards Cards help you earn Membership Rewards® points on eligible purchases, with accelerated earn rates available across selected Cards.
With the American Express® Platinum Edge Credit Card, you earn points at an accelerated rate when you spend at major supermarkets and petrol stations1.
Travel Cards
Designed for frequent travellers, these Cards offer travel-related benefits such as complimentary Travel Insurance, airport lounge access or Travel Credits.
The American Express Explorer® Credit Card offers complimentary domestic and international Travel Insurance2 when you buy your return trip with your Card (Terms, conditions and exclusions apply, such as maximum age-limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits), $400 Travel Credit to spend on eligible travel each year with American Express Travel3 and two complimentary entries per year to The Centurion® Lounge at Sydney International Airport or Melbourne International Airport4.
Qantas Points earning Cards
If you are a Qantas Frequent Flyer, these Cards allow you to earn Qantas Points on eligible purchases to redeem for Qantas travel benefits such as flights, hotels, car rentals or for shopping at Qantas Marketplace.
With The Qantas American Express Ultimate Card, you earn 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on eligible Qantas products and services5, you get two Qantas Club Complimentary Lounge Invitations each year6 (after your first Card spend on selected Qantas products and services) and a $450 Travel Credit each year to use on eligible Qantas flights when booked through American Express Travel7.
Velocity Points earning Cards
With Amex Velocity Cards, Card Members enjoy travel benefits via the Velocity Frequent Flyer program and earn Velocity Points through everyday spending to use them for flights, upgrades and holidays.
The American Express Velocity Platinum Card gives you access to a complimentary annual Virgin Australia return economy domestic flight between selected cities each anniversary year8, VA Lounge Access every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia9 (enrolment in the VA Lounge Access benefit required) and you earn up to 1.25 Velocity points per $1 spent on your eligible Card purchases10.
How to upgrade your Amex Card
If you're considering upgrading your Credit Card, the first step is checking whether you're eligible and which Cards are available to you.
1. Compare eligible Amex Cards
- Compare the available Card options to find one that best suits your lifestyle and spending habits. Consider factors such as Annual Fees, points earning potential, travel benefits and lifestyle, where applicable. Be sure to review the relevant Terms & Conditions.
- Please note that you can only upgrade to the same Card type. For example, if you currently hold a Credit Card, you can upgrade to another Credit Card, but not to a Charge Card. If you wish to obtain a Charge Card like the American Express® Platinum Card, you will need to submit a new application.
- Your upgrade options also depend on your current rewards program. If you hold a Qantas Points earning Card, you can only upgrade to another Qantas Points earning Card. Similarly, if you hold a Velocity Points earning Card, you can only upgrade to another Velocity Points earning Card.
- It is also not possible to upgrade from a Consumer Card to a Business Card and from a Business Card to a Consumer Card. A new application will be required.
2. Check your eligibility
Eligibility for an upgrade depends on various factors including your current Card, whether your Account is active and in good standing and the upgrade options available to you. If you're unsure whether you're eligible, it’s best to contact American Express.
3. Request your Card upgrade
Once you've chosen the right Card, you can request your upgrade by calling the number on the back of your existing Card.
If your upgrade is approved, you'll receive confirmation along with details about your new Card.
FAQs
Eligibility to upgrade depends on several factors, including whether your Account is active and in good standing and the upgrade options available to you. To check your eligibility, call the number on the back of your Card to speak with an Amex representative.
You may want to upgrade your Credit Card if your spending habits and lifestyle have changed. For example, if you're travelling more often, spending differently or looking for enhanced rewards and benefits, upgrading to another eligible Amex Card could provide greater value.
Usually card upgrades don't need a new credit check but eligibility requirements and any applicable assessments may vary depending on your circumstances.
You can request to upgrade your Amex Card by calling the number on the back of your Card to speak with a customer service representative about eligible upgrade options.
Check out the range of American Express Cards to find the right Card for you.
