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AmEx Explorer Card ($395 P.a. Fee, 100,000 Bonus Gateway MR Points (Not Held AmEx Issued Card past 18m) + $400 Travel Credit

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AmEx Explorer Card ($395 P.a. Fee, 100,000 Bonus Gateway MR Points (Not Held AmEx Issued Card past 18m) + $400 Travel Credit
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The Champagne Mile on 25/08/2016 - 13:40 americanexpress.com (4166 clicks)
Last edited 01/02/2017 - 13:35 by 1 other user

Receive 100,000 Membership Rewards® Bonus Points when you apply online by 30 January 2017, are approved and spend $1,500 on your Card within the first 2 months of Card Membership. Card comes with a $395 annual fee and minimum income requirement of $65,000.

Other key highlights:
* $400 travel credit for American Express Travel (book flights, car hire and hotels online - I've found AMEX competitive when compared to other major online travel booking engines) - (offsets the $395 annual fee)
* The usual suite of insurances are provided, including Smartphone Screen Insurance when you pay for your phone / contract with AMEX (for up to $500 repairs).
* 2 x invites to the AMEX Sydney International lounge
* You'll earn 2 Membership Rewards points per $1 spent on all purchases except government bodies in Australia where you will earn 0.5 points per $1 spend.

Membership Rewards ‘Gateway’ differs from the ‘Ascent’ and ‘Ascent Premium’ programs found on cards like the AMEX Platinum Edge (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/261537) and the Platinum Card (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/259759), in that the credit card points you earn are converted into airline frequent flyer points at a 4:3 rate, rather than 1:1. 100,000 MR Gateway bonus is equal to 82,500 frequent flyer points that can be transferred to 8 airline partners - Virgin Australia, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.

Referral Links

Business Explorer Card: random (1)

Referrer: 40,000 Reward Points

Centurion Personal Charge Card: random (7)

Referee gets 200,000 MR points. Referrer gets 150,000 MR points.

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Financial American Express Credit Card Frequent Flyer Reward Points

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closed Comments

  • scanuck on 25/08/2016 - 13:49
    +1

    Never held an AMEX issued card - what kind of gift card redemption are you looking at for 100,000 points?

    • The Champagne Mile on 25/08/2016 - 13:51
      +3

      Would suggest not using these on gift cards. You'll be able to convert to 75,000 airline points - for a couple of examples, that's enough to fly from Australian Cities to Singapore / Hong Kong in Singapore Airlines A380 business class one way, or Aus NZ business class return with Virgin.

      • illumination on 25/08/2016 - 17:58
        +10

        Yea but telling someone that they can fly to SIN/HKG on business class really doesn't mean much if they had no intention of doing it in the first place (or don't even fly at all to begin with).

        It would be like telling me skiing is now $100 for a week as opposed to $1000, but I'd still be spending $100 doing something I never intended to spend on and telling me I just saved $900.

        Or alternatively, it'd be like telling me I just saved $2500 by using my points on a J class ticket to SIN/HKG when I was more than happy to get from A to B for the cheapest price possible.

        The thing with gift cards, especially ones like Woolies/Coles is they're real money that almost everyone can use. It's basically the closest thing to cash that you can get which isn't cash seeing as pretty much everyone knows they'll go there some time before the gift cards expire.

        • smpantsonfire on 25/08/2016 - 18:57
          +3

          But what he is saying, is that it's like trading $100 for a $50.

        • illumination on 26/08/2016 - 09:55

          @smpantsonfire: I get that, but what I am saying is it's not $100 because it's not cash (or easily convertible to cash).

          You can't tell me that pot of flowers is $100 expect me to see the $100 it's supposedly worth (even if it actually is worth $100) if I have 0 interest/need for it.

        • cynix on 04/01/2017 - 09:33

          They could always sell the points to someone who does plan to fly at a higher rate than what they'd get with gift cards.

      • tranter on 08/09/2016 - 22:43

        Would 75,000 points come close to covering 2x adult return economy flights Australia to Singapore?

        • kostonsave on 09/09/2016 - 22:54
          +1

          1 x SYD to SIN Round-trip Economy Saver Award ticket = 50000 Krisflyer miles

    • OldBugger on 25/08/2016 - 14:05
      +3

      As an eg. 75,000 frequent flyer points with Virgin Australia is almost a $400 voucher with Myer, Target, David Jones and Westfield.

    • scanuck on 25/08/2016 - 14:37
      +1

      Just did some hunting - 95,000 membership reward points will net $750 in Westfield vouchers from AMEX

      • jdogg on 25/08/2016 - 19:53

        membership reward points or gateway membership points?

