If you’re looking for a payment tool that goes beyond the simple, you’ll love what the American Express Essential Rewards credit card offers.
With its attractive rewards system, you can rack up points for every dollar spent and use them on everyday purchases or travel.
In short, this credit card provides extra protection for your purchases and travel perks to help you save!
Wondering how this works? You can transfer your points to frequent flyer programs of major airlines like Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines.
Curious to know more about the benefits of the American Express Essential® Rewards and find out if it’s the right card for you? Let’s dive into its features and how you can make the most of it!
What to expect from the American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card:
- Great points-earning rate on all purchases
- Bonus for new customers: Earn 20,000 Membership Rewards points for every 30-day period in which you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases within the first 120 days (Limited-time offer).
- MyAmexShop: Get up to 15% cashback on purchases made via the platform.
- Plan It: Payment plans for eligible purchases with equal monthly instalments, no interest, and a fixed monthly fee.
- Up to 4 additional cards at no extra cost.
- Mobile phone cover: Get up to $500 reimbursed for screen repair costs for two incidents per year (terms and conditions apply, including a waiting period and a 10% excess fee).
- Amex Experiences: Access to pre-sale tickets, exclusive events, and perks like complimentary drink vouchers, special concessions offers such as 10% off food and drinks, and more.
- Global support: Wherever you are, you can rest easy knowing you have 24/7 assistance for emergencies like lost or stolen cards, even while overseas.
- Complimentary covers
How points accumulation works:
Every purchase you make, whether at the supermarket, clothing stores, or even for your streaming subscriptions, will earn you points.
But pay attention, as different categories offer different points rates:
5️⃣ Points per $1 spent on dining at restaurants, cafes, bars, and food delivery services like Uber Eats and Menulog.
3️⃣ Points per $1 spent on selected streaming subscriptions.
1️⃣ Point per $1 spent at major retail partners like Amazon, Meyer, and other top Australian brands.
1️⃣ Point per $1 on all other purchases.
⚠️ After you accumulate 10,000 points, the rate reverts to 1 point per dollar spent across all categories.
How to redeem your American Express Essential Rewards points:
The fun part is deciding what to do with your points balance!
The best part is you’re not stuck with limited options; there’s a wide range of rewards to choose from:
🎁 Gift cards for various partner stores.
💲 Use points to pay off eligible charges with the Select + Pay with Points program.
🛍️ Shop online at Myer.
✈️ Transfer points to 11 airline partners, including popular options like Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines.
Included protections:
Purchase protection
If you buy something with your American Express Essential Rewards Card and it gets stolen or accidentally damaged within 90 days, you could get reimbursed.
Card Refund Cover
If you’re having trouble getting a refund on an item bought with your card, this cover can help you recover the cost of the item, provided it was purchased within 90 days.
Buyer’s Advantage Cover
Get up to 12 months of extended warranty beyond the manufacturer’s standard cover for eligible products.
Key Fees:
- Annual fee: $9 per month ($108 per year).
- Additional cards: No extra fees.
- Interest rate: 23.99% p.a. on purchases.
- Interest-free period: Up to 55 days.
- Foreign currency conversion fee: 3% of the transaction amount.
Is the American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card worth it?
What makes this card particularly appealing is the points you can earn on every purchase, flexible redemption options, and added protections that boost your spending security.
But we can’t overlook the standout feature: its balance between perks and costs.
With just a $9 monthly fee, you get access to a wide array of benefits, which is much lower than most credit cards out there.
In short, if you’re the kind of traveller who loves to collect points and enjoy rewards, the American Express Essential® Rewards card is a fantastic companion for your finances. Don’t wait any longer—this credit card is available to apply for online! Find out what you need to have on hand to sign up now.