The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

[calgarychris]

Yep final points earn - I'm thinking of getting the program linked to my wifes ascent and forgoing the bonus points, as I would make that in a years spend bases on 2 vs 1.5 /$
But then I would be getting an extra 80k points per year based on 2 points/$ thereafter...until they catch on and stop it?

I'm in the same boat, except that mathematically, correct me if I'm wrong, you would need to spend $100,000 / year to make up for the bonus you're missing (100K Gateway --> 50,000 airline and the earn is 0.5 ppd better on Ascent therefore 50,000 / 0.5)...

I don't spend $100,000 per year on my credit cards and if I did, no doubt a large portion would be at vendors that do not accept Amex . Either way, I'm not sure I can be coughd to switch it, I like the simplicity of the card earning into my existing account...

 

[potm]

If you are transfering to one of the airline miles then
you would need to spend 150k to breakeven on the bonus points.

 

[unfunkable]

I would use it a lot for work purchases 12k/month minimum going up to 20k on a good month.
ATM using a wbc black altitude to get 1.5VP /$ . We don't fly much so the $400 might go wasted, so really I'm paying an extra $400 for the extra 0.5 if I don't use my flight allowance...

 

[Cruiser Elite]

We don't fly much so the $400 might go wasted, so really I'm paying an extra $400 for the extra 0.5 if I don't use my flight allowance...

Is it $400 'flight only' voucher? I thought it was a $400 'travel voucher' that could be used for hotel booking also?

Edit: Clarification here

 

[unfunkable]

Is it $400 'flight only' voucher? I thought it was a $400 'travel voucher' that could be used for hotel booking also?

good point! - I'll read up on it, cheers

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Ok, another Data Point.

I already had an Edge, cancelled my Velocity several weeks prior and then applied for the Explorer.

Approved immediately, and $400 travel credit and linking to Ascent was there online the next day before even the card was received.

Spent $1500. No 100k bonus

Rang and converted to Gateway, Spent another $1500 and 100K have now posted as soon as the spend transacted (ie was no longer in pending)..


From what I now know it would seem that everyone gets the 100K if they end up in Gateway and spend $1500 after joining the Gateway MR Program.

 

[LA10]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. If I sign up to this card, receive the 100k MR points, I can then transfer this as 75k krisflyer points and use this for example, a one-way J award to HKG? This could be the perfect way to celebrate my 30th next year!
Thanks in advance

Edit: I do currently hold the amex QF Ultimate card and I'm planning on cancelling it this weekend, before applying for the explorer.

 

[kamchatsky]

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. If I sign up to this card, receive the 100k MR points, I can then transfer this as 75k krisflyer points and use this for example, a one-way J award to HKG? This could be the perfect way to celebrate my 30th next year!
Thanks in advance

Edit: I do currently hold the amex QF Ultimate card and I'm planning on cancelling it this weekend, before applying for the explorer.

Yes. In fact, if you depart from SYD or MEL, try to book one-way Suite class to Hong Kong. 75K points is definitely enough for it!

 

[Abdul_A350]

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

I cannot speak for Adam, but there are limitations that make a $400 travel credit quite different from $400 cash.

- You must spend at least $400 in a single transaction; you cannot spend $200 and get $200 in change
- If you cancel the booking later, your $400 travel credit no longer exists
- If you use it for a hotel where you have status, you may not get the benefits commensurate with that status
- If you call Amex to complain about the last point, they introduce their special rates that guarantee similar benefits... and then you cannot use the travel credit for that

If you want to buy an airfare that costs more than $400, then yes, it probably is basically as good as cash.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Tks abdul for the explanation - but from where I sit and how I intend to use the credit it is still equal to $400 cash for me.

As for status recognition again this is very much a may not as IME many hotels do indeed honour status benefits for bookings through 3rd parties - again I offer up Hilton in SIN as a prime example - on one occasion Dia benefits honoured and on another stay not honoured - some girls do and some girls don't.

 

[foxwell]

Hi Everyone,

I'm really confused about the rewards program discussion going on here. Can someone please explain it?

I just got my new Explorer Card in the mail.
I have had an Amex Velocity and Amex Discovery card in the past which both have now been closed down in the last 12 months.

