The Explorer Credit Card (New AMEX Card!)

Got explorer, got bonus points in gateway.
Got Platinum Edge (after Jan 31), got no bonus points. Oh well, it was no annual fee and had $200 credit so still a win. Have used both the travel credits.

Trying to get gateway linked to ascent and points moved across.
Tried late at night (twice) - American CSRs said cards could be linked but would have to clear out gateway first as they can't be moved.
Tried early morning (6am) - again an American sounding CSR said points can't be moved across.

Lots of responses in the thread saying try, try and try again but was there any particular strategy that people found successful while on the line to get some progress?
Contemplating giving up but the voice in my head says 33% more value for that 100k+ points, keep going!
 
I hold a Velocity escape card i havent used since 2014, and cancelled a qantas express card mid last year- anyone know of my chances of receiving the sign up? I'm happy to use a referral link :)
 
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psi999 said:
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.
Click to expand...

So I had another crack at this seeing a few people post success in the past few weeks.

Strategising that I would literally just hang up if an Australian CSR answered my call (so not to have multiple documented 'denial of requests' logged - as Australian CSRs seem to be most onto it) I called the number on the back of the card on Friday night @ 9:30PM - being a public holiday I took a punt that my call would at least be directed outside of Australia and it was (Philippines) - requested gateway MR account to be merged with my edge accent MR account which this time was no problem at all :). The call literally totalled sub 5 mins and it was done.

Within 15 mins explorer gateway balance was gone and card pointed towards accent MR online.

I waited 24 hrs for the gateway balance to tip into the accent account - which it didn't so called again lastnight (9:45pm) to which the CSR (Philippines) requested the balance be manually transferred across. As of this morning it was all done (36hrs from initial request).

So this is still well and truly a thing - don't be afraid to give it a go (with or without an existing balance). For me it took 2 attempts plus a follow up call for the manual transfer - additional ~60,000 velocity points @ transferred balance so well worth a bit of effort in my case.

Hope this helps someone :D
 
psi999 said:
So I had another crack at this seeing a few people post success in the past few weeks.

Strategising that I would literally just hang up if an Australian CSR answered my call (so not to have multiple documented 'denial of requests' logged - as Australian CSRs seem to be most onto it) I called the number on the back of the card on Friday night @ 9:30PM - being a public holiday I took a punt that my call would at least be directed outside of Australia and it was (Philippines) - requested gateway MR account to be merged with my edge accent MR account which this time was no problem at all :). The call literally totalled sub 5 mins and it was done.

Within 15 mins explorer gateway balance was gone and card pointed towards accent MR online.

I waited 24 hrs for the gateway balance to tip into the accent account - which it didn't so called again lastnight (9:45pm) to which the CSR (Philippines) requested the balance be manually transferred across. As of this morning it was all done (36hrs from initial request).

So this is still well and truly a thing - don't be afraid to give it a go (with or without an existing balance). For me it took 2 attempts plus a follow up call for the manual transfer - additional ~60,000 velocity points @ transferred balance so well worth a bit of effort in my case.

Hope this helps someone :D
Click to expand...

Awesome congrats.

Some might call you a tight cough. But the benefits long term are worth it

They will look at you in envy when you are traveling first or business class wondering how you can afford it!
 
Finally gave it a crack this morning. Called up the number on the back of the card, got a friendly sounding Aussie CSR who was a little bit hesitant as "cards belong to different programs" but agreed to try. Was all done after a short hold. Seems it really depends on who serves you as no set rules exist in regards to the linking (however do act as early as possible), but since it's been three days from meeting my spending criteria and not seeing the bonus points posted, I'm not holding my breath anymore.
 
I tried months ago - likely the Philippine based call centre. CSR said it was fine and that they would do it. I kept an eye on it but nothing ever changed (I was hesitant to call again).

About a fortnight ago I rang ago during normal business hours (non-aussie sounding CSR), explained I had put in a request to re-link a while ago, the agent said they would do, would take 5-7 business days and gave me a reference number. 7 days later, accounts linked and sizeable 6-figure gateway balance moved over to ascent. The point gain + having the explorer earning 2MR:$1 was/is a fantastic outcome.
 
I had an Explorer card from Oct through until late Dec when I cancelled it. I was offered and received a full refund of the Annual Fee even though I recieved the bonus points and used the travel credit.

My partner also had this card from Oct and cancelled it today having also used its full benefits. However she was refused a refund, either partial or full and was instead offered to change to a lesser card - not sure which one as she didn't remember. I'm a little disappointed as I wanted to put the refund towards an QF Ultimate card for her as I did with mine.

Has anyone else been refused refunds on annual fees recently? Is there a change of policy that anyone is aware of?
 
so I used my travel credit for the first time, I ve recerntly merged my account and have(or should have $200 from plat edge and $400 from exployrer)

when I merged the $200 became visible but the $400 was not visible,

ive used the $200 today, I assume i Have to call up to use the $400 credit....
 

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