American Express Business Explorer Credit Card

Offers 120,000 bonus Membership Rewards points, airport lounge access and complimentary insurance, with a $149 annual fee that’s waived in the first year.

The American Express Business Explorer Credit Card offers a mix of perks and helpful business features, including 2 points per $1 on most eligible spending and up to 99 additional cards for employees.

If you're new to American Express, you can get 120,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you apply by 02 June 2022 and spend at least $3,000 within the first 3 months from card approval. You’ll also save with a $0 annual fee in the first year. After that, a $149 annual fee applies to the account, which is competitive with other similar rewards credit cards.

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Amy Bradney-George

Last Updated Jan 15, 2021

120,000

Bonus points

3.99% p.a.

Purchase rate

for the first 6 months (reverts to 19.99% p.a.)

Reward points

Per $ spent

$0 p.a.

Annual fee

for the first year ($149 p.a. thereafter)

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Details

Product Name	American Express Business Explorer Credit Card
Rewards program	Membership Rewards Gateway
Purchase rate p.a.	3.99% for 6 months, reverts to 19.99%
Annual fee	$0 for the first year ($149 thereafter)
Interest-free period	Up to 55 days on purchases
Card type	American Express
Foreign currency conversion fee	3%

Available to temporary residents	No
Joint application	No

Pros

120,000 bonus Membership Rewards points offer
$0 first-year annual fee
Up to 99 additional cards at no cost
2 entries per year to the Amex Lounge at Sydney International Airport or Melbourne International Airport and complimentary travel insurance
American Express AccessLine lets you pay merchants even if they don’t accept Amex directly

Cons

Charges a 3% foreign transaction fee
Can’t be used for ATM withdrawals or other cash advance transactions, which could be limiting for some people

Rewards program	Membership Rewards Gateway
Bonus points	120,000
Rewards points per $ spent	2
Rewards points cap	Uncapped

Annual fee	$0 for the first year ($149 thereafter)
Minimum monthly repayment	2.5% of the closing balance or $30, whichever is greater
Late payment fee	$30
Foreign currency conversion fee	3%
Additional cardholder fee	$0
Number of additional cardholders	99

Go to American Express's site More info

Review by

Amy Bradney-George

amy.bradney-george@finder.com

Amy has been writing about personal finance for more than 13 years – including over 600 articles as a senior writer for Finder. She is also the editorial lead for Finder Green, covering sustainability across different industries. Her work has appeared in publications including Money Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald, Financy, ABC News Australia and Equity Magazine. Amy also has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Drama from Griffith University.

Expert review

The American Express Business Explorer credit card is suited to people who want to be rewarded for their business spending and manage costs with up to 55 days interest-free on purchases. The current bonus points offer would also give you enough Membership Rewards points for $600 of shopping at David Jones (120,000 points) or credit on your account.

You also have the option to exchange your Membership Rewards for points with partnered frequent flyer programs, with an exchange rate of 2 Membership Rewards for 1 frequent flyer point with most partners – including Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Emirates Skywards.

This card also gives you detailed statement breakdowns and transaction data. And, if you have employees, getting additional cards for them gives you a way to keep track of expenses through one account.

How to apply

You can apply for the American Express Business Explorer credit card online, but make sure you check the eligibility requirements and organise the necessary information before you start your application.

Eligibility criteria

Business requirements. Your business must have a valid ABN registered for GST with an annual revenue of at least $75,000.
New cardholder. To be eligible for the bonus points offer, you cannot hold or have held an American Express in the previous 18 months.

Residency. You must be a citizen or permanent Australian resident.
Credit history. A good credit history with no payment defaults is required.
Age. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for a credit card in Australia.

Required documents

Personal details. You'll need to include details like your full name, email address, contact number, residential address.
Proof of identity. This includes your Australian drivers licence, Medicare card or passport.
Business details. This includes your business name and annual business revenue.
Financial information. You'll be asked to include your business' ABN as well as proof of personal income and business turnover including recent payslips and bank statements.

Go to American Express's site More info

Card benefits

120,000 bonus points. If you're a new cardholder who applies and gets approved by 02 June 2022, you can give your points balance a boost of 120,000 bonus Membership Rewards points if you spend $3,000 within the first 3 months from your approval date.
$0 annual fee for the first year. The annual fee will be waived for the first year when you apply by 02 June 2022. After that, a $149 annual fee applies for each year you have the card.

