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American Express Explorer $395 Fee 100,000 Bonus Member Rewards Points + $400 Travel Credit

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American Express Explorer $395 Fee 100,000 Bonus Member Rewards Points + $400 Travel Credit
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LApplesmfc on 30/01/2018 - 13:46 americanexpress.com (4849 clicks)
Last edited 07/02/2018 - 09:25 by 1 other user

Amex today increased their sign up bonus from 60,000 bonus points to 100,000.

You will receive 100,000 bonus Membership Rewards points (in the Amex Gateway Program) when you apply online, are approved and spend $3,000 on your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Please note, you must not hold an Amex (apart from bank-issued ones), or have held one in the last 18 months.

Membership Rewards points are well recognised for the great value they have when transferred to airline and hotel programs. For example, each MR point in the Gateway program converts to 0.75 points in the Virgin Australia Velocity, Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines Krisflyer programs.

It's especially good value to transfer to Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) at a rate of 2 MR points to 1 SPG point. Once in SPG they can be converted to many airline programs or used to book hotels - some great savings!

Benefits:

$400 Travel Credit every year to use on flights, hotels, experiences or car hire booked online with American Express Travel. You can use this credit to book travel for anyone you choose.

Earn up to 2 Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent on eligible purchases.

Smartphone Screen Insurance for up to $500 for screen repairs to your Smartphone when you pay for your phone or contract with your card.

Travel insurance, buyers advantage, purchase protection, and refund protection.

2 entries per year to the American Express Lounge at Sydney International (Kingsford Smith) Airport T1.

0% p.a. on balance transfers for the first 12 months — A one-off credit plan establishment fee of 1% applies to any balances transferred.

The $400 travel credit more than offsets the $395 annual fee.

PLEASE NOTE:
Referrals now also earning 100k for new card holders……Referrals below: Click show more and look for Explorer card

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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closed Comments

  • points4life on 30/01/2018 - 13:51
    +4

    Great deal OP! Explorer is my all time favourite card :D

  • RedLights on 30/01/2018 - 13:55
    +6

    referrals still showing 60k :(

    • Uzb9811 on 01/02/2018 - 08:00
      +3

      Referrals have now been updated to 100,000 points on sign up.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2018 - 13:56
    +1

    I signed up to an Explorer with 50k points in late December… Amex customer service aren't gonna help are they

    • asa79 on 30/01/2018 - 13:57
      +4

      Nope but now your not a new customer

    • Kmang on 01/02/2018 - 14:32
      +4

      I signed up in Jan-18 on a referral to get 60k points. When I saw that they upped the points to 100k a few weeks later I called customer service and was told that they would give me the 100k points if I reached the $3k limit in the first 3 months. Can't hurt to give them a call and see what they say?

  • asa79 on 30/01/2018 - 13:59

    is that 1.5 points for $1?

    • ExtremeDavo on 30/01/2018 - 15:07

      2

      • ExtremeDavo on 30/01/2018 - 15:08
        +1

        Although it's in the gateway program - but still really really good value. Add the $400 credit which is usable at Amex Travel and all the random "spend x to receive y statement credit" - the annual fee will be absorbed in no time.

    • points4life on 30/01/2018 - 15:32

      2 MRG per $ which equates to 1.5 frequent flyer points (for most programs).

  • FlatulentFrank on 30/01/2018 - 13:59
    +4

    I've been waiting for months - this seems to be the best offering for a new AMEX card holder (im the only guy here that prob doesn't have one)

  • sii on 30/01/2018 - 13:59

    Just want to double check with people who recently applied, whats the likelihood of approval…? I got like 2 credit enquires in the last 12months that I got approved for BT offers with deferent banks.

    • lilkid28 on 30/01/2018 - 14:01
      +1

      If you have a good credit score, you should be ok, just choose a lower credit limit.

      • sii on 30/01/2018 - 21:28

        Yeah thats what I thought. Has anyone applied recently and got instant approval with out payslips..?

