The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

[mini2]

Got a call telling me what I already know...I can't hold more than 2 credit cards at the same time. Oh well.

 

[alexy23]

I Amex is only offering 1 point per dollar. Is this right?

No. 2 points per dollar except government bodies.

• Earn 2 Membership Rewards points[SUP]3[/SUP] per $1 spent on all purchases except government bodies in Australia where you will earn 0.5 points per $1 spent

Subject to the Terms and Conditions of the Membership Rewards Gateway program available at membershiprewards.com.au. Certain transactions will earn 0.5 points per dollar with Merchants classified as; “government”, including the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post), federal/state and local government bodies.

 

[mini2]

Quite risky though, particularly when the same few users tend to keep buying and selling multiple batches of points, which would surely flag as suspicious in the QF system.

A number of buyers got burned a few months back when QF did an audit and confiscated points transfers where users couldn't prove that the transfer had taken place in line with the T & Cs - while both buyer and seller accounts are suspended and the points confiscated, the buyers are the ones that lose out the most, as they lose both the money they paid for the points as well as the points themselves.

They could've done it differently - instead of selling points they could've just make the booking on someone else's behalf. This is pretty much how they sell Asia Miles overseas and I'm sure there's no rules saying you can't redeem tkt for a stranger off a forum?

 

[Steady]

I'm sure there's no rules saying you can't redeem tkt for a stranger off a forum?

I thought the t&c's limited it to family and listed the accepted relationships?

 

[johnny_yh2000]

KrisFlyer and Asia miles does allows you to issue tickets from a list of names. You can add anyone you want. I think there are 4 or 5 names you can add. If you want to delete one of the name in order to add a new one, Asia miles does charge you for it.

 

[cjd600]

They could've done it differently - instead of selling points they could've just make the booking on someone else's behalf. This is pretty much how they sell Asia Miles overseas and I'm sure there's no rules saying you can't redeem tkt for a stranger off a forum?

Incorrect for QF - same restrictions apply to redeeming, as transferring
'Eligible family member'
'Eligible Family Member' of a Member means any person the Member can demonstrate, to the reasonable satisfaction of Qantas, as being related to that Member in any of the ways described below:

• Husband/Wife
• Parent/Step-parent
• Domestic Partner/De Facto
• Child, including foster & step-child
• Brother/Sister
• Half Brother/Sister
• Grandparent
• Grandchild
• Son/Daughter-in-law
• Brother/Sister-in-law
• Father/Mother-in-law
• Uncle/Aunt
• Nephew/Niece
• First cousin

 

[mini2]

Incorrect for QF - same restrictions apply to redeeming, as transferring
'Eligible family member'
'Eligible Family Member' of a Member means any person the Member can demonstrate, to the reasonable satisfaction of Qantas, as being related to that Member in any of the ways described below:

• Husband/Wife
• Parent/Step-parent
• Domestic Partner/De Facto
• Child, including foster & step-child
• Brother/Sister
• Half Brother/Sister
• Grandparent
• Grandchild
• Son/Daughter-in-law
• Brother/Sister-in-law
• Father/Mother-in-law
• Uncle/Aunt
• Nephew/Niece
• First cousin

Doesn't worry me one bit whether that's kosher or not as I don't intend on either buying or selling my points. I was merely suggesting it could've been done in a slightly different manner and I'm sure purely redeeming for someone will be harder to audit given it's not like a same account being credited or crediting to and from various other accounts?

 

[tuvz]

Quite risky though, particularly when the same few users tend to keep buying and selling multiple batches of points, which would surely flag as suspicious in the QF system.

A number of buyers got burned a few months back when QF did an audit and confiscated points transfers where users couldn't prove that the transfer had taken place in line with the T & Cs - while both buyer and seller accounts are suspended and the points confiscated, the buyers are the ones that lose out the most, as they lose both the money they paid for the points as well as the points themselves.

