The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

I'm getting that for my AMEX bus plat, which a week before that it was working fine. I'm guessing it means there isn't a referral program for the cards you have. I'm sure we'll see a referral for this card just gotta hold on.
 
When I receive my Explorer card, I will ring up customer service to see what the situation is with referrals / whether a link can be generated.
 
If I have Plat Charge, Reserve and Edge, I would have to bin one of the Reserve or Edge in order to scoop this new card wouldn't I?
 
That's right I'm thinking will bin my reserve. Platinum edge is too valuable to give up. Plat charge already has the same bonus categories as the reserve so an easy decision.
 
albyd said:
That's right I'm thinking will bin my reserve. Platinum edge is too valuable to give up. Plat charge already has the same bonus categories as the reserve so an easy decision.
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Indeed. I have already booked my free flight from the Reserve and since it is free with the Plat Charge, there is really nothing to lose for me. I wonder if the annual fee can be refunded for this new card after scooping the bonus points, using the travel credit and then cancelling in order to swap back to the Reserve?
 
Mr_Orange said:
Indeed. I have already booked my free flight from the Reserve and since it is free with the Plat Charge, there is really nothing to lose for me. I wonder if the annual fee can be refunded for this new card after scooping the bonus points, using the travel credit and then cancelling in order to swap back to the Reserve?
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I didn't think the Reserve was availiable to new customers anymore. At least it's not on the website.
 
TomVexille said:
I didn't think the Reserve was availiable to new customers anymore. At least it's not on the website.
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It isn't. I'm a Plat Charge card holder so can have the Reserve as a companion card, as I currently do. I could close it down, get this card and use the benefits and then close the Explorer and get the Reserve back. In theory!!
 
Unless you're exceeding you 300k MR caps in the charge and need the reserve to keep earning bonus points for dining and travel, outside of the free flight, I'm tempted to just switch to the explorer with the higher effective earn across all categories. Come to think of it, might do an audit to see if I need the charge outside of SPG 'gold' membership.
 
albyd said:
Unless you're exceeding you 300k MR caps in the charge and need the reserve to keep earning bonus points for dining and travel, outside of the free flight, I'm tempted to just switch to the explorer with the higher effective earn across all categories. Come to think of it, might do an audit to see if I need the charge outside of SPG 'gold' membership.
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The downside to that is the Explorer comes with an annual fee whereas the Reserve does not. Not sure if Amex would waive the Explorer fee for Plat Charge card holders as they do the for the Reserve.
 
Pretty hard to see an extra $800 in value for the Plat Charge over the Explorer. Maybe if you spent a whole lot of money at restaurants? Or really really wanted to transfer to Qantas?
 
My take on this card vs Plat charge:

Explorer:
Much cheaper annual fee, arguably the entire annual fee is offset by the travel credit.
Flat earn rate, more useful than Plat charge unless you spend a lot on the bonus categories (restaurants, flights etc).
One of the best earn card, especially post RBA changes.

Plat charge:
Charge card, so it doesn't count against you in future credit applications.
Can transfer to a wider range of airlines/hotels.
Free flight (if you get the reserve companion card)
Status with a large amount of hotels/car hire companies
Unlimited Priority Pass + virgin lounge access

Everyone have to draw their own conclusion, for me I rather save $800 and buy a Qantas club through work if necessary for lounge access (which is tax deductible....)
 
A little O/T but I asked my account manager about whether or not I can get the Plat Reserve with my AMEX Business Plat. He mentioned I can and gave me a PDF application for the "The American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card".

Is this card eligible for the free flight? Any more detail on this?

What other perks does the Platinum Reserve Credit have specifically (point earn etc) can't seem to find much and he didn't really know either? Trying to weigh up applying for the Reserve card ($0 fee) vs Explorer Card ($400 fee).
 
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alexy23 said:
A little O/T but I asked my account manager about whether or not I can get the Plat Reserve with my AMEX Business Plat. He mentioned I can and gave me a PDF application for the "The American Express® Platinum Reserve Credit Card".

Is this card eligible for the free flight? Any more detail on this?

What other perks does the Platinum Reserve Credit have specifically (point earn etc) can't seem to find much and he didn't really know either? Trying to weigh up applying for the Reserve card ($0 fee) vs Explorer Card ($400 fee).
Click to expand...

Reserve has the same points earn structure as the Plat Charge card. Free flights is as per: https://www.americanexpress.com/australia/campaigns/platinum_reserve/destination_guide.shtml.
 
Sydney to (Queenstown/Perth/Ayers Rock/Hamilton Is.), did I read that right? If so not a bad deal.

Anybody know of the limit of reserve cards I can have - i.e. one for me and one for Mrs? Not bad considering I already pay an annual fee.

Clearly I'd apply for the Explorer though first to get the bonus points.
 
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alexy23 said:
Sydney to (Queenstown/Perth/Ayers Rock/Hamilton Is.), did I read that right? If so not a bad deal.

Anybody know of the limit of reserve cards I can have - i.e. one for me and one for Mrs? Not bad considering I already pay an annual fee.

Clearly I'd apply for the Explorer though first to get the bonus points.
Click to expand...

You can get a supplementary Reserve for your +1.
 

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