Why you should be using ALL Accor + Explorer

In this episode of the Point Hacks Podcast, Brandon and I unpack one of our personal favourite hotel loyalty programs – ALL Accor+ Explorer. Live from an actual Accor hotel room.

This hotel loyalty program can unlock upgrades, free nights, dining discounts and even bonus Qantas Points when used correctly. If you’re willing to cough up the $349/year joining fee.

The good news? With the right strategy, you can easily earn back the cost of membership and then some. From double-dipping Qantas Points to scoring genuine suite upgrades and leveraging the two “buy one, get one” free-night credits, this is one of the rare programs where smart planning turns into real, tangible travel perks.

Key Takeaways

All Accor+ Explorer can offer outsized value if you’re smart about how you spend your two buy one get one free credits.

So that’s where the gamification comes in, because this credit is valid across pretty much, the whole range of hotels in Asia-Pacific, from budget all the way to luxe. So if you can use it for a luxe hotel, then that’s when the true benefit starts to shine.

Paying for ALL Accor+ Explorer won’t be for every kind of traveller, however.

If you’re a semi-regular business traveler and you use the perks and actually plan to use them throughout the year and you do normally stay at local properties, then it can be really good value.

But if you’re a more casual traveler or if you prefer the old system where you had just one free night with no other restrictions, then this might not be for you.

Finally, Brandon emphasises the value of joining other free hotel loyalty programs whenever you can.

If a hotel loyalty program is free to sign up, I would advise just to do it. Because even for the base level memberships, you can often get some upgraded perks including member rates, faster Wi-Fi or extra bottles of water in the room.

Further reading and helpful links

Read Brandon’s guide to ALL Accor+

Read Brandon’s guide to the free Accor Live Limitless hotel loyalty program

We also covered two listener questions at the start of the episode including how to avoid paying the Qantas Frequent Flyer sign-up fee and how to find the best birthday freebies in Australia.

At the time of publication All Accor+ Explorer comes complimentary with the American Express Platinum Card. Click the link below to learn more.

American Express Platinum Card

Find Out More & Apply

Read the guide

Sign-up Bonus:

200,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points¹

Rewards Earn Rate:

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

25 August 2026

Enjoy 200,000 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 25 August 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.

Where to Watch & Listen

For the full experience, including additional tips and footage from our adventures, you can watch Point Hacks on our YouTube channel. We also publish our key takeaways on Instagram and TikTok.

Prefer to listen? The Point Hacks Podcast is available on your favourite podcasting app including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Podbean, iHeartRadio, and good old fashion RSS.