Essential® Rewards Credit Card card image
Mini meca 2023

American Express Essential® Rewards Credit Card

Advertiser disclosure
Purchase rate
23.99% p.a.
Balance transfer rate
No current offer
Annual fees
$108
Interest free days on purchases
55
Go to site

Mozo editorial review American Express Essential® Rewards Credit Card - last updated: 30 May 2024

binocular icon
What's hot
  • Earn up to 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards points (up to 5 points per $1 spent, T&Cs apply)
  • Use your points for almost anything
  • Enjoy exclusive offers with American Express
  • Complimentary insurances
  • Up to 5 points per $1 spent
What's not
  • 23.99% p.a. purchase rate
  • $9 monthly fee
Mozo snapshot

First up, the Amex Essential Rewards Credit Card has an enticing 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards point offer when you apply online by 23 July 2024, are approved and spend $1,000 or more on eligible purchases on the new card in each 30 day period for the first 120 days (T&Cs apply). For every dollar spent you’ll accrue points and there are bonus points available on the first 10k points per month.

You can use your points on almost anything – Gift Cards with leading retailers, transfer your points to 11 airline partner programs, pay for eligible charges on your account, plus shopping at Myer.

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Key features

With the American Express Essential Rewards Card you’ll have the opportunity to earn accelerated points on your spending up to 10k points per month. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with the bonus partners as you will get 5 points for every dollar you spend on eats and drinks at eligible restaurants and food delivery, 3 points on selected streaming services, 2 points at selected retailers and 1 point everywhere else.

You can also enjoy discounts of up to 15% credit back by shopping through the MyAmexShop and your card will also get you access to Amex presale tickets at major music events and lounge access at select venues.

There are some insurance benefits as well including screen repair coverage on your mobile (10% excess applies) for up to $500 for two events per year. Other card protection benefits include Card Purchase Cover for purchases accidentally damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, Card Refund Cover that can help you if you’re having trouble getting a refund for an eligible item purchased, and Buyers Advantage cover which gives you an extended manufacturer’s warranty of up to 12 months. Exclusions, limits and excess apply so be sure to read the T&Cs to understand the details of your shopping coverage.

If you make purchases over $150 there is an option to split payments into equal monthly instalments with the Plan It feature, with 0% interest and a set monthly fee.

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Who is it good for

If you’re in the situation to pay off your balance in full each month, the American Express Essential Rewards Card could be a handy way for you to earn points on your everyday spending and cash in on rewards.

There is an option to have up to 4 additional cards on the account so if you want to earn rewards faster you and your family member’s spending will go towards pooling points.

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Any catches

The purchase rate on the card is 23.99% p.a. so you’ll want to make sure that you can comfortably pay off your card in full each month or consider using the Plan It feature. There is also a $9 monthly fee on this card so be sure that you are getting the full benefits of the rewards offers and card benefits to justify this cost.

Rewards program details

Rates and fees information correct as at 28 June 2024. Mozo has robust processes to ensure our site is updated to reflect the latest information from providers. There may be the odd occasion where updates are delayed, so please confirm information before purchasing.

What your points get you
Fly Sydney to London return

239,200 points

Fly Sydney to Melbourne one-way

15,600 points

$100 Giftcard

20,000 points

$100 Cash

20,000 points

Points earning

1 point per dollar on Amex, uncapped

Rewards scheme

Transfer points to a range of Airline Partner Programs or redeem your points for travel, Gift Cards, retail rewards and shopping Gift Cards.

Airline Partner Programs you can transfer your points to for flights include Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Air New Zealand, Emirates, Virgin, Malaysia Airlines and other partners.

Earn up to 5 points per $1 spent on eligible eat and drinks purchases, up to 3 points per $1 spent on selected streaming subscriptions, up to 2 points per $1 spent at selected major retailers.

Special offers

Receive up to 80,000 bonus Membership Rewards points, in your first 120 days when you apply by 23 July 2024 and are approved. Earn 20,000 Membership Rewards points for each 30 day period in which you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases on your Card for the first 120 days. T&Cs apply. New Card Members only.

Value of rewards points

Spend $20,000 (Amex)

Spend $20,000 (Amex)

Spend $15,600 (Amex)

Spend $239,200 (Amex)

Uncapped

Never

How do we calculate these points?

Rate and fee details

Rates

23.99% p.a.

none

No current offer

no

none

55

Fees

$108.00

none

none

none

$30.00

not available

3.00%

$10.00

$7.00

$0.00

Features

$30.00

2.5

up to 4

$9 monthly card fee is shown as $108 annual fee.

Payment options

Apple Pay, Google Wallet, Samsung Pay

Rewards privileges

Extended Warranty,
Account alerts by SMS

Other benefits

Cover for smartphone screen repairs up to $500 each year when you pay for your phone outright or monthly bill with American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card, conditions apply.

Customer Reviews

How are American Express credit cards rated by the Mozo community?

Overall
6.6/10
Price
5.5/10
Features
6.8/10
Customer service
6.7/10
Convenience
5.8/10
Trust
6.9/10
Based on 926 American Express credit card reviews as rated by the Mozo customers. More about the Mozo Customer Ratings.
Mozo recommends that ratings are only one factor to be taken into account when deciding whether to take up any financial product offer.

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