American Express is a major card issuer in Australia and a popular choice for point hackers. Many choose Amex in search of a high sign-up bonus, great ongoing offers, high points earn or premium customer service. The trade-off? Amex charges higher fees to merchants, so acceptance isn’t as wide as with Visa and Mastercard. However, acceptance has improved greatly in recent years.
Most major retailers and a good selection of smaller independent shops do accept American Express cards. Many readers will also hold an Amex Card in conjunction with a (separate, unrelated) points-earning Visa or Mastercard to ensure no purchases get missed.
Our table below shows many of the highest-earning American Express cards on offer, including the direct-earn rate for Qantas and Velocity Cards, compared to the effective earn rate of the Membership Rewards cards.
1.25 Qantas Points on general spend*
2 Qantas Points with Qantas
0.5 Qantas Points per $1 on utilities, insurance and government spend * 0.75/$1 after earning 500,000 Qantas Points per calendar year
1.25 Qantas Points on general spend including utilities and insurance*
2.25 Qantas Points with Qantas
0.5 Qantas Points per $1 on government spend * 1/$1 after earning 100,000 Qantas Points per calendar year
1.125 Qantas Points on all eligible spend, and
0.5 Qantas Points on spend at government bodies (Effective earn rate when transferred
from MR Ascent Premium points)
1.125 Qantas Points on all eligible spend, and
0.5 Qantas Points on spend at government bodies (Effective earn rate when transferred
from MR Ascent Premium Points)
1 Velocity Point on general spend*
1.75 Velocity Points with Virgin Australia
0.5 Velocity Points on spend at government bodies * 0.75/$1 after earning 12,000 Velocity Points per calendar year
3 Amex MR Points at Xero, Google Ads, Meta, Amazon Web Services and Dell
2 points per $1 spent with AccessLine
1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday spend, plus 1 point per $1 spent with government bodies, including the ATO
Accelerated earn rates apply on the first 200,000 points earned per calendar year, then you will earn 1 point per $1 spend across all categories.
1 Amex MR Point on eligible spend including utilities and ATO
2 Amex MR Points on foreign currency spend (overseas and online)
3 Amex MR Points at supermarkets and petrol stations
For all the cards and offers listed on this page, we’ve focused on two things:
‘Direct earn rates’ of cards that earn only Qantas or Velocity Points on eligible spend, or
‘Effective earn rates’ of cards that earn points into the flexible Membership Rewards program, but later allow transfers to other frequent flyer programs at varying rates.
The ‘effective earn rate’ is an important number that’s learned by crunching the numbers and evaluating both the card’s native earning rate, and the transfer rate from that program to the desired airline program. For example, the Amex Platinum Card earns 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent. But when converting these into Qantas Points at the program’s 2:1 rate, this makes its ‘effective earn rate’ 1.125 Qantas Points per $1 spent.
What else might be considered with an American Express credit card?
In addition to a card’s usual earn rates, prospective new customers might also consider:
Unique benefits offered, such as shopping perks, complimentary insurance, travel credits or free return domestic flights.
Acceptance of American Express at the businesses the customer is most likely to shop with, and if any surcharges apply.
Card annual fees and overall T&Cs.
Google and Apple Pay capabilities, which are becoming increasingly useful.
A large signup bonus from American Express could be rewarding enough to help offset a lower earn rate or a higher annual fee on a card, but that’s an individual decision.
What are the Membership Rewards partners?
American Express Membership Rewards is a flexible points program with many frequent flyer and hotel program partners. In most cases, the transfer rate is two MR points for one frequent flyer point or mile – except where we’ve shown a different rate below. The airline transfer programs are:
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (now a 3:1 conversion rate)
Thai Royal Orchid Plus
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Points transfers from Amex MR to Qantas Frequent Flyer are only possible for members at the Ascent Premium tier of Membership Rewards. This is usually only available for Card Members with Amex’s most premium products. For instance, the Platinum Card, Platinum Business Card and Centurion Card.
Points conversions are often 2:1 from Membership Rewards, but different rates apply for some partners.
Earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent on Qantas products and services, 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday business purchases, and 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent on government charges.^. After a total of 500,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday business earn rate will change from 1.25 to 0.75 Qantas Points per $1 spent.^
Annual Fee:
$450 p.a. and up to 99 Employee Cards at no additional cost
Offer expires
13 January 2026
Earn 130,000 bonus Qantas Points when you are approved and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 2 months. T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only. Ends 13 January 2026. Earn up to 2 Qantas Points per $1 on eligible business purchases, plus access to two Qantas lounge passes and complimentary international travel insurance. The annual fee is $450.
