The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

[mokuni]

Hi, been reading this thread as its going to be affecting me shortly. I understand that the loophole may no longer be there. Would someone be able to confirm which loophole this is;

1.) Had previous Ascent, signed up for Explorer (which automatically reverted Explorer to Ascent program), attempt to unlink explorer to gateway, spend $1500, Pocket 110000 points. Loophole is specific to earning the bonus, even after having a previously held Amex or;

2.) 110000 points in gateway, Also have Ascent, call to CSR to link gateway to Ascent. Loophole is specific to transferring Gateway points to Ascent thus pocketing the conversion?

Im currently in the second scenario, thinking about getting a Platinum Edge. I already have got the bonus from earlier (even though i had an Amex Qantas card). If the closed loophole is 2.), I may think other wise.

Thanks guys in advance, always a fan of this forum.

 

[bullz74]

Hi, been reading this thread as its going to be affecting me shortly. I understand that the loophole may no longer be there. Would someone be able to confirm which loophole this is;

1.) Had previous Ascent, signed up for Explorer (which automatically reverted Explorer to Ascent program), attempt to unlink explorer to gateway, spend $1500, Pocket 110000 points. Loophole is specific to earning the bonus, even after having a previously held Amex or;

2.) 110000 points in gateway, Also have Ascent, call to CSR to link gateway to Ascent. Loophole is specific to transferring Gateway points to Ascent thus pocking the conversion?

Im currently in the second scenario, thinking about getting a Platinum Edge. I already have got the bonus from earlier (even though i had an Amex Qantas card). If the closed loophole is 2.), I may think other wise.

Thanks guys in advance, always a fan of this forum.

I did the unlink->bonus point->relinking thing last week with no dramas. The gateway points do need to be redeemed and cannot be converted to ascent. For those of you who are waiting for this process, I've had both my unlink and linking process occur instantly so this can be done if you spoke to the right person. Definitely find the US agents to be better in this regard.

 

[mokuni]

I did the unlink->bonus point->relinking thing last week with no dramas. The gateway points do need to be redeemed and cannot be converted to ascent.

So are you saying the loop hole really is the ability to "earn" Ascent rewards, on an existing Gateway card? The points earned during Gateway (including 110K and what Ive sent so far) remains in Gateway as is?

If so I think that was my problem. I assumed that once the Explorer card gets pointed to Ascent, the points follow.

That might still be ok then I suppose. Im assuming that if I signed up to a new Platinum Edge, my Explorer (and platinum edge) may get linked to Ascent then?

 

[bullz74]

So are you saying the loop hole really is the ability to "earn" Ascent rewards, on an existing Gateway card? The points earned during Gateway (including 110K and what Ive sent so far) remains in Gateway as is?

If so I think that was my problem. I assumed that once the Explorer card gets pointed to Ascent, the points follow.

That might still be ok then I suppose. Im assuming that if I signed up to a new Platinum Edge, my Explorer (and platinum edge) may get linked to Ascent then?

Yes exactly what you said there. The big draw at the moment is the effective 2pts/$ earn. I don't know if your explorer will automatically link to the ascent so you may need to call up and speak to a CSR to link it for you.

 

[unfunkable]

Ok
I don't think anybody has done this, only because it seems in the last few days AMEX have really cracked onto the linking and delinking of account's it seems.
My better 1/2 just applied for explorer last week. She already has a plat edge, so we expect it to come linked to the ascent program.

We expect a uphill battle to de-link, get points, then re link, SO:

Another route is to, cancel plat edge - making the program revert to gateway, make the spend, get the points, then apply for another plat edge or plat charge, then re-linking...

I'll post back with result's eventually.

 

[avante]

Quick update: Received my Explorer on Friday and the account was set up as linked to Ascent. Spoke to the Manila Call Centre and they agreed to delink. I've spent about $400 as at yesterday and this morning the account was still not delinked so I called them again and they said they'd get to it in 24 hours. I just had a look and they're indeed delinked now. Gateway showing up as 0 points, and the points transaction shows nothing. Hopefully this will update soon. Looking forward to the 110k points. Also referred two of my friends so hopefully this will post soon as well (as they applied before the accounts were delinked - checked Ascent and nothing related to Explorer there).

I'll keep everyone posted.

 

[maccaisking]

Ok
I don't think anybody has done this, only because it seems in the last few days AMEX have really cracked onto the linking and delinking of account's it seems.
My better 1/2 just applied for explorer last week. She already has a plat edge, so we expect it to come linked to the ascent program.

We expect a uphill battle to de-link, get points, then re link, SO:

Another route is to, cancel plat edge - making the program revert to gateway, make the spend, get the points, then apply for another plat edge or plat charge, then re-linking...

I'll post back with result's eventually.

I had a similar thought. Mine (my wife's) cards came unlinked - she had Explorer before Plat Edge. If unable to link and transfer points to Ascent, my plan is to transfer out points at 4:3 (still getting 82,500 for the sign up bonus) cancel the Explorer after using the travel credit, and then reapply hoping it would come linked, as most who had auto linking had reported having Plat Edge first.

I (she) will spend the rest of the week trying to have points transferred to Ascent first, try transferring them and then linking second, but this was the third option. Will be interested to see your results if you get to it before me.

 

[anat0l]

I have two people who are pending approvals on their applications. They applied on the 29th and haven't received follow up calls for extra info, so notwithstanding a last minute rush of apps, it is taking a while.

