The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

[bbqwer]

My report:

First applied this card for wife ( I tick the box as current amex holder ) = did not receive bonus points, received 2ppd Ascent. ( Wife also hold EDGE card ), All points merged with EDGE Ascent.

Today received my card under my name ( not a second cardholder ) I did not tick the box = register, activate card, I can see Gateway Membership rewards - Spent $1500 immediately, I had a feeling bonus points will post ( I am also holding EDGE card ).

Cheers

 

[blingy90]

I've come to the conclusion it is pot-luck. There are mixed reports of success covering various combinations.

I like you, have an edge, did not tick the box, however merged with edge and ascent program. So go figure!

 

[nightelves]

I've come to the conclusion it is pot-luck. There are mixed reports of success covering various combinations.

I like you, have an edge, did not tick the box, however merged with edge and ascent program. So go figure!

wouldn't this be a better program when accompanied with the Edge?

 

[bbqwer]

wouldn't this be a better program when accompanied with the Edge?

Not really - because You did not get bonus point 100k gateway rewards. But you earn 2ppd ascent ( need to spend a lot in order to make up those bonus point ).

 

[Colin 2905]

Not really - because You did not get bonus point 100k gateway rewards. But you earn 2ppd ascent ( need to spend a lot in order to make up those bonus point ).

Where "a lot" is $150,000 by my calculations.

 

[glasszon]

Sorry if this has been answered already, has anyone missed out on the bonus points if they do not hold any amex membership reward cards?

In other words, is it safe to join through this promo if they only have the Velocity or Qantas Amex card?

 

[albyd]

Where "a lot" is $150,000 by my calculations.

I think the breakeven is:
1 MR Gateway point = 0.75 MR Ascent
100K Gateway sign up = 75K MR Ascent
If you're earning 2 MR Ascent on the explorer per $ spent, you'd need to spend $37,500 which depending on your spend and on whether Amex eventually realise and make an adjustment, is a modest breakeven for forgoing the sign up for long term gain.

 

[Finale]

I think the breakeven is:
1 MR Gateway point = 0.75 MR Ascent
100K Gateway sign up = 75K MR Ascent
If you're earning 2 MR Ascent on the explorer per $ spent, you'd need to spend $37,500 which depending on your spend and on whether Amex eventually realise and make an adjustment, is a modest breakeven for forgoing the sign up for long term gain.

I think to calculate the breakeven in this case, we need to take into account the miles earned when the card is in Gateway Program. If you spend $37,500 in Gateway, you get 56,250 miles + 75,000 bonus = 131,250 miles while you only get 75,000 miles in Ascent. You need to spend 4x more to make up for the bonus miles.

My breakeven is the same as Colin 2905. With $150,000 Spend in Gateway program, you get 75,000 bonus miles + 225,000 miles = 300,000 miles = what you get in Ascent without bonus. Anything after $150,000 will be considered long term gain.

 

[infinity]

Cancelled my Amex velocity card recently to get the Explorer card
Made the initial spend and got the bonus points
Happy days

 

[flightsonpoints]

Finally bonis points posted!!! Wooohoooo

 

[nightelves]

Finally bonis points posted!!! Wooohoooo

Weren't you initially on the Ascent Rewards system? If so did the points post on the Gateway or the Ascent?

 

[tuvz]

Sorry if this has been answered already, has anyone missed out on the bonus points if they do not hold any amex membership reward cards?

In other words, is it safe to join through this promo if they only have the Velocity or Qantas Amex card?

yep its safe
got the 100k explorer bonus while having a velocity card open

 

[flightsonpoints]

Yes initially both on ascent, then gateway appeared, some ascent points earned on explorer were forfetied, spoke to amex about it but they are still investigating. Bonus posted on gateway.

 

[cleaver]

Cancelled velocity amex in November last year and applied for this about 2 weeks ago - bonus points just posted safe and sound.

 

[momad]

Ok, for some reason I got the 100k bonus points after 're-spending' over 1.5k

However, my points in earlier transactions (>AUD5K) are still missing and AMEX still have an open case of investigating this.

 

[potm]

Received my card today finally. Registered on a new online account. Points linked to existing edge account. Looks like no bonus points for me unless they change

 

[bbqwer]

Received my card today finally. Registered on a new online account. Points linked to existing edge account. Looks like no bonus points for me unless they change 

Dont worry - you are not alone

 

[potm]

Not sure if there's anyway to call up and request they set up a gateway program for us? I guess you run the risk of not getting the bonus points still. It must be some manual process during the setup of the account which determines whether a gateway program is set up. They might think they are being nice to us by linking to the ascent program.
I just hope they don't turn around and change it in the future. I guess even if they do, any points already earned would still remain with ascent anyway.

 

[albyd]

This may have been covered earlier. Are members who have had Explorer linked to the same program as Edge in MR Ascent or Ascent Premium?

 

[peanutz]

mmmm I have just applied for the Explorer card and didn't get approval on the spot. I have Platinum (applied & received card in Mar'16) and Edge (applied & received a few years ago). SMS has arrived asking me to call them to discuss my application. What's my chance of getting bonus points?