Looking to get rewarded for your everyday spend? We show you how the American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card can help.
Sponsored by American Express. Make living your best life go further with the Amex Essential Rewards® Credit Card.
Exclusive Partner Offer: Receive 60,000 Membership Rewards® Bonus Points when you apply online through the link on this page by 3 December 2024, are approved and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Essential® Rewards Credit Card within the first 3 months. Visit the link here to find out more.
T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only.
When you pick a credit card, it's important to look for one that has the right perks.
👋 Hey there! We've partnered with American Express for this article. So we'll be using the American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card as an example throughout. However, you should always do your own research. Make sure to read the product T&Cs before you sign up for any financial product.
1. Earn Points rapidly
Some Cards will reward you with points for spending in ways that suit your lifestyle.
5x Membership Rewards points per $1 spent in eligible restaurants, cafes, bars and selected food delivery in Australia.1
3x Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on selected streaming subscriptions in Australia.1
2x Membership Rewards points per $1 spent with selected major retailers in Australia.1
These earn rates will apply to the first 10,000 points you earn each month. After this, you'll earn 1 Point per $1 spent on eligible purchases (monthly thresholds and T&Cs apply)
Well, you've got a range of options available. You're able to use your Membership Rewards points for a range of travel rewards redeemable through Amex Travel, such as plane tickets or flight upgrades.2
Learn how the American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card can work for you today
You're also able to purchase gift vouchers with your points from a number of leading retailers.3 Membership Rewards points can also be used to cover eligible purchases on your account, via the Select + Pay function.4
Being able to earn Points more rapidly means that you can also reward yourself sooner.
2. Exclusive insider access
One of the big advantages of holding an American Express Essential Rewards Card is that you're able to enjoy access to some of the best experiences in live music, sports, theatre and more.
Not to mention Entertainment Lounge Access at a range of venue partners across Australia!
For example, American Express Card Members at the recent Vogue American Express Fashion's Night Out got access to special Card Member offers.
But if you're looking for a more extended period to pay for your purchases, there's also the Plan It Instalments Card feature. This Card feature allows you to pay off transactions in equal monthly instalments.
You can pay for larger purchases over a 3, 6 or 12 month period. Now, there is a set monthly fee – but it's also a 0% interest rate.6
This can help you manage the cost of big-ticket purchases, without worrying about excess interest expenses.
Earn 5 points per $1 spent at restaurants, fast food outlets, cafes, bars and selected food delivery services in Australia ("Eats and Drinks"). See the list of selected food delivery services here. Earning points at this rate is dependent on how the merchant categorises their business and provide us this information (directly or through their financial institution). Locations such as a bar in an entertainment venue or a restaurant in a hotel may not be eligible for accelerated points earn. Spend through an aggregator or intermediary platform for these transactions may not be eligible for accelerated points earn. The Eats and Drinks category does not include supermarket, grocery store or catering spend.
Earn 3 points per $1 spent on eligible streaming subscriptions at selected providers in Australia. The current list of streaming services is available here. Purchases must be made directly with the merchant on our list. Spend will not be eligible for accelerated earn if the product is bundled with another product or service or billed by a third party such as a digital platform or a TV, telecommunications or internet provider. Spend through an aggregator or intermediary platform for these transactions may not be eligible for accelerated points earn.
Earn 2 points per $1 spent at selected major retailers in Australia. The following merchants have been classified as Selected Major Retailers: Amazon, Kmart, Bunnings Warehouse, Uniqlo, Myer, The Iconic, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman. Purchases with these Selected Major Retailers are only eligible for additional points if the transactions are made online or in-store in Australia. Spend through an aggregator or intermediary platform for these transactions may not be eligible for accelerated points earn. The current list of selected retailers and corresponding terms and conditions are available here. The list is subject to change.
Eligible spend outside the accelerated earn rate categories will earn 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 spent.
American Express reserves the right to change this list of Eats and Drinks providers, selected food delivery services, selected streaming services and selected major retailers that earn points at an accelerated rate.
Monthly Points Threshold: You will earn points at an accelerated earn rate on spend at eligible Eats & Drinks, select food delivery services, select streaming services and selected major retailers up to a combined maximum of 10,000 points posted to your account monthly. After a total of 10,000 points is earned in a month, you will earn 1 point for every $1 regardless of credits, returns and adjustments until the threshold resets at the start of the next calendar month.
Refunds and returns: When the Basic Card Member or an Additional Card Member obtains a refund or reimbursement for items purchased on the Card or an Additional Card as applicable, Membership Rewards points will be deducted. Points are deducted based on the earn rate applicable on the day a refund or reimbursement transaction is processed.
2. Airline Partner Programs. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Gateway program available at americanexpress.com/en-au/rewards/membership-rewards/terms. You must be a member of the partner program, joining fees may apply and points transferred will be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable program.
3. Gift Cards. Gift Card or voucher rewards are not redeemable or exchangeable for cash or credit. Normal retailer gift card or voucher conditions apply, refer to the gift card or retailer website for details.
4. Cover Charges with Points. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program available at americanexpress.com/en-au/rewards/membership-rewards/terms. Minimum of 1,000 points required. Any credit to your Card Account cannot exceed the current outstanding balance on your Account. Points will be debited immediately and credit will take up to three business days to appear on your online statement.
5. Interest Free Period. You will have up to 55 days interest free on purchases provided you pay the full closing balance of your monthly statement by the due date each month. There is no interest free period on balance transfers or if you carry forward a balance from the previous statement period. The total of interest free days will depend on when you make the purchase and when your statement is issued.
6. Plan It® Instalments. You can create an Instalment Plan as long as your account is in good standing. We may withdraw this offer, prevent you from creating any new Instalment Plans or cancel any of your existing Instalment Plan(s) at any time if your Card Account is overdue, or if you do not comply with your Card Conditions. The minimum Plan amount is AUD$150. We may also limit the amount that can be transferred to an Instalment Plan. You will be charged a Monthly Plan Fee for each Instalment Plan created (unless a promotional plan is available). This fee will be charged each month your Instalment Plan is active and will be disclosed to you at the time of creating your Instalment Plan. Each Instalment Plan will begin from the date it is successfully created, as communicated to you in your Online Account. Payment of your first Monthly Instalment will be due in your next payment cycle. You may request to cancel your Instalment Plan(s) at any time through your Online Account or the Amex App. Any billed Monthly Plan Fees will remain payable, but no further Monthly Plan Fees will be billed after cancellation is effective. As cancellation can take 24-48 hours to process ("Processing Time"), you may be charged a further monthly plan fee after requesting cancellation if the Processing Time occurs on your payment date. View the full Plan It® Instalment Terms and Conditions here.
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Sponsored by American Express. Make living your best life go further with the Amex Essential Rewards® Credit Card.