AmEx Explorer Card 145,000 Bonus Membership Reward Points ($3k Spend in 3 Months, $395 Annual Fee)

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Cashback

bozbargain on 11/03/2021 - 08:15 americanexpress.com (556 clicks)
Last edited 11/03/2021 - 10:27 by 1 other user

Exclusive referral deal, please note going to Amex direct only gives you 50k points!

One of the best Explorer deals I've seen, better than the 100k bonus points deal posted a few days ago.

Referrers receive between 40k and 60k points, depending on their account status.

Card Type

Annual Fee: $395 p.a.
20.74% p.a. interest rate on purchases
Up to 55 Interest-free days

Other relevant bits:

Receive 145,000 bonus Membership Rewards points when you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 3 months. This offer is available to new Card Members only

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

Enjoy $400 to spend on travel each year4 that can be redeemed on eligible flights, hotels, car hire or experiences when booked through American Express Travel

Enjoy two complimentary entries per year to the American Express Lounge, located at Sydney International Airport or Melbourne International Airport

Transfer your Membership Rewards points to a choice of 9 Airline Partner Programs

Smartphone Screen Insurance for up to $500 for screen repairs to your Smartphone when you pay for your phone or monthly contract with your American Express Explorer® Credit Card

Eligibility

Before you apply for your American Express Explorer® Credit Card, make sure you can say yes to the following:

I am aged 18 years or over
I am an Australian citizen or permanent resident or hold a current Business Long Stay Visa (subclass 457)
I have a personal gross (pre-tax) annual income of $65,000 or more
I agree to access my statements online through American Express
I have no history of bad debt or payment default

Bonus & Eligibility.

145,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® points are only available to new American Express Card Members who apply online For the American Express Explorer Credit Card by 5 April 2021, are approved and spend $3,000 or more on eligible purchases on your new Card in the first 3 months from the Card approval date Card Members who currently hold or who have previously held any Card product issued by American Express Australia Limited in the proceeding 18 month period are ineligible for this offer. Eligible purchases do not include annual Card fees, cash advances, interest, balance transfers, fees and charges for traveller’s cheques and foreign currencies. Please allow 8-10 weeks for the bonus points to be credited to your Account after the spend criteria has been met. This advertised offer is not applicable or valid in conjunction with any other advertised or promotional offer.

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• 

  droodle on 11/03/2021 - 08:57

  +1

  but is it better in value? the other one was -$250 in fees as well ?

• 

  Spun on 11/03/2021 - 09:00

  I may be missing something obvious but when I try the "Explorer Credit Card" referral link above I get:

  Our apologies, this offer has expired. Try asking your friend to share a new link.

  • 

    coolsteps on 11/03/2021 - 13:48

    Spun is that link above for the Business Explorer Card that has $149 annual fee you mean?. i think some twat put an ultimate card referral link there in error.

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  Lunarboogie on 11/03/2021 - 10:03

  Thanks OP - terrific deal! I still think the cash back offer is lightly more appealing in my circumstances.

  • 

    bozbargain on 11/03/2021 - 10:12

    Thanks, really depends on how you value your points I guess. I think $250 for an extra 45k points is more than worth it, especially if you’re chasing eg KrisFlyer or Marriott points. Marriott points are such a great way for an affordable but fancy domestic holiday at the moment!

    • 

      droodle on 11/03/2021 - 10:15

      do tell more on the marriott points - its not something i've looked at - is there some deets somewhere to give an idea how best to utilise this? thx.

      • 

        bozbargain on 14/03/2021 - 11:15

        Have sent you a PM with some details on Bonvoy.

    • 

      Drakesy on 11/03/2021 - 10:48

      Thats a pretty poor return imho. $250 for 22,500 krisflyer miles isn't great value when you look at it.

      • 

        starburstyellow on 11/03/2021 - 11:24

        I disagree. There aren't many credit cards out there that can convert to krisflyer (now that velocity to krisflyer is not possible). Precovid, The previous rate to purchase (in classifieds) krisflyer pts range about 1.35c - 1.5c pp and that was not even points to your account.
        I would gladly pay the $250 for the. 22500 krisflyer points.

        • 

          Drakesy on 11/03/2021 - 11:38

          +1

          @starburstyellow: Basically a one way flight from Perth to Singapore off peak is 20,000 points or $250 plus taxes, so you're really just prepaying flight credit that expires in 2 years.

          Its up to the user if they say that its good value

          • 

            starburstyellow on 11/03/2021 - 11:47

            @Drakesy: I understand that it's up to the user, as one who is cash sensitive would rather save $250 than have points. But people in the points game would gladly pay $250 for more points direct to their account. Its a small price to pay for the 1 credit check.

            Also Krisflyer points expire in 3 years, but techincally could be 4 as you could book on the 35th month for travel in the future.

