Receive 50,000 bonus Membership Rewards points in the American Express Gateway program when you apply for a new American Express Explorer card and spend $3,000 within 3 months.
*Using a referral link, until 14 January 2019, you will receive 100,000 bonus points instead of the standard offer, and will need to spend only $1,500 in three months.**
The bonus points for applications made through a referral link is now 60,000. A $3,000 spend in three months is now required.
To be eligible for the bonus points, you must be a new Amex card member which means that you do not hold another Amex and have not held one in the last 18 months. Bank-issued Amexes do not count for this purpose.
Each MR point in the Gateway program converts to 0.75 points in the Virgin Australia Velocity, Cathay Pacific, Etihad, Emirates or Singapore Airlines Krisflyer programs. For more information on what a point is worth - see this link.
Benefits:
$400 Travel Credit every year to use on flights, hotels, experiences or car hire booked online with American Express Travel. You can use this credit to book travel for anyone you choose.
Earn up to 2 Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases.
Smartphone Screen Insurance for up to $500 for screen repairs to your smartphone when you pay for your phone or contract with your card.
Travel insurance, buyers advantage, purchase protection, and refund protection.
2 entries per year to the American Express Lounge at Sydney International (Kingsford Smith) Airport T1, or at the Melbourne Airport International Terminal.
0% p.a. on balance transfers for the first 12 months — A one-off credit plan establishment fee of 1% applies to any balances transferred.
The $400 travel credit more than offsets the $395 annual fee.
There are some changes coming in April 2019 across this and other Amex cards: (https://www.ausbt.com.au/american-express-overhauls-credit-c…). The most significant change is a decrease in the rate that Membership Rewards points convert to frequent flyer points from 0.75 points per Membership Rewards point to 0.5 points.
$395 annual fee tho