What's the American Express 'Essential' card all about?

Credit Cards & Credit Card Programs
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Amex essential card promotion is everywhere in my workplace around Sydney cbd, anyone tried it?
It claims to offer Amex membership points too with no annual fee.

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Hi IceJam!

Keith has written up an article on this card here, but be warned:

The Essential card earns points into Membership Rewards Gateway, not Membership Rewards Ascent.

Gateway has lower transfer rates out to a smaller number of partners than Ascent, with 1 Membership Rewards point equal to 0.75 airline points in Velocity Frequent Flyer, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and some others.


So as long as you’re OK with that, go ahead. Otherwise the Platinum Edge might be a better proposition as an entry into Amex MR program.

Hope that helps!

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