        • lgacb08 on 30/01/2018 - 22:01

          both me and my wife got approved on the spot, no payslip, card came in the mail 5 days later

        • kensaiD on 01/03/2018 - 20:56

          @lgacb08: Mine went to pending, but that's likely since my spouse doesn't have an income as they are receive money from their parents, I left their income as 0 ie N/A when I applied so that's probably set off some alarm somewhere.

        • lonewolf on 02/03/2018 - 09:11

          @kensaiD:

          mine got approved instantly and i was told to wait for a card, but i never received any emails or confirmations of the approval. Is that normal? My work was having internet issues at thetime, so i am worried it may not have gone through properly.

        • kensaiD on 08/03/2018 - 17:54

          @lonewolf: I got a phone call for mine but I did get an email when it was approved saying the card was being sent?

        • sii on 07/04/2018 - 10:44

          @kensaiD: I just got mine approved. Did you get the card via auspost…? Apparently, they won't take my po box address and auspost doesn't deliver to my home address.

        • kensaiD on 13/04/2018 - 22:37

          @sii: Not sure, sorry. I live in an apartment complex and mine was delivered to my mailbox. My partner has a PO Box but I put their mailing address as mine for the application's sake.

    • nightelves on 30/01/2018 - 14:36
      +2

      That should be ok given Amex is pretty easy with approval compare to others.

    • points4life on 30/01/2018 - 15:34
      +2

      2 inquiries is nothing if your score is good. You can check it for free: https://www.getcreditscore.com.au/ (Equifax) https://www.creditsavvy.com.au/ (Experian)

      • sw0rdy on 30/01/2018 - 17:08
        +1

        Amex use Equifax for credit checks so be sure to use getcreditscore.

        • May4th on 30/01/2018 - 18:39

          is there a cutoff credit score that would be required for approval?

        • donotuse on 31/01/2018 - 01:48
          +1

          @xbai:

          These “Credit Scores” may not necessarily be used by amex and the banks when making a decision to provide you with a credit card.

          These scores are “indicative” only.

          Most banks ignore these experian or equifax credit scores. They have their own in-house credit assessment policies which could mean your experian or equifax credit scores are meaningless.

          However the banks and amex do check details in your Credit File with equifax or experian to see if you missed payments in the past, if you have overdue accounts, bankruptcies, convictions etc which.

  • adamm12 on 30/01/2018 - 14:01
    +1

    looks like a good deal, so the 100k pts conver to 75k kris flyers?

  • ozchobie on 30/01/2018 - 14:02

    So I can't get the bonus points if I have an Amex Qantas Discovery card?

  • spuderump on 30/01/2018 - 14:02
    +4

    For those wanting QFF points, you can also get 100K points with the Qantas Ultimate Express card.

    https://www.americanexpress.com/au/credit-cards/qantas-ultim…

    • The Wololo Wombat on 30/01/2018 - 14:29
      +1

      Which is the better deal? I usually go for 100k Qantas, why would I go AMEX rewards?

      • Agret on 30/01/2018 - 14:36
        +4

        From OP

        each MR point in the Gateway program converts to 0.75 points in the Virgin Australia Velocity, Cathay Pacific or Singapore Airlines Krisflyer programs.

        Those airlines probably have cheaper fares than Qantas so your points might go further depending on the flight

        • igreen on 30/01/2018 - 15:04

          Furthermore, you earn 2 points for every $1 spend except govt spend. I think this is one of the best cards. Furthermore, you have multiple choice of airline and hotels rather than Qantas only. Sadly, I just canceled my last Amex 5 months ago so I am not eligible for this card.

        • illumination on 01/02/2018 - 10:45

          @igreen: You are eligible for this card. You're just not eligible for the bonus points of the card.

      • hhbb555 on 30/01/2018 - 14:49
        +1

        100k AMEX points would get you more $ if you exchange it with Wish gift cards, compared to 100k Qantas points.
        But depends on how you want to use it.
        Qantas points would be easier to sell for (at least) $0.01 I guess.

  • [Deactivated] on 30/01/2018 - 14:10

    use to be $1500 spend lolol

    • jdogg on 30/01/2018 - 14:53
      +6

      Hey what does the extra 'ol' stand for?

