The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

[playbargain]

Received my card today. The "Member Since" year is showing 16 rather than my original member year, I called up and asked what's the go and they said the card was set up as a new card. Unfortunately she realised that I also have a Platinum Edge and insisted on sending out a new card with the correct member year. Sounds like there goes my bonus points... Maybe this is why some people are getting bonus points while already a member and others are not.

 

[blingy90]

@uhzid....sounds like you were an exisiting card holder previously, do you mind if I ask what card you held/still hold?
Also before you rang, did you notice what rewards program you were enrolled in....and has this subsequently changed since you called up???

 

[playbargain]

@blingy90 I currently hold a Platinum Edge card. Before I rang it says to review the membership rewards under the Edge account, which is Ascent. Still says that after the call, it may change later who knows.

 

[bbqwer]

Anyone applied this card, Did you tick the box, when asked " do you have another american express " I tick the box for my wife, and rewards program got combined

Today I applied for my self, I did not tick the box this time. lets see what happen

 

[halogen]

Anyone applied this card, Did you tick the box, when asked " do you have another american express " I tick the box for my wife, and rewards program got combined

Today I applied for my self, I did not tick the box this time. lets see what happen

When I applied for my Velocity whilst having my Plat Edge I ticked the box that said I do not have any current Amex Cards.

The arrival letter came with a notice saying that we notice you have another Amex card and some words around managing credit responsibly and I also got the bonus points.

I don't think we are fooling anyone by ticking / not ticking the right box! As others have said, it may just be used to speed up the application process but could be a very easy filter to deny sign up points if they bothered to use it

 

[blingy90]

@uhzid.....interesting....hard to get a read on who is getting bonus points and who isn't....isnt it! Would have been intriguing to see if you did get them without the phone call, but I guess we won't know that. If the points do go through...keep us updated!

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Received my card today. The "Member Since" year is showing 16 rather than my original member year, I called up and asked what's the go and they said the card was set up as a new card. Unfortunately she realised that I also have a Platinum Edge and insisted on sending out a new card with the correct member year. Sounds like there goes my bonus points... Maybe this is why some people are getting bonus points while already a member and others are not.

First rule of exploiting points, flights, hotels etc is DO NOT contact the organisation unless you 100% positively have to! Particularly when the promo states it is for new members only it is probably best to not point out that you are an existing member.

 

[blingy90]

When I applied for my Velocity whilst having my Plat Edge I ticked the box that said I do not have any current Amex Cards.

The arrival letter came with a notice saying that we notice you have another Amex card and some words around managing credit responsibly and I also got the bonus points.

I don't think we are fooling anyone by ticking / not ticking the right box! As others have said, it may just be used to speed up the application process but could be a very easy filter to deny sign up points if they bothered to use it

I agree that wether or not you tick the box makes little difference, and that AMEX would be aware that you are an exisiting customer / cardholder, however for whatever it is worth, I have received bonus points on two AMEX applications when not eligible, and I have never ticked the box.....

 

[bismarck]

First rule of exploiting points, flights, hotels etc is DO NOT contact the organisation unless you 100% positively have to! Particularly when the promo states it is for new members only it is probably best to not point out that you are an existing member.

I honestly don't know why this needs to be explained to so many people.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I honestly don't know why this needs to be explained to so many people.

Amen,

If ones leaves things to software to assess one often gains the benefit. If one involves an actual person then unfortunately a light bulb may go on.

When BA did not deduct the points for 3 x 2 J Inter Europe Flights no way was I ringing to ask why. Ditto for when SQ only billed me 2 FRA -MEL in Suites at J Points cost. etc etc

 

[tizey]

Ok. I have confirmation that a member who had Gateway MR points with a Gold Credit Card (old card) opening a platinum charge got bonus points for the platinum charge, and the gold amex is now merged to Ascent Premium. Key point here - it was a new rewards program.

