The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

[Pointy Bird]

Success. It took 3 phone calls, but is looks like I just had my 3,800,000 gateway points (earnt on my new Explorer) transferred to the ascent program!
I called the Amex number ( on back of card) on Saturday evening.
I have not yet determined if my spending from now on my Amex Explorer will earn 2 ascent points per $.

This transfer to ascent has just granted me many extra Singapore suite flights.

Who was the genius who worked out this "trick" to get the best earn rate and transfer rate? A huge thank you to you and all those who have shared their experience here.

 

[Cynicor]

Wasn't really a trick. Most of ours came linked by default!

 

[BettyB]

Wasn't really a trick. Most of ours came linked by default!

Mine did not.

 

[daft009]

Neither did mine. Took 5 phone calls to have it linked without losing existing points and a flat out no not possible.

 

[kostravel]

I had my Explorer linked to Ascent and transferred 200k but I can still see new charges earning Gateway points. Tip: Call on the weekend to do the linking.

Does anyone know if I have to call again to get Explorer charges pooling to Ascent?

Thanks!

 

[Pointy Bird]

I had my Explorer linked to Ascent and transferred 200k but I can still see new charges earning Gateway points. Tip: Call on the weekend to do the linking.

Does anyone know if I have to call again to get Explorer charges pooling to Ascent?

Thanks!

When they linked mine, 2 days later the Gateway page disappeared and only ascent page visible.
All Explorer purchases from that point are earning Ascent points.
If that has not occurred, you will probably need to try again.

 

[SOPOOR]

A long shot but does anyone have a few loophole ideas


Looking to pay ebm insurance online.

They don't have a post bill pay. Don't accept PayPal. Only accept full payment via Visa or Master card.

Anyway I could be able to use Explorer card without paying fees or minimal fees

 

[rock86]

A long shot but does anyone have a few loophole ideas


Looking to pay ebm insurance online.

They don't have a post bill pay. Don't accept PayPal. Only accept full payment via Visa or Master card.

Anyway I could be able to use Explorer card without paying fees or minimal fees

Buy prepaid visa/mc from one of the big supermarkets could be a way, not sure how much the insurance is though and what your appetite for charges are

 

[SOPOOR]

Buy prepaid visa/mc from one of the big supermarkets could be a way, not sure how much the insurance is though and what your appetite for charges are

unforunately, they wont allow partial payments, ive tried online or even the phone,

its a silly policy that you have to pay it in one shot!

 

[Must...Fly!]

unforunately, they wont allow partial payments, ive tried online or even the phone,

its a silly policy that you have to pay it in one shot!

How much is the bill? It may help with ideas.

 

[rock86]

What about an STA TravelFlex card? I haven't tried it, but am going to, as they allow top-up with a credit card (including AMEX as far as I'm aware).

 

[SOPOOR]

How much is the bill? It may help with ideas.

Each bill is about 800
I have 5 of them

 

[Jamesaurus]

Buy prepaid visa/mc from one of the big supermarkets could be a way, not sure how much the insurance is though and what your appetite for charges are

just a thought, but could you potentially buy the 5% off woolies voucher at cashrewards, then use that to buy the prepaid visa/mc, then effectively pay off the bill at 5% off bonus?

 

[LordGarlic]

just a thought, but could you potentially buy the 5% off woolies voucher at cashrewards, then use that to buy the prepaid visa/mc, then effectively pay off the bill at 5% off bonus?

There is still a chargeable loading fee depending on which prepaid visa/mc.

 

[albyd]

What about an STA TravelFlex card? I haven't tried it, but am going to, as they allow top-up with a credit card (including AMEX as far as I'm aware).

Thanks for the tip. Looks like a good option. Just had a quick look at the website pretty good if can top it up with explorer. Shame about the 1% fee but at average cost of 0.5c per point is reasonable. I’m going to explore this option.

Might be best not to top it up with $100 Visa supermarket cards. Might get on their radar and shut the product down. I think at 2 points for dollar for top up (assuming Amex is an option) is decent with less hassle involved than the supermarket Visa cards especially depending on the maximum load.

 

[Jamesaurus]

Success. It took 3 phone calls, but is looks like I just had my 3,800,000 gateway points (earnt on my new Explorer) transferred to the ascent program!
I called the Amex number ( on back of card) on Saturday evening.
I have not yet determined if my spending from now on my Amex Explorer will earn 2 ascent points per $.

This transfer to ascent has just granted me many extra Singapore suite flights.

Who was the genius who worked out this "trick" to get the best earn rate and transfer rate? A huge thank you to you and all those who have shared their experience here.

Wow thats a damn good haul!

So is the weigh up essentially this:
your current gateway points x 1.25 vs
the credit check for a new ascent card (e.g. platinum edge) & having to find a use for their voucher?

not a bad go!

 

[rock86]

Thanks for the tip. Looks like a good option. Just had a quick look at the website pretty good if can top it up with explorer. Shame about the 1% fee but at average cost of 0.5c per point is reasonable. I’m going to explore this option.

Might be best not to top it up with $100 Visa supermarket cards. Might get on their radar and shut the product down. I think at 2 points for dollar for top up (assuming Amex is an option) is decent with less hassle involved than the supermarket Visa cards especially depending on the maximum load.

Let me know how it goes, will be interesting to see if it works and if it does not a bad option for some things.

 

[albyd]

Just at STA store. Even though I agreed to online identity beck and waiver of all the usual privacy rights, it asked me to go into a store to get identified. They’ll post it to me I’ve had to put $100 on it but used eftpos while I wonder what to do.
Amex is an option but with 3.5% fee.
MC & Visa are ‘free’ always subject to the product’s 1% load fee. Are there any MC and Visa still worth using as load sources. Most are capped or doesn’t make sense for anything but ATO.

 

[rock86]

Just at STA store. Even though I agreed to online identity beck and waiver of all the usual privacy rights, it asked me to go into a store to get identified. They’ll post it to me I’ve had to put $100 on it but used eftpos while I wonder what to do.
Amex is an option but with 3.5% fee.
MC & Visa are ‘free’ always subject to the product’s 1% load fee. Are there any MC and Visa still worth using as load sources. Most are capped or doesn’t make sense for anything but ATO.

Well that sucks, 3.5% AMEX surcharge is quite ludicrous.

I do wonder if this comes through as a purchase, and would it count towards any minimum spend on bonus offers - other then AMEX.

 

[albyd]

There’s got to be less expensive ways to meet minimum spend. Everyone’s budget will vary, but $1500 shouldn’t be that difficult to rack up with the cost of living or some discounted GC purchases.