1.25 Qantas Points earned per $1 on eligible everyday purchases. 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on selected Qantas products and services in Australia. 0.5 Qantas Point per $1 at government bodies in Australia. After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent.
Annual Fee:
$450 p.a.
Offer expires
13 January 2026
Earn 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months, plus an additional 20,000 Qantas Points when you spend a minimum of $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card Fee¹. (Offer ends 13 January 2026. New Amex Card Members only. T&Cs apply.) This card includes an annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit, two Qantas lounge passes, complimentary international travel insurance, and Qantas Wine Premium Membership (valued at $99). Earn 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 on everyday spend, 2.25 on Qantas purchases, and 0.5 on government payments. The annual fee is $450.
Qantas American Express Premium
Offer Currently Not Available
Sign-up Bonus:
20,000 bonus Qantas Points
Rewards Earn Rate:
1 Qantas Point earned per $1 spent on eligible purchases. 1 additional Qantas Point per $1 on selected Qantas products and services in Australia. 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies in Australia
Annual Fee:
$249 p.a. annual fee
The Qantas American Express Premium Card has 20,000 bonus Qantas Points on offer for new American Express Card Members who apply online, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months of approval date. The card comes with 2 Qantas Club invitations each Card Member year and earns up to 2 Qantas Points per $ on eligible purchases.
Qantas American Express Discovery
Offer Currently Not Available
Rewards Earn Rate:
0.75 Qantas Points per $1 spent on eligible purchases. 1 additional Qantas Point per $1 spent on selected Qantas products and services in Australia. 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies in Australia. No cap on earn rate
Annual Fee:
$0 p.a.
The Qantas American Express Discovery is a great value entry-level Qantas card, with $0 Annual Fee, and offers an earn rate of up to 1.75 Qantas Points per $1 on spend.
1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies˜. 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases˜. 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend˜
Annual Fee:
$440 p.a.
The American Express Velocity Platinum Card has 60,000 bonus Velocity Points* on offer for new American Express Card Members who apply, are approved and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of approval. Includes several perks such as Virgin Australia Lounge Access^ every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia, 2 VA Guest Lounge Passes⁼ each year and a Complimentary Domestic Return Virgin Australia Flightˢ. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply. New American Express Card Members Only.
1 Velocity Point per $1 spent on eligible everyday business purchases and 2 Velocity Points per $1 spent with Virgin Australia
Annual Fee:
$249 p.a. and $99 per Employee Card up to 99 cards
Offer expires
13 January 2026
Earn 120,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply by 13 January 2026, are approved and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card within the first 2 months of approval*. (T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.) Access a line of unsecured funding with flexible spending power^, and enjoy two complimentary Virgin lounge passes and complimentary travel insurance. Earn up to 2 Velocity Points per dollar on purchases within Australia. The annual fee is $249 and $99 per Employee Card.
1.75 Velocity Points per $1 spent on eligible Virgin Australia purchases³. 1 Velocity Point per $1 on eligible everyday purchases³. 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on government bodies in Australia, including Australia Post and the Australian Tax Office³. After a total of 12,000 Velocity Points is earned on your Velocity Escape Plus Card Account in a calendar year, your everyday earn rate will change from 1 to 0.75 Velocity Points per $1 spent on everyday purchases
Annual Fee:
$95 p.a.
Offer expires
4 August 2026
The American Express Velocity Escape Plus Card has 30,000 Velocity Points welcome bonus¹ on offer for new American Express Card Members who apply by 4 August 2026, are approved and spend $3,000 or more on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from approval. The Card is aimed at budget-conscious points-hunters and earns Velocity Points on eligible spend with a $95 Annual Fee.
Earn 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 on all eligible business purchases, except for spend with government bodies, for which you will earn 1 point per $1 spent
Annual Fee:
$1,750 p.a
Offer expires
13 January 2026
Earn 300,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points* when you apply by 13 January 2026, are approved and spend $12,000 on eligible purchases on your American Express Platinum Business Card in the first 3 months of approval. The Card is aimed at small and medium-size businesses who want to maximise their points earned, as well as business and travel benefits. T&Cs apply. Available for new American Express Card Members only.
