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

bismarck · Oct 24, 2016

How much do you spend per year? If more than, say $250k, probably worth it otherwise take the bonus points.

albyd · Oct 24, 2016

With explorer in Ascent you're ahead 0.5 points per dollar so would need to spend $150k to break even on missing the Explorer sign up. I wonder whether Explorer will continue to be the better option in Ascent should Amex implement their planned changes to Ascent and whether Gateway will also be restructured. Sounds like the most conservative option is to try to put Explorer on Gateway, possibly get the Bonus then figure it out from there.

luxurytraveller · Oct 24, 2016

Just Spoke to Amex again,

My original phone call about 3 weeks ago - the agent said if you unlink your Ascent Premium account to Gateway - you cannot link to it again.

I spoke to another person now at Amex and they said if you unlink now (which I have to see if I can get the 100K Gateway bonus points) - and then link after 12 months - then it is possible. They said that their policy is that they cannot make any changes to membership reward programs within 12 months.

Also it takes around 10-15 minutes for Gateway account to be created - so very quick if you are going to go this route.

So if this holds to be true (which I believe so) - then the worse case scenario for unlinking Gateway to Ascent Premium is that you get 1.5 Amex Ascent Premium Points compared to 2 Amex Ascent Premium points. Also there is still the risk of not getting the 100K Gateway points. But after 12 months - you can switch it back. Of course this also depends if any changes will go ahead with the Amex Ascent Premium Membership program.

Also in regards to the supplementary card holders getting 5K points bonus - this promotion is from the 1st Oct - 31st Oct. This applies to most cards in the Amex portfolio - so if you have Amex Platinum Charge, Reserve, Explorer, Edge etc - you could get 5K points bonus. They just need to be approved - take around 24 hours. So if you had these 4 cards - that is an easy 20K Amex points for example. They don't do a credit check either they said when approving the applicants as the credit is against the primary card holder's credit score.

Hope that helps people in this thread.

Mr_Orange · Oct 24, 2016

luxurytraveller said:
Also in regards to the supplementary card holders getting 5K points bonus - this promotion is from the 1st Oct - 31st Oct. This applies to most cards in the Amex portfolio - so if you have Amex Platinum Charge, Reserve, Explorer, Edge etc - you could get 5K points bonus. They just need to be approved - take around 24 hours. So if you had these 4 cards - that is an easy 20K Amex points for example. They don't do a credit check either they said when approving the applicants as the credit is against the primary card holder's credit score.

Hope that helps people in this thread.

This I like. I think I'll get the Reserve for Mrs_O just to get the 5k bonus points.

bbqwer · Oct 24, 2016

Unlink gateway from ascent , What would happen to the points earned already ? is it remain or gone ?

luxurytraveller · Oct 24, 2016

Points in Ascent stay there. Opening a new Gateway account starts at zero

ninja-tim · Oct 24, 2016

So I guess if you have a big bill to put it through now, then put it through while it's on the ascent program then call in to switch to gateway?

alexy23 · Oct 25, 2016

I'm trying to decide between this and the Platinum Reserve. If anyone could help that'd be great.

Platinum Reserve Credit Card (companion to AMEX Bus Plat)
$0 Annual Fee
Free Bonus Flight (i.e. Queenstown) - Worth 35k VA Points.
- Basically a free flight every year for $0

AMEX Explorer
$395 (but can be offset against travel - hotels etc) - but does mean another $395 outlay in my annual bill.
75K VA/SQ Points
Better point earn for SQ compared to Westpac

On another note - what Visa/MC cards is everyone using to complement the AMEX explorer.

Lawrage · Oct 25, 2016

alexy23 said:
I'm trying to decide between this and the Platinum Reserve. If anyone could help that'd be great.

Platinum Reserve Credit Card (companion to AMEX Bus Plat)
$0 Annual Fee
Free Bonus Flight (i.e. Queenstown) - Worth 35k VA Points.
- Basically a free flight every year for $0

AMEX Explorer
$395 (but can be offset against travel - hotels etc) - but does mean another $395 outlay in my annual bill.
75K VA/SQ Points
Better point earn for SQ compared to Westpac

On another note - what Visa/MC cards is everyone using to complement the AMEX explorer.