    • tuvz on 25/08/2016 - 14:52

      you can sell for about 1cent per point in the classifieds section

  • bluesky on 25/08/2016 - 13:53

    Wow, good for anyone who has a trip in mind, and wants a huge number of points fast!

  • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2016 - 13:59

    MMM I might call amex and see if they can transfer me to this from my platinum edge and place my $800 balance on the 0% 12 month balance transfer and give me the 100k points.
    Probably not after they waived the annual fee for me in June and also for the last 2 years prior.

    • michaelTito on 25/08/2016 - 14:01

      how did you manage to get them to waive annual fee?

      • [Deactivated] on 25/08/2016 - 14:05
        +1

        threaten to cancel after buying 10k worth of things in one month, paying the minimum only the next month, and then paying off the complete balance before the 55 days are over, calling up and saying "i dont find value in the card, retailers like to surcharge me, my mastercard platinum is enough, etc" and saying im looking at cancelling.
        I rarely have a massive balance on the card after the 55 days intrest fee anyway (max $500) so they get minimal interest from me, i have it to hoard points when i spend, and the free flight.

        • OldBugger on 25/08/2016 - 14:08

          Well I tried this a few times and had a similar history. No success. So well done.. or I hope the luck keeps going for you.

        • Soluble on 25/08/2016 - 15:10

          @OldBugger: mine was much easier, I just rang up to cancel, have never paid 1c interest/fees and they waived the fee instantly on the Platinum edge!

        • Dollarsandsense on 25/08/2016 - 23:00

          Careful, if you are -$10,000 on your statement and you pay $9,999 by the due date you will actually pay interest on the -$10k. Speaking from past experience, check how much interest you are being charged.

    • OldBugger on 25/08/2016 - 14:02

      Well explained anyway, OP

    • theguyrules on 25/08/2016 - 14:07

      I'd doubt it but let us know how you go anyway.

  • nicwinner on 25/08/2016 - 14:08
    +1

    nice…now i need find a new job with 65,000 + salary :)

  • davo_4 on 25/08/2016 - 14:09
    +2

    Better change title to read 2x lounge passes, instead of lounge access which would assume ongoing access.

  • carwashhair on 25/08/2016 - 14:15
    +2

    Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any other Consumer Credit Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the preceding 18 month period are ineligible for this offer

    Looks like they're trying to tighten eligibility for the points bonus - used to be >12mths without Amex-issued in order to become a 'new' Amex customer.

    • The Champagne Mile on 25/08/2016 - 14:18

      Well spotted. I wonder whether current AMEX issued card owners will receive the bonus points (perhaps they've tightened up on that also) - anyone brave enough to give it a go and report back? :)

      • muncan on 25/08/2016 - 14:54

        Not on this site, no siree bob.

  • SydChamp on 25/08/2016 - 14:18
    +1

    Looks like if you have or had a card in last 18months you won't get 100K points

    Offer only available to new American Express Card Members who apply online by 30 November 2016, are approved and spend $1,500 on their new Card in the first 2 months from the Card approval date. Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any other Consumer Credit Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the preceding 18 month period are ineligible for this offer. 100,000 Membership Rewards Bonus Points will be awarded to the eligible Card Member’s account 8-10 weeks after the spend criteria has been met. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.

    • chocfrogs456 on 18/11/2016 - 10:56

      so does this mean bank issued amex cards are ok?

      • The Champagne Mile on 18/11/2016 - 12:42

        Bank issued cards are not considered AMEX direct issued cards. If you only hold bank issued AMEX, you are most definitely eligible for the bonus points offer.

        • chocfrogs456 on 19/11/2016 - 22:31

          wonderful, thanks for clarifying :)

  • Holysmoke on 25/08/2016 - 14:22
    -1

    Trying to compete with the ANZ Adventure card.

  • fivespice on 25/08/2016 - 14:23

    Every 3-4 months AMEX offers Velocity transfer with bonus 25%. I have done it with my entire AMEX points balance with no issues the last 2 times it's been offered.

    • salekhard on 25/08/2016 - 14:32
      -3

      Its actually better to convert your amex points to krisflyer points and then through krisflyer, convert to velocity. You get a 35 percent bonus that way.

      • fivespice on 25/08/2016 - 14:34
        +1

        Even better.

      • Gaz1 on 25/08/2016 - 14:38

        I don't believe so. I think the conversion is 1.35:1 i.e. less velocity points, not more.