1. Membership Rewards Program.
Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program available here. The following merchants have been classified as major supermarkets: Bi-Lo, Coles, Fishers, Food For Less, Fresh Provisions, Harris Farm Markets, IGA, Macro Wholefoods, Safeway, Supabarn, Thomas Dux, Woolworths. The following merchants have been classified as major petrol stations: Ampol, BP, Caltex, Gull, Metro, Peak, Safeway Petrol, Shell, United, Woolworths Petrol, 7 Eleven.
Exceptions may apply if an individual merchant trading as one of the above named retailers does not accept American Express as a form of payment.
Purchases at major supermarket & major petrol station retailers are only eligible for additional points if the transactions are made in Australia.
Certain transactions will earn 2 points per dollar spent, including the use of foreign currency overseas and overseas online payments. Additional points for major supermakets, petrol stations and foreign currency may not apply when you use a payment account, payment aggregator, services of a third party or online retailers that sell goods for another merchant. For example a payment made to a major supermarket processed through a payment aggregator may not earn the additional points.
2. 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.
3. $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.
4. 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.
5. Rewards Program
You must be a member of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to earn and redeem Qantas Points. A joining fee may apply. Membership and the earning and redemption of points are subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program available at qantas.com/terms. Qantas Points and bonus Qantas Points are earned in accordance with and subject to the Qantas American Express Cards Points Terms and Conditions, and exclusions apply. Eligible purchases do not include annual Card fees, cash advances, interest, fees and charges for traveller's cheques and foreign currencies - these do not earn Qantas Points. For the full list of exclusions, please refer to the Qantas American Express Cards Points Terms and Conditions. You will earn 0.5 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. Once you have earned a total of 100,000 Qantas Points on your Card Account in a calendar year, your earn rate of 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent will change to 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent on everyday purchases. All other earn rates (Qantas products and services and government spend) will remain unchanged. The points threshold is based on eligible Qantas Points earned during a calendar year and will be reset on 1 January each year. Qantas Points earned by all Card Members on a Card Account contribute to the 100,000 points threshold each calendar year. Bonus points earned from Acquisition bonus offers and marketing campaigns are excluded from the threshold. Selected Qantas products and services are Qantas passenger flights with a QF flight number purchased directly from Qantas.com.au; Qantas Frequent Flyer and Qantas Club membership joining and/ or annual fees. Subject to the Qantas American Express Card Points Terms and Conditions.
6. Qantas Club Complimentary Lounge Invitations
You will be eligible to receive two Qantas Club Complimentary Lounge Invitations each anniversary year of your Qantas American Express Ultimate Card (Card) Membership, provided you: (a) register your Qantas Frequent Flyer number with your Card Account; and (b) make a purchase on selected Qantas products and services using your Card. Selected Qantas products and services are the purchase of (a) a Qantas passenger flight departing from Australia with a QF flight number purchased in Australian Dollars (AUD) directly from Qantas.com.au using your Card; or (b) using your Card to pay for joining or annual fees for Qantas Frequent Flyer or Qantas Club membership. Subject to Qantas American Express Card Points Terms and Conditions. Within 2 weeks of purchasing selected Qantas products and services, two Qantas Club Complimentary Lounge Invitations will be assigned to the Qantas Frequent Flyer account. In order to use your invitations, login to your Qantas Frequent Flyer Account or use the Qantas App to access your invitations and link them with an eligible Qantas flight booking prior to use (must be done at least 24 hours prior to your departure time). Each Complimentary Lounge Invitation is valid for a single visit by one guest to a Qantas Club domestic lounge, Qantas International or Qantas International Business Lounge, and must be used prior to expiry. Access and use are subject to the Complimentary Lounge Invitation Terms and Conditions and the Lounge Entry Terms and Conditions. Invitations may be revoked or withheld if your Card account is not in good standing, if the selected Qantas products and services are refunded in full or if you have not complied with these Complimentary Lounge Invitation Terms and Conditions, and the American Express Credit Card Terms and Conditions.
