Amex Explorer Card Review: Benefits, Lounge Access, and Fees Explained

*Pricing claim based on comparative data for select airports and passes. Live pricing is subject to exchange rate fluctuations.
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For Australians who travel regularly, choosing the right credit card can mean more than just earning points. Travel perks like airport lounge passes, complimentary insurance, and annual travel credits can add real value, but it’s important to weigh these benefits against the fees and foreign transaction costs.

To help you decide, this review will take a closer look at the American Express Explorer Credit Card. We’ll check out the fees, rewards program, and travel benefits, to help you decide whether it’s the right fit for your spending habits. We'll also introduce to you Wise Travel Card that can help you save on international transactions with currency conversions at mid-market exchange rates.

What’s the American Express Explorer Credit Card?

The American Express Explorer Credit Card is available to eligible Australian citizens, residents and long-term visa holders, offering travel-centric rewards and benefits for spending.¹ It has an annual fee of 395 AUD, with a minimum limit of 3000 AUD.²

AMEX Explorer Card: Features & Benefits

As a travel credit card, the AMEX Explorer card comes with various benefits and features that are largely related to travelling. Cardholders can:¹

• Earn membership rewards points on eligible spending
• Get $400 of Travel Credit annually to spend on eligible flights, hotels or car hire
• Access complimentary international and domestic travel insurance
• Gain complimentary airport lounge access
• Receive hotel credit and room upgrades at select hotels in The Hotel Collection
• Use included protections like Smartphone Front Screen Cover and Buyer’s Advantage Cover

Depending on current promotions, there may also be a new member offer. For example, at the time of writing applicants who applied by a certain date, were approved, and spent $4000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months, could receive a bonus 75,000 Membership Rewards Points.

Earning Points with the AMEX Explorer Card

When the AMEX Explorer Card is used to make purchases, customers can earn Membership Rewards Points. The earning rate for the points is determined by the type of purchase.

• 1 points per $1 spent at government bodies in Australia
• 2 points per $1 spent on purchases, excluding at government bodies in Australia

Over time the points accrue, and can be redeemed for benefits. Here’s some of the things you can do with AMEX Explorer Card rewards points:

• Transfer the points to a partner airline, hotel or retail rewards program
• Book travel through American Express Travel
• Redeem points for gift cards to use at some of the country’s leading retailed
• Pay for eligible charges to the credit card account, using Cover Charges with Points

Check out our guide for the best AMEX cards for points here.

AMEX Explorer Card Travel Insurance

When a return international or domestic trip is purchased using an AMEX Explorer credit card, it’s possible to gain access to complimentary travel insurance. Coverage depends on the destination, but it can include benefits for Emergency Medical and Cancellation.

Like other Australian credit cards with complimentary travel insurance, there are terms and conditions that apply. For example, the maximum age limit for AMEX Explorer travel insurance is 79. It’s also wise to double check if credit card travel insurance is enough for your plans.

Lounge Access with AMEX Explorer Card

Each calendar year, AMEX Explorer credit card holders get two complimentary passes to access the The Centurion Lounge at Sydney International Airport or Melbourne International Airport. Usually access is granted by showing your card and boarding pass to the lounge reception.

American Express Travel Credit

Each year cardholders get 400 AUD to spend on international or domestic travel, when they spend 400 AUD or more using American Express Travel Online. This travel credit can be used to book flights, hotels or hire a car, and could be seen as a way of offsetting the 395 AUD annual card fee.

AMEX Explorer Card: Fees

When choosing which credit card is best for you, it’s important to take a look at the fees, interest rates and repayment requirements. These are the main things to be aware of for the American Express Explorer card.²

Note that cash advances aren’t offered with this credit card.

Spending Internationally with AMEX Explorer Card

If the AMEX Explorer Credit Card is used to spend in a foreign currency, the purchase cost will be converted to AUD.

• Amounts in USD are converted to AUD, then charged to the account
• Amounts in other currencies are converted to USD, then AUD, then charged to the account

While they don’t share exactly how they determine their rates, American Express does state that it’s based on interbank rates from customary industry sources, unless the rate is specified by law. It’s applied based on when they process the transaction, rather than the day you make the purchase.

Aside from the exchange rate, there is also a foreign currency transaction fee to be aware of. For each purchase in a foreign currency, American Express charges Aussies 3.5% of the Australian dollar amount.

Who can apply for an AMEX Explorer Card

To apply for the AMEX Explorer Credit Card you need to meet these eligibility criteria:

• Aged 18 or older
• Able to access statements online
• Australian citizen, permanent resident or long-term visa holder
• Good credit history

You also need to be able to provide proof of income, information about your income, expenses, and debts, and an Australian Driver’s Licence, if you have one.

Review: Is the AMEX Explorer Card worth it?

The American Express Explorer Credit Card can offer value to Australians who travel regularly, and spend enough by credit card to take advantage of its rewards and perks. Features like the annual $400 travel credit, airport lounge passes, complimentary travel insurance, and Membership Rewards Points can help offset the annual fee, depending on your spending habits.

That said, there are some downsides to keep in mind. The 395 AUD annual fee is relatively high, and the 3.5% foreign transaction fee can make overseas spending more expensive. It’s also worth considering that not all businesses accept American Express.

If you travel abroad and value simplicity and low-cost transactions over rewards and travel benefits, then a travel debit card may be better. The Wise card offers spending in 40+ currencies at the mid-market exchange rate, with no foreign transaction fees, annual fees or interest rates to worry about.

Bring along the Wise card to save on foreign transaction fees

While the AMEX Explorer card can be useful for travel credit and free lounge access, spending overseas often comes with high foreign transaction fees and poor exchange rates. The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 4x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up AUD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in AUD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

🚀 Get your Wise card

Date: 7 May 2026