Credit Cards & Charge Cards
Choose the American Express® Card that’s right for you
Whether you’re after a low-fee Credit Card, a Card that rewards you with loyalty points, or a Business Card designed around travel and frequent flyer points, American Express has options tailored to suit your needs.
A Credit Card provides a convenient line of credit that allows you to pay the balance back later. It allows you to pay for goods and services without using cash and could also be a practical way to borrow money and help manage cash flow in the short term.
To repay the money, you can pay the outstanding amount in full each month or pay the minimum amount due and carry the balance forward. You will pay interest on any outstanding amount. Like all debts, you’ll need to repay at least the minimum amount due each month to avoid late payment fees and prevent a negative mark on your credit score but be aware that interest will be applied to any balance outstanding.
A key difference is that a Charge Card is designed to be repaid in full each month. Also, a Charge Card has no pre-set spending limit1. This means that the amount you can spend is dynamic and can adapt based on your transaction patterns, your business credit rating and other factors.
Some Business Cards have features that enable flexible repayments, such as Flexible Payment Option2.
With a Credit Card, at the end of each month, you can choose to pay off your balance in full, or make payments over time. There is a minimum amount that needs to be paid and not paying your whole balance in full will incur interest charges.
American Express Business Cards are specially tailored to the unique needs of business owners and feature many benefits that can help your business grow. This includes access to handy money management tools, cash flow solutions, and business insights. With a Business Card, you can earn rewards points on business spend3, and eligible Cards can allow you to access a range of exclusive travel benefits. American Express offers both Credit Cards and Charge Cards to meet varying customer needs and business sizes.
Find the Card that meets your needs
You can find and apply for a Credit or Charge Card with benefits that revolve around you.
Valuable Rewards Cards
Rewards that actually reward. You can earn Membership Rewards® points for every $1 purchase charged to your Card3. Then redeem your points your way, from travel, to entertainment, Gift Cards or online shopping. You can also choose to pay off eligible purchases using your Membership Rewards® points4.
Earn Card Rewards points
Click below to learn more about Rewards Cards.
Explore Rewards Credit Cards and Charge Cards
No Annual Fee Credit Cards
With access to Card Member only benefits such as American Express Experiences, a no annual fee Card provides both convenience and value.
Explore No Annual Fee Credit Cards
Travel Cards
Earn Frequent Flyer points on your everyday Card spend and enjoy additional travel benefits like airport lounge access, 24/7 global Card support, and complimentary travel insurance7.
Terms, conditions and exclusions apply (such as maximum age-limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits).
Explore Travel Credit Cards and Charge Cards
Business Cards
American Express offers Business Credit Cards and Charge Cards for small businesses with turnover of up to $10 million. They provide valuable cash flow benefits, features to support growth, and rewards on all eligible Card spend.
Explore Business Credit Cards and Charge Cards
How do Credit and Charge Cards work?
Understanding how Credit and Charge Cards work is the first step towards financial health.
This Card guide provides information to help you make informed decisions and use them wisely.
Credit and Charge Cards benefits and considerations
A Credit Card or Charge Card is a convenient way to make payment and pay for purchases worldwide without the need for cash. Keeping on top of your Account is key to making the most of your Card’s benefits. Spending more than you have, missing payments and neglecting your Account could result in disadvantages-like paying additional fees and the possibility of getting into debt.
Do Credit Cards and Charge Cards come with fees?
Credit Card and Charge Card fees are charges that accompany the decision to get a Card. An annual Card fee is one of the types of fees applicable.
Credit and Charge Cards benefits and considerations
A Credit Card or Charge Card is a convenient way to make payment and pay for purchases worldwide without the need for cash. Keeping on top of your Account is key to making the most of your Card’s benefits. Spending more than you have, missing payments and neglecting your Account could result in disadvantages-like paying additional fees and the possibility of getting into debt.
Do Credit Cards and Charge Cards come with fees?
Credit Card and Charge Card fees are charges that accompany the decision to get a Card. An annual Card fee is one of the types of fees applicable.
What is a surcharge?
A surcharge is an additional cost that is applied to a Card transaction by the merchant provider.
What are Credit Card limits?
A Credit Card limit is the maximum amount of credit you can use on your Card.
How does Credit Card interest work?
Interest is the amount you are charged for the money you have borrowed if you don’t pay the full closing balance by the statement due date.
What is a surcharge?
A surcharge is an additional cost that is applied to a Card transaction by the merchant provider.
What are Credit Card limits?
A Credit Card limit is the maximum amount of credit you can use on your Card.
How does Credit Card interest work?
Interest is the amount you are charged for the money you have borrowed if you don’t pay the full closing balance by the statement due date.
Life with Amex
From money-saving ideas to travel inspiration, daily life tips and business insights, get inspired to do great things and make your life more rewarding.
