Amex Centurion question

[jhm]

But nevertheless in the era of the "free" platinum card, there is still some obligatory value which Amex would provide in exchange for the relatively large annual fee...

And the question being whether the value offered is worth it for the fee paid (but of course, if your employer is paying for the card, then by all means go ahead and get it).

In question to your original question, I think the answer is "no". Assuming it's like a platinum Amex, the benefits in each country are different, e.g. with a UK platinum Amex, you get two Priority Pass memberships, Eurostar lounge access etc and won't get the former with a non-UK Amex and strictly speaking shouldn't get the latter either (if the lounge staff look closely enough at your card).

[token01]

for qualification of the amex in aus, u need to have the platinum first for a minimum of a year unless ** spending is insane - u need to have spent around 150-250 grand (aud) to qualify - supplementary card is given as well.
As you guys have said benefits have changed, and people on the original black card were given the new titanium one a while ago.
The amex cent. perk line is still pretty valuable, getting tickets to events that either not on sale yet or sold out is still pretty decent.
Also ive seen it work to get onto high class club lists on fri sat nights, and get great service in the clubs.
Depends how you use it to see if its worth over the platinum, with the joining fee of around 4 grand in aus and same cost to have the card anually.
Now the rest of the info is what ive heard -Its not a bad card at all for US cent holders automatic first class upgrades and first class lounge access.

Theres heaps of info on TOF cent. section

[up and away]

Seems like the card's for the very rich. The obscenely rich however, seem to prefer cash, or at least, that's what I've seen at some watch shops in Geneva.

Indeed. I once visited the factory sale of Hugo Boss, and the people who bought most stuff (for example 10 jackets) paid in cash. Sometimes a package of 10 or 20 500-Euro bills
Ok, but these guys were mostly Russians, so maybe they just don't trust the bank...

[jhm]

Ok, but these guys were mostly Russians, so maybe they just don't trust the bank...

Or the tax authorities don't trust them...

[HUGE AL]

Don't swallow too much of the Amex hype...

If you read the relevant board on TOF, you'll see that the benefits have been scaled back in recent years, e.g. SPG gold (which you get with an Amex platinum anyway) rather than SPG platinum. Plus, if you travel enough on business so as to spend enough to qualify for the card, you probably have all the required FF/hotel statuses anyway. Finally, do you really think that you'll get invited to the top parties merely because you're one of the thousands who hold a centurion ?

I think this summarizes what I was trying to say MUCH better. Thanks, jhm!

From my experience of seeing numerous people use the Black Card (keep in mind, I live in LA), they actually LOSE respect and are labeled as a**holes. Hertz had two "members" physically removed. Clearly you can see how many people want to buy status which really isn't for sale.

[milehighj]

And the question being whether the value offered is worth it for the fee paid (but of course, if your employer is paying for the card, then by all means go ahead and get it).

Actually, I'm not sure that "value" comes into the equation. It's sold as a premium product, just like a luxury car, Swiss watch, or flying in a "Singapore Airlines Suite" (whatever that may be... )...

[jhm]

Actually, I'm not sure that "value" comes into the equation. It's sold as a premium product, just like a luxury car, Swiss watch, or flying in a "Singapore Airlines Suite" (whatever that may be... )...

I'm not sure I agree with this. You can buy premium products for various reasons and IMHO it's all to do with value - whether that's personal enjoyment, comfort and privacy (the SQ suite), an investment (a quality Swiss watch - no lolex here please ) or even just for (supposed) bragging rights and exclusivity.

Amex's marketing tries to emphasise the latter as a reason for paying for the Amex centurion but, as HUGE AL mentions, someone is slightly deluded if they really think that they can buy instant celebrity status for a few thousand quid a year. Taking this factor (the marketing of the supposed exclusivity) out, then the question is whether the objective benefits are worth it compared to the annual fee required.

[bloob]

For those who do pursue such recognition, the Centurion does bring the bearer some prestige and street cred, in places where it pays to be seen, and to be seen brandishing such a coveted item. Surely, purveyors of luxury would open doors and lay the red carpet for anyone bearing the Centurion card, and immediately accord the best in service, attention and selection or their wares.

The seriously rich don't need such recognition, for they already have it in them. For I'm sure, they would rather prefer to be as low key as possible. Unless they are fame and fortune junkies (and there are too many out there).

