What is the best American Express card?

There isn't a single best American Express card in Australia because everyone has different goals and ways of using a card. But the 2026 Finder Credit Card Awards used expert analysis of 12 months' worth of data to determine the best cards in 12 categories and American Express cards won 2 awards and received highly commended for 4 categories. Best Velocity Frequent Flyer Credit Card (winner): American Express Velocity Platinum Card Best Business Frequent Flyer Charge Card (winner): American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card Best Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card (highly commended): American Express Qantas Ultimate Card Best Rewards Credit Card (highly commended): American Express Explorer Credit Card Best Small Business Rewards Credit Card (highly commended): American Express Business Explorer Credit Card Best No Annual Fee Rewards Credit Card (highly commended): American Express Qantas Discovery Card Keep in mind: There's no one best credit card for everyone, so check details that matter to you. You can also view the full list of 2026 Finder Credit Card Awards, including details of the methodology for each category to help decide if one of these Amex cards is right for you.

Where can I use my American Express credit card?

You can use your American Express credit card with many major brands in Australia including: Apple Bunnings Warehouse Chemist Warehouse Coles David Jones Netflix Woolworths The American Express Australia website includes searchable categories of where you can use your card, as well as a map that you can also access through the app.

I already have an Amex. Can I still get bonus points if I apply for a different card?

You usually can't take advantage of promotional bonus points offers and other introductory offers if you're an existing American Express cardholder. If you've held an Amex credit card in the past, you may have to wait around 18 months until you can qualify for another bonus points offer that's only eligible for new cardholders. If you're unsure, check the terms and conditions or contact American Express directly to confirm if you're eligible to earn the bonus points.

Can I get an additional cardholder with an Amex credit card?

Most American Express cards in Australia offer additional cardholders and don't charge an additional cardholder fee. You can request an additional cardholder by logging into your Amex account and filling in a simple application. Just keep in mind that you're legally responsible for all repayments and other account features.

Can I get a balance transfer with an American Express card?

American Express cards don't currently offer balance transfers for new applications. But you can transfer a balance from an Amex card to a credit card with a different bank or brand if you want to get a 0% balance transfer offer for it.

What's the difference between an Amex credit card and charge card?

Most Amex cards are regular credit card accounts, which allow you to carry a balance on your account as long as you pay at least the minimum amount listed on your statement by the due date. If you do carry a balance, you'll be charged interest on it at the applicable rate. With an Amex charge card – such as the American Express Platinum Card – you're required to pay off your balance in full for each statement period. As you don't carry a balance on these cards, standard interest rates do not apply. However, there can be serious penalties if you don't pay the full balance by the due date on each statement.

I have an American Express card with complimentary smartphone screen cover. How can I make a claim?

If you crack the screen on your smartphone, follow these steps to make a claim: Get your phone repaired. Take your phone to a repairer and get a copy of the receipt. Submit your claim. Complete the American Express Insurance claims form and submit it online. You'll need to attach a copy of your credit card statement that shows the purchase of your smartphone or ongoing contract payments, as well as a copy of the receipt for the repair. Remember, you can claim cover for a repair price of up to $500 when your smartphone screen breaks because of an accidental fall or impact. A 10% excess applies for each claim and you can make up to 2 claims in a 12-month period. So if the claim you submitted was for the maximum $500, you'd pay an insurance excess of $50. Note that you won't be able to claim the insurance if the screen breakage is a result of any of the following: The act of cleaning, servicing, inspection, maintenance, adjustment or repair Breach of the manufacturer's operating or guidance instructions Wear and tear or gradual deterioration of the equipment, or any damage that cannot be attributed to a single incident Corrosion, rust, condensation or evaporation, dampness, dust or change in temperature, unless directly attributed to sudden and unforeseen damage Any willful act, or intentional or reckless misuse of the equipment by you or anyone authorised by you Any wrongful act committed or attempted by you or by anyone authorised by you Any competitive sports activity

American Express Credit Cards: Up to 350k Points

4.2 (1516 reviews) Write a review

Amex excels in rewards and business cards, winning two 2026 Finder Awards.
Enjoy perks like lounge access and insurance. Amex surcharges have often been higher than other cards, but from 1 October 2026 merchants can no longer surcharge Amex.
New card members can earn significant bonus points by meeting initial spend requirements.