I think this key fact sheet https://web.aexp-static.com/au/content/pdf/AU_KFS_Prop.pdf shows that the edge and explorer are in the same 'family' of amex cards - maybe you can only have one rewards account for all these cards - and it merges with the highest ranking reward program (e.g.. Ascent is better than gateway). No new rewards account = no bonus points.

Has anyone with an edge actually received the points? Either way, I know I won't be applying for edge until I'm done with this card for Mrs tizey

 

[adelee]

Ok. I have confirmation that a member who had Gateway MR points with a Gold Credit Card (old card) opening a platinum charge got bonus points for the platinum charge, and the gold amex is now merged to Ascent Premium. Key point here - it was a new rewards program.

I think this key fact sheet https://web.aexp-static.com/au/content/pdf/AU_KFS_Prop.pdf shows that the edge and explorer are in the same 'family' of amex cards - maybe you can only have one rewards account for all these cards - and it merges with the highest ranking reward program (e.g.. Ascent is better than gateway). No new rewards account = no bonus points.

Has anyone with an edge actually received the points? Either way, I know I won't be applying for edge until I'm done with this card for Mrs tizey

Yep, Edge holder here with bonus points having posted.Both Explorer and Edge are in the same online account but post to different Ascent and Gateway MR schemes.

 

[momad]

So, got my card on Monday and put >5k into the card within three days. My account shows all transactions have cleared including the annual fee. So far, I only received MR Gateway points for my transactions done on Wednesday and one of my Monday transactions.

I am missing a couple of Monday transactions and all of Tuesday transactions. No bonus points as well

//edit can confirm that Amex got back to me and stated that I was a Velocity Platinum (cancelled few weeks ago) and no bonus points. Now to cancel this card to get refund of the annual fee and stick to my other cards. Good luck all.

 

[nightelves]

Wow seems they've been cracking down on people getting bonus points.

 

[bismarck]

//edit can confirm that Amex got back to me and stated that I was a Velocity Platinum (cancelled few weeks ago) and no bonus points. Now to cancel this card to get refund of the annual fee and stick to my other cards. Good luck all.

I really can't emphasise this enough.....PLEASE DON'T CALL THEM.

You're either going to get them or not. Calling them and involving a human is almost GUARANTEED to result in a poor outcome. It's not like a manual review is going to see you getting the points.

PLEASE DON'T CALL.

 

[adelee]

I really can't emphasise this enough.....PLEASE DON'T CALL THEM.

You're either going to get them or not. Calling them and involving a human is almost GUARANTEED to result in a poor outcome. It's not like a manual review is going to see you getting the points.

PLEASE DON'T CALL.

I cant agree enough.

4 business days since you received the card, let alone met the minimum spend is also far too early to start panicking about bonus points showing up - I would encourage people to read back though the thread, as others have originally stated that they've not received the points after waiting only a short amount of time, only to then advise that they have come through. Plus there are many testimonials from people with a recently cancelled Velocity Platinum (myself included who received the bonus points).

 

[halogen]

I cant agree enough.

4 business days is also far too early to start panicking - I would encourage people to read back though the thread, as others have originally stated that they've not received the points after waiting only a short amount of time, only to then advise that they have come through. Plus there are many testimonials from people with a recently cancelled Velocity Platinum (myself included who received the bonus points).

Do you mind me asking how long ago you got your Plat Edge card?

It seems that Velocity isn't an issue, different points sweep system but the Plat Edge clashes with the Explorer.

 

[adelee]

Do you mind me asking how long ago you got your Plat Edge card?

It seems that Velocity isn't an issue, different points sweep system but the Plat Edge clashes with the Explorer.

I got the Plat Edge around a month ago.

 

[blingy90]

Mrs blingy was a previous Amex velocity holder (<12 months), received bonus for the explorer within a few days.

I'm an edge holder....wanting the explorer and bonus points, but yet to dive in...

 

[bbqwer]

Please - Please Dont call amex. We clearly understand the risk about bonus points not eligible for existing or previous card holder past 12 months. If points posted, we call it bonus. If Not, thats the Risk! Dont call amex please.