            On a side note im sitting on 550k krisflyer, just waiting for this damn covid thing to be over :(

            • 

              squarepants on 11/03/2021 - 12:08

              @starburstyellow: MR points don't expire too. So you can stash them up, 3 years clock only starts ticking when you transfer them from MR to Krisflyer.

              I've started booking some flights for early next year. Hopefully it opens up by then.

              • 

                starburstyellow on 11/03/2021 - 13:26

                @squarepants: Yup thats true. I only transfer if I need to. Altough I got burnt as I still had 150K velocity points now stuck :(

                Next year? ive booked my Japan trip Mid Dec to Mid Jan!! I have yet to get ticket re-issued (need to finalise by June) so tickets and monies have not yet been deducted.

                • 

                  squarepants on 11/03/2021 - 14:45

                  @starburstyellow: Yikes, i moved most of my velocity points into KF before they turned off the ability to trasfer to KF. Sitting on a bit too much KF points for my liking.

                  Haha, was your Japan trip meant to be mid-Dec to mid-Jan just past? So assume the tickets were cancelled and points etc. refunded? Or did you book with cash?

                  I miss Japan too, that'll be next on my list after my flight early next year.

                  • 

                    starburstyellow on 11/03/2021 - 19:26

                    @squarepants: Yeah i hedged my bet, I moved about 200K over to KF and left behind 150K in case nothing happened. But obviously something happened :( :(

                    Sort of. I had booked 2 weeks Dec 2020, but had to cancel obviously. So Ive now rebook for Dec-21 ~ Jan-22. Yes ticket cancelled, points and monies refunded. last 2 past trips have been on SQ points flying in J class. Before that 6 trips were paid econ trips. Have travelled to japan 8 times in last 10 years. :)

                    • 

                      squarepants on 11/03/2021 - 20:48

                      @starburstyellow: Yeah i transfer my velocity ones over to KF whenever possible. Most of my other points are stashed in Amex MR.

                      Ah yep, unfortunate. Nice that's good. Yeah, same thing happened to me, had the same trip booked for this Jan-Feb, but cancelled and had to rebook for next year. I did 2 trips to Japan in 2018, but then didn't do one in 2019, and then 2020 happened. Looking forward to more Japan trips for sure.

        • 

          bozbargain on 11/03/2021 - 12:41

          @starburstyellow: Same. Don’t forget flying return to Europe in business class only is 232k points with negligible taxes. I’d be over the moon if I could top up my KrisFlyer balance at a rate of $250 per 22,500 points!

          • 

            starburstyellow on 11/03/2021 - 13:27

            +1

            @bozbargain: I missed the days when it was 198K. Managed to fly to Munich in 2017 with the wife. Was good flying flat.

            • 

              bozbargain on 14/03/2021 - 11:20

              @starburstyellow: Did 3 trips in business completely on points in 2019. Qantas is so overpriced! Not only does Singapore Air have a superior product, but the rewards availability combined with the points they charge and the low taxes really makes you wonder. Super impressed with the a la carte dining options as well (ie booking your meals up front).

              • 

                starburstyellow on 14/03/2021 - 13:07

                +1

                @bozbargain: Wow very nice!! I normally do 2 trips in J a year. To Asia and to Japan/Europe. Yes it's better for me as I fly from Perth. 73k return for me to go to Taiwan or Hong Kong :D
                Yes my fav is the lobster termidor. Not all food great though but good to have a choice. Book the cook it's called :)

                • 

                  bozbargain on 14/03/2021 - 13:16

                  @starburstyellow: I’ve got nothing but positive experiences with Book the Cook. Beautiful fish, nice steak.

          • 

            nightelves on 20/03/2021 - 09:13

            @bozbargain: You rather earned 8k more and get round the world with Krisflyer. Much better use of your points.

            • 

              bozbargain on 20/03/2021 - 09:27

              @nightelves: It depends on why you’re travelling in the first place. If you just want to go from A to B and back, on specific days, via the shortest possible way, a round the world ticket doesn’t make sense. But yes, I once did do a round the world with OneWorld and it was a great experience. Have you got a RTW trip planned yourself, for, you know, when we can travel again?

              • 

                nightelves on 20/03/2021 - 09:47

                @bozbargain: Yeah I have a round the world planned for one world already. Booked it and all last year only to get it cancelled. So just waiting around for borders to open then rebook the itinery again.

    • 

      Lunarboogie on 11/03/2021 - 14:11

      It's line ball. When I crunch the numbers on the extra SQ or Bonvoy points, it's not much more than the $250. Not sure why you would forsake $250 for 30,000 bonvoy points when both would equal the same one night stay in an Australian hotel and paying for the room in cash would give you greater benefits, including the opportunity to earn bonvoy points. The SQ trade off is a slightly different calculation but with travel so uncertain, I'd rather bank the moolah. I'll see you at the W Melbourne!