American Express is a big global brand that's known for offering generous rewards and perks. In Australia, you can get an Amex credit card linked to the Qantas Frequent Flyer, Velocity Frequent Flyer and Amex Membership Rewards programs. It also offers a low rate card – and lots of options for business owners. In 2026, Amex won 2 Finder Credit Card Awards: Best Velocity Frequent Flyer Credit Card and Best Business Frequent Flyer Charge Card. It was also highly commended in the Best Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card, Best Rewards Credit Card and Best No Annual Fee Rewards Credit Card categories.

Compare American Express Credit Cards

Bonus points	Points per $ spent	Purchase rate p.a.	Annual fee
American Express Platinum Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 340,000	Points per $ spent 2.25	N/A	Annual fee $1,450	Partner offer: Earn 240,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you apply via the link on this page and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months and additional 100,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement in year 2. New American Express card members only. Ends 6 Oct 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card Most LovedQantas Frequent Flyer	Bonus points 120,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	23.99%	Annual fee $450	Get 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months and additional 50,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement in year 2. New American Express card members only. Ends 17 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Velocity Escape Plus Card Most LovedVelocity Frequent Flyer	Bonus points 20,000	Points per $ spent 1	23.99%	Annual fee $95	Get 20,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months, plus a $50 Virgin Australia Statement Credit. New American Express card members only. Ends 25 May 2027. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 30,000	Points per $ spent 1	23.99%	Annual fee $108	Earn 30,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend at least $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Explorer Credit Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 115,000	Points per $ spent 2	23.99%	Annual fee $395	Partner offer: Get 115,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you apply via the link on this page and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. Ends 6 Oct 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Velocity Platinum Card Finder AwardMost LovedVelocity Frequent Flyer	Bonus points 100,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	23.99%	Annual fee $440	Get 70,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months and additional 30,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement in year 2. New American Express card members only. Ends 13 Oct 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Business Gold Plus Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 250,000	Points per $ spent 1.5	N/A	Annual fee $395	Get 250,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, earn up to 3 points per $1 spent at Xero, Google Ads, Meta, Amazon Web Services and Dell. New Amex card members only. Ends 03 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply. ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Platinum Business Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 350,000	Points per $ spent 2.25	N/A	Annual fee $1,750	Limited-time offer: Get 350,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points and an $875 credit when you spend $12,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. Ends 3 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply. ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card Finder AwardMost LovedQantas Business Rewards	Bonus points 150,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	N/A	Annual fee $450	Earn 150,000 bonus Qantas Points plus $200 in your Qantas Business Rewards Travel Fund when you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. Ends 10 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply. ABN holders w/ $75k revenue.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Velocity Business Card Most LovedVelocity Frequent Flyer	Bonus points 200,000	Points per $ spent 1	N/A	Annual fee $249	Limited-time offer: Receive 200,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. Ends 27 Oct 2026. T&Cs apply. ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

Congratulations, American Express!

American Express was a big winner in the 2026 Finder Awards.

Highly Commended, Best Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card: American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Winner, Best Velocity Frequent Flyer Credit Card: American Express Velocity Platinum Card
Highly Commended, Best Rewards Credit Card: American Express Explorer Credit Card
Winner, Best Business Frequent Flyer Charge Card: American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card
Highly Commended, Best Small Business Rewards Credit Card: American Express Business Explorer Credit Card
Highly Commended, Best No Annual Fee Rewards Credit Card: American Express Qantas Discovery Card

Full list of 2026 credit cards winners

Amex Credit Cards in Australia

Qantas American Express Discovery Card. Earn Qantas Points on your everyday spending and redeem points for flights and more on this no annual fee rewards card.
American Express Explorer Credit Card. This card comes with travel credit each year and earns Membership Rewards points per $1 spent.
American Express Platinum Card. This high-end card comes with 340,000 bonus points and an annual fee of $1,450 p.a.
American Express Platinum Edge. This card comes with travel credits to offset an annual fee of $195.

