Defending champ American Express takes out title of Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Provider of the Year

Credit card giant American Express went into the ring at the 2018 Mozo Experts Choice Awards as defending champion and has come out victorious, holding onto its title of Credit Card Provider of the Year for the second time running.

Amex took out 13 awards across 9 different credit card award categories, including for both Velocity and Qantas Frequent Flyer cards, Premium Rewards cards and Low Rate cards.

“American Express really swept the pool this year, taking home almost twice as many Awards as the next most successful winner, “ said Mozo Data Manager Peter Marshall.

For many American Express customers, the chance to earn a stack of rewards points and cash in on other perks like a concierge service, are on top of the benefits list. And for good reason - 10 of the 13 Mozo Experts Choice Awards Amex won were in Rewards or Frequent Flyer categories this year.

These categories were based on an assessment of rewards net value, which is calculated by determining how many points a spender could earn on the card in a year, given a certain spending limit, then working out the retail value of the rewards these points could be redeemed for, minus any annual fee.

“With many different earn rates and redemption programs out there, looking at the ‘net value’ of rewards cards is a really handy way to make sure you’re comparing your options on an even footing,” Marshall explained.

American Express has a leg up when it comes to rewards, thanks to falling under different interchange regulation to Mastercard and Visa. The flip side, is that American Express cards have a reputation for lower acceptance and higher merchant surcharges. But according to Marshall, these drawbacks weren’t enough to keep it from claiming the top spot again.

“We did take note that Amex cards are not everyone’s cup of tea, but the breadth of offerings, and the fact that American Express cards were high performers in so many key categories meant that it was the clear choice for Credit Card Provider of the Year. Again,” he said.

Want to add an award-winning American Express card to your wallet? Check out a selection of the winners below, or head over to the Mozo Experts Choice Awards page for the full list of winners.

American Express - Explorer® Credit Card
  • 100,000 bonus points when you apply online and spend $1,500 within 3 months
  • $400 travel credit each year
  • 2 rewards points for every $1 spent, uncapped

The American Express Explorer is a double winner this year, in both the Premium Rewards Credit Card and Velocity Frequent Flyer Premium Credit Card categories. Great for spending at home and on your worldwide adventures, this card comes with access to the American Express Lounge at Sydney Airport twice a year, complimentary international travel insurance, extended warranty, purchase protection and smartphone screen insurance for up to $500. And for tech savvy spenders, it can be used with Google Pay, Samsung Pay and Apple Pay.

American Express - Velocity Platinum Card
  • 50,000 bonus Velocity points when you apply online and spend $3,000 on your new card within the first 3 months
  • Free Virgin Australia return domestic flight annually after first spend
  • 100 Velocity Frequent Flyer Status Credits, when you spend $50,000 in the first year

With up to 2.5 Velocity Points per $1 spent with Virgin Australia, it’s hard to go past the American Express Velocity Platinum Card if you prefer to fly Virgin. Picking up a win in the Velocity Frequent Flyer Premium Credit Card category, this card is packed full of travel perks, including free international travel insurance, two passes each year to selected Virgin Australia lounges and two lounge passes to American Express lounges in Australia annually. Plus, you’ll also have access to 24/7 Platinum Priority Service, refund protection and purchase protection.

American Express - Qantas Ultimate Card
  • 55,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online and spend $3,000 within 3 months
  • $450 Qantas travel credit each year
  • Up to 2.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent with Qantas

With a win in the Qantas Frequent Flyer Premium Credit Card, Aussie travellers can rest assured they’ll be flying in style with the American Express Qantas Ultimate Card in their arsenal. This card funnels some serious points earning power straight into your Qantas Frequent Flyer account, plus it comes with a bunch of premium perks like two free Qantas Club and American Express Lounge invitations each year, a complimentary Qantas Wine Premium Membership and free international travel insurance.

American Express - Essential Credit Card
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1 point per $1 spent, uncapped
  • Redeem points for gift cards, retail products or with 8 airline partners
Find out more

Want a tonne of rewards value without the steep price tag of some premium rewards options? The American Express Essentials card took home Awards in the Rewards Credit Card and Velocity Frequent Flyer Credit Card categories, offers uncapped points earning potential and comes with no annual fee at all. It also comes with a few key perks like extended warranty and purchase protection, plus smartphone screen insurance for up to $500. It also comes with a 0% balance transfer offer for 12 months (3% establishment fee).

^See information about the Mozo Experts Choice Credit Card Awards

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