Amex D-Day Approaching (14/4/19)!

[daft009]

Pending charges on your charge?

Have one pending from sat on my charge which should come through as 3ppd

 

[Kevin Chan]

I have $8000 of Woolies 5% off gift cards coming over this period so I will probably switch them into 10% off Caltex fuel cards and then check the damage wreaked on Amex Platinum Edge points earn.

LOL I thought me getting $1000 woolies gift cards were over the top!

 

[Kevin Chan]

Any reason left to keep the Explorer card? I have the PC which i'll start using now, can't think of any reason to keep the Explorer other than the phone insurance?

The way I see it - I will definitely use up the travel credit. So the card is really costing me nothing. That's why I am keeping it. Is this logic flawed?

 

[andye]

Any reason left to keep the Explorer card? I have the PC which i'll start using now, can't think of any reason to keep the Explorer other than the phone insurance?

Amex lounge access in SYD/MEL comes to mind

 

[SOPOOR]

damn it, I used some travel credit today, and the small excess I didnt know you couldnt not use your amex card,

more points down the drain after deval

 

[NM]

The way I see it - I will definitely use up the travel credit. So the card is really costing me nothing. That's why I am keeping it. Is this logic flawed?

That is the only reason I might keep the card. So long as travel credit is close to annual fee, there is little reason to cancel. But I will likely decrease the silly high credit limit (Plat Edge card).

 

[ninja-tim]

i will probably cancel mine. The rates for Amex hotels is slightly, if not, substantially more than booking direct in a lot of cases. So not worth it imo.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

i will probably cancel mine. The rates for Amex hotels is slightly, if not, substantially more than booking direct in a lot of cases. So not worth it imo.

While generally higher, I have always been able to find some good deals. Particularly when Amex have their own special deal going like a bonus free extra night or something and when I have found that it has been cheapest.

I only have $600 ($200 +$400) to use up each year and so it is only a small amount of my overall accommodation spend.

 

[Revolutionary String]

I've just received a letter from American Express telling me that they are not going to change my redemption rates for MR points until the 1st of July, as I opened my Explorer card in November last year . As my Essential card has gotten a boost (albeit a small one), this is actually not bad news! My partner has a supplementary Essential card so I get to ride the gravy train for just that little while longer!

 

[SOPOOR]

I've just received a letter from American Express telling me that they are not going to change my redemption rates for MR points until the 1st of July, as I opened my Explorer card in November last year . As my Essential card has gotten a boost (albeit a small one), this is actually not bad news! My partner has a supplementary Essential card so I get to ride the gravy train for just that little while longer!

You just got the letter today?


Weird

 

[ninja-tim]

While generally higher, I have always been able to find some good deals. Particularly when Amex have their own special deal going like a bonus free extra night or something and when I have found that it has been cheapest.

I only have $600 ($200 +$400) to use up each year and so it is only a small amount of my overall accommodation spend.

I guess the specials/Buy x nights get 1 free deals are good, but now that explorer is basically useless, why pay $395 to get a $400 travel credit so you're $5 ahead? What other benefits is there for the explorer card, which makes it worthwhile keeping when it's not being used for points earn?

 

[ninja-tim]

I wonder if you can Balance transfer (the credit limit or majority of it) to another card (i.e. Dragon)? or Even to get another Dragon card. I've never done a balance transfer so does it require a full credit application?

 

[MathNerd]

What other benefits is there for the explorer card, which makes it worthwhile keeping when it's not being used for points earn?

Lounge access in MEL/SYD when flying Y is a great reason to hold onto this card (especially when your days of premium travel are numbered and you can't generate points fast enough to ensure all travel is in J/F).

 

[MathNerd]

I've never done a balance transfer so does it require a full credit application?

Yes.
For all intents and purposes, a balance transfer is exactly like a new credit card application, with the one caveat that you are taking on a new CC with debt existing on it from day 1 as opposed to a "fresh slate".

 

[ninja-tim]

Lounge access in MEL/SYD when flying Y is a great reason to hold onto this card (especially when your days of premium travel are numbered and you can't generate points fast enough to ensure all travel is in J/F).

