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

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

Learn more and apply for this card:



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

amex-explorer-card-art.pngWhy 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:


AFF members are welcome to discuss this card in this thread.
 
Current have the Velocity Platinum and Platinum Edge - would it be worth swapping the Velocity Plat to the Explorer (I know there's no bonus points)? Does linking the point programs on Edge & Explorer net me 2 velocity points per $? If not linked is the explorer ultimately 1 velocity point per $?
 
Current have the Velocity Platinum and Platinum Edge - would it be worth swapping the Velocity Plat to the Explorer (I know there's no bonus points)? Does linking the point programs on Edge & Explorer net me 2 velocity points per $? If not linked is the explorer ultimately 1 velocity point per $?

If not linked it is 1.5 velocity points per dollar. Linked is 2. That’s assuming no transfer bonus. There is often 15% bonus, all the way up to 40%.
 
Current have the Velocity Platinum and Platinum Edge - would it be worth swapping the Velocity Plat to the Explorer (I know there's no bonus points)? Does linking the point programs on Edge & Explorer net me 2 velocity points per $? If not linked is the explorer ultimately 1 velocity point per $?

Yes worth swapping. If linked, 2 pts per $ (Ascent), if not linked, 1.5 pts per $ (Gateway).
 
Called to inquire about swapping and they said they couldn't transfer the account. I would have to apply for the explorer first, then cancel the velocity plat. I said I thought there was a limit of 2 cards per person and that it may prevent my application from being approved, she said to try it and see what happens. Might call again and speak to someone who actually knows the best method
 
Current have the Velocity Platinum and Platinum Edge - would it be worth swapping the Velocity Plat to the Explorer (I know there's no bonus points)? Does linking the point programs on Edge & Explorer net me 2 velocity points per $? If not linked is the explorer ultimately 1 velocity point per $?
If linked 2 points / $ for velocity , Krisflyer etc . If unliked 1.5 /$
 
Called to inquire about swapping and they said they couldn't transfer the account. I would have to apply for the explorer first, then cancel the velocity plat. I said I thought there was a limit of 2 cards per person and that it may prevent my application from being approved, she said to try it and see what happens. Might call again and speak to someone who actually knows the best method

Not true. I myself did a product change, although it was from Velocity Platinum to Platinum Edge. So I don't see why you can't do it to Amex Explorer. I would HUCA. Try specifically asking them for a product change.
 
Not true. I myself did a product change, although it was from Velocity Platinum to Platinum Edge. So I don't see why you can't do it to Amex Explorer. I would HUCA. Try specifically asking them for a product change.

I did try to change from an Amex DJ to Plat Edge and they said no , would need to apply for the plat edge then cancel the DJ
 
I think it depends on which product group the card is in. It’s almost luck of the draw.

I did a product transfer from Velocity Platinum to Platinum Reserve (charge companion) about 2 years ago. At the time, was told was a special arrangement given I had been given the run around re the Reserve application form.
 
Hi guys, I’ve had my cards linked for ages, recently helped my oldies do the same. It appears there accumulated gateway points have disappeared. I’ll give it a few days to see if they appear. However if they don’t, what are people saying to get them reposted? Without drawing too much attention to the fact the cards are linked?
 
Hi guys, I’ve had my cards linked for ages, recently helped my oldies do the same. It appears there accumulated gateway points have disappeared. I’ll give it a few days to see if they appear. However if they don’t, what are people saying to get them reposted? Without drawing too much attention to the fact the cards are linked?

Would be interested to know where you landed with this?
 
Points moved across on their own!

So you actually see the previous 'disappeared' points in the ascent program now? Just wondering since I am about to link these two cards but a lot of ppl reporting disappearing existed points.
 
Hi all
With no amex in my portfolio and a bonus to redeem do I hold out hope for the next 100k Explorer / Ultimate or take the Edge now given the 50k bonus on offer?

I've done rough calcs that if a 100k was offered in the next 9 months id still be breaking 'even' vs getting an Edge now (based on spending estimates)

In this position which would you do?wait for 100k or take the Edge?

many thanks as always
 
Hi all
With no amex in my portfolio and a bonus to redeem do I hold out hope for the next 100k Explorer / Ultimate or take the Edge now given the 50k bonus on offer?

I've done rough calcs that if a 100k was offered in the next 9 months id still be breaking 'even' vs getting an Edge now (based on spending estimates)

In this position which would you do?wait for 100k or take the Edge?

many thanks as always

Definitely take the Explorer first and then the Edge, and link them together. And if you had a partner to apply for the Explorer, you and partner can get 60k signup bonus + 60k referral bonus. Hope this helps.
 
Hi all
With no amex in my portfolio and a bonus to redeem do I hold out hope for the next 100k Explorer / Ultimate or take the Edge now given the 50k bonus on offer?

I've done rough calcs that if a 100k was offered in the next 9 months id still be breaking 'even' vs getting an Edge now (based on spending estimates)

In this position which would you do?wait for 100k or take the Edge?

many thanks as always

As mentioned above - you could get the Explorer now. You can get more than 50K bonus yourself though, which might be even more compelling?! Then you can swing the referral move if you have a partner?
Head over to the explorer referral thread though and you'll see a page of referral links. I just checked mine out and when you click it takes you to a page offering 60K. Feel free to use my link or someone else's :) All the best.
 
As mentioned above - you could get the Explorer now. You can get more than 50K bonus yourself though, which might be even more compelling?! Then you can swing the referral move if you have a partner?
Head over to the explorer referral thread though and you'll see a page of referral links. I just checked mine out and when you click it takes you to a page offering 60K. Feel free to use my link or someone else's :) All the best.

Much appreciated and I might just chase the status of my credit score correction this week then! great point
 
Definitely take the Explorer first and then the Edge, and link them together. And if you had a partner to apply for the Explorer, you and partner can get 60k signup bonus + 60k referral bonus. Hope this helps.

Much appreciated. So I guess I'm hearing that holding out for the 100k explorer is potentially wasteful?
 
Much appreciated. So I guess I'm hearing that holding out for the 100k explorer is potentially wasteful?

Sorry the 60k referral bonus for the referrer has ended, back to 30k now. You could wait for the 100k bonus, it may come up again once more as it hasn't come up this current FY yet.
 
The opportunity to generate a 60K referral link has passed... but the opportunity to use one still exists! I think it's open until the end of the month - so a couple more days - clicking on the link takes you to a page with the offer.
 

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