Types of American Express credit cards

Amex rewards credit cards

American Express Membership Rewards credit cards earn points per $1 on your eligible spending, which you can redeem for travel bookings, gift cards, frequent flyer point transfers or to shop at David Jones, Myer, Webjet or Helloworld. If you're new to Amex, some cards have introductory bonus points offers for up to 350,000 points.

If you're a member of different frequent flyer programs, Membership Rewards gives you the flexibility to transfer points to partnered loyalty schemes including Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, Air New Zealand Airpoints and Asia Miles. Its also one of the few Australian credit card reward programs to offer point transfers to Emirates Skywards Miles and Qatar Airways Privilege Club. Check out Finder's guide to Amex Membership Rewards for more tips on earning and spending your points.

Frequent flyer Amex credit cards

If you're a member of Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity Frequent Flyer, you can get an Amex card that earns Qantas Points or Velocity Points per $1 spent.

This includes frequent flyer cards with no annual fee, as well as cards that offer extra features such as complimentary travel insurance, complimentary flight or travel credit and airline lounge passes that can help justify the cost of an annual fee.

Get more value: If you're new to American Express, check for introductory bonus offers that give you extra value when you first sign up. In some cases, you could get thousands of bonus rewards or frequent flyer points – making it easier (and faster) to get the rewards you want.

No annual fee Amex credit cards

There is a small selection of Amex cards that offer no annual fee ever, including the Qantas American Express Discovery Card. Similar to other credit cards on the market, American Express cards with no annual fees typically earn fewer points per $1 spent or offer fewer perks than cards that charge an annual fee. But these cards do still give you access to perks including Amex Offers, instalment plans and, depending on the card, rewards.

Low rate Amex credit cards

The American Express Low Rate Credit Card offers competitive, low interest rates for purchases. It also offers no annual fee and exclusive shopping offers, discounts, ticket deals and more through Amex Experiences and Amex Offers.

Amex business cards

American Express business cards give you access to useful features for business spending, tracking and reporting – including additional cards for employees and integration with popular accounting software like MYOB. You can also earn Membership Rewards or frequent flyer points per $1 spent, depending on the card you choose.

Our expert says

"One thing I discovered when I first got an Amex is how expensive the fees are, running up to 2% or sometimes even 2.5%. That's higher than Visa or Mastercard, which is usually 0.5% to 1.75%. It might not seem like much, but when using my card to pay all my bills and spending over 12 months, I spent about $800 on fees – which is money I'd prefer in my own account rather than theirs. "

Sarah Megginson

Money expert + media spokesperson

Editor's note: American Express is changing its merchant rules so that businesses can no longer surcharge Amex cards from 1 October 2026. Read more about the change.

Benefits of getting an American Express credit card

From rewards programs to exclusive perks, here are some of the extra features and benefits you can get with an American Express card.

Membership Rewards

American Express Membership Rewards cards regularly offer competitive bonus points and earn rates for your spending. Membership Rewards lets you choose how you redeem points, with options including travel, gift cards, statement credit and frequent flyer point transfers. Points don't expire as long as you make the required payments for your account by the due date on your statements.

Amex Offers and Amex Experiences

An Amex card gives you access to exclusive discounts and cashback promotions with partnered brands like THE ICONIC, Woolworths and David Jones through Amex Offers. Current offers are on the Amex website and in the app, where you can save or activate them for your card.

