The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

[flightsonpoints]

I did some investigation with Amex on the phone and they have enrolled me in Ascent for my Explorer card which means 2 MR per dollar because Im a good customer blah blah, which means most likely no bonus points we shall see i guess I'm so impatient!

 

[bismarck]

I did some investigation with Amex on the phone and they have enrolled me in Ascent for my Explorer card which means 2 MR per dollar because Im a good customer blah blah, which means most likely no bonus points we shall see i guess I'm so impatient!

Could be better in the long term. 2MR / $ is a pretty damn competitive rate.....easily the best on the market for all spend and into a highly-flexible currency.

 

[potm]

If you have really high expenditure or intend to keep the card for a long time then it may work out better even without the bonus points. Ideally you get the bonus points anyway and it's an even more awesome deal!

 

[flightsonpoints]

Absolutely hello Suites here I come again!!!

Could be better in the long term. 2MR / $ is a pretty damn competitive rate.....easily the best on the market for all spend and into a highly-flexible currency.

 

[Finale]

slightly OT, but Amex really should change their plat to no foreign transaction fee like the US ones...esp consider you pay over 1k for the annual fee...

One thing about US plat though, their earn rate is TERRIBLE at 1 point per US dollar on all purchases except 2x Amex travel. However, even their Gold (PRG) has no Fx fee and has been my favorite card for 3x Airlines spend (great when buying AA, LM miles and pay taxes). I will be getting another US card (Citi) with no Fx fee also and 70-80% of my expenses will end up going to US cards. Would be happy to pay $1,200 for Aus Plat if no Fx fee (and if they approve me with this low income ).

 

[nightelves]

I did some investigation with Amex on the phone and they have enrolled me in Ascent for my Explorer card which means 2 MR per dollar because Im a good customer blah blah, which means most likely no bonus points we shall see i guess I'm so impatient!

What does one need to do to become a 'good customer?'

 

[flightsonpoints]

No idea, who knows what they are doing!

What does one need to do to become a 'good customer?'

 

[alexy23]

If you have really high expenditure or intend to keep the card for a long time then it may work out better even without the bonus points. Ideally you get the bonus points anyway and it's an even more awesome deal!

Or apply for the card - get the points, then asked to be switched to Ascent. Win-Win! If I was getting 2MR in Ascent I would give up my Plat Edge and switch it for the Reserve. Then use Explorer for everything and get my free flight with the Reserve. I'd be giving up 1 point per $1 for my Supermarkets however so unless I could get past the 3 card limit, I'm not sure if it's worth having 2x Explorer for a house hold.

 

[bbqwer]

Certain transactions will earn 0.5 points per dollar with Merchants classified as; “government”, including the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Postal Corporation (Australia Post), federal/state and local government bodies.


I got eparcel account australia post, everytime I paid bills the transactions are showing: SSD CHEQUEMATE WEST MELBOU AU is this still classified as australia post ? or amex did not know ? The transactions are different with the one we paid direct at Local post office.

anyone have experiences ?

 

[nightelves]

Or apply for the card - get the points, then asked to be switched to Ascent. Win-Win! If I was getting 2MR in Ascent I would give up my Plat Edge and switch it for the Reserve. Then use Explorer for everything and get my free flight with the Reserve. I'd be giving up 1 point per $1 for my Supermarkets however so unless I could get past the 3 card limit, I'm not sure if it's worth having 2x Explorer for a house hold.

Would you try it and let us know if it works?

 

[foxwell]

How do I know which program I am in?
I have had a Velocity Platinum Amex which I have now closed a few months ago, and have an active Gold Qantas FF Amex.
Neither of these earn points with Amex but transfer straight to the airline program.
Does that mean that they are not in MR and I can apply for this card and expect to get the bonus points?
Cheers

 

[tuvz]

One thing about US plat though, their earn rate is TERRIBLE at 1 point per US dollar on all purchases except 2x Amex travel. However, even their Gold (PRG) has no Fx fee and has been my favorite card for 3x Airlines spend (great when buying AA, LM miles and pay taxes). I will be getting another US card (Citi) with no Fx fee also and 70-80% of my expenses will end up going to US cards. Would be happy to pay $1,200 for Aus Plat if no Fx fee (and if they approve me with this low income ).