Amex Explorer, get the points and then swap it out for the Reserve if you want the free flight. The 75k SQ points make it hard to not take up this card.

For non Amex spend we have two of the HSBC visas (1pt for $ and they have a 25% bonus on at the moment through to the end of the year so 1.25 points per $). They do have a 2500 limit then the points drop by half but with two of them we dont hit that.

alexy23 · Oct 25, 2016

Lawrage said:
For non Amex spend we have two of the HSBC visas (1pt for $ and they have a 25% bonus on at the moment through to the end of the year so 1.25 points per $). They do have a 2500 limit then the points drop by half but with two of them we dont hit that.

Thanks - I was thinking of getting an ANZ so I have complete Apple Pay coverage. ANZ still have the $0 offer. In saying that I've had mixed feelings with Apple Pay - it doesn't work with many merchants but this might be a symptom of AMEX not working with Tap and Pay rather then Apple Pay itself.

Lawrage · Oct 25, 2016

alexy23 said:
Thanks - I was thinking of getting an ANZ so I have complete Apple Pay coverage. ANZ still have the $0 offer. In saying that I've had mixed feelings with Apple Pay - it doesn't work with many merchants but this might be a symptom of AMEX not working with Tap and Pay rather then Apple Pay itself.

If you going for sign-on bonuses for Visa/MC the ANZ and the WestPac offers are good at the moment. ANZ being well free makes it a bit of an easier sell.

Have had zero issues with the ANZ card with Apple Pay. The Amex card has been hit and miss for me as well, at first I though the card was broken.

ninja-tim · Oct 25, 2016

alexy23 said:
On another note - what Visa/MC cards is everyone using to complement the AMEX explorer.

Depends what you're planning on using it for? ATO or Non-ATO?

For ATO, I'd recommend St George. For Non-ATO, then Citibank Sig/Prestige?

adamphosho · Oct 25, 2016

luxurytraveller said:
Just Spoke to Amex again,
Also in regards to the supplementary card holders getting 5K points bonus - this promotion is from the 1st Oct - 31st Oct. This applies to most cards in the Amex portfolio - so if you have Amex Platinum Charge, Reserve, Explorer, Edge etc - you could get 5K points bonus. They just need to be approved - take around 24 hours. So if you had these 4 cards - that is an easy 20K Amex points for example. They don't do a credit check either they said when approving the applicants as the credit is against the primary card holder's credit score.

Do you know what supplementary cards are available to Explorer? Is it just a second explorer card, or is it like Platinum Charge where you can apply for a range of different supplementary cards? When I log in and check add supplementary card I see a list of cards that includes Reserve, Explorer and Edge, irrespective of whether I was viewing my Explorer or PC before clicking that link

And then somewhat OT: anyone know if for Platinum Charge, adding a supplementary Reserve of Edge still gives a free flight? That might be nice to combine with this 5k bonus. Though would there be a credit check in that case? My assumption may be totally wrong here, but if your supplementary card is a different type of card, is that the trigger for another credit check?

Mr_Orange · Oct 25, 2016

adamphosho said:
And then somewhat OT: anyone know if for Platinum Charge, adding a supplementary Reserve of Edge still gives a free flight? That might be nice to combine with this 5k bonus. Though would there be a credit check in that case? My assumption may be totally wrong here, but if your supplementary card is a different type of card, is that the trigger for another credit check?

The Reserve is not a supplementary card to the Platinum Charge, it is a companion card.

Ergo, as a Plat Charge holder you can apply for the Reserve (with no annual fee). This card will be issued in the primary card holders name. You could then apply for a supplementary Resverve card for your better half.

You only get one free flight from the Reserve, no matter how many supplementary card holders you have.

adelee · Oct 25, 2016

adamphosho said:
Do you know what supplementary cards are available to Explorer? Is it just a second explorer card, or is it like Platinum Charge where you can apply for a range of different supplementary cards? When I log in and check add supplementary card I see a list of cards that includes Reserve, Explorer and Edge, irrespective of whether I was viewing my Explorer or PC before clicking that link

And then somewhat OT: anyone know if for Platinum Charge, adding a supplementary Reserve of Edge still gives a free flight? That might be nice to combine with this 5k bonus. Though would there be a credit check in that case? My assumption may be totally wrong here, but if your supplementary card is a different type of card, is that the trigger for another credit check?

