How to Apply for your American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card
Why You Should Apply for the American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card
The American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card is tailored for consumers seeking a wealth of benefits without the burden of high annual fees. It strikes an excellent balance between rewards and perks, making it an appealing choice for those who want value without premium card costs. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or someone who enjoys dining out and shopping, this card offers a wide array of rewards and features designed to enhance your lifestyle.
Earn Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards Points
If you get approved for the American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card, you can earn up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points within your first 120 days. You’ll earn 20,000 points for each 30-day period where you spend $1,000 on eligible purchases. This generous points structure means you can quickly accumulate significant rewards, making it easier to enjoy the benefits of being an American Express cardholder.
Maximize Points on Everyday Spending
The American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card allows you to earn points on everyday purchases, which can quickly add up. Here’s how you can maximize your rewards:
- 5x points on dining at eligible restaurants, cafes, bars, and selected food delivery in Australia per $1 spent. Whether you’re treating yourself to a nice meal out or ordering in from your favorite restaurant, your dining expenses can contribute to your points balance.
- 3x points on selected streaming subscriptions per $1 spent. In today’s digital age, many of us subscribe to multiple streaming services, and this card rewards you for those everyday expenses.
- 2x points on major retailers in Australia per $1 spent. This category includes many well-known stores, allowing you to earn extra points on your regular shopping trips.
- 1x point on all other purchases per $1 spent. Every dollar counts, and even non-eligible purchases contribute to your points balance.
Exclusive Entertainment Benefits
Cardholders of the American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card enjoy a suite of exclusive entertainment perks. These include:
- Pre-sale and Reserved Tickets: Gain access to pre-sale tickets for major events, ensuring you don’t miss out on your favorite concerts, sports events, and shows.
- Complimentary Drink Vouchers: Enjoy a drink on the house when attending certain events or venues partnered with American Express.
- Special Discounts: Benefit from a 10% discount on food and beverages at various venues, making your outings even more enjoyable.
- Dedicated Entrances and Access to Card Member-Only Lounges: Skip the queues and enjoy exclusive access to lounges at venues like Qudos Bank Arena, Rod Laver Arena, and more. These benefits enhance your entertainment experience, making it more convenient and enjoyable.
Purchase Protection
The card provides purchase protection for up to 90 days on eligible items against theft, damage, or loss. Also if you accidentally break your phone’s screen, you can be reimbursed for repairs up to $500, this is applicable for two incidents per year (a 10% excess applies). This feature provides peace of mind, knowing that your valuable purchases are protected.
Flexible Rewards Redemption
The Membership Rewards points you earn can be redeemed in various ways, offering flexibility to suit your lifestyle:
- Gift Cards with Leading Retailers: Use your points to obtain gift cards from popular retailers, making it easier to shop for what you love.
- Pay for Eligible Charges: Prefer to keep the cash? Use your points to pay for eligible charges on your account through the Select + Pay with Points program. This option allows you to offset your monthly expenses with the rewards you’ve earned.
- Shop Online at Myer: Use your points to shop online at Myer, choosing from a vast selection of products including women’s and men’s fashion, electronics, homewares, and more.
- Transfer Points to Airline Partner Programs: Maximize your travel benefits by transferring your points to 11 airline partner programs, including Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines. This feature allows you to turn your points into flights and upgrades, enhancing your travel experience.
Additional Benefits
In addition to earning points and enjoying purchase protection, the American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card offers several other perks:
- 24/7 Card Member Service: American Express is always available to assist you with any needs, big or small, day or night. Whether you have questions about your account or need help while traveling, their dedicated support team is just a phone call away.
- Exclusive Offers: Save exclusive dining and shopping deals to your card, receiving automatic savings credited to your account. These offers help you make the most of your card and enhance your spending power.
- Convenient Account Management: Easily pay off your balance, set up a direct debit, and manage notifications and alerts for optimal balance management. This convenience allows you to stay on top of your finances and avoid late fees.
- Fraud Protection Guarantee: Your account is protected by American Express’s Fraud Protection Guarantee, meaning you won’t be liable for unauthorized charges. This assurance lets you use your card with confidence, knowing your financial information is secure.
Improve Your Spending Habits
With this card, you can optimize your everyday spending by earning rewards on regular purchases and leveraging benefits like purchase protection. Over time, these incremental gains can add significant value to your card membership, transforming how you shop, travel, and enjoy entertainment.
American Express Essential Rewards Requirements
Applying for the American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card is straightforward. To be eligible, you need to:
- Have no history of bad debt or payment defaults.
- Have at least 18 years old
- Agree to access statements online through American Express.
- Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a long-term visa.
- Agree to a credit check
Documentation
Before you apply, gather the necessary documents and information, including:
- Australian Driver’s License Number: If you have one, this will help verify your identity.
- Details of Your Income, Expenses, and Debts: Providing this information allows American Express to assess your financial situation.
- Proof of Income: This can include payslips or tax returns to show your income level.
American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card Fees and Tariffs
See below the main costs associated with this card:
- Annual fee: $9 per month (108 per year)
- Interest rate: 23.99% p.a on purchases
- Interest-Free Period: up to 55 days
American Express Customer Service
If you have any doubts or enquiries, you can contact the Customer Service Team on these channels:
- By phone: 1300 882 538 in Australia and +612 9271 8298 overseas
- By live chat: you can start this process on the American Express official website, this service is available 24/7
- Mailing address: GPO Box 1582, Sydney NSW 2002
Conclusion
The American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card transforms everyday spending into valuable points while offering a range of travel and shopping benefits. With over 170 years of trust and innovation, American Express continues to cater to modern spending needs, delivering outstanding service and rewards. For those seeking a streamlined, value-driven credit card, this card presents an enticing option. Whether you want to earn points on your daily purchases or enjoy exclusive benefits and protections, the American Express Essential Rewards Credit Card stands out as a smart choice for savvy consumers.