A Credit or Charge Card can help you increase your spending power by giving you access to money that you can pay back over time. Many Cards offer rewards on purchases that you can redeem for a wide range of business or personal rewards, such as gift cards5 from some of Australia’s most popular retailers, travel bookings, merchandise, statement credits, and more.
You can transfer your points6 to one of the many airline or hotel partners of American Express, such as Qantas, Virgin Australia, Hilton, Marriott, and more.
You can also use points to cover almost anything you’ve bought on your Card4.
Some Cards offer insurance, for example domestic and international Travel Insurance7. A well-managed Credit Card account can also help you build your credit history.
Interest charges apply if you don’t pay the closing balance in full each month.
Activating your new Card? Reporting a lost or stolen Card? Ready to redeem your rewards points? Need to learn about Plan It®? For all Card and Account queries, log in to your account to find out more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Charge Card Spending Limit. No pre-set spending limit does not mean unlimited spending. Your purchases are approved based on a variety of factors, including current spending patterns, your payment history, credit records, and financial information known to us.
- Flexible Payment Option. With Flexible Payment Option, you will be charged interest if you do not pay your Closing Balance in full by the due date each month. Please refer to your monthly statements for the current interest rate and PDS for number of interest free days. Please refer to the full Flexible Payment Option Terms and Conditions.
- Membership Rewards Program. Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards program available here. Merchants classified as "government" include the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post), Federal/State and Local Government bodies. Industry specific earn rate may apply when you use a payment account, payment aggregator, services of a third party or online retailers that sell goods for another merchant. For example a payment made to Local Government bodies processed through a payment aggregator may earn rates at the government earn rate. There may be tax implications associated with participation in the Membership Rewards program. You are advised to check with your accountant or tax adviser for further information.
- Cover Charges with Points. For each successful transaction with cover charges with points, points will be debited from your Membership Rewards account and a credit placed on your Card. A minimum of 1,000 Membership Rewards points is required to cover any eligible transaction with points. Account cannot be in credit when using cover charges with points. A credit will appear on your statement identified as “Membership Rewards Credit”. Points will be debited immediately and the credit will take up to 2-4 business days. to appear online. Credits processed after the Card account’s statement closing date will appear in the following statement. You are still responsible for payment of the amount due on your Card account by the due date. Any charges covered by points is not redeemable for cash via Credit balance refund. American Express will select and display each eligible charge that can be covered with points (“Eligible Charge”) and the points rate required to cover the Eligible Charge. Each Eligible Charge must: (a) appear within the Online Statement of the Summary of Accounts page; (b) be redeemed within 2 months of the charge appearing on your Card account; (c) not currently or have previously been disputed; and (d) not be a fee. View full terms and conditions here.
- Gift Card or voucher rewards are not redeemable or exchangeable for cash or credit and are valid for a period of minimum 1 year from the date of issue, unless otherwise stated. We are not responsible if any Gift Card is lost, stolen, or destroyed, or the Gift Card is used without your permission. Membership Reward terms and conditions apply. Normal retailer gift card or voucher conditions apply, refer to the gift card or retailer website for details.
- Points transfer. To transfer Membership Rewards points into an Airline or Hotel Partner Program you must be a member of the Partner Program. Membership of the Partner program is the Card Member’s responsibility and is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the applicable Program. A joining fee may apply. Platinum Travel Service. All fees or amounts payable in relation to the services are inclusive of GST where applicable. All fees, taxes and charges levied by the travel providers and/or air travel suppliers still apply and these are subject to change without notice until such time as tickets are issued. Domestic ticketing includes New Zealand.
- The insurance on American Express Cards is subject to terms, conditions and exclusions (such as maximum age limits, pre-existing medical conditions and cover limits). You must use your American Express Card to pay for your trip in order to be covered under the travel insurance and pay for eligible items for those items to be covered under the retail insurance benefits. It is important you read the American Express Card Insurance Terms and Conditions and consider whether the insurance is right for you. We do not provide advice about the insurance or whether it is appropriate for your objectives, financial situation or needs. This insurance is underwritten by Chubb Insurance Australia Limited (ABN 23 001 642 020, AFSL No. 239687) under a group policy of insurance held by American Express Australia Limited (ABN 92 108 952 085, AFSL No. 291313). Access to this insurance is provided solely by reason of the statutory operation of section 48 of the Insurance Contracts Act 1984 (Cth). Card Members are not a party to the group policy, do not have an agreement with Chubb and cannot vary or cancel the cover. American Express is not the insurer, does not guarantee or hold the rights under the group policy on trust for Card Members and does not act on behalf of Chubb or as its agent. American Express is not an Authorised Representative (under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth)) of Chubb.