To address your sup card query, I don't believe it's possible to obtain a supplementary card for a credit or charge card you don't have - you can only add them to an existing card account. Like other glitches members have recently come across, I suspect it's just a quirk of the AMEX website that when you hit the 'add a supplementary card' link, it brings up every card. Indeed, when you go to the application screen, it states: "Add someone to your Card Account and share your benefits with family members, friends or anyone else you choose. "

_TheTraveller_ · Oct 26, 2016

Does anyone know how to get to the gateway portal? Just activated the card on Monday but I can't seem to get access without it erroring out.

luxurytraveller · Oct 27, 2016

luxurytraveller said:
Just Spoke to Amex again,

My original phone call about 3 weeks ago - the agent said if you unlink your Ascent Premium account to Gateway - you cannot link to it again.

I spoke to another person now at Amex and they said if you unlink now (which I have to see if I can get the 100K Gateway bonus points) - and then link after 12 months - then it is possible. They said that their policy is that they cannot make any changes to membership reward programs within 12 months.

Also it takes around 10-15 minutes for Gateway account to be created - so very quick if you are going to go this route.

So if this holds to be true (which I believe so) - then the worse case scenario for unlinking Gateway to Ascent Premium is that you get 1.5 Amex Ascent Premium Points compared to 2 Amex Ascent Premium points. Also there is still the risk of not getting the 100K Gateway points. But after 12 months - you can switch it back. Of course this also depends if any changes will go ahead with the Amex Ascent Premium Membership program.

Also in regards to the supplementary card holders getting 5K points bonus - this promotion is from the 1st Oct - 31st Oct. This applies to most cards in the Amex portfolio - so if you have Amex Platinum Charge, Reserve, Explorer, Edge etc - you could get 5K points bonus. They just need to be approved - take around 24 hours. So if you had these 4 cards - that is an easy 20K Amex points for example. They don't do a credit check either they said when approving the applicants as the credit is against the primary card holder's credit score.

Hope that helps people in this thread.

So after 3 days of having my Gateway account unlinked from my Ascent Premium - I spent $1500 straight away as I knew I only had 4 more days till my 2 months was up for Explorer card to get the points. Glad to say that this morning - I received the 100K Gateway points. So from my experience - if you have your Explorer card activated and it is linked to your Ascent Premium - then unlink it so you have an individual Gateway program where you earn points from the Amex Explorer card. This triggers something in their system so you earn the 100K Gateway points. Hope this helps others in this thread to decide whether to get the Amex Explorer card or not - and also if you have the accounts linked - if it is worth unlinking or not.

ninja-tim · Oct 27, 2016

Just had my card declined while using Rewardpay. Tried to put the payments through a couple times and still declined. So called up Amex, and they asked if I called up in regards to the fraudulent activity message they sent me. Did not receive any such email/text...way to go Amex. They will call back later today or tomorrow after they review the account. I've only used it to pay some bills and rewardpay to pay some tax bills. I wonder if it's related to the large payments or genuine fraud

fairbasa · Oct 27, 2016

richh1833 said:
Does anyone know how to get to the gateway portal? Just activated the card on Monday but I can't seem to get access without it erroring out.

I'm having the same issue, noticed there's some sort of maintenance banner on the MR site. However, logging in through the Mrs account which she got about a month ago works fine?

imipenam · Oct 27, 2016

After reading all your posts (with thanks), my impulsive trigger finger took over my common sense (or lack of) and applied. I was risking a rejection as this was my third cc within 6 months, in addition to the refinance of my home loan to include an owner occupied and investment property loan. I dare not think what my Veda score was before and after this application (can only imagine how bad it is now!). So ... I got approved instantly online and will see what deal I get from Amex (also have a platinum edge and ticked the yes box on application). Hopefully will get the bonus points which will get me at least a one business class ticket to Asia next March.

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

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