The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

[Ken1]

Thanks so much to everyone who has offered advice here regarding the Explorer card. I received the card two weeks ago and de-linked from Ascent Premium earlier this week. Thanks to us needing a new washing machine as well as some other bills and shopping I hit the $1500 spend yesterday and the points have posted overnight, including the 110K bonus points (thanks also to Adelee for your referral).

Now to call up and ask to be re-linked from Gateway back to Ascent Premium. The advice I've read here indicates that it is best to call late and try to get someone in the U.S. call centre. For those who have successfully been able to re-link the accounts - did you ask to do it as soon as you received the bonus points or did you wait a week or two and have other purchases on your account so that the bonus points are not the latest to be posted?

 

[Jonova]

I rang straight after the bonus points posted. It took 3 calls but when I finally got someone willing to link them they didn't question anything.

 

[Ken1]

I rang straight after the bonus points posted. It took 3 calls but when I finally got someone willing to link them they didn't question anything.

Thanks Jonova. When you called back after each rejection did you call back on the same day or at different times on other days?

Should I ask to have them re-linked or just ask to have the Gateway account combined with the Ascent Premium account, without mentioning that I recently had them de-linked, although I'm sure if they look at the account history they would see that?

 

[unfunkable]

"Hi AMEX
I find it hard to keep track of my 2 points system, to make it easier for me, is it ok to just have the one point system going my merging them together? That would make my life easier!"

 

[blingy90]

And the gateway points convert fine to the ascent points? People haven't lost gateway points when changing over?

 

[albyd]

Not in my experience - gateway was converted at 1:1 to Ascent Premium so effectively 30% value uplift (given gateway are with 0.75 Ascent points). Showed as a line item in Ascent account for the transfer from gateway for me.

 

[SuperSaeen]

Going through the last few pages, it's been mentioned several times that the bonus points only posted where you don't already have a gateway account. Is this just a theory or did someone already holding the Amex essential card try applying for the Amex Explorer using a referral link ?

Its time for me to apply for a new Amex card so just considering the options. Already have a Amex Essential.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Going through the last few pages, it's been mentioned several times that the bonus points only posted where you don't already have a gateway account. Is this just a theory or did someone already holding the Amex essential card try applying for the Amex Explorer using a referral link ?

Its time for me to apply for a new Amex card so just considering the options. Already have a Amex Essential.

I've see the same comments as you bountyhunter and I don't know that you'll see a large number of people be able to confirm this either way from actual experience.

There's also speculation that using a referral link can get around potential 'problems' like this.

My view in looking at the explorer card was that even if I didn't get the 110,000 bonus points (via a referral) I was prepared to take the $400 AMEX travel credits for the $395 fee and chalk it up to experience. I could then cancel the explorer account and wait out any mandatory exclusion period that may apply.

So I'd suggest that you wont actually get any guarantee, but it may be worth the risk of trying given it will cost you nothing.

 

[SOPOOR]

I've see the same comments as you bountyhunter and I don't know that you'll see a large number of people be able to confirm this either way from actual experience.

There's also speculation that using a referral link can get around potential 'problems' like this.

My view in looking at the explorer card was that even if I didn't get the 110,000 bonus points (via a referral) I was prepared to take the $400 AMEX travel credits for the $395 fee and chalk it up to experience. I could then cancel the explorer account and wait out any mandatory exclusion period that may apply.

So I'd suggest that you wont actually get any guarantee, but it may be worth the risk of trying given it will cost you nothing.

im a new customer anyway so it wont affect me, but for future reference as I want to reapply at some point

are bonus points only for when a new gateway account are created?
ive also seen many people say even though they got their bonus before, applkying a for a new card the bonus seems to slip through, especially if its a referal link

is this whats happening?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Going through the last few pages, it's been mentioned several times that the bonus points only posted where you don't already have a gateway account. Is this just a theory or did someone already holding the Amex essential card try applying for the Amex Explorer using a referral link ?

Its time for me to apply for a new Amex card so just considering the options. Already have a Amex Essential.

Bountyhunter the experience reported in numerous threads about numerous types of Amex Cards is this;

- Sign on Bonni will be achieved as long as the new card is a different type of Amex Award Program to whatever your current Amex Card is (ie Ascent MR, Gateway MR, QFF, Velocity, DJs)

So if you get the Explorer Card and Amex places it into the Ascent MR program you will need to call and have it unlinked so that it will be in the Gateway Program if you want to get the sign-on bonus.

This has also been my experience for 3 family members over the last decade with numerous churning of Amex Cards.

 

[Jonova]

Thanks Jonova. When you called back after each rejection did you call back on the same day or at different times on other days?

Should I ask to have them re-linked or just ask to have the Gateway account combined with the Ascent Premium account, without mentioning that I recently had them de-linked, although I'm sure if they look at the account history they would see that?

Best to call after hours on a weekend. I waited about 15 minutes between each call. I just told them I want to link the two for convenience, I didn't mention that I had de-linked previously.

 

[implsv]

Got my Explorer card today and currently have the Qantas Ultimate card.

Activated and it appears to be linked to my one account on sign in. Does this present any issues for my bonus points or all good as they are separate programs?

Thanks guys

 

[Blackswan]

Best to call after hours on a weekend. I waited about 15 minutes between each call. I just told them I want to link the two for convenience, I didn't mention that I had de-linked previously.

For those who have linked their Explorer Rewards to their Plat Edge Rewards - do you still keep the $400 Amex travel credit when you log into the travel portal, after the points have been transferred across?

 

[Steady]

Got my Explorer card today and currently have the Qantas Ultimate card.

Activated and it appears to be linked to my one account on sign in. Does this present any issues for my bonus points or all good as they are separate programs?

Thanks guys

All good.

My Explorer and Ultimate are on the same account sign in and didn't cause any issues getting the bonus points

 

[implsv]

Thanks mate, perfect!

 

[rogsamsy]

confirming for the record I Got the bonus points and already have the David Jones card.

 

[Dr Ralph]

confirming for the record I Got the bonus points and already have the David Jones card.

Thanks rogsamsy. And a belated welcome to AFF.

 

[desafinado74]

How do you convert and transfer the Gateway points to your Velocity / Krisflyer / SPG accounts ?
Can you link the Explorer card to your frequent flyer and SPG memberships ?

 

[Dr Ralph]

How do you convert and transfer the Gateway points to your Velocity / Krisflyer / SPG accounts ?
Can you link the Explorer card to your frequent flyer and SPG memberships ?

Yes. Go to redeem points on the Amex site. I recently transferred some points to SPG. Took 3 days to go through.

 

[implsv]

Used my explorer card today... at second shop my card declined.

Contacted Amex and got told flagged for fraud concerns and team I need to speak to not available until Monday.

Anyone else had this? Seems a bit of a joke to not have 24 hours support?