I checked the rewards section of my account online and I have been put in Gateway.
Has anyone got the bonus points straight away on Gateway or do you need to change to the Ascent program to get the bonus points? It seems there's lots of people saying they needed to switch programs and then spend the $1500 again to get the points.

There's a $40 option to buy Ascent membership on the rewards page. Is this how you change to Ascent if you wanted to?

I want to transfer my points to Qantas or Krisflyer. Which one is the best for this?

Thanks a lot, I've tried to find the answers myself but there's so many different responses!!

Cheers

 

[Mr_Orange]

Hi Everyone,

I'm really confused about the rewards program discussion going on here. Can someone please explain it?

I just got my new Explorer Card in the mail.
I have had an Amex Velocity and Amex Discovery card in the past which both have now been closed down in the last 12 months.

I checked the rewards section of my account online and I have been put in Gateway.
Has anyone got the bonus points straight away on Gateway or do you need to change to the Ascent program to get the bonus points? It seems there's lots of people saying they needed to switch programs and then spend the $1500 again to get the points.

There's a $40 option to buy Ascent membership on the rewards page. Is this how you change to Ascent if you wanted to?

I want to transfer my points to Qantas or Krisflyer. Which one is the best for this?

Thanks a lot, I've tried to find the answers myself but there's so many different responses!!

Cheers

You don't need to change programmes. Spend the $1500 and you will receive the bonus points.

The talk of swapping programmes is for those who already have Ascent or Ascent Premium and their Explorer card gets added to those programmes.

You can only transfer to QF if you have Ascent Premium which comes with the Platinum Charge Card.

 

[foxwell]

Thanks Mr Orange

Also, I just referred my friend. They have an active Velocity Amex. Would this disqualify them from the bonus points if they signed up to Explorer? Has anyone had luck with this?

Cheers

 

[bismarck]

Thanks Mr Orange

Also, I just referred my friend. They have an active Velocity Amex. Would this disqualify them from the bonus points if they signed up to Explorer? Has anyone had luck with this?

Cheers

In practice they should receive them, though the T&C's do suggest they are not eligible.

Many, many people here have applied while holding another card and the conventional wisdom seems to be that as long as it is a different membership rewards program you will receive the bonus points.

YMMV

 

[mmchow]

Another data point to add for this card as an existing Ascent member (Plat Edge).
Applied online and instantly approved. Received card 4 days later and was linked to Gateaway program. Spent $1300++ in the next 5 days and bonus points posted immediately after the last spend was cleared.
Happy days!!

 

[unfunkable]

Another data point to add for this card as an existing Ascent member (Plat Edge).
Applied online and instantly approved. Received card 4 days later and was linked to Gateaway program. Spent $1300++ in the next 5 days and bonus points posted immediately after the last spend was cleared.
Happy days!!

Hi
Was it automatically linked to your ascent program, or did it come unlinked?
Are you know able to link it since points posted?
cheers

 

[mmchow]

It was directly linked to the Gateway program. Previous posts mentioned that if it was linked to the ascent account, call to unlink it. Spend the $1500 and the bonus points will post.

 

[unfunkable]

It was directly linked to the Gateway program. Previous posts mentioned that if it was linked to the ascent account, call to unlink it. Spend the $1500 and the bonus points will post.

Thanks for that, have you tried to link it now with ascent since points are posted...that way you get the bonus points AND now earn 2MR ascent points per dollar...
I don't think we have anyone yet who got the bonus points and managed to re-link to ascent , but I could be wrong

People either started off linked- and asked for it to be unlinked, but were told they could not like it again for a certain amount of time.

 

[Redrob123]

When you applied did you state that you currently have the plat edge?

 

[mmchow]

I don't think we have anyone yet who got the bonus points and managed to re-link to ascent

Not sure if that will work given Explorer card should be in the Gateway program anyway. Not sure what justification to provide to have them linked to the Ascent account.

When you applied did you state that you currently have the plat edge?

I did not but that doesn't matter anyway. Received a letter from them 2 days after the approval and the content as below:
Dear mmchow,

I'm delighted to let you know your new AMEX card has been approved.
We're already looking out for you.
As you're already a Cardmember, we've taken account ...........