Credit Card Offers Amex Explorer: 50,000 bonus Amex points

Earn uncapped Amex Points and enjoy a $400 travel credit every year!​

Learn more and apply for this card:

American Express® Explorer Credit Card

With the American Express Explorer credit card, earn uncapped Amex Membership Rewards points and offset the annual fee with a travel credit.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

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What are the main benefits of this card?

1. Signup bonus: 50,000 bonus Amex Membership Rewards Points, when you spend at least $4,000 on eligible purchases within 3 months of approval
2. Earn 2 Membership Rewards Points per $1 on eligible purchases, uncapped, which you can transfer to 13 different airline & hotel programs
3. $400 annual travel credit fully offsets the $395 annual fee

Why we like the American Express Explorer credit card

This card lets you earn Amex Membership Rewards points at a solid rate of 2 points per dollar, uncapped, without the higher annual fee of the Amex Platinum card.

You can transfer Amex points to 11 airline frequent flyer programs and 2 hotel loyalty programs, generally at a 2:1 rate. For example, this means you’re effectively earning 1 Velocity Point, Qatar Avios or Cathay Asia Mile per $1 spent on the card.

The $395 annual fee is offset by a $400 annual travel credit that you can spend on eligible flights, car rentals or hotels when booking through American Express Travel.

You'll also receive two free annual visits to the Amex Centurion Lounges in Sydney or Melbourne Airport, plus complimentary travel insurance. See our card guide for the full details:

American Express® Explorer Credit Card

With the American Express Explorer credit card, earn uncapped Amex Membership Rewards points and offset the annual fee with a travel credit.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

AFF members are welcome to discuss this card in this thread.

 

[albyd]

There’s got to be less expensive ways to meet minimum spend. Everyone’s budget will vary, but $1500 shouldn’t be that difficult to rack up with the cost of living or some discounted GC purchases.

 

[SOPOOR]

Well that sucks, 3.5% AMEX surcharge is quite ludicrous.

I do wonder if this comes through as a purchase, and would it count towards any minimum spend on bonus offers - other then AMEX.

I thought the new rules from September prevent merchants from charging more than actual cost?
3.5‰ for a large organisation like this isn't possible

 

[Pointy Bird]

Wow thats a damn good haul!

So is the weigh up essentially this:
your current gateway points x 1.25 vs
the credit check for a new ascent card (e.g. platinum edge) & having to find a use for their voucher?

not a bad go!

I don't think there is much to weigh up.
If you use an Explorer , there is little reason not to attempt to transfer to the Ascent program by also getting a Platinum Edge. I am sure the voucher can be useful to any traveller.

 

[SOPOOR]

I don't think there is much to weigh up.
If you use an Explorer , there is little reason not to attempt to transfer to the Ascent program by also getting a Platinum Edge. I am sure the voucher can be useful to any traveller.

3.8m points is salivating

 

[edman]

For those who linked their Gateway points to the Ascent program, have any of you gotten rid of the card you had on the Ascent program and if so, what happened then?

I have Plat Charge and reserve atm. Looking at Explorer but if I got this would likely want to cancel the charge, so I want know if I would revert to the lesser scheme at that point.

Alternatively, does anyone know if I can convert the explorer points to ascent if I was to get the explorer in my wifes name?

 

[nightelves]

If you got rid of the Ascent Program you'll more than likely revert back to the Gateway program and no you can't convert Explorer to Ascent if you don't hold a Platinum Edge and link it. Transfer Gateway point to Ascent is also costly at $5 per 1000 points from memory.

 

[Pointy Bird]

People often ask me whether it is worth paying the Amex fees for the sake of more points, so I have done some simple calculations:

Points needed for return flight Melbourne to Paris 1st Class Singapore Airways Suite Saver 296,000. Tax required $260.79.

For 296,000 KF points, one needs 296,000 Ascent rewards points from Amex (1:1 conversion).

To earn 296,000 Ascent points, one needs to spend $148,000 on Amex explorer. This assumes the Explorer card has been linked to the Ascent program.

My most expensive service provider (a builder) charges me a credit card service fee of 2.2%, so if I spend $148,000 on my Explorer, I will incur an extra cost of $3256.

Therefore, to fly return from Melbourne to Paris 1st class costs me $3516.79 ($3256 +$260.79 in taxes). To me this represents excellent value.

It actually costs a lot less than this – this is a worse case scenario. Many of my Explorer credit card fees are tax deductible and many only charge me a fee of 1.5%. Depending on my spending pattern, my actual cost for the above return flight is $2500 - $3000.

 

[SOPOOR]

People often ask me whether it is worth paying the Amex fees for the sake of more points, so I have done some simple calculations:

Points needed for return flight Melbourne to Paris 1st Class Singapore Airways Suite Saver 296,000. Tax required $260.79.

