AmEx Rewards Programs Ascent or Gateway Details

knobbs on 04/01/2018 - 09:10
Last edited 04/01/2018 - 09:11

I am trying to find the link that details what you get/transfer rates to other FF programs in the different Amex rewards programs. I know there used to be one but for the life of me can't find it now.

The reason behind this is I currently have an explorer card and just have been approved for a platinum edge. Now I know the platinum edge rewards generally transfer out at a higher rate than the explorer gateway program but I thought (but can't confirm cause I can't find the dam link) one of the benefits to the explorer was access to SPG at 2:1. I'm not sure if the platinum edge even has access to SPG.

After talking with a member here they suggest I'll only be on one program, the ascent. Therefore as I'm heading to the USA this year wondering if I should before I activate transfer some points up SPG?

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Comments

  • derpdeder on 04/01/2018 - 09:32
    +1

    This is the best write up I've found: https://www.pointhacks.com.au/amex-gateway-ascent-ascent-pre…

    In short, both SPG transfer at 2:1

    On spending Explorer earns 2:1 while Edge only earns 1:1 unless it is fuel or supermarket so if you're targetting SPG you are better of staying with Explorer.

    • knobbs on 04/01/2018 - 09:51

      Well currently my plan was to keep both, use edge for supermarket and explorer for everything else

      Thanks for the link will give it a look now

      Just have to scour through to see if there is anything I miss out once all my points convert over to the ascent program.

      • MathNerd on 04/01/2018 - 10:41
        +1

        use edge for supermarket and explorer for everything else

        That's what I do.

        Just have to scour through to see if there is anything I miss out once all my points convert over to the ascent program

        Nope, if anything, you only stand to gain, not miss out, once they all convert to ascent.
        Ascent is a higher tier of membership rewards compared to Gateway.

        • knobbs on 04/01/2018 - 11:05

          Despite your reassurances I am still reading comments saying people are having trouble combining the two cards onto the same program @MathNerd. Can I ask when you 'linked' yours?

        • MathNerd on 04/01/2018 - 11:17
          +1

          @knobbs: Mine were actually automatically linked.
          I had a Platinum Edge, and applied for an Explorer. Then when it arrived, I added the explorer to my online account that already had the plat edge in it.
          Note I wasn't chasing the 100k signup bonus on the explorer so that's why I used the same account, as I knew I'd be unsuccessful in chasing those points.

        • knobbs on 04/01/2018 - 11:19

          @MathNerd: Mmmm I am doing it the other way, have Explorer and adding Edge. I would hate for it to all be linked to my Gateway program for the Explorer haha. I might have to call them and cross my fingers.

          Did you do that towards the end of last year or?

        • MathNerd on 04/01/2018 - 11:22
          +1

          @knobbs: As far as I'm aware, doing what I did (or what you're about to do) always causes your earn rate to be linked to the more 'premium' of the 2 tiers, that's how Amex gives you value for your annual fees.
          Have a shot at adding the plat edge to your explorer account, I'm fairly certain everything will go to Ascent. If not, a quick call will fix it for you.

          I applied and approved my explorer in September 2017, I had the plat edge since March 2016.

          Have you activated the platinum edge yet?

          EDIT:

          I am still reading comments saying people are having trouble combining the two cards onto the same program

          I'm fairly sure these comments are from people that made a new AmEx online account (to try and 'separate' their plat edge from their explorer, to make Amex think they're a new customer and hence eligible for the bonus points).
          We're not doing that here, we know we're not eligible, so we want only one account. So it should be fine.

        • knobbs on 04/01/2018 - 11:27

          @MathNerd: Yeah I still might try that, if it doesn't 'convert' to ascent I can call them which should have them at least separated. I am just reading comments from people back in Nov17 saying that the rep would either not link their two cards to the same account OR said they would have to lose all their current gateway program points to have them linked.

          I have not received the new card in the mail yet, however they emailed me a letter to say my new card is on the way LOL.

          Does your travel credit combine into one $600 lot or do you still get to spend the $400 and $200 separately? Just asking because as you know you forfeit whatever you don't use on the first use of credit.

        • MathNerd on 04/01/2018 - 11:29
          +1

          @knobbs: edited my comment for further insight.

          Does your travel credit combine into one $600 lot or do you still get to spend the $400 and $200 separately

          No it's not combined so you have to use them separately. I wonder if there's a way to call and combine, though I haven't used any of my travel credits yet!

  • knobbs on 04/01/2018 - 23:17

    Well I got the card today and registered it with my normal login, but I think it has broken my account. I no longer see any points, when I click through to my rewards it comes up with an error. When I go to select a different card it errors. I think I will have to call them to sort it out haha. Hopefully my points aren't 'lost'

    EDIT. Waiting after a few minutes it now shows points but I am enrolled in 2 different rewards program. Both cards earn at their respective rates to the different accounts. :S

    https://imgur.com/vlvA36W

    • MathNerd on 05/01/2018 - 09:33

      Oh damn, so getting a Platinum Edge after already having an Explorer works completely differently when doing it the other way round! When you call, do it very early morning or late at night (basically out of Australian business hours), so it goes to the overseas call centre (they're more helpful with these things).

      • knobbs on 05/01/2018 - 09:50
        +1

        Just called them now and was very surprised the 1st rep I got said sure no problem let me put you on hold for 3m while I do it.

        Came off hold, my future explorer points are now linked to the ascent program on my plat edge and he has put in a request to transfer all my current points over to the ascent program.

        Thanks for the help along the way @MathNerd !

        • MathNerd on 05/01/2018 - 09:51

          Wow, that's amazing news! So they haven't devalued your points and moved them over at a 1:1 ratio? That's amazing, good stuff knobbs.

        • knobbs on 05/01/2018 - 09:54

          @MathNerd: I have to wait 1-2 business days for the 'other guys' to complete the job. I didn't ask about a 1:1 transfer (silly me), although he didn't say anything about a transfer rate. I just assumed 1:1, I can complain if they aren't 1:1 though and just say I wanted to use some at SPG which is the same transfer rate in both programs and probably get the extras back.

          I will update when the points come through to the new rewards program if they are indeed a 1:1 ratio.

          EDIT. That would be a nice points booster if you signed up for the AMEX Explorer 100k and then applied for an edge and linked them successfully. 33% boost on 100k for buying $200 of travel credit.

        • knobbs on 08/01/2018 - 14:49

          @knobbs: Confirmed 1:1 transfer and everything is going to the ascent program on my plat edge card :)

        • MathNerd on 10/01/2018 - 15:34

          @knobbs: That's excellent news. My brother who recently tried this wasn't so lucky, his Explorer points got devalued in the transition over to Ascent.
          Well done.

        • soangry on 10/01/2018 - 23:37

          @knobbs:
          Even the sign up bonus from explorer was transferred 1:1 into ascent?

          Mine, only points earned from purchases were transferred 1:1. Good thing was the 30k referral bonus (explorer) automatically turned into ascent

        • knobbs on 11/01/2018 - 09:58

          @ausvicee: It wasn't the full 100k signup but I had some leftover, a few referrals and some spending all mixed in.

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