      • Zinger on 30/01/2018 - 15:05
        +8

        it must be an echo

      • bobzor on 30/01/2018 - 18:27
        +6

        lots of laughs out loud

  • D-grey on 30/01/2018 - 14:12
    +2

    Still contemplating if it's better to get this or the Amex Quantas ultimate express card. Any advice?

    • points4life on 30/01/2018 - 15:38
      +3

      Depends on your goals, personally i prefer the Explorer simply because of the flexible points program. Redeeming On Singapore Air, Cathay etc is much cheaper than comparable QF flights. Also the travel credit is easier to use since it's redeemable for any flight, hotel or car rental. It's also the only Amex that earns points on telco and utilities and a bonus perk is the cellphone screen insurance with only 10% excess (saved me $500 last year)

      • MathNerd on 30/01/2018 - 15:49
        +3

        Username checks out.

      • MathNerd on 30/01/2018 - 15:51
        +2

        It's also the only Amex that earns points on telco and utilities

        This. An amazing benefit, I get my full 2pts/$ for my electricity bills (my retailer accepts AmEx directly without surcharge so PostBillPay PayPal isn't necessary). Furthermore it's 2 Ascent Points per dollar so it's 2 true FF pts/$ rather than 1.5 FF pts/$!

  • bs0 on 30/01/2018 - 14:15

    Ah damn, signed up last week :/

    • spuderump on 30/01/2018 - 14:30

      pls do tell.

    • The Wololo Wombat on 30/01/2018 - 14:30

      Plz explain?

    • MathNerd on 30/01/2018 - 15:51
      -4

      Why the negs? I have this combo and it's bulletproof!

    • soangry on 30/01/2018 - 16:05

      Best combo is explorer, platinum edge, flybuys and ozbargain

      • obenihk on 30/01/2018 - 16:25

        You left out Woolies egift cards at 5% off and 3 Ascent points per $1 using Edge. Said gift cards can also be used to buy gift cards from other major retail stores.

        • soangry on 30/01/2018 - 16:42

          My sincere apology :)

    • Gaz1 on 31/01/2018 - 16:53

      Except if you have a Plat Edge you wouldn't be eligble for this bonus points offer.

  • Stahh on 30/01/2018 - 14:34

    If you already have the basic amex card free one are you still eligable for this deal ? Thanks

  • cashless on 30/01/2018 - 14:35
    +3

    Doesn't work if you've held another AMEX in last 18 months? I'm sure the wait used to be 12 months..
    Not that they seem to care about this too much

    • ajdlinux on 30/01/2018 - 15:35
      +1

      They have apparently cracked down on this over the last year or so, according to stories I've read on the interwebs

      • MathNerd on 30/01/2018 - 15:52

        Yes they have cracked down on it, no luck whatsoever with getting leeway!

    • tanksinatra on 30/01/2018 - 15:40

      Yeah they've definitely extended this period. It sucks.
      Likewise they've doubled the minimum spend required!

  • tonydav on 30/01/2018 - 14:37
    +9

    I have this card and like it.

    But.

    The $400 travel credit is a joke. Don't get this card on the basis it will offset the $395 fee. It won't.

    It's nearly impossible to use. Very limited options in terms of flights, hotels, rental cars.

    You can't use it on cruises. I confirmed this on the phone during the week. Sounded like a great option as they at least have a good range of cruises.

    Has to be used in one transaction and anything left is forfeited. And credit lost if you need to cancel.

    Not saying it's not worth getting the card, particularly for the 100K points. Just keep in mind that the travel credit is not very good.

    • Unacceptable on 30/01/2018 - 14:44
      +5

      I joined the Explore last May and I booked trip to Thailand and Korea with $400 credit and the bonus points I had. Total airfare was about $930 and No out of pocket. Compared to the other cheap flight search site the fare was $100 dearer but hey, I received heaps of AMEX offers and enjoyed much savings. I love card.

    • gruso on 30/01/2018 - 15:01
      +1

      This post doesn't deserve downvotes. It's a valid opinion. I have both the Explorer and the Velocity Platinum, and far prefer the latter (which has a domestic flight in place of the travel credit).

