DMSFCA

Holy cow, as usual, the US Centurian card holders get the shaft - isn't Amex based here? Ugh...

I don't ahve all the info in front of me to give a good comp listing, but I will at a later point:

USA Amex Centurian:

Cost:
When I got the card in ~year 2000, it was US$1000 for the primary person (me), and $500 for each additional cardholder (I picked up one for the wife). There is absolutely no "free" cards. My annual fee has been $1000/$500 since I started with the card, but Amex sent a letter out a year or two back saying that new primary cardholders for non-grandfathered people will be US$2500 for the primary and US$1000(?) for the secondary.

I'm absolutely positive I held a letter in my hand from Amex that said this, because I remember reading it out loud to my wife and laughing because they saiid things like "We appreciate you telling your friends about the Card and urging them to apply. Please note that the annual fee has increased...." ...and we both laughed out loud.

So, $1000 for my card, $500 for the additional cardholder wife. I also still had a Platinum (US$395) and a Gold ($95? $150?) plus the additional cardholder fees that I finally got around to cancelling after the wife reminded me that we were paying nearly $2000 in annual fees to Amex.

I've never heard of an additional Centurian card for keeping your expenses organized, although I like that idea, but I'm sure USA Amex won't do it for free.

Any other US Centurian card people confirm what I'm saying? Please don't tell me it is just me that they are shafting!

--Doug

00flyer00

I was also extremely upset when I released that US Centurion holders do not receive the extra A/C (business) card unlike UK and HK card holders. US members have to pay the extra $1500 for this card, whereas other countries get them for free.

NickW

Bwuh? $1,500 for an additional card for the basic cardmember? The marginal cost to Amex is almost zero. Just the cost of the piece of plastic/titanium. You're already benefiting from all the status perks on the basis of the first card. Something is screwy there.

00flyer00

yes, something IS very screwy here. They said US Centurion members do not get the A/C or whatever you call it business account card for free.

amexpete

Amex list of UK Centurion recommended restaurants ;-

LONDON Asia de Cuba www.asiadecuba-restaurant.com Modern
LONDON Babylon Restaurant http://www.roofgardens.com Modern
LONDON Blue Elephant www.blueelephant.com/london * Thai
LONDON Blue Print Café www.viewlondon.co.uk Modern
LONDON Boxwood Café www.the-savoy-group.com French
LONDON Cecconi's www.cecconis.com www.squaremeal.co.uk Italian
LONDON Circus www.worldsbestbars.com British
LONDON Coq D'argent www.londonrestaurantsguide.com French
LONDON Deca www.squaremeal.co.uk French
LONDON Drones www.whitestarline.co.uk French
LONDON East @ West http://www.london-eating.co.uk/83.htm Modern
LONDON Embassy www.embassylondon.com French
LONDON Fifteen www.fifteenrestaurant.com British
LONDON Fleur www.mosimanns.com French
LONDON Foliage www.blueelephant.com Modern
LONDON Gordon Ramsay at Claridges http://www.gordonramsay.com/site/ 1* French
LONDON Gordon Ramsay @ Royal Hospital Road http://www.gordonramsay.com/site/ 3* French
LONDON Hakkasan www.londonrestaurantsguide.com www.squaremeal.co.uk 1* Chinese
LONDON Hush www.hush.co.uk International
LONDON Il Convivio http://www.london-eating.co.uk/1699.htm Italian
LONDON Isola www.londonrestaurantsguide.com www.squaremeal.co.uk Italian
LONDON Kensington Place www.egami.co.uk Modern
LONDON La Porte Des Indes www.la-porte-des-indes.com Indian
LONDON Langans Brasserie www.squaremeal.co.uk Brasserie
LONDON Le Gavroche http://www.le-gavroche.co.uk/ 2* French
LONDON Le Pont de la Tour www.conran-restaurants.co.uk International
LONDON Locanda Locatelli Italian
LONDON Angela Hartnett @ The Connaught http://www.savoy-group.com/Connaught...ue/default.asp 1* French
LONDON Mirabelle http://www.whitestarline.org.uk/ 1* French
LONDON Momo www.londonrestaurantsguide.com Moroccan
LONDON Nahm http://www.halkin.co.uk/ Thai
LONDON Nobu http://www.noburestaurants.com/ 1* Japenese
LONDON Oxo Tower http://www.harveynichols.com/ International
LONDON Petrus http://www.petrusvrestaurants.co.uk/ French
LONDON Pied a Terre www.terre.co.uk 2* French
LONDON Quaglino's www.conran-restaurants.co.uk International
LONDON Richard Corrigan at Lindsay House www.lindsayhouse.co.uk Irish
LONDON Rasoi Vineet Bhatia Indian
LONDON Rules http://www.rules.co.uk/ British
LONDON Savoy Grill http://www.gordonramsay.com/site/index.html French
LONDON Shumi http://www.shumi-london.com/ Italian
LONDON Sketch http://www.sketch.uk.com/ French
LONDON Spoon www.ianschragerhotels.com French
LONDON Sumosan http://www.sumosan.com/ Japenese
LONDON The Avenue www.squaremeal.co.uk Modern
LONDON The Capital www.capitalhotel.co.uk French
LONDON The Grill at the Connaught http://www.savoy-group.com/Connaught...ue/default.asp 1* French
LONDON The Ritz http://www.theritzlondon.com/restaurant/index.asp Afternoon Tea
LONDON The Square www.squarerestaurant.com 2* French
LONDON Tom Aikens http://www.london-eating.co.uk/3714.htm 1* French
LONDON Ubon http://www.noburestaurants.com/ Japanese
LONDON Yauatcha Chinese
LONDON Zuma www.zumarestaurant.com Japanese
WELWYN Auberge de Lac http://www.brockethall.com/auberge_rest.asp French - Asian
SUSSEX Gravetye Manor http://www.gravetyemanor.co.uk/ 1* British
WILTSHIRE Bybrook at the Manor House http://www.manorhousegolfclub.com/re...rhouse&Lang=EN British
DEVON Gidleigh Park www.gidleigh.com 2* International
GREAT MILTON Le Manoir aux quat Saisons http://www.manoir.com/ 2* French
PRESTON, LANCS The Longridge Restaurant http://www.simplyheathcotes.com/longridge/index.htm 1* British
MANCHESTER River Room www.squaremeal.co.uk French
LIVERPOOL Simply Heathcote’s www.squaremeal.co.uk British
MANCHESTER Simply Heathcote’s www.squaremeal.co.uk British
NEWBURY The Vineyard at Stockcross www.the-vineyard.co.uk 1* International
BRAY The Waterside Inn www.squaremeal.co.uk 3* French
EDINBURGH The Witchery http://www.thewitchery.com/home.html British
LANCS Winteringham Fields www.winteringhamfields.com 2*

