American Express Membership Rewards - Centurion Card (France)

Dear all,

I tried to find out some information on the Centurion Card online, but it seems that there is not much out there and I'm not sure how reliable many of the sources are.

I'm living in Europe (France to be specific). Could anyone please let me know under which conditions it is possible to obtain a Centurion card? Is this "invitation only", related to the transaction volume made through another card (I hold a Platinum at the moment) or anything else?

Also, I am wondering what the benefits of the Centurion card are for cardholders in Europe and whether they justify the fee paid, which I think are somewhere around 250 EUR/ month (or 3,000 EUR/ year).

Thanks very much in advance,

Michael

You get a card made of metal. ;-)
Actually there is some info on Wikipedia. Like you I have the platinum which I already think is expensive. I think you would really want to make use of a lot of the benefits to justify the 10x premium. Though there is of course the prestige... (and I only know about the Wiki info because I searched it just the other day - so I am equally curious).

I just had a look at the page on Wikipedia. It seems that many of the benefits offered are the same as for the Platinum card. The ones that seem to be on top are memberships in several airline programs on a high level (e.g., Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold, US Airways Platinum Preferred, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion status).

Does this make sense? Is the Centurion more or less like a Platinum plus elite level membership at major airline programs?

... Is the Centurion more or less like a Platinum plus elite level membership at major airline programs?

I do not believe that DL or US status is included with Centurion cards issued outside the USA, not sure about VS.

Please see these threads:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/1241115-amex-centurion-france.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/1312529-increased-amex-centurion-card-fee-france.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/1339661-why-french-amex-so-crappy.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/american-express-membership-rewards/1179506-swiss-centurion-customers-unite-protest.html

Thanks, mia!

This seems to be a good summary: http://superfr8d.blogspot.fr/2011/03/american-express-centurion-card-in.html. It's a bit outdated (March 2011) but I would assume many things are probably still relevant.

The fee seems to be 3,000 EUR/ year since March 2012.

Compared to my current Platinum benefits in France the main difference seems to be:

- Complimentary dedicated service to accompany you in Charles-De-Gaulle or Orly Paris airport when flying to or from these aforementioned airports if flight is non-domestic and was booked through American Express Travel Services

- Airline status: Cathay Pacific (CX) Diamond status. This translates into One World alliance top-tier Emerald status

- Hotel status (only for main cardholder): Hilton Diamond, Starwood Gold, Priority Club Platinum, A Club Gold. Centurion cardholders will keep their hotel status for as long as they spend at least one night per year in one of the properties associated with each program.

- Eurostar lounge: access to the lounge regardless of class of travel

- Relais & Chateaux: Top-tier Club 5C membership. Although most Relais & Chateaux properties don't qualify as luxury properties in my book, there are some nice exceptions to the rule and service as well as recognition for Club 5C members is top notch.

Seems to be quite limited for a card that is six times more expensive ...

Thanks, mia!

This seems to be a good summary: http://superfr8d.blogspot.fr/2011/03/american-express-centurion-card-in.html. It's a bit outdated (March 2011) but I would assume many things are probably still relevant.

The fee seems to be 3,000 EUR/ year since March 2012.

Compared to my current Platinum benefits in France the main difference seems to be:

- Complimentary dedicated service to accompany you in Charles-De-Gaulle or Orly Paris airport when flying to or from these aforementioned airports if flight is non-domestic and was booked through American Express Travel Services

- Airline status: Cathay Pacific (CX) Diamond status. This translates into One World alliance top-tier Emerald status

- Hotel status (only for main cardholder): Hilton Diamond, Starwood Gold, Priority Club Platinum, A Club Gold. Centurion cardholders will keep their hotel status for as long as they spend at least one night per year in one of the properties associated with each program.

- Eurostar lounge: access to the lounge regardless of class of travel

- Relais & Chateaux: Top-tier Club 5C membership. Although most Relais & Chateaux properties don't qualify as luxury properties in my book, there are some nice exceptions to the rule and service as well as recognition for Club 5C members is top notch.

Seems to be quite limited for a card that is six times more expensive ...

The Centurion Card is the world's most prestigious card and is not meant to be a "good deal". It is a mysterious card affording the cardholder many spontaneous privileges, which are unpublished. It is not a coupon book or a voucher booklet. Attempting to identify value for money is simply a waste of time. The card demands that you pay dearly and have blind faith in it before you join. Once you are a cardholder and if you demonstrate good behaviour, it may reward you from time to time.

Attempting to identify value for money is simply a waste of time. The card demands that you pay dearly and have blind faith in it before you join. Once you are a cardholder and if you demonstrate good behaviour, it may reward you from time to time.

Now this is a ringing endorsement! ;)

Now this is a ringing endorsement! ;)

I am completely impartial - not endorsing any product. I am just pointing out the fundamental qualities of the card.

;)