AMEX Explorer - 240,000 bonus points w/$3k spend, $395 p/a, $400 travel credit

[Must...Fly!]

Per the title. Spend must be within first 3 months and offer ends 30 November. Link to AMEX website;

American Express Explorer Credit Card | Amex AU

The Explorer Credit Card offers great benefits. Get annual Travel Credit, airport lounge access, smartphone screen cover, and more. Apply for yours today.

www.americanexpress.com

Pity I literally 6 hours ago applied for the QF Ultimate AMEX for 110,000 QFF points + $200 statement credit...I would've much preferred this offer with the option for KF miles!! 240,000 AMEX would equate to 120,000 KF.

 

[Must...Fly!]

On the off chance anyone is in the same boat.

I cancelled my application for the QF Ultimate card and instead applied for this Explorer offer. I called up the application line to see if a swap was possible given it was less than 10 hours after original application but it is not - once submitted you are locked in. The agent was very friendly and said it is only a soft check they do on applying online, so there should be no material effect to my chances of a successful approval for the Explorer. I took the advice in good faith and decided to "roll the dice" so I hope he was right!

I was conditionally approved on applying for the Explorer, though this time it did not ask me for financial documents whereas I was immediately asked for that last night for the Ultimate card. I have held an Explorer in the past.

Slightly O/T: I already have enough QFF points anyway. Intention always was to save them for a oneworld J award but with COVID and all the unpredictable nature of travel, I have zero desire to lose most of a trip if I happen to test positive after one stop. I have read once you start a trip you can only change flight time/date, not routing.

 

[kelvedon]

If it’s 240k Amex points what is the conversion rate to Qantas points ?

 

[levelnine]

The agent was very friendly and said it is only a soft check they do on applying online, so there should be no material effect to my chances of a successful approval for the Explorer. I took the advice in good faith and decided to "roll the dice" so I hope he was right!

Will you still be considered a new customer? Or will your Qantas Ultimate mean you have held an Amex within the last 18 months?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Will you still be considered a new customer? Or will your Qantas Ultimate mean you have held an Amex within the last 18 months?

Well I never had the approval for the ultimate. It was still processing. I don't think anyone would consider me a customer if I haven't consumed a product or received a service.

 

[daft009]

If it’s 240k Amex points what is the conversion rate to Qantas points ?

explorer points cannot be converted to qantas but you can do cathay at 2amex=1 cathay asia mile

 

[aaa99]

Like some of you above, I applied to the QF Ultimate card just over the weekend. Called them up to see if they can swap, but turns out it was already approved and the card is on the way. Would have worked nicely with the 15% bonus Krisflyer miles.
With AMEX, do the points post as soon you hit the minimum spend or does it need to wait until a statement is generated?

 

[daft009]

With AMEX, do the points post as soon you hit the minimum spend or does it need to wait until a statement is generated?

within a couple of days of hitting the spend

 

[albyd]

If you have the AF budget and the ‘benefits’ are worth it to you, you can also get the platinum charge card - unfortunately won’t get the sign on bonus again but will be able to transfer to QF. This is the only product which will let you - assuming Amex will let you pool your explorer points with the charge. It was possible once upon a time but might not be now from what I’m hearing. Best to check with Amex unless another AFFer knows from personal experience.

 

[Anastascia]

I am going to apply for this card. Can I then refer my partner and get bonus points for referring him?

 

[albyd]

That should work. Can always cancel your card after you've made the transfer to QF if Amex confirm they will let you convert your newly minted Explorer points to QF if you have the Platinum Charge card ... I'm assuming you were planning to be supplementary to your partner's Charge card after he qualifies for his?

I'm sure you know about the sign on qualifications and if your partner will qualify for sign up points already.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I was conditionally approved on applying for the Explorer, though this time it did not ask me for financial documents whereas I was immediately asked for that last night for the Ultimate card. I have held an Explorer in the past.

I just called AMEX to check on the status of this, apparently my application for the Explorer was unsuccessful. And a letter should be received in the coming days at my home address outlining the reason why.

Ought to be interesting...first time rejection for me.

 

[get me outta here]

Maybe because it looks like you applied for 2 cards? I’d be ringing them to see what has happened to try to sort it out.

