6 travel perks you didn’t know your Credit Card could offer

With the right Credit Card, you can score all sorts of extra perks while you're away on holiday.

Sponsored by the American Express Explorer Credit Card. Earn 50,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points when you apply by 03 February 2026 and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of your approval date. Available for new American Express Card Members only.¹

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When you're heading off on a holiday, you want to pack everything you'll need. That includes having the right credit card!

With a card like the American Express Explorer Credit Card, you give your next vacation the touch of glamour it needs.

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1. Use points for upgrades

At the moment, when you apply for American Express Explorer Credit Card, are approved by 03 February 2026, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 3 months, you'll receive 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points¹. New Amex Card members only. T&Cs apply.

These Points can be used to purchase tickets, pay for upgrades to existing flights or help cover accommodation costs for your destination.

Points can be redeemed through one of American Express' 11 airline partner programs.⁷

Having the right card handy can be a great way to score some bonuses while you're travelling.

Learn how the American Express Explorer Credit Card can work for you

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2. Early access to events

One of the great things about going on holiday is taking in new experiences. So why not spice up your next trip within Australia with a concert, sports match or special event?

As an American Express Explorer Credit Card Member, you can access presale tickets to a huge range of events. So next time your favourite act is in town, you may be able to lock in your tickets early.

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3. Travel credit

Having an American Express Explorer Credit Card can also score you bonuses while you're away.

In fact, it entitles you to $400 of travel credit each year². It can be used for a range of purposes, like flights, hotels and vehicle hire.

Additionally, when you book your accommodation for two consecutive nights or more with a hotel that's part of The American Express Hotel Collection on American Express Travel Online, you can receive up to US$100 hotel credit and a room upgrade³.

4. Airport lounge access

It's important that you can relax in style during your journey.

Having lounge access makes that much easier – letting you get away from all the hustle and bustle of the airport.

If you're an American Express Explorer Credit Card Member, you'll receive two complimentary entries each year to The Centurion Lounge at Sydney or Melbourne International Airport⁴.

So wherever you're flying to, you'll be able to kick things off in comfort.

5. Earn points while you're away

In addition to using points to upgrade your travel, you can also earn points while you're travelling.

The American Express Explorer Credit Card earns two Points per dollar spent on purchases, aside from government services. You can still earn Points on spend for government services, though – one point per dollar spent⁵.

So expenses that come up while you're away can help you earn future rewards.

6. Complimentary travel insurance

Travel insurance is a must-have, even when you're travelling domestically.

Typically it adds extra expense. But with the right card, you could get complimentary domestic and international travel insurance included.

When you purchase your trip on your American Express Explorer Credit Card, you may be eligible for complimentary domestic and international travel insurance.⁶

Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age-limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). It is important you read the American Express Card Insurance Terms and Conditions and consider whether the insurance is right for you.

Learn more about becoming an American Express Explorer Credit Card Member today

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Bonus points	Points per $ spent	Purchase rate p.a.	Annual fee
American Express Explorer Credit Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership Rewards	Bonus points 50,000	Points per $ spent 2	Purchase rate p.a. 23.99%	Annual fee $395	Get 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. T&Cs apply.	Go to siteMore info Compare product selection Compare	loading

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• Terms and conditions

  1. Bonus & Eligibility

  50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points is only available to new American Express® Card Members who apply online by 03 February 2026, are approved and spend $4,000 or more on eligible purchases on the new Card in the first 3 months from the Card approval date. Eligible purchases do not include Card fees and charges, for example annual fees, interest, late payment, cash advances, balance transfers, traveller's cheques and foreign currency conversion. This offer may be withdrawn or changed at any time without notice. Please allow 8-10 weeks for the Bonus Points to be credited to your Account after the spend criteria has been met. The Bonus Points will not be applied to your account if it has been suspended or cancelled. The Bonus Points may be reversed if your qualifying purchase is refunded or cancelled. If you don't hold or have previously held any other American Express Card(s) in the past 18 months, you will be eligible for the offer. All other Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any other Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the preceding 18 month period are ineligible for this offer. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.

  2. Travel Credit.

  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. The Hotel Collection.

  The Hotel Collection (THC) benefits are available for new bookings of two consecutive nights or more, with participating properties, made through Platinum Travel Service, Centurion Travel Service or American Express Travel Online. Bookings are valid only for eligible Card Members of the following American Express Cards: 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^® Business Gold Plus Card, American Express^® Platinum Card, American Express^® Platinum Business Card and American Express^® Centurion Card. Excludes Gold Credit Card Members who are not also Australian Rewards Advantage, Gold or Platinum Charge Card Members. Bookings must be made using an eligible Card and must be paid using that Card, or another American Express^® Card, in the eligible Card Member's name, and that Card Member must be travelling on the itinerary booked to be eligible for benefits described. Noon check-in, late check-out and the room upgrade are subject to availability; certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade. The type of US$100 credit and additional amenity (if applicable) varies by property; the US$100 credit will be applied to eligible charges up to US$100. To receive the US$100 credit, the eligible spend must be charged to your hotel room. The US$100 credit will be applied at check-out. Advance reservations are recommended for certain credits. Benefit restrictions vary by property. Benefits are applied per room, per stay (with a three-room limit per stay). Back-to-back stays booked by a single Card Member, Card Members staying in the same room or Card Members traveling in the same party within a 24-hour period at the same property are considered one stay and are ineligible for additional THC benefits ("Prohibited Action"). American Express and the Property reserve the right to modify or revoke the THC benefits at any time without notice if we or they determine, in our or their sole discretion, that you have engaged in a Prohibited Action, or have engaged in abuse, misuse, or gaming in connection with your THC benefits. Benefits cannot be redeemed for cash and are not combinable with other offers unless indicated. Benefits must be used during the stay booked. Any credits applicable are applied at check-out in US Dollars or the local currency equivalent. Benefits, participating properties, and availability and amenities at those properties are subject to change. To be eligible for THC program benefits, your eligible Card Account must not be cancelled. For additional information, call the number on the back of your Card.

  4. The Centurion® Lounge.

  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. 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.

  6. Explorer Card 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.

  7. Partner Programs.

  Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Gateway program available at membershiprewards.com.au. You must be a member of the airline partner program, joining fees may apply and points transferred will be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable airline partner program.