Earn 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 on all eligible purchases, except for spend with government bodies, for which you will earn 1 point per $1 spent
Annual Fee:
$1,450 p.a.
Offer expires
13 January 2026
Enjoy 150,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points¹ when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. (Offer available to new American Express Card Members only. Offer ends 13 January 2026. T&Cs apply.) Unlock premium perks including unlimited airport lounge access, international travel insurance, Amex Hotels and Resorts benefits, up to $400 in Global Dining Credit¹⁰, and a $450 Travel Credit⁵ each year. Earn up to 2.25 Membership Rewards Points per $1 on eligible spend. The annual fee is $1,450.
American Express Business Explorer
Offer Currently Not Available
Sign-up Bonus:
50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points
Rewards Earn Rate:
Earn 2 Membership Rewards Points per $1 spent on eligible business purchases except government bodies where you will earn 1 point per $1 spent
Annual Fee:
$149 p.a.
American Express is offering 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points for new American Express Card Members who apply for the Business Explorer Credit Card and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval. Benefits of this card include complimentary American Express lounge access plus a range of insurances and high points earn rates on spend.
Earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 on all purchases except government bodies where you will earn 1 point per $1 spent⁶
Annual Fee:
$395 p.a.
Offer expires
3 February 2026
Earn 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points¹ when you apply by 3 February 2026, are approved and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Explorer® Credit Card within the first 3 months (T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only). Enjoy a $400 Annual Travel Credit², complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounges³ in Sydney and Melbourne, Card, Smartphone and International Travel Insurance⁴, for a $395 p.a. annual fee.
Earn 3 points per $1 spent at Xero, Google Ads, Meta, Amazon Web Services and Dell⁵. Earn 2 points per $1 spent with AccessLine®. Subject to approval. Enrolment required⁵. Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on everyday spend, plus 1 point per $1 spent with government bodies, including the ATO⁵. Accelerated earn rates apply on the first 200,000 points earned per calendar year, then you will earn 1 point per $1 spend across all categories, uncapped and with no expiry¹¹
Annual Fee:
$395 p.a.
Offer expires
10 February 2026
The American Express Business Gold Plus Card has 100,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points¹ on offer to new Amex Card Members who apply by 10 February 2026, are approved and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months of the approval date. It is a Metal Card that is feature-packed for those who want to earn Membership Rewards points on business-related spend. New American Express Card Members Only. T&Cs apply.
American Express Platinum Edge
Offer Currently Not Available
Rewards Earn Rate:
3 Membership Rewards points earned per $1 spent at major supermarkets and petrol stations. 2 Membership Rewards points earned per $1 on overseas spend. 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 spent everywhere else including ATO, other government charges and utilities
Annual Fee:
$0 in the first year, $195 p.a.
The American Express Platinum Edge Card is offering $0 annual Card Fee (usually $195) in the first year for new Card Members. The card comes with a $200 travel credit each year it is renewed, Smartphone Screen Cover and earns 3 points per $1 at major supermarkets and petrol stations, and 2 points per $1 on overseas spend.
5 points per $1 spent on eligible eats & drinks purchases in Australia, 3 points per $1 spent on selected streaming subscriptions in Australia, 2 points per $1 spent at selected major retailers in Australia and 1 point per $1 spent on everything else including government spend
Annual Fee:
$9 per month
Offer expires
27 January 2026
Earn 40,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points* when you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of the approval date. (Offer ends 27 January 2026. T&Cs apply. New Amex Card Members only.) The Card earns up to 5 points per $1 spent for the first 10,000 points per month and has a range of insurance options for consumers (Mobile, Card Purchase, Card Refund, Buyer's Advantage), all for $9 per month. Use Membership Rewards Points for gift cards, to cover charges, or transfer to 10+ airline partners for maximum value. Monthly fee is $9.
Summing up
American Express offers a wide variety of rewards-earning credit cards and charge cards. This guide outlines many of those options, including Amex cards with the highest points-earning potential. While some will prefer to automatically earn points directly into their frequent flyer account through co-brand products, others will value the flexibility that Amex Membership Rewards provides.
American Express cards can be rewarding, but it’s fair to remind that Amex acceptance is never universal. Acceptance can also vary significantly from one country to the next. That’s why some frequent flyers opt to pair their American Express card with a points-earning Visa or Mastercard to scoop up points on every eligible transaction. Their strategy, being, to use that alternative card to earn rewards even where Amex isn’t accepted.
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