I just called AMEX to check on the status of this, apparently my application for the Explorer was unsuccessful. And a letter should be received in the coming days at my home address outlining the reason why.

Ought to be interesting...first time rejection for me.

 

[Must...Fly!]

Maybe because it looks like you applied for 2 cards? I’d be ringing them to see what has happened to try to sort it out.

Oh I'm looking forward to receiving this supposed letter. If there is any hint that it was to do with the two applications I'll be making some phone calls for sure.

 

[get me outta here]

I too have had very few rejections. But the letter does not tell you why to my recollection.

Oh I'm looking forward to receiving this supposed letter. If there is any hint that it was to do with the two applications I'll be making some phone calls for sure.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I too have had very few rejections. But the letter does not tell you why to my recollection.

I received the letter. It says

We are unable to approve your application for one or more of the following reasons

1) Overall assessment of the details provided to us on your application.
2) Multiple applications received in a short duration.

So I am definitely going to be complaining, not because I really want them to reverse their decision (I know they can't) but because I do not want others having the same problem. I indicated on the phone I preferred the Explorer but was happy to stay with the Ultimate application if there would be any chance of rejection based on two applications in quick succession. I was assured this would not be a problem.

Does anyone have any advice as to what department at AMEX would be best to call during the week to have my feedback properly listened to? Despite promises, there is no phone number I can see on the letter.

FWIW I doubt my credit has any bearing on a negative outcome, though it's always possible. My credit score is in the 800s and no debt.

 

[waltervp]

Per the title. Spend must be within first 3 months and offer ends 30 November. Link to AMEX website;

American Express Explorer Credit Card | Amex AU

The Explorer Credit Card offers great benefits. Get annual Travel Credit, airport lounge access, smartphone screen cover, and more. Apply for yours today.

www.americanexpress.com

Pity I literally 6 hours ago applied for the QF Ultimate AMEX for 110,000 QFF points + $200 statement credit...I would've much preferred this offer with the option for KF miles!! 240,000 AMEX would equate to 120,000 KF.

I just received the QF Ultimate AMEX for 110,000 QFF points as well. Also very happy to spend the $400 Qantas travel credit despite only p

I am going to apply for this card. Can I then refer my partner and get bonus points for referring him?

If you refer they can't get the other offers... So you get 60k points and they get 60k points I believe. So if it is your partner that is great (120k points total), but if it is just a friend they would be better off getting 110k or 250k points themselves and the $200 rebate.

 

[waltervp]

Per the title. Spend must be within first 3 months and offer ends 30 November. Link to AMEX website;

American Express Explorer Credit Card | Amex AU

The Explorer Credit Card offers great benefits. Get annual Travel Credit, airport lounge access, smartphone screen cover, and more. Apply for yours today.

www.americanexpress.com

Pity I literally 6 hours ago applied for the QF Ultimate AMEX for 110,000 QFF points + $200 statement credit...I would've much preferred this offer with the option for KF miles!! 240,000 AMEX would equate to 120,000 KF.

Same here. But I am very happy with 110k points that I got as soon as I bought my airfare to Europe with some accommodation. Also nice to get the $400 credit applied to my QF fare immediately and still receive the $200 rebate. Means I got $200 and 110k points. And the only reason I qualified for the bonus is because I cancelled my same Amex card 19 months ago due to covid (why spend $450 on a card when you cant use the 450 in travel credit or benefit from travel insurance or anything really... covid stopped us in our tracks).

 

[Must...Fly!]

Things would've been much easier if I hadn't decided to change to the Explorer instead of the QF Ultimate. Will update if I ever get a response from AMEX.

 

[Must...Fly!]

It took about 45 minutes on the phone and a fair bit of back and forth, but I am very happy to report that I have now been approved for the Explorer card, am definitely considered as a new customer and confirmed I will therefore be eligible for the relevant sign up bonus.

The agent understood my queries/frustration and though she wouldn't say it, I suspect there could be a few reasons why the application was initially unsuccessful, none of which were to do with my financial situation.

A tiny bit frustrating as I've made a few larger purchases that would've been nice to put toward the $3,000 target but I am happy to finally have been approved, AMEX have redeemed themselves. After about 2.5 years away it's nice to think about chasing statement credits for a little while again.