[milehighj]

I'm not sure I agree with this. You can buy premium products for various reasons and IMHO it's all to do with value - whether that's personal enjoyment, comfort and privacy (the SQ suite), an investment (a quality Swiss watch - no lolex here please ) or even just for (supposed) bragging rights and exclusivity.

Amex's marketing tries to emphasise the latter as a reason for paying for the Amex centurion but, as HUGE AL mentions, someone is slightly deluded if they really think that they can buy instant celebrity status for a few thousand quid a year. Taking this factor (the marketing of the supposed exclusivity) out, then the question is whether the objective benefits are worth it compared to the annual fee required.

We can agree or disagree with the marketing campaign and overall image, and I'm sure there there are enough bad apples (especially in LA) to give it a bad rep.

But frankly this discussion is starting to have shades of the argument that all QPP/TPP are PITA...

As far as I'm concerned there are unique benefits which are worth paying for, while others may find the same benefits bad "value". Hence I simply call it a "premium" product.

For example, the concierge service which helps gain access into private clubs, sold-out events in different cities, which I would find useful for personal and corporate entertainment. Similarly to gain mid or top-tier status on airline alliances and hotel chains which I don't frequently use is a worth it to me, but not to others.

Point being, look beyond the perception and PITA wannabes, and there are useful benefits which I wouldn't mind paying for.

[jhm]

For those who do pursue such recognition, the Centurion does bring the bearer some prestige and street cred, in places where it pays to be seen, and to be seen brandishing such a coveted item. Surely, purveyors of luxury would open doors and lay the red carpet for anyone bearing the Centurion card, and immediately accord the best in service, attention and selection or their wares.

I think it depends where you are. If in London, New York, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong etc, I don't think it makes much difference unless your aim is to impress the checkout person at the convenience store or something like that, e.g. try tipping up to Harvey Nicks or Selfridges waving a centurion and see what happens (or doesn't as the case may be)!

[jhm]

As far as I'm concerned there are unique benefits which are worth paying for, while others may find the same benefits bad "value". Hence I simply call it a "premium" product.

For example, the concierge service which helps gain access into private clubs, sold-out events in different cities, which I would find useful for personal and corporate entertainment. Similarly to gain mid or top-tier status on airline alliances and hotel chains which I don't frequently use is a worth it to me, but not to others.

Point being, look beyond the perception and PITA wannabes, and there are useful benefits which I wouldn't mind paying for.

I don't think I've disagreed with any of this ?

And the question being whether the value offered is worth it for the fee paid (but of course, if your employer is paying for the card, then by all means go ahead and get it).

[milehighj]

I don't think I've disagreed with any of this ?

And the question being whether the value offered is worth it for the fee paid (but of course, if your employer is paying for the card, then by all means go ahead and get it).

I took this to suggest that the benefits are only worth it if someone else was paying for it (i.e. not really worth paying for oneself). Apologies if that was misinterpreted.

[jhm]

I took this to suggest that the benefits are only worth it if someone else was paying for it (i.e. not really worth paying for oneself). Apologies if that was misinterpreted.

Sorry for the confusion! I meant that if somebody else is paying the annual fee, then it's definitely worth it! If you're paying personally, then it may or may not be worth it depending on your circumstances.

[taipeiflyer]

if a green card is good enough for bill gates, it's good enough for me. i had the platinum before and was offered the centurion (and those "strict" requirements are obviously anything but because my spending wasn't quite at that level). I stopped paying for the platinum because i think the people that run it most also be directors for Singapore Air, because the benefits kept going down, while the price continued to go up. for me, the black card is for the guys who were seated next to me at toast in LA 2 days ago, who paid for their bill, and proceeded to their 2 lamborghinis parked front and center of the restaurant with their two blonde plastic stick-figures. They opened the doors, turned on the engines, proceeded to rev up the rpm's for the next 8-10 minutes, then turned off the engine and opened up the doors again, got out, checked themselves a couple times in their mirrors, and went across the street to grab a coffee. Only to come back, do the exact same thing, and then go across the street to pop into a boutique for 5 minutes. I did get quite a laugh watching them try and figure out how to open the trunk of their car though- hope they had directions back to the rental location. And I was slightly disappointed not to hear Hathaway on their sound systems, cause it was obvious they had watched A Night at the Roxbury one too many times.

[HUGE AL]

Too funny, taipeiflyer! My sentiments exactly...