American Express is a major card issuer in Australia and a popular choice for those looking to maximise points. Many choose Amex for its high sign-up bonuses, ongoing offers, high points earn rates, and premium customer service. The downside is Amex charges higher fees to merchants, so its acceptance isn’t as widespread as Visa and Mastercard. However, acceptance has improved significantly in recent years.
Most major retailers and many smaller independent shops now accept American Express cards. Many users also hold an Amex card alongside a points-earning Visa or Mastercard to ensure they can purchase anywhere.
In Australia, American Express cardholders can earn points in three programs depending on the card type: American Express Membership Rewards, Qantas Frequent Flyer, and Velocity Frequent Flyer.
How to use our highest earning comparison table
For all the cards and offers listed on this page, we focus on two key aspects:
- Direct earn rates are for cards that earn Qantas or Velocity Points on eligible spend.
- Effective earn rates are for cards that earn points in the Membership Rewards flexible rewards program, which can later be transferred to other frequent flyer programs at varying rates.
The ‘effective earn rate’ standardises the number of points you could earn with a Membership Rewards card. For instance, the Amex Platinum Card earns 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent. When converting these into Qantas Points at a 2:1 rate, the effective earn rate becomes 1.125 Qantas Points per $1 spent.
What to consider in an American Express credit card
Beyond the card’s usual earn rates, consider the following:
- Unique benefits: Look for shopping perks, complimentary insurance, travel credits or free return domestic flights.
- Sign-up bonuses: New customers often benefit from sign-up bonuses. Existing users usually need to go 18 months without holding an American Express product to be eligible for a new sign-up bonus.
- Merchant acceptance: Check whether the places you usually shop accept American Express and if any surcharges apply.
- Annual fees and T&Cs: Review the card's annual fees and overall terms and conditions.
- Mobile payment capabilities: Ensure the card supports Google and Apple Pay, which are increasingly useful.
A large sign-up bonus might offset a lower earn rate or a higher annual fee, so factor this into your decision.
The information on this page should be up to date at publication. However, offers may change over time.
Membership Rewards partners
American Express Membership Rewards is a flexible points program with frequent flyer and hotel partners. Generally, the transfer rate is two Membership Rewards points for one frequent flyer point or mile, except where specified differently below. Airline transfer programs include:
- Qantas Frequent Flyer (from limited cards only)
- Velocity Frequent Flyer
- Air New Zealand Airpoints (200:1 transfer rate)
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Emirates Skywards (3:1 conversion rate)
- Etihad Guest
- Hawaiian Airlines’ HawaiianMiles
- Hilton Honors
- Malaysia Airlines Enrich
- Marriott Bonvoy (3:2 transfer rate)
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (3:1 conversion rate)
- Thai Royal Orchid Plus
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Transfers from Amex Membership Rewards to Qantas Frequent Flyer are only possible for members at the Ascent Premium tier of Membership Rewards, usually available with Amex’s most premium products like the Platinum Card, Platinum Business Card, and Centurion Card.