      • Rashed on 25/08/2016 - 14:44

        The conversation rate from velocity to krisflyer and vice versa is always 1:1.35, which means if you convert 1.35 krisflyer points you get 1 velocity points, and it is the same the other way around.

        • salekhard on 25/08/2016 - 14:48
          +2

          Yes, thats true. I have edited the above post. Basically there is a 35 percent 'spread' when you convert points from velocity to krisflyer and vice versa.

    • Giraffe on 25/08/2016 - 15:41
      +1

      Do you have any details of a previous offer?

      I always see Velocity offer bonus 15% every 6 months (May and November) for transfers from AMEX plus a few bank award schemes. But I have never seen 25%

      • fivespice on 25/08/2016 - 15:50
        +1

        Crap, I meant 15% I just remembered wrong.

      • tremell on 27/10/2016 - 20:48

        Hopefully it isn't long before we get a 15% bonus conversion offer as I want to convert to Velocity asap!

  • hippyhippy on 25/08/2016 - 14:33

    can u convert MR points to QFF points? i know its stated you cant earn the points.

    • Gaz1 on 25/08/2016 - 14:37

      No. But you can convert to Asiamiles which can be used to book Qantas flights.

      • Peck on 26/08/2016 - 14:11

        can also book Qantas flights on Emirates

    • elliebargain on 18/11/2016 - 15:54

      You can't but you could try to swap with someone in the classifieds. I have too many Qantas points and not enough Virgin points so that's what I'm trying to do :)

      • chen on 04/01/2017 - 11:10

        How do you swap in the classifieds?

        • elliebargain on 04/01/2017 - 14:41

          You can put an ad up or search for someone trying to swap

        • Gaz1 on 04/01/2017 - 16:06

          @elliebargain:
          But how do you transfer virgin points to someone else (I thought it could only be done to family)?

        • The Champagne Mile on 04/01/2017 - 16:11

          @Gaz1: Technically nothing stopping you from transferring to non family, but it is against the Virgin and Qantas T & Cs, so could go pear shaped for you if either airline investigates it.

  • ozbargainer2 on 25/08/2016 - 14:35
    +1

    I'd be interested to hear if any existing Amex holders manage to get the sign on bonus points!

  • datzed on 25/08/2016 - 14:37

    Does anyone know if:

    a) This AmEx Explorer Card incurs fees when you BPay bills

    b) That if you pay $1,500 BPay bills, it meets this criteria - "spend $1,500 on your Card within the first 2 months of Card Membership"?

    I Googled for (a) and couldn't find anything.

    • jkcat on 25/08/2016 - 14:39
      +2

      Don't think Amex issued cards can BPay at all.

      • datzed on 25/08/2016 - 14:40

        Ah shit. This may make it hard to meet the $1,500. I've just received my rates bill and it would have been perfect.

        • salekhard on 25/08/2016 - 14:42
          +6

          Try using postbillpay and pay with paypal (link your amex to paypal).

        • carwashhair on 25/08/2016 - 14:58

          go buy $1500 of reloadable mastercards, use those to pay bills, shopping etc

        • T-man on 25/08/2016 - 15:24

          @salekhard:

          some bills cannot pay online via postbillpay, have to pay in person at post.

        • donkcat on 25/08/2016 - 16:01

          @carwashhair:

          You can only use Visa/MC to pay for those.

        • Turd on 25/08/2016 - 16:34

          @carwashhair: Wont work. Coles one requires VISA/MasterCard

        • NinjaChicken on 25/08/2016 - 16:44
          +6

          If you can use Australia Post Bill Pay to pay your rates bill, you can use your AmEx to pay.

          Australia Post Bill Pay online allows you to pay your bill using PayPal as the source of funds. If you sign up to PayPal using your AmEx, then you will be paying your bill via your AmEx card.

          Thus you should be able to pay your rates with your AmEx card.

        • talismansa on 25/08/2016 - 22:23
          +1

          @NinjaChicken: does your rates bill have a biller code and ref number? Mine doesn't have one so it's not possible to pay online.

        • NinjaChicken on 29/08/2016 - 20:44

          @talismansa: Sorry - that was just general advice on how Post Bill Pay can enable you to pay (some) bills using your AmEx card. I'm unsure what the various State / Territory Governments do as far as rates payments..

  • salekhard on 25/08/2016 - 14:47

    What's the booking fee when using amex travel to book flights etc?