You can also access pre-sale tickets to concerts and other events with American Express Experiences. This includes access to American Express Entertainment Lounges at select entertainment venues in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Airport lounge passes

A selection of American Express credit cards come with complimentary lounge entry invitations each year. Depending on the card, you could take advantage of the perks at a Qantas Lounge or one of The Centurion Lounges at Sydney and Melbourne airport.

Mobile payments

You can add your Amex card to Apple Pay, Samsung Pay and Google Pay to make payments straight from your mobile phone or device.

American Express Plan It instalment plans

American Express Plan It gives you a way to repay new purchases over a set period of time, with an interest-free instalment plan. Each plan has a fixed monthly fee and terms ranging from 3 to 12 months. American Express Plan It is available for purchase balances of $100 or more listed on your most recent statement.

Payment details for Plan It vary based on factors including the repayment term, the card you have and the balance you want to pay off. As an example, a $1,000 purchase could be paid off in monthly instalments of $93.33 over 12 months (including a $10 monthly fee). This is based on details from the American Express Plan It calculator. When you have an Amex card, you can log in to your account to get accurate details about the Plan It instalment plan options available to you at any time.

Complimentary insurance

American Express offers complimentary insurance on a range of its personal and business cards. The type of cover you'll get depends on the card you use, but options include:

- Domestic and international travel insurance
- Card purchase cover
- Card refund cover
- Buyer's advantage cover (for extended warranty options)

In most cases, you just need to pay for a trip or eligible item with your card to activate the cover. But all insurance policies have specific requirements, so make sure you read the fine print for any insurance that comes with your Amex card.

Complimentary smartphone screen cover

American Express is currently the only credit card issuer in Australia offering smartphone screen cover on eligible cards, including the American Express Explorer and American Express Platinum.

When you use one of these cards to pay for your monthly phone contract or buy a new smartphone outright, this cover lets you claim up to $500 if the screen breaks after being accidentally dropped or hit. You can make up to 2 claims in a 12-month period, although it's worth noting you'll pay a 10% excess each time. To give you an idea of the value, repairing an iPhone screen can cost between $45 and $520, depending on the model.

Eligibility criteria for American Express credit cards

You can apply for an American Express credit card online in around 10 minutes. But before you apply, you'll need to meet the card's eligibility criteria. These are different for each card, but below we've included details of what to look for.

Australian residency status. You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or holder of a current long-term visa (12 months or more, not including student visas).
Credit history. You must have a good credit history and no payment defaults.
Age. You must be at least 18 years or older.
Bonus points eligibility. If you're getting an Amex card with a bonus points offer or another introductory offer, you'll need to be a new card member. This usually means you will only be eligible for an Amex introductory offer if you do not currently hold an Amex card, or if you have held one within the previous 18 months.

Information and documents you need to apply

Personal information. You need to share personal details including your name, email address, phone number, residential address and a valid form of ID, such as your driver's licence number.
Employment. This includes your current job, your employer’s contact information or your accountant's details if you’re self-employed. You'll also need to provide details of any savings.
Debts and liabilities. You need to provide information about your ongoing expenses, such as rent or mortgage payments, your weekly food budget, loan repayments and any existing credit card debts.
Business details. If you're applying for an American Express business or corporate card, you'll need to provide the Australian Business Number (ABN), Australian Company Number (ACN) and relevant financial details.

What happens after you apply?

American Express will give you an initial response in around 60 seconds. You'll also be sent details about your application by email.