Even the US amex gold card (below PRG) has no Forex fee. its pretty much standard in the USA..

Even with the cough earning rate, The USA plat is miles ahead, often a 100k sign up bonus, 450fee vs $1200, prorated fee on closing (although this stopped on sept 1), $200 of airline credit per calendar year which is easy to cash out etc

Btw the Citibank premier is better as 3* earning card then PRG imo as it has many more categories

but anyway to get back on topic, got the 100k bonus on the explorer while holding the velocity card and closing the plat edge a week or so before

 

[adelee]

How do I know which program I am in?
I have had a Velocity Platinum Amex which I have now closed a few months ago, and have an active Gold Qantas FF Amex.
Neither of these earn points with Amex but transfer straight to the airline program.
Does that mean that they are not in MR and I can apply for this card and expect to get the bonus points?
Cheers

Yes, correct. Your card swept straight to Velocity, so you were not in the MR program. (Plus multiple other people have reported getting the Explorer sign on bonus with either an active or recently closed Velocity Platinum, so you should be fine).

 

[alexy23]

I got eparcel account australia post, everytime I paid bills the transactions are showing: SSD CHEQUEMATE WEST MELBOU AU is this still classified as australia post ? or amex did not know ? The transactions are different with the one we paid direct at Local post office.

Technically it could be a different rate as it's commercial transaction. Only way to know would be to process a sample transaction and see how it shows up.

 

[albyd]

I'm seriously considering this card. Is it part of local champion yet?

 

[N860CR]

For all my complaining... Card showed up in the mail today (no text or confirmation).
Limit is only $3000 but I plan to close the Platinum Edge so they should merge the limits.

 

[k3nnis]

Thinking about getting this card. I have the Plat edge as well. Can someone please confirm if plat edge with ascent you still et bonus points when applying for the explorer card? Also with plat edge holders did they just merge the ascent account or did they create the gateway rewards?

And do we still earn 1.5 points per $ for insurances? ie. AAMI, NRMA etc

Also what do you guys plan to spend with this card to get 1.5 sq miles per $? ATO is out, I'm struggling to find any fairly large bills that I can pay with Alex besides electricity. Petrol and groceries will be Amex play edge.

Thanks,
K.

 

[alexy23]

Also what do you guys plan to spend with this card to get 1.5 sq miles per $?

Anywhere that AMEX is available and isn't Petrol & Supermarket. So restaurants, cafe, gifts, hairdresser, bills, misc expenses, wine etc. Doesn't have to be a large bill at all

Even just having an AMEX card can justify it's annual fee (think Shop Small, Statement Credits, Discounts by being AMEX). As long as you can justify the $400 travel per year, then essentially AMEX pays you to own this card. Much better ROI compared to Westpac, ANZ.

 

[bismarck]

Thinking about getting this card. I have the Plat edge as well. Can someone please confirm if plat edge with ascent you still et bonus points when applying for the explorer card? Also with plat edge holders did they just merge the ascent account or did they create the gateway rewards?

And do we still earn 1.5 points per $ for insurances? ie. AAMI, NRMA etc

Also what do you guys plan to spend with this card to get 1.5 sq miles per $? ATO is out, I'm struggling to find any fairly large bills that I can pay with Alex besides electricity. Petrol and groceries will be Amex play edge.

Thanks,
K.

Restaurants, booze, flights, hotels. I also buy a lot of my groceries at non-supermarkets so the Plat Edge is a bit of a marginal product for me. Am tossing up whether to cancel and just run with Explorer.

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks guys. Just seems that with small purchases it will take me forever to they that J or F seat lol. Also the $400 voucher will that get me to NZ return?