      • 

        bozbargain on 11/03/2021 - 14:30

        Fair enough. I just booked 5 nights at a JW Marriott for 110k Marriott points, during peak school holidays. The room easily costs $500/night if not booked on points.

        • 

          squarepants on 11/03/2021 - 14:40

          @bozbargain: Hi OP! Assuming you're referring to JW Marriott Gold Coast? 110k or 160k Marriott points?

          Isn't this a Cat 6 property, meaning the cheapest they'd get is 40k points per night during the off-peak timings? 40k per nights for 5 nights with the 5 night free would be 160k points? Or is there a promotion running at the moment?

          • 

            Lunarboogie on 11/03/2021 - 15:58

            @squarepants: I noticed the JW Marriott Gold Coast resort has gone up to a higher Bonvoy category too so it would cost even more now.

            bozbargain landed a great deal but it's not the norm.

            • 

              squarepants on 11/03/2021 - 16:00

              @Lunarboogie: Was Cat 5 before, is now Cat 6 i believe which is the move in Bonvoy categories you've mentioned.

              Pretty sure it moved up a category earlier this year though.

              • 

                Lunarboogie on 11/03/2021 - 16:02

                @squarepants: No lar - the new categories were announced earlier this year but it was only implemented last week. Fortunately for me as I am Malaysia based, a brace of Marriott properties here have fallen, so Penang Courtyard here I come.

                • 

                  squarepants on 11/03/2021 - 16:20

                  @Lunarboogie: Alamak, haha could have sworn people on AFF mentioned that it got bumped up earlier than last week.

                  Nice. Well, when we can travel haha. Is the Penang Courtyard a new property or did it get a makeover recently? It looks pretty good.

                  Edit: hang on, are you in Malaysia now? Sorry, i misread what you said lol.

                  • 

                    Lunarboogie on 12/03/2021 - 02:01

                    @squarepants: Yup, I'm based in KL for a three year assignment. It's a great city and cheap Marriotts everywhere, so it's easy to maintain Platinum. The Penang Courtyard is new. It's not the best place on the island but it's walking distance to Georgetown and the best street food I've had anywhere. And it's a category one which is nuts. 5 nights for 30,000 points which actually makes this Amex offering a better deal than the cashback. Yikes I think I jinxed myself.

• 

  noodlefan on 11/03/2021 - 10:58

  Receive up to 50,000 Bonus Membership Rewards® Points

  I don't think it's the right link

  • 

    debitbankcharges on 11/03/2021 - 11:02

    +1

    You must use a referral link vs the one provided in the deal

• 

  lilkid28 on 11/03/2021 - 11:03

  Link now working, showing 145k bonus points. Referrer gets 60k points I think, checked my own account and partner's account which are both offering 60k points.

• 

  OzyBe on 11/03/2021 - 11:41

  Is the annual fee paid upon joining, or in 12 months time?

  Also, it appears that this card offers 2 x points, but the card below it with a cheaper annual fee, has 3 x points for some items. I would have thought the better card would have everything the lower card had?

  Is there any 'cheaper deal found later' cover?

  It is a shame that those already on the free Amex card, cannot get this deal.

  • 

    debitbankcharges on 11/03/2021 - 11:59

    OP has included a list of all the benefits. As far as I know the Explorer does not offer price protection insurance.

    I'm assuming you're referring to the platinum edge which does offer triple points only for purchases made at supermarkets and petrol stations.

    Amex has a pretty handy link where you can compare cards - https://www.americanexpress.com/au/credit-cards/all-cards/

• 

  OzyBe on 11/03/2021 - 11:42

  Can you be a referrer, if you have the free Amex card?

  • 

    debitbankcharges on 11/03/2021 - 11:43

    +2

    The referral codes for each card is different, so I don't think you will be able to refer someone to a card you don't hold.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 11/03/2021 - 12:07

  -4

  If I buy then return merchandises, will the transactions counted towards the $3,000?

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  Gaz1 on 15/03/2021 - 16:50

  To choose a random Ozbargain referer click on "Show 13 more" in the referral links section & click on "random" next to the "Explorer card".

• 

  Gaz1 on 21/03/2021 - 19:45

  Does anyone know how soon you get your bonus points after you have spent the $3000?

  • 

    bozbargain on 21/03/2021 - 19:46

    +1

    Very soon in my experience, within a few days of the full amount clearing.

• 

  cakoty on 27/03/2021 - 12:41

  -1

  This should be moved to referral section as I have also received same referral offer. @admin.

  • 

    bozbargain on 27/03/2021 - 13:48

    Why cakoty? Everyone has an equal chance getting their referral link used via the random button.

    • 

      cakoty on 27/03/2021 - 15:50

      I mean as a new offer for Explorer card. Guess this is not listed in referral section.