      I travelled quite a bit in 2017 (interstate & international), making great use of complimentary flights, sales, Velocity points etc. I could never fit the $400 credit into the plans, because the options through the Amex portal are so limited if you're going even slightly off the beaten path. Couldn't get a hotel in Western Sydney, or Uluru. As mentioned, no use for cruises (eg. going to Tasmania).

      I finally used it on a hotel just so I could get on with cancelling the card. I'm sure others do less weird travel things than me, but just be aware of the limited scope of the credit, and the deals you may miss out on when you're forced to book through the Amex portal.

      • tonydav on 01/02/2018 - 12:58

        That's my point. I like the card. Like the offers (although any other Amex card gets them too). Just my experience in the difficulty of using the travel credit.

        If you get the card for the 100K points you're way in front anyway. If you can manage to use the credit that's a bonus.

        I think I'll change cards once I finally manage to use the credit.

      • k2k8k5 on 04/02/2018 - 23:32

        I'm trying to decide between this and the Qantas Amex, but I've just had a look at the Amex AU Travel site and put some flights in.

        It seems like the prices seem somewhat similar to booking direct? I tried a couple of common routes like Syd > Hong Kong or Syd > Singapore. Both times the fees quoted on the Amex website were within $50 of the direct fees on Qantas / SG Air websites itself.

        Am I looking at the right thing? Based on what you and @tonydav said it seems like the options available are far more limited

    • ajdlinux on 30/01/2018 - 15:37
      +4

      I too have found the credit hard to use, but I wouldn't call it a joke. My recommendation for using the travel credit is to use it on domestic or trans-Tasman flights, where generally speaking the price Amex Travel offers is the same as buying direct from the carrier.

      Even with Amex Travel's not-fantastic rates for hotels and long-haul flights, it obviously still partially offsets the $395 fee.

    • samehada on 30/01/2018 - 15:45
      +1

      Then you should compare with the ANZ Black card and you will see ALL other cards are a joke.

      • $395 annual fee for no credit or anything in return
      • even cap the amount of reward points every month.
      • No offers like Amex

      Then you tell me which one is a joke?!?

      • Baghern on 30/01/2018 - 16:53

        err you should be comparing deals… not vanilla ANZ with AMEX

        The ANZ equivalent deal is no fee for the first yearand 75,000 qantas points, which is pretty much the same with the AMEX Qantas equivalent, except another 25k points

        • ajdlinux on 30/01/2018 - 17:04
          +3

          To be fair to Amex here - the ANZ deal is no fee for the first year only. Past that point, you're paying an annual fee for nothing, whereas with Amex you get the travel credit every year.

          Though, if you're not churning cards every year anyway you're not OzBargaining hard enough, so…

        • samehada on 30/01/2018 - 17:21

          @ajdlinux: not with Amex, ozbargainers don't churn away from Amex.

        • ajdlinux on 30/01/2018 - 17:33
          +1

          @samehada: the Amex Explorer is the only card I've kept into a second year… I've churned ANZ, Westpac, NAB, HSBC, and even a couple of non-Explorer Amex cards…

    • donkcat on 30/01/2018 - 16:10

      Yup, there is a reason these travel credits are for sale in the classifieds for $300-$350, they offer poor value. Flights seem to always be cheaper elsewhere, hotels are cheaper on cheaptickets, expedia, booking etc I've found that experiences offer better value though.

      • Spizz on 30/01/2018 - 17:18
        +4

        I've found domestic flights to be exactly the same as through Qantas or Virgin. For Hotels its a YMMV.

    • kusama on 30/01/2018 - 16:13

      Looks like you may be able to go sky diving with it! I'm giving the credit to my brother instead so haven't tested..
      But yeah only get the card for the points

    • Symbiotic on 31/01/2018 - 06:26
      +2

      I’ve had a different experience with AMEX travel. Scored a 1 way flight from Edinburgh to Abu Dhabi to Sydney with 2 x 23kg bags for $1k via the AMEX travel site and used my credit to bring it down to $600. Before the credit reduction that AMEX travel fare was the best I could find (on a good airline) vs google flights / Skyscanner / kayak etc.