Sorry, it seems to have cocked up a bit as it came from a spreadsheet, but I guess the smart people on here can work it out. Note the stars relate to michelin stars, the rest is city, type, website and venue, Hope it helps a bit.

amexpete

UK members.

Please note that if as a Centurion member you use BA airmiles even if accumulated via the BA Amex card for flights, then you do not get the higher level of Centurion insurance cover as if you had paid using the card. This could be either the BA Amex or the Centurion as by default you are covered by the highest level of card you carry. You only have the basic cover as if you were travelling by NOT using either card. Another point is, if something happens and you have to cancel your trip, you are NOT covered for the loss of the miles.

Again, hope this helps.

NickW

That list isn't even right - the Capital Restaurant has two Michelin stars that they don't list.

amexpete

Well that was interesting and rude reply from a 'purported' fellow Centurion card holder, which was of no use to anyone really, and just showed ignorance I did explain that the list was copied from a spread sheet and that hopefuly intelligent people could understand it, perhaps I was mistaken

Anyway I agree re the Capital hotel, I went there to the Centurion private dining event with Remy Krug testing his private collection

If you have any other sensible comments, and I find that the Centurion team have sent me duff info then I will most certainly take it up with them. Now why not get back in your cage and only come out when you have something productive to say

You may wish to correct your profile if you are 'fibbing' about being an Amex Centurion card holder

NickW

Welcome to FlyerTalk. Thankfully there is no rule around here that we have only to speak productively.

I'm not fibbing about anything on my profile; why would I?

lowdownlo

Heard that UK Centurion is no longer accepted across Virgin Clubhouses.

Fraser

I believe it is Amex Platinum that is no longer accepted at VS Clubhouses...

Winetemplar

It really bugs me that there's so much fine dining action in London Any wine dinners / tastings scheduled for 05?

Winetemplar

A site to exchange benefits is really a good idea. Yet no one has posted much beyond what is widely known.

Useful unformation would be tidbits as for example:

Centurion holders get free access to the executive lounges in Hilton hotels, ie. free breakfast etc. This is an advantage particularly in German Hiltons as the executive rooms are not different whatsoever than the regular rooms. So you get the exact services while paying less for it.

This has saved me EUR 107 per night

I see the centurion essentially as a tool to get more while paying less.

shark0528

I personally hold the Centurion card and here are the benefits for the USA w/ airlines:

Complimentary enrollment in Continental Gold Elite, US Airways Gold Dividend Preffered, and Delta Gold Medallion.

Also, free Priority Pass membership. Also, Hyatt Gold Diamond, Hilton Gold, Starwood Platinum Preffered, Priority Club Gold Elite, Avis Presidents Club, Hertz Club Gold.

Also, admittance into Cont. Presidents Club, Delta Crown Club, and Northwest lounges. Annual fee is 2,500 dollars.

Note, there is no pre set spending limit, but your charges are approved on your previous spending, payments, etc. There are numerous other benefits, but those are the "big ones." In all honesty, if you don't travel or entertain, you are not missing out.

00flyer00

Hyatt Gold Diamond is no longer available