    The only reason this card is worth it is because of the $400 credit. Otherwise for bonus points you are better off pursuing citibank rewards visa (70k pts and $99 annual fee first year) or Anz black (75k qff pts and free first year annual fee).

    • Owl on 25/08/2016 - 16:38

      Citibank Rewards has a conversion rate of 2.5 points per 1 velocity point.

    • tuvz on 25/08/2016 - 18:12

      why not get both, or all 3..

      Anyway citibank are generally stricter for approvals then amex

      And anz black qf has a $425 fee not waived for first year

    • Gaz1 on 26/08/2016 - 15:38

      Does the ANZ Black offer still waive the first year fee? If so, do you have a link?

  • MrTweek on 25/08/2016 - 14:49
    +3

    http://catalogue.membershiprewards.com.au/viewAwardDetail.mt…

    Do I understand this right?
    I can convert 69K points to $500 credit?
    That means, I pay $395 but I get $500 + 31K points + $400 travel credit + other benefits?
    Will that work?

    • carlJack on 25/08/2016 - 14:59
      +1

      yes

    • theguyrules on 25/08/2016 - 16:08
      +2

      Gift cards are better value, $100 for 13,500ish points.
      Foreign currency is better again, $100AUD equivalent for 12,000 points

      Just from my looking around

    • bargin424 on 14/09/2016 - 08:35

      Did you end up getting this?

      • MrTweek on 14/09/2016 - 12:41

        Not yet, as I just finished off the 70K Citibank credit card today, so will apply some time in the next days :)

  • phamid on 25/08/2016 - 15:33

    Yet they only include $300 travel credit on the Platinum Charge that costs $800p.a. more. Kind of a slap in the face.

    • loku123 on 25/08/2016 - 16:33
      +1

      I thought it's $1200pa.

      • lilkid28 on 25/08/2016 - 16:52
        +1

        what he meant is an extra $800 on top of the $400 required for this card.

        • loku123 on 25/08/2016 - 16:57

          Right. of course. Didn't see the 'more' there.

    • davo_4 on 25/08/2016 - 17:15

      If you recently signed up for the Platinum Charge card would it be possible to change over to this card and avoid the larger fee (if the fee hasn't been charged yet)?

  • Kuro on 25/08/2016 - 15:36

    So I have a NAB Amex card, will I be eligible?

    • Seven8Nine on 25/08/2016 - 15:39
      +2

      yes.. NAB AMEX is not issued by AMEX. Its from BANK so yes you are eligible*.

  • donkcat on 25/08/2016 - 16:39

    So would additional cardholders of current AMEX cards be ineligible for this offer?

    • The Champagne Mile on 25/08/2016 - 16:58
      +2

      The terms and conditions say no, the precedent suggests yes, but no way to know for sure until an existing cardholder signs up and meets the minimum spend. Will update post when information comes to hand.

      • illumination on 25/08/2016 - 17:55

        Precedent yes? Really?
        I don't think additional/supplementary cardholders were ever considered to be "existing cardholders" for the purpose of these bonus point deals, whether according to T&C or otherwise.

        • The Champagne Mile on 25/08/2016 - 18:02

          Agree, wasn't referring to supplementary card holders. Rather, to the multitude of comments on this forum and others from primary AMEX issued card holders that state they've been receiving the sign on bonus point offers for other cards, regardless of what the T & Cs say.

          EDIT: Sorry, didn't read the word 'additional' in the original comment above (read it as a query around whether primary card holders were eligible). Yes, sup card holders definitely are eligible as they are not deemed to be holding an AMEX issued card (that's the primary cardholder).

        • illumination on 25/08/2016 - 18:05

          @The Champagne Mile:

          Ah right. Yes, agree with you on that but the question was about additional cardholders as opposed to existing cardholders. That surely is referring to supplementary cardholders? (same thing?)

        • donkcat on 25/08/2016 - 19:52

          @illumination:
          Thanks and yes supplementary card holder is what I meant.

  • djkelly69 on 25/08/2016 - 16:55

    Any referral bonus on this one??

    • jaygee on 25/08/2016 - 19:06

      Dude they literally just released it…

    • Holysmoke on 25/08/2016 - 19:09

      Not yet.

  • Speedz on 25/08/2016 - 17:41

    Well wouldnt mind adding another AMEX card too bad I'm already an existing Platinum Edge card holder! :(

    • illumination on 25/08/2016 - 17:55

      You can! You can have up to two AMEX (AMEX issued) cards at a time.

      • Speedz on 25/08/2016 - 18:32

        Nice I will give them a go later! :)

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