Greetings! I"m new :)

[ClassicDave]

Hi Guys,

I'm new to reward programs and CC's. I spent loads each year about 30k and was looking for the best program to join if someone could advise me that would be great.

I'm comparing and tossing up between the [h=3]American Express Explorer Referrals now live - 110,000 points![/h]
and the



Qantas Ultimate American Express Card: 112500 Qantas Points Offer


Can anyone tell me which would be the better one for me? They both are very similar. Also, im happy to use a referral link to sign up so I guess i'll sign up to the first person who can help me out!

Thanks everyone

cheers

 

[Steady]

Welcome aboard ClassicDave, your question was only asked by another new member yesterday or the day before. You need to read up un the credit card threads a little first then after you have done some homework ask some specific questions around your circumstances so members can have something to work to.

Edit: you have added some more info since I replied.... What do you want to do with the points? The QF offer is pretty self explanatory and extra good value for those based in WA with the return flight value. The Explorer card comes with MR points that can be transferred to virgin, Singapore airlines etc or to hotel programms

 

[ClassicDave]

Ok I've read up the terms and conditions so i'm not too confused about that but i'm more interested in the MAIN difference between them. To my knowledge, the only difference is that the AMEX explorer does'nt convert to QFF points ( But does convert to everything else). And the AMex explorer gives you 400 credit, which can book multiple flights? Where as the Qantas card only gives you 1 comp flight? (I'm assuming its return?)

Is there anything else I can tell you so you can help me ?

 

[Steady]

Ok I've read up the terms and conditions so i'm not too confused about that but i'm more interested in the MAIN difference between them. To my knowledge, the only difference is that the AMEX explorer does'nt convert to QFF points ( But does convert to everything else). And the AMex explorer gives you 400 credit, which can book multiple flights? Where as the Qantas card only gives you 1 comp flight? (I'm assuming its return?)

Is there anything else I can tell you so you can help me ?

The Ultimate flight is return - you can see the available flights on the amex site. The main difference is the type of points, as you have stated the MR points can be transferred to lots of places and could be considered more valuable than the QF points. If you have the income, why not get both

Edit:Both are AMEX - is your ~$30K spend at places that take AMEX - maybe you need a good point earning VISA/MC to pair. Are you looking at long term cards or looking to churn and burn maximising sign up bonus's?

 

[ClassicDave]

Hi Steady,

Thanks for helping me out btw!

I didn't know I could apply for both? If i apply for both, wouldn't one disqualify me for the other?

If they don't, i'll get both and start my year with 2 dom flights and 200k in points for ~$850.

I don't mind doing that btw.

Has anyone else got both? What's been the experience?

Ive calculated rough spend to be about $80k for my whole family, if my wife and my inv property spend was on my card, so this might be worth it.

 

[Steady]

Maybe best to sign up for one, meet the spend for bonus points then nominally 4-6 weeks later apply for the next. Many of us have multiple, I signed up for the Explorer about 6 weeks ago and just applied for the Ultimate yesterday when the new offer landed. If you do sign up to either you should use a referral link as it gets you more bonus points and gives the referrer some as well. (I have a referral link posted for the Explorer)


With 80K spend after you sign up for the first it would be well worth your time scouring the CC threads to leverage as much as you can from it. I assume you know about amex statement credits (if not read up) but it is worth getting a supplementary card as you go to better utilise them

 

[ClassicDave]

Mate you've been more than helpful.

I dont know about statement credits but ill read up on that right now.

Can you give me your referral code for the explorer?

I'll sign up to that one first and do the Qantas one next week.

Cheers buddy.

 

[Steady]

Amex have offers that you can register your card to eg: spend $300 at Harvey Norman and receive $100 statement credit or the current "Shop Small" where you spend a minimum $20 at participating small businesses and get $10 credit up to 10 x per registered card - money for jam as CE often says. Having a supplementary card doubles the potential credits. There is heaps of info in AFF and new offers are regularly posted.

My referral link can be found at post #25 here

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF ClassicDave!

 

[TomVexille]

Welcome aboard!

 

[landl]

Maybe best to sign up for one, meet the spend for bonus points then nominally 4-6 weeks later apply for the next. Many of us have multiple, I signed up for the Explorer about 6 weeks ago and just applied for the Ultimate yesterday when the new offer landed. If you do sign up to either you should use a referral link as it gets you more bonus points and gives the referrer some as well. (I have a referral link posted for the Explorer)


With 80K spend after you sign up for the first it would be well worth your time scouring the CC threads to leverage as much as you can from it. I assume you know about amex statement credits (if not read up) but it is worth getting a supplementary card as you go to better utilise them

I've been doing the bonus point offers for awhile but I've found they all limit your applications in the terms and conditions eg can't have held an Amex card in the past 12-18months.Have you actually been successful applying for two simultaneously? Perhaps they don’t check?

 

[Steady]

I've been doing the bonus point offers for awhile but I've found they all limit your applications in the terms and conditions eg can't have held an Amex card in the past 12-18months.Have you actually been successful applying for two simultaneously? Perhaps they don’t check?

There is lots of discussion in the Amex threads on this but to summarise my understanding;

there are different types of Amex, QF earning, VA earning, Membership Rewards earning that is split into 3 types of MR programs - accent, gateway and another (I can't remember the name of)

if if you have held a QF version in the last 12 (may actually be 18) months you will not get bonus points re-signing up to it* but if you hold or Close the QF and apply for one of the other earn types you will very likely get the signup bonus. The same seems to apply to different levels of MR.

You can can only hold 2 Amex CC at one time but you can have 1 x charge with them

*following signup links / referrals seems to garner points that may not have been coming if strictly Following the T&C's + NEVER call Amex and ask.

i recommend people read the CC threads, and after doing so then ask Amex questions in the Amex thread

I cancelled a VA Platinum about 6 months ago and received the Explorer bonus when I signed up to it about 6 weeks ago. I just followed a referral for the Ultimate yesterday and see no reason I won't get the QF bonus points after I meet the spend.

edit: there are cards that don't seem to limit applications and giving out signup bonuses- have a look at the NAB threads - I have successfully had 2 x 75k velocity points as have others with even more, and I see it mentioned Maquarie are the same. ANZ are strict with the 12 months

 

[landl]

There is lots of discussion in the Amex threads on this but to summarise my understanding;

there are different types of Amex, QF earning, VA earning, Membership Rewards earning that is split into 3 types of MR programs - accent, gateway and another (I can't remember the name of)

Geez, thought I was doing well but this news is a game changer. Obviously, I've been playing too nice .... and making presumptions! Lesson learned. Thank you

 

[Dr Ralph]

Welcome to AFF.

 

[Fly Boy Jerry]

Hello New.... just kidding welcome to the group ClassicDave

 

[ClassicDave]

btw my poitns came in so enjoy the 20k if you got it. Happy to do cross referrals for other cards . pm me guys Love u all!!!!!!