Amex rewards credit card changes start today - will your plastic be affected?
It’s official - American Express have today cut their points earn rate across a number of its rewards credit cards.
Announcing the changes in November last year, the card issuer revealed that it would be decreasing its points earn rate by a quarter of a point on cards linked to the Qantas Frequent Flyer or Velocity Frequent Flyer program, which for Aussie rewards lovers, will mean spending more to redeem points and score freebies.
For instance, the number of points required to redeem a $100 gift card has increased by 48% across the Essentials, Platinum Edge and Explorer Card.
Points needed for a free Sydney to Melbourne flight increased by 50% on both the Explorer and Essentials Card and 100% on the Platinum Edge Card.
“American Express are a household name when it comes to rewards programs and these new changes are set to rub many cardholders the wrong way,” said Mozo Director, Kirsty Lamont.
“But one thing to remember is that despite the changes, our analysis proves that Amex still performs better than the big four in terms of value.”
Average net value across rewards credit cards
*Rewards net value is derived by calculating the number of points earned for an annual domestic spend of $20,000, then calculating how many Syd-Mel one-way flights can be redeemed using these points. The ongoing annual fee was deducted from the value of these flights to arrive at a net rewards value
Other changes American Express have made include simplifying their points tier system, as well as increasing its points earn rate on government spends, which will now see card holders earn $1 point per dollar spent (previously 0.5 points per $1).
But the biggest change Amex customers will benefit from is an improved card acceptance rate.
In the past, paying with an American Express credit card often meant higher surcharges and fewer places where cards were accepted. So to bridge the merchant fee price gap between the card issuer and its competitors, Amex reduced its merchant fees and increased the number of retailers that accepted its cards by 120,000.
“It’s great to see that American Express customers will now have more places than ever to flash their plastic, but it does mean having to say goodbye to previous points earn rates,” said Lamont.
Cards linked to Amex’s rewards point program, like the American Express Explorer Card, Platinum Edge and Essentials Card will keep their points per dollar earn rate.
If you’d like to find more about the changes, check out our detailed guide before heading over to our rewards credit card comparison tool to see how these new rewards changes stack up to others in the market.
Current credit card deals - last updated 29 March 2024
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NAB Low Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Spend with confidence with a low 13.49% p.a. variable purchase rate and 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 28 months (T&Cs apply). 2% balance transfer fee applies. There’s also up to 55 interest free days on purchases to help you manage your budget better when you make minimum repayments. Minimum credit limit $1,000. No annual fee for the first year (usually $59).
Purchase rate
13.49% p.a.Balance transfer rate
0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)Annual fee
$59 $0 in the first yearRewards program
-CompareCompareLow Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer
Spend with confidence with a low 13.49% p.a. variable purchase rate and 0% p.a. interest on balance transfers for the first 28 months (T&Cs apply). 2% balance transfer fee applies. There’s also up to 55 interest free days on purchases to help you manage your budget better when you make minimum repayments. Minimum credit limit $1,000. No annual fee for the first year (usually $59).
- Purchase rate
- 13.49% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
- Annual fee
- $59 $0 in the first year
- Rewards program
- -
- Purchase rate
- 13.49% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- 0% p.a. for 28 months and then 21.74% p.a. (2.00% balance transfer fee)
- Cash advance
- 21.74% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- 0.0
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $59 $0 in the first year
- Late payment fee
- $15.00
- Cash advance fee
- 3%, Min $3
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the NAB Low Rate Card - Balance Transfer Offer
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American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
Enjoy $0 Annual Card Fee (usually $195) in the first year when you apply online and are approved. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only. Offer subject to change without notice.
Purchase rate
23.99% p.a.Balance transfer rate
No current offerAnnual fee
$195 $0 in the first yearRewards program
Membership RewardsCompareComparePlatinum Edge Credit Card
Enjoy $0 Annual Card Fee (usually $195) in the first year when you apply online and are approved. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only. Offer subject to change without notice.
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Annual fee
- $195 $0 in the first year
- Rewards program
- Membership Rewards
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- 0.0
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $195 $0 in the first year
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 2%, min $2.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Platinum Edge Credit Card
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G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card within 90 days. T&Cs apply. Available to new G&C Mutual Bank Card Members only. Earn 10,000 bonus Qantas Points annually. T&Cs apply. Access Platinum Visa Concierge. Add an additional cardholder at no extra cost.
Purchase rate
19.99% p.a.Balance transfer rate
No current offerAnnual fee
$299Rewards program
Qantas Frequent FlyerCompareComparePlatinum Visa Credit Card
Receive 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved, and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases on your new G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card within 90 days. T&Cs apply. Available to new G&C Mutual Bank Card Members only. Earn 10,000 bonus Qantas Points annually. T&Cs apply. Access Platinum Visa Concierge. Add an additional cardholder at no extra cost.
- Purchase rate
- 19.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Annual fee
- $299
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Purchase rate
- 19.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- 21.99% p.a.
- Interest free days on purchases
- 50
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $299
- Late payment fee
- $15.00
- Cash advance fee
- $5
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the G&C Mutual Bank Platinum Visa Credit Card
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Apply By 2 Apr 2024
American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
Receive 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 2 April 2024 , are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
Purchase rate
23.99% p.a.Balance transfer rate
No current offerAnnual fee
$450Rewards program
Qantas Frequent FlyerCompareCompareQantas Ultimate Card
Receive 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 2 April 2024 , are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new Qantas American Express Ultimate Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Annual fee
- $450
- Rewards program
- Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 44
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $450
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 2%, min $2.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Qantas Ultimate Card
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American Express Explorer® Credit Card
Receive 50,000 bonus membership rewards points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months (T&Cs apply). New Card Members only. Complimentary domestic & international Travel Insurance (T&Cs apply). Up to 55 days interest free on purchases. $395 annual fee.
Purchase rate
23.99% p.a.Balance transfer rate
No current offerAnnual fee
$395Rewards program
Membership RewardsCompareCompareExplorer® Credit Card
Receive 50,000 bonus membership rewards points when you apply online, are approved, and spend $4,000 on eligible purchases on your new card within the first 3 months (T&Cs apply). New Card Members only. Complimentary domestic & international Travel Insurance (T&Cs apply). Up to 55 days interest free on purchases. $395 annual fee.
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Annual fee
- $395
- Rewards program
- Membership Rewards
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $395
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 2%, min $2.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Explorer® Credit Card
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Apply By 15 May 2024
American Express Velocity Platinum Card
Earn 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online by 15 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
Purchase rate
23.99% p.a.Balance transfer rate
No current offerAnnual fee
$375Rewards program
Velocity Frequent FlyerCompareCompareVelocity Platinum Card
Earn 100,000 bonus Velocity Points when you apply online by 15 May 2024, are approved, and spend $3,000 on eligible purchases on your new American Express Velocity Platinum Card within the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. Available to new American Express Card Members only.
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Annual fee
- $375
- Rewards program
- Velocity Frequent Flyer
- Purchase rate
- 23.99% p.a.
- Intro purchase rate
- -
- Balance transfer rate
- No current offer
- Cash advance
- -
- Interest free days on purchases
- 55
- Intro fee
- -
- Foreign exchange margin
- 3.00%
- Annual card fee
- $375
- Late payment fee
- $30.00
- Cash advance fee
- 2%, min $2.50
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the American Express Velocity Platinum Card
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