7. Qantas Travel Credit.
Qantas American Express Ultimate Primary Card Members are eligible for an annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit, subject to the full Qantas Travel Credit Terms and Conditions at amex.com.au/qantasultimate-travelcreditterms. The Qantas Travel Credit can be redeemed through American Express Travel Online on a single eligible travel booking for Qantas Flights (i.e. a QF flight number on your ticket) by selecting the Qantas Travel Credit when you checkout. All Qantas Flight travel is subject to Qantas Conditions of Carriage. To redeem the Travel Credit, the full value of the Travel Credit (or more) must be charged to the eligible Primary Card. The Qantas 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 Qantas 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 Qantas Travel Credit has already been used and associated statement credit applied to your account, you will forfeit your annual Qantas 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 Qantas 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 Qantas Travel Credit.
8. Complimentary Domestic Return Virgin Australia Flight.
The complimentary domestic economy Virgin Australia return flight is only available between selected Australian cities and is available for booking by American Express Velocity Platinum Primary Card Members each year after the anniversary of your Card Membership. All flights are subject to availability and neither Virgin Australia nor American Express guarantees that seats or tickets will be available on the dates or at the times you may wish to fly. Seat availability may be limited to certain dates and/or flights and it may be more difficult to book seats around public holidays, school holidays or special events. Some flights may not have any seats available for redemption. Route availability is subject to change without notice. All travel is subject to the American Express Velocity Platinum Card Benefits Terms and Conditions available here and travel is subject to Virgin Australia Conditions of Carriage available at Conditionsofcarriage/VirginAustralia.com.
9. Virgin Australia Lounge Access.
The American Express Velocity Platinum Card Virgin Australia Lounge Access is subject to the American Express Velocity Platinum Card Benefits Terms and Conditions. The Virgin Australia Lounge Access provides the Primary Card Member with access to Virgin Australia lounges at Australian domestic airports whenever they are flying on a Virgin Australia operated domestic flight on the same day. To qualify for Virgin Australia Lounge Access, your Card Account with American Express must be in good standing. American Express Velocity Platinum Primary Card Members will receive 12 months of lounge access on your Velocity membership. Enrol via your online American Express Account. This is your benefit anniversary date. After enrolling, activate the VA Lounge Access by making an Eligible Transaction on your American Express Velocity Platinum Card. Eligible Transaction does not include annual Card fees, cash advances, interest, balance transfers, fees and charges for traveller’s cheques and foreign currencies. After 12 months, at each subsequent benefit anniversary, make an Eligible Transaction on your Velocity Platinum Card to reactivate the VA Lounge Access. Please allow up to 7 days for the benefit to be processed on to the Primary Card Member’s Velocity membership. The Primary Card Member must provide their Velocity Frequent Flyer membership details to Virgin Australia lounge staff and present same day boarding pass on a Virgin Australia flight. Additional Card Members are not eligible. Virgin Australia lounge access is subject to space availability. Virgin Australia lounge is owned and operated by Virgin Australia Airlines Pty. Ltd. in selected domestic airports in accordance with Virgin Australia lounge Terms and Conditions, available at virginaustralia.com/lounge and as amended from time to time.
10. Rewards Program
As long as your Account remains current and in good standing and you must be a member of the Velocity Frequent Flyer program to earn and redeem Velocity Points. Velocity Points are earned in accordance with the American Express Velocity Cards Points Terms and Conditions available at americanexpress.com.au/VelocityPointsTerms, and are subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Velocity Frequent Flyer program available at experience.velocityfrequentflyer.com/member-support/terms-conditions. Exclusions apply. Eligible purchases do not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late payment fees, cash advances, balance transfers, fees for traveller’s cheques and foreign currency conversion. These do not earn Velocity Points. For the full list of exclusions, please refer to the American Express Velocity Cards Points Terms and Conditions. Certain transactions will earn 0.5 points per dollar with Merchants classified as; government, including the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post), federal/state and local government bodies. Industry specific earn rate may apply when you use a payment account, payment aggregator, services of a third party or online retailers that sell goods for another merchant. For example, a payment made to local government bodies processed through payment aggregator may earn rates at the government earn rate. Velocity Points earned on Virgin Australia spend are only valid for purchases made in Australia.