The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

[tizey]

How can one "churn" between Amex? Eg. Convert a Velocity Amex to a Platinum Edge Amex without taking a credit application hit?

I'm thinking I could sign up to this as a new application (and take the credit file hit) to hopefully get the bonus points + $400 credit, which I'd use (making the $395 fee acceptable), and then convert either the Explorer card or my Velocity Amex to a Platinum Reserve to be my free companion card to my Platinum charge, to get the free Flight on that card?

Anyone kindly share their thoughts if they think its possible? That would make it a worthwhile Credit file hit if it came off!

 

[andye]

Will have to do the sums and see how it weighs up against the Business Accelerator which is my current Edge adjunct

 

[get me outta here]

I applied for another Amex 2 days ago and was instantly approved, but did get another Veda hit.

How can one "churn" between Amex? Eg. Convert a Velocity Amex to a Platinum Edge Amex without taking a credit application hit?

I'm thinking I could sign up to this as a new application (and take the credit file hit) to hopefully get the bonus points + $400 credit, which I'd use (making the $395 fee acceptable), and then convert either the Explorer card or my Velocity Amex to a Platinum Reserve to be my free companion card to my Platinum charge, to get the free Flight on that card?

Anyone kindly share their thoughts if they think its possible? That would make it a worthwhile Credit file hit if it came off!

 

[Finale]

OMG! I just applied and got an instant approval My income does not meet the minimum requirement, same as when I applied for Virgin Platinum last year (no instant approval).

Last Friday I also applied for ANZ QFF platinum (approved) and westpac Altitude basic (denied). Amex didn't seem to care much about my score. Gotta love them

Will have to do the sums and see how it weighs up against the Business Accelerator which is my current Edge adjunct

I love Accelerator but 2 points on Australian purchases only. This card also comes with $400 + 2 Lounge entries + insurance. Not sure if I should cancel it.

 

[Plutonus]

OMG! I just applied and got an instant approval My income does not meet the minimum requirement, same as when I applied for Virgin Platinum last year (no instant approval).

Amex seem to put a lot of weight on your existing relationship with them, based on what I've read here and other places regarding approval.

FYI someone I know recently tried to switch from Platinum Edge to Essentials Credit Card and were told they would have to do a new application. Was advised can only 'transfer' to another card in the same line (platinum charge) or the Qantas/Velocity offerings.

Sounds a bit strange but something to keep in mind in case it's true. Nevertheless I'll be trying soon.

 

[adelee]

For existing card holders hoping to churn this one, I'd personally exercise caution where the 100,000 MR points bonus is concerned.

It's been pointed out elsewhere that AMEX have changed the 'not held an AMEX issued card for 12 months' rule for this card to 18 months. Given they've tightened the rules around that, it wouldn't surprise me if they tightened the rules on actually allowing existing cardholders to pick up the points.

After all, they must have taken a huge hit on the recent 3 x referral bonus scheme.

Hopefully we can get clarification from an existing card holder who has signed up

 

[johnny_yh2000]

Usually with Amex they say you get less point paying utilities such as at post office. But this card says all purchases you get 4points per dollar (1.5 airline miles:$1). This does sounds pretty good!

 

[Finale]

For existing card holders hoping to churn this one, I'd personally exercise caution where the 100,000 MR points bonus is concerned.

It's been pointed out elsewhere that AMEX have changed the 'not held an AMEX issued card for 12 months' rule for this card to 18 months. Given they've tightened the rules around that, it wouldn't surprise me if they tightened the rules on actually allowing existing cardholders to pick up the points.

After all, they must have taken a huge hit on the recent 3 x referral bonus scheme.

Hopefully we can get clarification from an existing card holder who has signed up

This would be worse than an Amex USA once in a lifetime bonus. I spotted this as well when signing up but thought it wasn't a big loss with other benefits that come with this card. Will confirm.

 

[kpc]

This would be worse than an Amex USA once in a lifetime bonus. I spotted this as well when signing up but thought it wasn't a big loss with other benefits that come with this card. Will confirm.

Please report back as I'm thnking of signing up for this card, and I cancelled my Amex Velocity card last month.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Usually with Amex they say you get less point paying utilities such as at post office. But this card says all purchases you get 4points per dollar (1.5 airline miles:$1).

No it doesn't:

With the American Express Explorer[SUP]TM[/SUP] Credit Card you'll be enrolled into the Membership Rewards Gateway program[SUP]3[/SUP]

• Earn 2 Membership Rewards points[SUP]3[/SUP] per $1 spent on all purchases except government bodies in Australia where you will earn 0.5 points per $1 spent

(Regular purchases = 1.5 actual FF points per $1. Government etc is 0.375 FF points per $1.)

OMG! I just applied and got an instant approval

My income does not meet the minimum requirement, same as when I applied for Virgin Platinum last year (no instant approval).

Mind if I ask how far you were under, and whether you indicated you wanted to apply for this as a second card or for this to replace your existing card?

 

[johnny_yh2000]

No it doesn't:

With the American Express Explorer[SUP]TM[/SUP] Credit Card you'll be enrolled into the Membership Rewards Gateway program[SUP]3[/SUP]

• Earn 2 Membership Rewards points[SUP]3[/SUP] per $1 spent on all purchases except government bodies in Australia where you will earn 0.5 points per $1 spent

(Regular purchases = 1.5 actual FF points per $1. Government etc is 0.375 FF points per $1.)

Does post office count as government? I thought government means like ATO?

 

[robtemt]

Between my partner and I, we have Plat Charge, Plat Reserve, and Plat Edge. We use the benefits of each and in our opinion, are well ahead of the annual fee. Need to do some math and see if this new card will be of value, and in place of which one. Looking forward to reading about experiences when those on here get and use the card. Looks cool though.

 

[johnny_yh2000]

Between my partner and I, we have Plat Charge, Plat Reserve, and Plat Edge. We use the benefits of each and in our opinion, are well ahead of the annual fee. Need to do some math and see if this new card will be of value, and in place of which one. Looking forward to reading about experiences when those on here get and use the card. Looks cool though.

Will be in your shoes soon. Please tell use what's your go at the end.

 

[kylebb]

Curious regarding the "gateway" program... I have platinum edge and essential, that essential earns points into the same balance pool as they edge at 1:1. Wonder if that might end up happening here?

 

[N860CR]

Got a "no" when asking to swap my platinum edge for this. Told to just apply for a new one and they might give me both or ask for me to can the other one

 

[frequentflyer]

I'm curious if Amex will be strict on bonus points for existing holders given they increased it to 18 months instead of 12...

 

[blueythecat]

I'm curious if Amex will be strict on bonus points for existing holders given they increased it to 18 months instead of 12...

This will be a the 100k question. I'm a bit concerned given they've made the change from 12 to 18 months, I'll guess we'll have to wait until someone applies and finds out.

 

[VPS]

Does anyone have any experience with the $400 travel credit - can you use it in bits or does it have to be at once - if I book a QF flight will it be the same price as what QF charge? Any other gotchas to look out for

 

[junbugging]

Does anyone have any experience with the $400 travel credit - can you use it in bits or does it have to be at once - if I book a QF flight will it be the same price as what QF charge? Any other gotchas to look out for

My only experience is with the $300 credit on the Platinum Charge. You can't use it online for anything less than $300, not sure about over the phone.

QF flight prices are the same as QF charges, but without the credit-card fee.

 

[Plutonus]

Does anyone have any experience with the $400 travel credit - can you use it in bits or does it have to be at once - if I book a QF flight will it be the same price as what QF charge? Any other gotchas to look out for

Must be redeemed against a single booking.