The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

[daft009]

After linking I could only see my edge travel credit as that's the newer card.

I rang Amex today and they adjusted it so I could see both in the system as being available and could choose which one I wanted to use!

Great service!

 

[Nolzy]

I have a platinum charge and Platinum reserve credit card. If i apply using a referral for the explorer am i likely to receive the bonus points?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I have a platinum charge and Platinum reserve credit card. If i apply using a referral for the explorer am i likely to receive the bonus points?

Up till Feb I would have said yes. Though you may have had to delink to get the card to link to the gateway Program to achieve this.

Recent experience would now mean that it is maybe, or no.

You can still try as:
=You still get the Travel Credit and so with $400 in and $395 in the 2 points per $ on offer is still a good benefit for no reall xtra cost.
= you may luck in and get the 100K

If they can and say no, you can always opt out and if so it will have only have cost youa little bit of time but no money.

 

[ballsofsteel]

Hi guys, Long time lurker here.

I am in the same boat as Nolzy, having Amex Plat Charge and Plat reserve ( which I will be cancelling today - after using the free flight)

The wiki says "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."

Does this mean that if I apply for the explorer and dont get my bonus points I can get my annual fee back?

 

[foggy]

Hi guys, Long time lurker here.

I am in the same boat as Nolzy, having Amex Plat Charge and Plat reserve ( which I will be cancelling today - after using the free flight)

The wiki says "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."

Does this mean that if I apply for the explorer and dont get my bonus points I can get my annual fee back?

If you call to cancel the card within 2 months.. based on what others have said

 

[psi999]

Very unlikely to receive bonus points now. I cant recall reading of a single person to receive bonus points holding a current card applying post 1st Feb. That said happy to be corrected?

As a data point i called AMEX last weekend (25th) and requested my explorer gateway MR account to be rolled into my Accent MR account (Platinum edge). Wasn't going to bother but was on the phone anyway for another reason.

Operator checked my account and the first point she made was i was never eligible for the 110,000 gateway points i had received as i was holding a current amex product (and even worse actually - cancelled a velocity escape card one week prior to explorer application that she didn't see ) and that there is current internal talk of removal of ill awarded points but no decision had been made - so my advice to all those considering requesting linking - do so at your own risk if you're carrying a point balance. I didn't even mention bonus points to the operator so tells me they are looking for it now.

 

[daft009]

just says thanks and cya later.

try ringing again for the linking the next day.

I applied for the Edge in late-Feb (already had explorer), activated early March and got the 15k bonus sign-on that the edge was offering

 

[yld200]

This looks like a pretty good deal at the moment - I'm considering applying for this card now having just cancelled the ANZ Black after 75K QF points posted.

I don't hold any current Amex issued cards, however I did cancel my Velocity Platinum in December... Are there any recent applicants in similar positions that can advise on how they went?

 

[lovetravellingoz]

This looks like a pretty good deal at the moment - I'm considering applying for this card now having just cancelled the ANZ Black after 75K QF points posted.

I don't hold any current Amex issued cards, however I did cancel my Velocity Platinum in December... Are there any recent applicants in similar positions that can advise on how they went?

I doubt that anyone can give you a firm yes or no on this at present.

It used to be a YES (up until about 1st Feb) , though the rules said NO.

I suspect it is currently a MAYBE. If you already had an Amex still it seems to UNLIKELY. Though there are people getting the EDGE who have gained sign-on points .

My advice is to get the card anyways as it is still a good earner.


You also have the option to apply for the card, try and get the bonus and if not awarded then cancel and get your fee, or fee at least pr-rataed back.

My referral link is in the section if you need one. See http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rs/amex-explorer-credit-card-100-a-81993.html

 

[Spizz]

As a data point i called AMEX last weekend (25th) and requested my explorer gateway MR account to be rolled into my Accent MR account (Platinum edge). Wasn't going to bother but was on the phone anyway for another reason.

Operator checked my account and the first point she made was i was never eligible for the 110,000 gateway points i had received as i was holding a current amex product (and even worse actually - cancelled a velocity escape card one week prior to explorer application that she didn't see ) and that there is current internal talk of removal of ill awarded points but no decision had been made - so my advice to all those considering requesting linking - do so at your own risk if you're carrying a point balance. I didn't even mention bonus points to the operator so tells me they are looking for it now.

Makes linking even more hazardous.

 

[noos]

Rang up this morning, before 7am, sounded like the Philippines call centre where the operator was only too happy to link my Explorer card to acsent program, did it on the spot with all points transferred across then and there

 

[yld200]

I doubt that anyone can give you a firm yes or no on this at present.

It used to be a YES (up until about 1st Feb) , though the rules said NO.

I suspect it is currently a MAYBE. If you already had an Amex still it seems to UNLIKELY. Though there are people getting the EDGE who have gained sign-on points .

My advice is to get the card anyways as it is still a good earner.


You also have the option to apply for the card, try and get the bonus and if not awarded then cancel and get your fee, or fee at least pr-rataed back.

My referral link is in the section if you need one. See http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rs/amex-explorer-credit-card-100-a-81993.html

Thanks lovetravellingoz.

I thought that might be the case but never hurts to ask. I think I'll bite the bullet and report back on how it goes.

Most people seem to have already had the edge when they applied for this card which was then linked. I'll keep an eye on my credit score and might apply for the edge after this card if the bonus points post and see if the two cards can be linked for the same net result as many have reported.

 

[slinkyap]

Just relinked/merged my Gateway program with existing Ascent. Operator initially declined but I told her that my colleagues have done it without an issue. Was told that she'd speak with her manager and called me back 15 minutes later.

Fast forward 48 hours and it's now done..... BUT!

My travel credit has gone missing since. Still working this out, apparently will have to ring them up to manually make bookings.

 

[robtemt]

First person to reply with their referral link wins.

Going to apply today and take the risk. Especially since we are going overseas for a month, the savings in foreign transactions fees will be worth it even if we cancel upon return if we don't get the bonus.

 

[Dr Ralph]

First person to reply with their referral link wins.

Going to apply today and take the risk. Especially since we are going overseas for a month, the savings in foreign transactions fees will be worth it even if we cancel upon return if we don't get the bonus.

Referral links for the current 100,00 point offer are located here (including mine at message #252):

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....can-express-explorer-referrals-now-79058.html

 

[robtemt]

Thanks, heading there now.

 

[albyd]

Especially since we are going overseas for a month, the savings in foreign transactions fees will be worth it even if we cancel upon return if we don't get the bonus.

My understanding of the Explorer is that it includes the 3% foreign transaction fee. There are only a few cards in the Australian market that don't have foreign transaction fees. Or have I misunderstood what you are getting at?

 

[robtemt]

No, you are correct. I had my wires (or cards) crossed. Very disappointing. Now to decide if I want a card with a cough reward rate, or use the Amex Plat overseas with the transaction fee, but the point bonus on foreign spend.

My understanding of the Explorer is that it includes the 3% foreign transaction fee. There are only a few cards in the Australian market that don't have foreign transaction fees. Or have I misunderstood what you are getting at?

 

[anat0l]

With referral bonuses, if one has the Explorer linked to Ascent rather than Gateway (e.g. re-linked), will the referral bonus still credit, or will it not work because it needs the Explorer to be linked to Gateway?

 

[Jonova]

With referral bonuses, if one has the Explorer linked to Ascent rather than Gateway (e.g. re-linked), will the referral bonus still credit, or will it not work because it needs the Explorer to be linked to Gateway?

My experience has been that the referral bonuses are credited to the Ascent if the cards are linked