Frequently asked questions about Amex credit cards

There isn't a single best American Express card in Australia because everyone has different goals and ways of using a card. But the 2026 Finder Credit Card Awards used expert analysis of 12 months' worth of data to determine the best cards in 12 categories and American Express cards won 2 awards and received highly commended for 4 categories.
- Best Velocity Frequent Flyer Credit Card (winner): American Express Velocity Platinum Card
- Best Business Frequent Flyer Charge Card (winner): American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card
- Best Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card (highly commended): American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
- Best Rewards Credit Card (highly commended): American Express Explorer Credit Card
- Best Small Business Rewards Credit Card (highly commended): American Express Business Explorer Credit Card
- Best No Annual Fee Rewards Credit Card (highly commended): American Express Qantas Discovery Card
Keep in mind: There's no one best credit card for everyone, so check details that matter to you. You can also view the full list of 2026 Finder Credit Card Awards, including details of the methodology for each category to help decide if one of these Amex cards is right for you.
You can use your American Express credit card with many major brands in Australia including:
- Apple
- Bunnings Warehouse
- Chemist Warehouse
- Coles
- David Jones
- Netflix
- Woolworths
The American Express Australia website includes searchable categories of where you can use your card, as well as a map that you can also access through the app.
You usually can't take advantage of promotional bonus points offers and other introductory offers if you're an existing American Express cardholder. If you've held an Amex credit card in the past, you may have to wait around 18 months until you can qualify for another bonus points offer that's only eligible for new cardholders. If you're unsure, check the terms and conditions or contact American Express directly to confirm if you're eligible to earn the bonus points.
Most Amex cards are regular credit card accounts, which allow you to carry a balance on your account as long as you pay at least the minimum amount listed on your statement by the due date. If you do carry a balance, you'll be charged interest on it at the applicable rate.
With an Amex charge card – such as the American Express Platinum Card – you're required to pay off your balance in full for each statement period. As you don't carry a balance on these cards, standard interest rates do not apply. However, there can be serious penalties if you don't pay the full balance by the due date on each statement.
If you crack the screen on your smartphone, follow these steps to make a claim:
1. Get your phone repaired. Take your phone to a repairer and get a copy of the receipt.
2. Submit your claim. Complete the American Express Insurance claims form and submit it online. You'll need to attach a copy of your credit card statement that shows the purchase of your smartphone or ongoing contract payments, as well as a copy of the receipt for the repair.
Remember, you can claim cover for a repair price of up to $500 when your smartphone screen breaks because of an accidental fall or impact. A 10% excess applies for each claim and you can make up to 2 claims in a 12-month period. So if the claim you submitted was for the maximum $500, you'd pay an insurance excess of $50.
Note that you won't be able to claim the insurance if the screen breakage is a result of any of the following:
- The act of cleaning, servicing, inspection, maintenance, adjustment or repair
- Breach of the manufacturer's operating or guidance instructions
- Wear and tear or gradual deterioration of the equipment, or any damage that cannot be attributed to a single incident
- Corrosion, rust, condensation or evaporation, dampness, dust or change in temperature, unless directly attributed to sudden and unforeseen damage
- Any willful act, or intentional or reckless misuse of the equipment by you or anyone authorised by you
- Any wrongful act committed or attempted by you or by anyone authorised by you
- Any competitive sports activity

Important links and details

American Express customer service number: 1300 882 538
How to use Amex travel credit
Amex referral program
American Express complimentary travel insurance

Want a wider range of credit cards to compare? Check out the latest offers for rewards, low rate, balance transfers credit cards and more.

Compare other products from American Express

American Express travel insurance

Sources

Thank you for your feedback!

Written by

Amy Bradney-George

Journalist

Add to Preferred Sources

Amy is an experienced journalist with over 16 years of experience, contributing to major publications like Money Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald, and ABC News Australia. Specialising in personal finance, she frequently appeared in media outlets and on radio. Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Drama from Griffith University and earned RG146 certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, ensuring her expertise is grounded in current financial regulations. Amy was Finder's Senior Writer for Credit Cards from 2016 to 2024. See full bio

Amy's expertise

Amy has written 422 Finder guides across topics including:

Credit cards
Frequent flyer
Credit score
BNPL
Money management
Sustainability

More resources on Finder

Amex Credit Cards Australia

American Express credit cards offer the points, perks and prestige you'd expect from Amex, with options for every budget.