For 296,000 KF points, one needs 296,000 Ascent rewards points from Amex (1:1 conversion).

To earn 296,000 Ascent points, one needs to spend $148,000 on Amex explorer. This assumes the Explorer card has been linked to the Ascent program.

My most expensive service provider (a builder) charges me a credit card service fee of 2.2%, so if I spend $148,000 on my Explorer, I will incur an extra cost of $3256.

Therefore, to fly return from Melbourne to Paris 1st class costs me $3516.79 ($3256 +$260.79 in taxes). To me this represents excellent value.

It actually costs a lot less than this – this is a worse case scenario. Many of my Explorer credit card fees are tax deductible and many only charge me a fee of 1.5%. Depending on my spending pattern, my actual cost for the above return flight is $2500 - $3000.

Yes I agree with your figures and have done similar calculations like yours.


The only thing is for mortal average people like me.
Paying $3k for a $9k first class flight is worth it on paper but when it costs $1200 via economy. I'd rather buy 2 x economy and go twice.


So I look for getting points for free or for much lower than 1c per point

 

[Pointy Bird]

Yes I agree with your figures and have done similar calculations like yours.


The only thing is for mortal average people like me.
Paying $3k for a $9k first class flight is worth it on paper but when it costs $1200 via economy. I'd rather buy 2 x economy and go twice.


So I look for getting points for free or for much lower than 1c per point

I cannot see a 1st class suite flight return to Europe for $9k ( currently $12k +), but I fully agree with your "point". One of the advantages of reward flights for me as that I can cancel it at a very late stage with a small cancellation fee. I suspect a $1200 return to Europe economy flight (is that with Singapore Air?) is not very flexible.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Yes I agree with your figures and have done similar calculations like yours.


The only thing is for mortal average people like me.
Paying $3k for a $9k first class flight is worth it on paper but when it costs $1200 via economy. I'd rather buy 2 x economy and go twice.


So I look for getting points for free or for much lower than 1c per point

697 plus charges).


Though if you are comparing like with like, or paid Y with redeemed Y.

$1200 v 95,000 points plus taxes/charges.

At 2.2% 95,000 points = at 2 points per $ spent (and can be at 3) that is $47,500 by 2.2% = $1045 plus charges.( Or $ 697 plus charges).

So you would not be going twice, just the once. Possibly not on as nice an airline. and if you redeem for a peak travel period the paid Y would cost more.


i think that poits for free is agiven as we would all take those rgardless. Points upto 1 % surcharge again I think virtually all would take.

Upto 2% surcharge I personally would still do as I mainly redeem in J or above. But Y is still ok at that figure.

Above 2% I would have to think about it, and as I earn a goodly amount of points in total anyway I mainly would not do.

3% would virtually always be a no for me.

 

[rock86]

Yes I agree with your figures and have done similar calculations like yours.


The only thing is for mortal average people like me.
Paying $3k for a $9k first class flight is worth it on paper but when it costs $1200 via economy. I'd rather buy 2 x economy and go twice.


So I look for getting points for free or for much lower than 1c per point

I cannot see a 1st class suite flight return to Europe for $9k ( currently $12k +), but I fully agree with your "point". One of the advantages of reward flights for me as that I can cancel it at a very late stage with a small cancellation fee. I suspect a $1200 return to Europe economy flight (is that with Singapore Air?) is not very flexible.

I'm fairly new to the 'points game', but it is a very subjective area isn't it.

For me I look at it from a few angles, short haul international to Asia I'm more then happy to jump on a low cost carrier. Purely because it's a short flight and they're trips you take more regularly due to the proximity to Australia.

For long haul, because we don't do it a great deal, which is maybe once every few years because of the stage my wife and I are at in our life, then I'm more then happy to get points for around that 2% mark (invariably it ends up less due to other promotions etc.). So I'll be happy to pay the premium to travel in a better class because we don't get to do a long haul flight to often at present, and I'll rather have a good time on the flights and at the airport then not getting any sleep etc. that usually happens when I travel in long haul economy.

We're hopefully about to book our first premium reward travel in the next few months, so I cannot wait, classes we wouldn't have been able to presently afford with cash, but have been able to get by levering bonus' and 'paying' for points where on offer.

 

[SOPOOR]

I cannot see a 1st class suite flight return to Europe for $9k ( currently $12k +), but I fully agree with your "point". One of the advantages of reward flights for me as that I can cancel it at a very late stage with a small cancellation fee. I suspect a $1200 return to Europe economy flight (is that with Singapore Air?) is not very flexible.

Absolutely. To be honest. I've never cancelled or changed a flight so yes all my paid flights are inflexible and cheapest fares. Fortunately /unfortunately I don't do long haul that often so it's a special event for me!

