The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

[adelee]

My experience with Explorer:

Signed up online and account automatically linked to my existing Accent (as expected). Called and asked to separate the accounts. They were indeed separated immediately but was told it takes up to 5 working days to create Gateway. Meanwhile I can spend on the card and points will be backtracked to the new programme. Spent > $1500 and points indeed showed up on Gateway but no bonus. Later spent again > $1500 and the 100K finally showed up.

Now my dilemma is what to do next:
1. Keep the points in the account and ask to merge back with Accent, hoping the points will have greater value but also risking loosing them altogether.
2. Transfer the points to KF and then ask to merge.
3. Keep Gateway, earn less miles but enjoy the promos

Congrats on getting the bonus points. Personally, I wouldn't get too greedy... asking to unlink Ascent, taking delivery of the bonus points under Gateway, and then asking AMEX to re-link back to Ascent (with or without the bonus points in your account) could risk setting off warning flags.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

My experience with Explorer:

Signed up online and account automatically linked to my existing Accent (as expected). Called and asked to separate the accounts. They were indeed separated immediately but was told it takes up to 5 working days to create Gateway. Meanwhile I can spend on the card and points will be backtracked to the new programme. Spent > $1500 and points indeed showed up on Gateway but no bonus. Later spent again > $1500 and the 100K finally showed up.

That is interesting. Is there anyone now who was placed in the Gateway Program (either from the start, or by converting) that has not gained the 100k?

I have an Edge and was was placed in the Ascent with my new Explorer. Did have a Velocity but was cancelled prior.

Now my dilemma is what to do next:
1. Keep the points in the account and ask to merge back with Accent, hoping the points will have greater value but also risking loosing them altogether.
2. Transfer the points to KF and then ask to merge.

An earlier poster was told that if they changed from Ascent to Gateway that they could not then change back.

 

[potm]

My experience with Explorer:

Signed up online and account automatically linked to my existing Accent (as expected). Called and asked to separate the accounts. They were indeed separated immediately but was told it takes up to 5 working days to create Gateway. Meanwhile I can spend on the card and points will be backtracked to the new programme. Spent > $1500 and points indeed showed up on Gateway but no bonus. Later spent again > $1500 and the 100K finally showed up.

Now my dilemma is what to do next:
1. Keep the points in the account and ask to merge back with Accent, hoping the points will have greater value but also risking loosing them altogether.
2. Transfer the points to KF and then ask to merge.
3. Keep Gateway, earn less miles but enjoy the promos

Transfer the points to starwood, it's the same earn rate on ascent and gateway.

The interesting question is whether they would let you merge them again.

 

[Irishbazz]

Just for anyone not making the minimum salary requirements of $65k and contemplating applying for the card.

Wife applied through the week from a sub $55k salary and was instantly approved.

 

[adamphosho]

That is interesting. Is there anyone now who was placed in the Gateway Program (either from the start, or by converting) that has not gained the 100k?

+1 interested to hear about this. Still thinking of unlinking my Explorer from Ascent Premium…

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Anyone who is a current Amex customer and has received this card, what does your "Member Since" say? Is it 16 or your original join year?

Has anyone received the 100K bonus with a Member since of 15 or less on their new Explorer Card?

I ask as it does seem that a number of existing cardholders who gained the bonus have 16 on their card. So I am just curious to know if anyone has received to bonus with a previous Member since year on their card?

 

[boomy]

Has anyone received the 100K bonus with a Member since of 15 or less on their new Explorer Card?

I ask as it does seem that a number of existing cardholders who gained the bonus have 16 on their card. So I am just curious to know if anyone has received to bonus with a previous Member since year on their card?

Yes, I did.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Yes, I did.

Thank you. May I ask what year? My Explorer shows 11, though my Edge is 06.

I have just received my Explorer, was put in Ascent with it, but am contemplating asking to change as it seems so far that most people that change gain the 100K after spending an additional $1500 after the change. Happy to receive more data on this though.

 

[boomy]

I have just received my Explorer, was put in Ascent with it, but am contemplating asking to change as it seems so far that most people that change gain the 100K after spending an additional $1500 after the change. Happy to receive more data on this though.

That's exactly what I did. Basically you have nothing to lose, worst case you don't get the bonus after second $1500 spend, the $400 travel credit means you will at least break even on this card.

 

[albyd]

Can you then ask to be transferred back to Ascent so that all your cards are "in the same rewards program"? Or is that gaming the system a little too much?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Can you then ask to be transferred back to Ascent so that all your cards are "in the same rewards program"? Or is that gaming the system a little too much?

Earlier in this thread one poster stated that Amex told them that you cannot change back. Now whether the CSR was correct or not who knows. But I would suspect that to be the case. Morse so as Ascent to Gateway is going to a lesser program, whereas Gateway to Ascent would be an upgrade.

 

[boomy]

Earlier in this thread one poster stated that Amex told them that you cannot change back. Now whether the CSR was correct or not who knows. But I would suspect that to be the case. Morse so as Ascent to Gateway is going to a lesser program, whereas Gateway to Ascent would be an upgrade.

Even if it's not possible to merge back, enough that you take advantage of only some of the AMEX offers and you can save hundreds of dollars a year. Adding to that a good chance to get the 100K points and splitting the programmes is a no brainer IMO.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

It's a pretty clear statement that a $400 travel credit isn't worth $400

Cannot quite get my head around this - can you explain pls junbugging?

 

[bismarck]

Cannot quite get my head around this - can you explain pls junbugging?

Due to the more limited use compared to cash I guess.

Still, most on this site would spend at least $400 p.a on travel so basically as good as cash for me.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Due to the more limited use compared to cash I guess.

Still, most on this site would spend at least $400 p.a on travel so basically as good as cash for me.

I understand that booking say a 2 nt hotel stay through Amex Travel may not be as competitive as some other online sites but to knock $400 off a booking is how it works doesn't it?

 

[bismarck]

I understand that booking say a 2 nt hotel stay through Amex Travel may not be as competitive as some other online sites but to knock $400 off a booking is how it works doesn't it?

That's how it worked for me. I booked a flight, same price as qf website. Knocked additional $400 off.

I suppose you lose some flexibility as you'd be charged a fee to make changes but I don't expect to need to.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Tks bismarck - I have to cancel Velocity Amex before I apply but I did sign the Ette up yesterday - gotta love Amex for ease of sign up.

 

[ninja-tim]

I applied about 2 weeks ago without instant approval and took them a few business days before I received any communication regarding the application. It was in the form of a phone call to confirm if it was indeed myself that applied for the card. Very weird call. They called up asking to verify my id and to ask what was my last credit card application. Anywho, once that was all confirmed he said that the application process will get underway and after that I don't receive any emails regarding till 4 days later I receive the black envelope in my mail.

Activated and check which reward program it's linked to, it says "Please view your points balance under Card : xx_-xx_x", which is my Business Plat charge card.

What's the general consensus here? should I ask to convert to Gateway (to get the bonus 100k points) or stay with Ascent (for better earn & redemption rate)?

 

[bbqwer]

What's the general consensus here? should I ask to convert to Gateway (to get the bonus 100k points) or stay with Ascent (for better earn & redemption rate)?

If I were you convert to Gateway, take the bonus points first. 100k bonus is a lot.

 

[bismarck]

How much do you spend per year? If more than, say $250k, probably worth it otherwise take the bonus points.