Thanks for all the great advice in this thread. I'm a little bit concerned about the 'unlinking' process now.
I had Platinum Edge and applied for Explorer. My account online shows 0 points for Explorer and when I go into the Membership Rewards section I can switch between 'Ascent' and 'Gateway'.
Does that mean I'm okay to go through with $1500 spend, or do I still need to call and request an 'unlink'?
Thanks for the help!
You don't need to unlink as you already have separate 'Ascent' and 'Gateway' Membership Rewards accounts. People who have had to unlink had both the Explorer and Platinum Edge, Reserve or charge cards linked only to Ascent. Since you have a Gateway account set up your spend from the Explorer card will go to Gateway so you can start spending towards the $1500.
Have people had issues re-linking the cards?
I called earlier today and was told it's not possible as the gateway and ascent premium programs have different earn rates.
Spend some time reading this thread.
Spend some time reading this thread. The messages people post are kept for others to read and learn.
Just wanted to know if there was a consistent theme rather than trawling through many pages, hardly the most efficient means of obtaining an answer.
I think you are measuring the efficiency only from your point of view.
That's true, but no one is obliged to summarise it for me - I simply would have appreciated it someone who already knew the answer could have saved me sometime.
While I understand that it's frustrating for the regulars on here, we don't exactly have a sticky of pertinent information (but yes I can use the search function, which I have per the post above.
Thanks for volunteering write up some helpful summaries and guides. I look forward to reading them.
.
Relevant considerations:
Existing Amex cards
- Sign-on bonus points generally still seem to be applied gora new Amex Card, as long at the award program of the new card is different to your existing card (ie MR Ascent, MR Ascent Premium or MR Gateway or other programs such as Velocity, Qantas or David Jones)
- Applications should be done at your own risk though since the T&C specify that the bonus shouldn't apply; and
- Downside risk is actually minimal though (apart from a credit enquiry marker) as the financial cost can be recouped if no travel credit or points are transferred.
De-linking cards
- members with existing cards may on first activation discover that Amex has linked their explorer to an existing reward scheme (MR Ascent or MR Ascent Premium), in which case the sign-onbonus points won't be credited but any spend will earn at 2 MR Ascent per/$ compared to the less valuabale 2 MR Gateway Points/$;
- de-link of the cards (split out to Ascent and Gateway) can only be achieved by calling amex to request this.
- Once you hit the $1,500 spend the sign-on bonus points should be credited typically virtually immediately; and
- the spend of $1,500 must occur on the Gateway program for the sign-on bonus points to apply.
Linking cards
- members have had luck linking the two reward programs together (suggestions indicate to call during late at night/weekends to hit international call centres US/Phillipines, etc and it's a mixed bag in terms of whether you call the MR line or the back of the card number);
- Risk to linking the cards is that one members has reported that all points were lost (However this is yet to be resoved and may just be a glitch)
I actually don't mind summarising what I have just read in relation to the linking issue, if there is a way for us to sticky it on the top of the thread.
Ta. Some edits are below:
Struggling to use your Frequent Flyer Points?
Frequent Flyer Concierge takes the hard work out of finding award availability and redeeming your frequent flyer or credit card points for flights.
Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, the Frequent Flyer Concierge team at Frequent Flyer Concierge will help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.
This post is about my experience and outcome in applying for the Amex Explorer card.........
Thanks to everyone who has posted their experience on this thread. You have all helped me immensely.
Some good news. I decided to call up this morning at 8am. Just asking whether there was any update on my enquiry for my lost points. He went away and reviewed my notes and saw that this issue had been on going for a little while now. He spoke to his manager, and to not let this issue drag on too long, they agreed to put in a request to have the points reflected on my account within the next 24 hours.
So sounds like a good outcome. *fingers crossed*
For those that haven't been following. I had lost all my points upon relinking my accounts. This was points awarded from the sign up bonus, referrals and purchases.
*update*
Yay. All my points reappeared! Think this'll be my primary card for a while.