Also Id rather do lcc for trips to Asia as I find that for a 6 to 8hr flight by the time you settle in and eat something it's almost time to land.

I did long haul business class once and the lounge access and flat seats and food was amazing despite it being not a great airline business classs

 

[SOPOOR]

697 plus charges).


Though if you are comparing like with like, or paid Y with redeemed Y.

$1200 v 95,000 points plus taxes/charges.

At 2.2% 95,000 points = at 2 points per $ spent (and can be at 3) that is $47,500 by 2.2% = $1045 plus charges.( Or $ 697 plus charges).

So you would not be going twice, just the once. Possibly not on as nice an airline. and if you redeem for a peak travel period the paid Y would cost more.


i think that poits for free is agiven as we would all take those rgardless. Points upto 1 % surcharge again I think virtually all would take.

Upto 2% surcharge I personally would still do as I mainly redeem in J or above. But Y is still ok at that figure.

Above 2% I would have to think about it, and as I earn a goodly amount of points in totally I mainly would not do

3% would virtually always be a no for me.

Good analysis.
Personally what I go for below 1%.
I'm aiming for a long haul first or business class that will cost me economy fare costs in cash surcharges (unusual mindset I know. But a personal thing).

Although paying 3k cash for a 12k flight is very good value.
Unfortunately my strategy makes my goal achievement a bit longer

 

[foggy]

For 296,000 KF points, one needs 296,000 Ascent rewards points from Amex (1:1 conversion).

To earn 296,000 Ascent points, one needs to spend $148,000 on Amex explorer. This assumes the Explorer card has been linked to the Ascent program.

My most expensive service provider (a builder) charges me a credit card service fee of 2.2%, so if I spend $148,000 on my Explorer, I will incur an extra cost of $3256.

Therefore, to fly return from Melbourne to Paris 1st class costs me $3516.79 ($3256 +$260.79 in taxes). To me this represents excellent value.

It actually costs a lot less than this – this is a worse case scenario. Many of my Explorer credit card fees are tax deductible and many only charge me a fee of 1.5%. Depending on my spending pattern, my actual cost for the above return flight is $2500 - $3000.

You haven't considered the opportunity cost too. 296k points if sold 3rd party could get 1c per point. Or if redeeming giftcards is .5cents per point.

So your flight to Europe is $3.5k in surcharge and tax + $2.9k (If u sold the pts for cash) or $1.45k if you redeemed giftcards.
The "cost" goes up.

 

[SOPOOR]

You haven't considered the opportunity cost too. 296k points if sold 3rd party could get 1c per point. Or if redeeming giftcards is .5cents per point.

So your flight to Europe is $3.5k in surcharge and tax + $2.9k (If u sold the pts for cash) or $1.45k if you redeemed giftcards.
The "cost" goes up.

What aspect are you referring to as "opportunity cost"

 

[foggy]

What aspect are you referring to as "opportunity cost"

selling the points instead of redeeming a first class flight. Or redeeming gift cards.

 

[SOPOOR]

selling the points instead of redeeming a first class flight. Or redeeming gift cards.

I see

 

[daft009]

You haven't considered the opportunity cost too. 296k points if sold 3rd party could get 1c per point. Or if redeeming giftcards is .5cents per point.

So your flight to Europe is $3.5k in surcharge and tax + $2.9k (If u sold the pts for cash) or $1.45k if you redeemed giftcards.
The "cost" goes up.

Will if one is "paying" for points via surcharge then they wouldn't be selling the points as it's not worth it.

I'm in a similar boat and paying surcharges for points though I average less but still not enough to make selling profitable.

 

[Pointy Bird]

You haven't considered the opportunity cost too. 296k points if sold 3rd party could get 1c per point. Or if redeeming giftcards is .5cents per point.

So your flight to Europe is $3.5k in surcharge and tax + $2.9k (If u sold the pts for cash) or $1.45k if you redeemed giftcards.
The "cost" goes up.

I am not sure this makes sense. The cost does not go up.

You cannot add " opportunity cost" of $2.9k to the $3.5k a flight costs me because one would either get a flight OR sell their points. Of course nobody would sell their points for more than they paid for them...We buy points to use for premium flights.
People like me who are willing to "pay" for points have worked out whether it is worth it for them - and of course, for some people it is not worthwhile paying $3000 odd in credit card fees for a Singapore suite return to Europe.

 

[foggy]

I am not sure this makes sense. The cost does not go up.

Yea I think I might have it backwards..
My thought process is like this.
If I had 296k pts, I could take a suites return flight or sell it for $2.9k. So thats my "opportunity cost". Now since I paid surcharges for the pts, I added to the overall "cost" of flying suites return.
I probably have the wrong thought process, sorry