But for the explorer, it's like a once a year pass? Thought Amex lounges are cutting access to just plat and cent cardholders? or is that just the Centurion lounges only?

Yes.
For all intents and purposes, a balance transfer is exactly like a new credit card application, with the one caveat that you are taking on a new CC with debt existing on it from day 1 as opposed to a "fresh slate".

Will that also take on the existing credit limit?

 

[Revolutionary String]

The Explorer has 2x passes to the Amex Lounge in SYD/MEL. Unfortunately, this is distinct from the Centurion Lounges everywhere else (which is why the Plat is still pretty alright for lounge access).

 

[Jacques Vert]

The way I see it - I will definitely use up the travel credit. So the card is really costing me nothing. That's why I am keeping it. Is this logic flawed?

YMMV but in my case, I think cancelling and reapplying after 18 months (and getting another sign-on bonus) will reap greater rewards

 

[Kevin Chan]

YMMV but in my case, I think cancelling and reapplying after 18 months (and getting another sign-on bonus) will reap greater rewards

That is true. You can even get someone to refer you and get an extra bonus.

Personally I only managed to hit 200,000 MR points in past year. About half came from sign on bonus + a referral bonus. I did load up on gift cards and prepaid utilities towards the end as well. Will never be able to get into first class with that sort of effort - but still a couple of return flights.

I did score some savings and discounts - Microsoft, Fashion Night Out giftcards at Westfield and $150 from Shop Small.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I guess the specials/Buy x nights get 1 free deals are good, but now that explorer is basically useless, why pay $395 to get a $400 travel credit so you're $5 ahead? What other benefits is there for the explorer card, which makes it worthwhile keeping when it's not being used for points earn?

Well I would still be using the Explorer to assist in maximising points earn. If you have one Amex, then you are already not on the 18 month countdown for a new sign on bonus. If one did not have the Edge then yes you would probably just use the Dragon and try and milk the sign on after 18 months., and just hope it is at an attractive level.

On maximising points earn:
Edge: supermarkets including GC purchase for fuel etc (5% off and 3 points for $)
Explorer: For most other spend at 2 points per$ (Edge is only 1 point per $).

I also gained 6000 bonus QFF points last month on my two Westpac Amexes for getting two more supp cards.

Now if you had the Platinum you would not need the Explorer, as it generally earns at 2.25. But I am not sure it is worth it at present for me.

And there is the money it makes me each year. One perk of the two Amex is the Supps which allow extra $ to be earnt on the cashbacks. With my 2 Westpac Amexes that was $1500 back last month on the Marriott deal and $400 on Sony. This adds up over the year. With the cashbacks then if the Amexe's were only a points play then the points advantage is a lot less.

I will ditch the Westpacs though when their yearly fee becomes due as currently both are free. with less cashback earning ability I will have to then re-assess things.

 

[SOPOOR]

Well I would still be using the Explorer to assist in maximising points earn. If you have one Amex, then you are already not on the 18 month countdown for a new sign on bonus. If one did not have the Edge then yes you would probably just use the Dragon and try and milk the sign on after 18 months., and just hope it is at an attractive level.

On maximising points earn:
Edge: supermarkets including GC purchase for fuel etc (5% off and 3 points for $)
Explorer: For most other spend at 2 points per$ (Edge is only 1 point per $).

I also gained 6000 bonus QFF points last month on my two Westpac Amexes for getting two more supp cards.

Now if you had the Platinum you would not need the Explorer, as it generally earns at 2.25. But I am not sure it is worth it at present for me.

And there is the money it makes me each year. One perk of the two Amex is the Supps which allow extra $ to be earnt on the cashbacks. With my 2 Westpac Amexes that was $1500 back last month on the Marriott deal and $400 on Sony. This adds up over the year. With the cashbacks then if the Amexe's were only a points play then the points advantage is a lot less.

I will ditch the Westpacs though when there yearly fee becomes due as currently both are free. with less cashback earning ability I will have to then re-assess things.

I second this

I have 11 supp cards that dont cost me anything,
I can use it once at each shop for my small shop credit.

So that is one of the main incentives to keep a card of which i probably won't use again except for these stiuations