Purchase rate offer. Take advantage of a 3.99% p.a. interest rate on purchases for the first 6 months. After this introductory period, an interest rate of 19.99% p.a. applies to your purchases.
American Express AccessLine. This payment portal gives you a way to pay merchants around the world, even if they don't accept Amex cards. This makes it easier to keep your business spending to one account – plus you'll earn Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on payments. You can also negotiate early payment discounts when you use AccessLine to pay your vendors.
Membership Rewards Gateway program. You'll collect 2 Membership Rewards Points per $1 spent on purchases and 1 Membership Rewards Point per $1 spent with government bodies. Rewards include travel bookings, credit on your account, paying for purchases with points, gift cards and purchases at David Jones or Ticketmaster. If you prefer frequent flyer points, you can also exchange your Membership Rewards for points with partner frequent flyer programs including Virgin Australia Velocity Frequent Flyer, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Emirates Skywards.
Additional cardholders. You can manage your employee expenses under one account with up to 99 additional cardholders for no extra fee.
Complimentary insurances. If you use your card to pay for return business travel, you'll enjoy complimentary travel insurance on domestic and international trips. This includes cover for damaged or stolen baggage, money or documents, medical emergency expenses, delayed flights and travel disruption. Please see the insurance policy document for more details on what's covered, the eligibility requirements and how you can make a claim.
Airport lounge passes. You'll receive two entries to the American Express Lounge at Sydney International Airport or Melbourne International Airport per calendar year. The lounges offer free Wi-Fi, charging stations and complimentary food and beverages.
Expense tracking technology. You can take advantage of an automatic transaction data feed with MYOB, making it easier to monitor and manage your corporate expenses under the single account. You can also download statements and transactions details, view balances and review business expenditure using MYOB, Quicken or Microsoft Excel.
Mobile wallets. You can use your eligible smartphone or device to make contactless payments at the checkout when you link your card to Apple Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Pay.

Rates & fees

Annual fee. Outside of any promotions, this card charges an annual fee of $149.
Purchase rate. Outside of any promotions, this card has a variable purchase rate of 19.99% p.a. You can't use it for ATM withdrawals or cash advances, so no cash advance rates apply.

Interest-free days. If you pay your balance in full by the statement due date, you can avoid additional costs and enjoy up to 55 interest-free days.
Minimum repayment amount. Cardholders are required to pay a minimum repayment of $30 or 2.5% of the closing balance (whichever is greater) each statement period.

Go to American Express's site More info

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4 Comments

Ruth
May 23, 2018

The American Express website is quoting 50k points. How do you apply for this offer of 100k

Reply
- Nikki
  May 23, 2018
  
  Hi Ruth,
  
  We’ve read your message, Thanks!
  
  Please note that we’re a product comparison website and we do not represent any company we feature on our site. We provide general information on products to assist you in your buying decision process hence we cannot recommend product / service that is rightfully fit for you.
  
  Earn 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards when you meet the spend requirements:
  
  — You can give your points balance a boost of 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards when you apply by 2 July 2018, receive approval and spend $3,000 in the first three months.
  
  Business Loyalty Bonus. If you spend at least $100,000 within 12 months of your approval date, you’ll also receive a business loyalty bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards.
  
  Hope this was helpful.
  
  Cheers,
  Nikki
  
  Reply
James
May 20, 2018

Do you get $400 travel credit voucher per annum with Amex business explorer card like you do with the Amex explorer card?

Reply
- finder Customer Care
  
  Jeni
  May 20, 2018
  
  Hi James,
  
  Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
  
  As a friendly reminder, while we do not represent any company we feature on our pages, we can offer you general advice.
  
  With this American Express Business Explorer credit card, you don’t get $400 travel credit however you’ll also earn 2 Membership Rewards per $1 spent on purchases and 0.5 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on government costs (such as ATO transactions). You can redeem these rewards to pay for purchases with points, gift cards or purchases via David Jones or Ticketmaster. If you prefer frequent flyer points, you can also exchange your Membership Rewards for points with eight frequent flyer programs including Velocity, Emirates Skywards, Air New Zealand Airpoints, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Etihad Guest. If you spend at least $100,000 within 12 months of your approval date, you’ll also receive a business loyalty bonus of 50,000 Membership Rewards.
  
  I hope this helps.
  
  Have a great day!
  
  Cheers,
  Jeni
  
  Reply

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American Express Business Explorer Credit Card