However I'm getting nervous about these recent developments. One applicant has a Reserve linked to Ascent (default); the other has only had a Virgin Platinum before. I'm hoping the latter will be OK; the former I am more scared, particularly as she will need to make the call and may not know how to handle the operator if things get difficult.

That said, if both of them spend up and don't get the bonus, I'm hoping that the sleeve card they'll have left is to cancel their card within the first month without having used their travel credit, for a full refund / no need to pay the annual fee.

For me, I've got my signup bonus but I might lay low for now and not consider relinking to Ascent. I want to keep my Reserve and its balance safe; the opportunity for some extra points earn (not with the existing Gateway balance, which won't transfer to Ascent) doesn't seem worth the risk.

 

[anat0l]

Guess one thing of note: I suppose if my referred applicants cancel their cards, Amex will reverse my referral bonuses for them?

 

[Steady]

Guess one thing of note: I suppose if my referred applicants cancel their cards, Amex will reverse my referral bonuses for them?

That's an interesting question - I have not seen discussed. I suspect you would not loose them if there was any spend

 

[crossbow]

I did the unlink->bonus point->relinking thing last week with no dramas. The gateway points do need to be redeemed and cannot be converted to ascent. For those of you who are waiting for this process, I've had both my unlink and linking process occur instantly so this can be done if you spoke to the right person. Definitely find the US agents to be better in this regard.

Could I ask, what time of day did you call to get US agent? Phone number on the back of the card or some other phone number? Did you get request processed on the first call each time?

If I get the bonus I'm planning to redeem out of Gateway immediately, just need the unlinking done.

 

[psi999]

One applicant has a Reserve linked to Ascent (default); the other has only had a Virgin Platinum before. I'm hoping the latter will be OK; the former I am more scared, particularly as she will need to make the call and may not know how to handle the operator if things get difficult.

I currently hold a Platinum edge (Ascent) - my new explorer arrived and activated last Friday, pre linked to the gateway program. So your friend may be lucky and not have to make that phone call.

Spend limit hit over weekend and 110,000MR posted this morning. I'm not going to bother risking the house to link over to accent with the bonus points. Will probably give it a crack sometime down the track once current points have been used.

Platinum edge was declared on the application - and i cancelled my Velocity amex 3 days before applying for the explorer. I love amex

 

[djkelly69]

I (she) will spend the rest of the week trying to have points transferred to Ascent first, try transferring them and then linking second, but this was the third option. Will be interested to see your results if you get to it before me.

Will be keen to hear results from you as well. I only have Explorer and looking to apply for Plat-Edge shortly.

Currently have about 135k Gateway points which I would really like to get to Ascent.

 

[SOPOOR]

All these problems people are having.
Would the same be happening if you have a Explorer.
And then get a Plat edge and then to link??

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Amex have definitely changed their tack.

Daughter had just recently put through her application (unfortunately she had procrastinated) and Amex have just called specifically to ask while she was approved, did she still want the card as she would not get the sign-on bonus as she already had an Edge and was an existing customer.

 

[crossbow]

If they never get around to unlinking from Ascent, I may miss out on bonus but at least my Explorer will earn 2pts/$ into Ascent. So not the worst outcome.

I figure with my typical annual Amex spend, the extra redemption value from Ascent means it will take about 3 years to match the value of what the bonus would have been worth in Gateway.

Those who got the bonus and linked back to Ascent with their bonus transferred are lucky, but I'll still be happy with the card.

 

[bullz74]

Could I ask, what time of day did you call to get US agent? Phone number on the back of the card or some other phone number? Did you get request processed on the first call each time?

If I get the bonus I'm planning to redeem out of Gateway immediately, just need the unlinking done.

I would imagine unlinking would definitely be easier than relinking. I had mine done on Australua day morning by a local sounding CSR. Had relinking done by an extremely cheerful US CSR on saturday arfternoon.

 

[bullz74]

Those who got the bonus and linked back to Ascent with their bonus transferred are lucky, but I'll still be happy with the card.

Indeed, I suppose there's no guarantee that amex wont unlink or 'tweak' these accounts in the future so it's definitely worth getting into while you still can.

 

[crossbow]

An update... checked just now. Explorer now linked to Gateway. Platinum Edge shows NO rewards at all in the account summary. AND my full points balance (only a few thousand) was transferred from Ascent to Gateway?? Not quite what I wanted.

When viewing rewards statement, I do have the option to switch between the two rewards accounts, so the two rewards programs are still there, just Platinum Edge doesn't seem to be linked to any rewards from the main account summary.

Any ideas on what has happened? Should I wait a day or two to see if it gets sorted, or call them up to clarify?

 

[AndersK]

An update... checked just now. Explorer now linked to Gateway. Platinum Edge shows NO rewards at all in the account summary. AND my full points balance (only a few thousand) was transferred from Ascent to Gateway?? Not quite what I wanted.

When viewing rewards statement, I do have the option to switch between the two rewards accounts, so the two rewards programs are still there, just Platinum Edge doesn't seem to be linked to any rewards from the main account summary.

Any ideas on what has happened? Should I wait a day or two to see if it gets sorted, or call them up to clarify?

This is my current status as well. spoke to amex yesterday about it and they would try to get the edge back on Ascent but told me that there is a chance that i would end up with both cards on Ascent. Was also told that i would definitely not get any signup bonus for the explorer. Anyway, $1500 is now spent on the explorer and i'm just waiting for the charges to get confirmed. if i do end up getting the bonus i'll transfer it to KrisFlyer faster than you can say wooloomooloo lol