Qantas have staff who look into things like family transfers etc all the time, i dont believe this was a one off audit. Also if you look at the people who got their accounts closed they were doing 4-5+ transfers all to different people - a big flag!
much safer to do a once off transfer to one person even for a large amount

Doesn't worry me one bit whether that's kosher or not as I don't intend on either buying or selling my points. I was merely suggesting it could've been done in a slightly different manner and I'm sure purely redeeming for someone will be harder to audit given it's not like a same account being credited or crediting to and from various other accounts?

Thats true, its probably less of a flag. that being said if you do a lot of tickets, qantas will probably come knocking..


Everything in moderation people

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Thats true, its probably less of a flag. that being said if you do a lot of tickets, qantas will probably come knocking..


Everything in moderation people

Though in this case your own moderation may not be enough. If the person who buys/sell your points/flight gets audited then you still get caught up. So unless you know that your trader is also "moderate" then beware. Hence why buying/selling through any website/forum is so risky.

 

[cjd600]

Doesn't worry me one bit whether that's kosher or not as I don't intend on either buying or selling my points. I was merely suggesting it could've been done in a slightly different manner and I'm sure purely redeeming for someone will be harder to audit given it's not like a same account being credited or crediting to and from various other accounts?

No worries, you said you were sure there were 'no rules'....I was just pointing out that there are.

 

[tuvz]

Though in this case your own moderation may not be enough. If the person who buys/sell your points/flight gets audited then you still get caught up. So unless you know that your trader is also "moderate" then beware. Hence why buying/selling through any website/forum is so risky.

thats true...

They seem to have it pretty down pat on OzB though
looking through the persons account history etc over skype before they transact

Im not saying its risk free, but there are definitely ways of mitigating the risk

 

[peanutz]

Confirmed 100k bonus points applied to my account this morning, whilst holding Velocity Platinum & Platinum Charge.

Did you get Platinum card recently?

 

[adelee]

thats true...

They seem to have it pretty down pat on OzB though
looking through the persons account history etc over skype before they transact

Im not saying its risk free, but there are definitely ways of mitigating the risk

I reckon I've seen at least 10 or so posts on Ozbargain over the past 4-5 months where you have advertised to buy points or responded to a seller seeking to buy. So one would assume you have quite a 'history' of points transfers in your account - are you not concerned about airlines flagging you for suspicious activity?

 

[tizey]

Yes. Only applied in July 16 and got the 120K points referral bonus that existed at the time. Got that card about 2 weeks after I got the Velocity Platinum.

July/Aug have been big points months

 

[peanutz]

It's so tempting to apply for bonus points. I currently have Platinum (back in Mar'16) and Edge (looong time ago). Should I take a chance?

 

[nightelves]

It's so tempting to apply for bonus points. I currently have Platinum (back in Mar'16) and Edge (looong time ago). Should I take a chance?

I would if you have good credit rating.

 

[tizey]

Points offer isnt going anywhere in a hurry - has someone with Platinum Charge & Edge combo received bonus points yet? If you cant wait - consolation prize is that its a fee-free card once offset by the travel credit.... nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[potm]

Yes. Only applied in July 16 and got the 120K points referral bonus that existed at the time. Got that card about 2 weeks after I got the Velocity Platinum.

July/Aug have been big points months

Are your points in a separate gateway program or are they linked to the charge card's ascent program?

 

[tizey]

Seperate gateway program.. already converted them to KF Miles to ensure cant be retracted.

All 3 cards exist under seperate logins to amex website.

 

[potm]

Seperate gateway program.. already converted them to KF Miles to ensure cant be retracted.

All 3 cards exist under seperate logins to amex website.

Thanks, would really like to know if bonus points are awarded if it links to an existing program. Also whether registering the cards under separate logins makes a difference over whether they are linked. Gateway go ascent premium is 2 programs up though, so that may be why they are linked. Would be great if someone with an Edge could report their experience.
I've just applied today.