  • CI on 30/01/2018 - 14:38
    +1

    how can the $400 travel credit be used? is it their own portal where flights maybe so much more expensive anyway ? and then the $400 credit is not really full value.

    • Spizz on 30/01/2018 - 14:45

      Flights are the same price as if booked direct with the airlines I have found.

      • Baghern on 30/01/2018 - 16:54

        Any airline, ie Garuda?

        • Schpeedy on 30/01/2018 - 22:57
          +1

          I used mine to book through Garuda, was the same as the cheapest i could get for the flight I wanted (which was the cheap one).

        • Baghern on 30/01/2018 - 23:18

          @Schpeedy:

          Just checked same flight same day $50 more on the site compared to Garuda site itself

        • Schpeedy on 31/01/2018 - 00:30

          @Baghern:

          Unlucky, for me it was same same. Sounds like I may not be so lucky next year.

          Suppose you could just accept that paying $45 for access to this awesome card as a win?

        • Baghern on 31/01/2018 - 09:43

          @Schpeedy:

          yeh just being picky

          Just another effort to be made when buying, so you're not being screwed too much

    • xboxslam on 30/01/2018 - 14:52
      +3

      Yes, you need to book through: https://travel.americanexpress.com.au/travel/arc.cfm?tab=h - I fond the fares to be expensive as compared to direct airlines / travel agents.

      • cocomelon on 30/01/2018 - 14:56

        can i use it for the hotel?

    • ajdlinux on 30/01/2018 - 15:38
      +2

      I recommend focusing on domestic/trans-Tasman flights if possible, as Amex's prices tend to be the same as the airline's for those short-haul flights, whereas for international flights there are often significant differences and a limited choice of airlines

    • soangry on 30/01/2018 - 16:12
      +2

      Not true, I've tried booking a flight directly with an airline and had no luck getting the saver fare. Was forced to choose a higher fare on the return flight. So I used amex travel instead and got the tickets, savings of about $400. Also in one of my hotel bookings, booking through amex was a few dollars cheaper…compared to expedia. You just need to do comparisons

  • apprentice on 30/01/2018 - 14:55

    How much has to be your minimum income?

    • Heybargain on 30/01/2018 - 14:56
      +2

      Must have a personal or household gross (pre-tax) annual income of $65,000 or more

  • hondo on 30/01/2018 - 14:57

    just to clarify that, $3000 spend is that total spend within the first 3 months?

    • Heybargain on 30/01/2018 - 14:58

      Yes

      • hondo on 30/01/2018 - 14:58

        cheers… thanks.

  • Heybargain on 30/01/2018 - 14:57
    +2

    Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the preceding 18 month period are ineligible for this offer. Previous and existing bank-issued American Express companion cardholders are eligible for this offer (cards issued by: Australia New Zealand Banking Group Limited, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Westpac Banking Corporation). 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.

  • jdogg on 30/01/2018 - 14:57

    Can you sell the travel credit? Or book business class and refund to credit card?

    • Heybargain on 30/01/2018 - 14:58

      check the ozbargain forums

    • illumination on 01/02/2018 - 10:55

      Or book business class and refund to credit card?

      No because the travel credit is non-refundable. There's not even cancellation fee you can choose to pay. You simply cannot cancel.

  • cocomelon on 30/01/2018 - 14:59

    hopefully they will extended the offer as im at 15 months since i closed AMEX.

  • Tapori on 30/01/2018 - 15:01
    +1

    What can you get for 100k Amex points? Can you convert them to Qantas/Krisflyer and at what ratio? Thanks.

    • MathNerd on 30/01/2018 - 15:55
      +2

      Can't convert to Qantas (unless you hold a Platinum Charge and link your points earn to that Card's Ascent Premium Program which has QFF as a transfer partner).
      You can convert to KrisFlyer at 4 AmEx points to 3 KrisFlyer points (so effectively 0.75 KF points per AmEx Gateway point).

      • Tapori on 30/01/2018 - 21:18

        Thanks!

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