American Express and BDO launch Explorer Card
The card is for aspiring and frequent travelers who are eager to roam the world again
The Covid-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill. Borders were closed, lockdowns were enforced, and holidays and travel plans were shelved. Staying home was de rigueur and wanderlust was out of the question.
After three years of the pandemic and with borders reopening, travel is back and travelers have gleefully dusted off their suitcases and passports to make up for lost time.
BDO Unibank, Inc. and American Express launched the American Express Explorer credit card, or the Explorer Card, in the Philippines last 12 January 2023 at the Blackbird in Makati City. The card is for aspiring and frequent travelers who are eager to travel the world again. Card members earn American Express membership rewards points, which never expire and can be redeemed for miles or points from a wide range of airlines and for loyalty points from thousands of hotel properties, allowing for greater flexibility and choice and traveling for less.
First introduced by American Express in Australia in 2016 and Hong Kong in 2021, the bank, in collaboration with BDO, brought the Explorer Card to the Philippines, a first in Southeast Asia.
Every P40 spent entitles card members to earn one membership rewards point which can then be redeemed for one air mile at six frequent flyer partners such as Mabuhay Miles (Philippine Airlines), KrisFlyer (Singapore Airlines), Cathay Pacific (Cathay Pacific Airlines), Royal Orchid Plus (Thai Airways), Enrich (Malaysia Airlines) and Delta SkyMiles (Delta Airlines).
Points can also be converted into hotel loyalty points with partners such as Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors.
The card also offers benefits such as up to 10 million travel accident and inconvenience coverage, 2,000 bonus membership rewards points upon reaching P600,000 spend per year, yearround deals, rebate or cashback, and instant savings from BDO partner merchants, complimentary annual fee for the first year (principal and supplementary), and a waived annual fee upon reaching P450,000 spend per year.
“Our American Express Credit Card launched in partnership with BDO, gives our card members in the Philippines, whether they are traveling solo, with family or with friends, the ability to earn rewards and travel for less, while doing what they are passionate about,” said Sanjiv Malhotra, vice president and general manager, Global Network Services, South East Asia, and South Pacific, American Express.
“We have seen substantial growth in travel-related spending among our American Express Cardmembers. In 2022, airline ticket purchase alone has increased exponentially versus the previous year,” Rolando C. Tanchanco, BDO senior executive vice president and Consumer Banking Group head, said. “With the return of consumer confidence in travel, the American Express Explorer Credit Card is a timely addition to our extensive line-up of credit card products with our partner American Express.”