American Express Membership Rewards - Personal concierge service (other than Centurion)

Hey, I'm new to this forum, but I've been reading up on Centurion here over the past couple of days. I signed up for the Centurion card and am just awaiting final confirmation of the credit check. Just so you all know, I just called up, asked if I qualified for the card, they checked my personal spending, said yes, and signed me up for the card. However, I'm having reservations. I'm getting this card for the travel benefits and upgrades. The cost of 2500 USD is justifiable to me as I travel quite a bit for pleasure and I figure it will pay for itself many times over. However, I'm concerned that the Concierge service is not what its cracked up to be. I have heard from many people that it is not a first rate operation. I'm mainly concerned with getting tables at packed restaurants and skipping lines at nightclubs. Some people say my Centurion card plus concierge will take care of this. Others say not. I have read a bunch about Quintessentially on their website (www.quintessentially.com), but can't find much unbiased opinion. Does anyone have this service? What are the overall impressions? Any other services that offer me a personal concierge to get me into all the hot-spots with little trouble? Thanks all.

I find your story on "applying" for the card suspect, but oh well. Q will get you into the following hot spots in NYC:

New York - Abaya
New York - Bungalow 8
New York - Glass
New York - Halo
New York - Lot 61
New York - Lotus
New York - Shine
New York - Centro Fly

Neither service can make you important or make miracles happen. It all comes down to personal connections or pre-arranged agreements. The folks at Q are great for stuff in Europe, particularly in London. The Boston based Circles group (which runs AMEX Concierge - both Plat and Cent) are okay, but not great. The concept has a limit, unfortunately.

I use Quintessentially in London. They are generally quite good in arranging for tables, making recommendations, and obtaining guest lists. However, they generally can't work miracles with regard to nightclubs, although I have seen a few good offers in their newsletter. to be honest, I use them more to arrange for things like house cleaning, dry cleaning, and services other than nightlife.

Quintessentially has just set up a NY office and their events there should increase soon. But I have not seen anything in writing yet.

I think Quintessentially performs the job really well. In fact, I prefer them to my Amex Concierge. The only thing I haven't tried at Quintessentially is the travel service, which Amex may have an upper hand on.

John - I've been thinking of joining Q - would you care to share a few more details (in particular, overall service and add. benefits), maybe on email if preferable.

Many thanks!

[This message has been edited by Canista (edited 12-10-2002).]

Big Rugger, you can find it suspect all you want. I called up Amex Blue Sunday morning and then I asked for the 877 number for Centurion which they readily gave me. I then called Centurion, asked what it took to become a member, gave them my personal Gold account number (I never bothered with a Platinum card) and they said I qualified and that assuming I passed their credit check (which I was notified this morning that I did) my card would be issued. I should have it via Airborne Express tomorrow by 6pm. As fas as Quintessentially goes, I have been in contact with Reinaldo Bertolini(?) in the NY office and have been told that the nightclub list on the site is not complete, that they have contacts with most owners and promoters to be placed on guestlists. I have my own connections, but I don't want the hassle of calling some crank-dealing promoter at 4am just to be on the guestlist at Spa, I'd much rather have this service do it for me. Plus, before February 6th (the official launch date of Q in the US) the price is $750 annually with no increase in rate, whereas after that date it will go to $1000 and increase yearly thereafter.

When I got the centurion card, I also called them to see if I qualified. They said that I was "pre-qualified," whatever that meant. It seems odd, but it is true, Amex wanted me as a customer, but waited until I called them.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DaveLinNYC:
I have my own connections, but I don't want the hassle of calling some crank-dealing promoter at 4am...</font>

Your connections are Crank-Dealers? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

It's also worth noting Q is beefing up their presence in the US because they are now doubling as the Vertu concierge. They suddenly have more US customers that want very US-centric things. I agree with jja34-1. They are generally quite good. Hopefully they will beef up things here in the States.

I've been through 3 or 4 personal concierges at AMEX. I've finally found one that I really like, but I'm still keenly aware of the limits of the service.

Suspect isn't the right word. I think my thought was more along the lines of bxwatso. Odd that you qualified, but that they haven't approached you. In other words, why did you have to approach them? I guess suspect is the right word after all. I find their business model suspect.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bxwatso:
When I got the centurion card, I also called them to see if I qualified. They said that I was "pre-qualified," whatever that meant. It seems odd, but it is true, Amex wanted me as a customer, but waited until I called them.</font>

My invitation was pre qualified as well, but I had previously had a few cockups on my Plat account and a few harrassed phone calls and letters trying to sort them out probably got me the invite.

BTW they now push the Centurion " for our most loyal customers " here in the UK, not the same as richest I suppose &lt; G &gt;

Nigel

I don't know why they waited until I called. I had heard about the card a few years ago on a trip to London. It was talked about like it was a myth. I finally found out the benefits this past week and made it a point to ask, and lo-and-behold, I had it. As for Quintessetially, unfortunately they would not give me a membership because of the US drinking laws and their concern that should a member under the age of 21 be found in a club on their reccomendation, their business could be shot to hell. Oh well, I'll either find someone to purchase this service for me, or try out Centurion's concierge service and see how that works. And yes, my connections are promoters, who often times are associated with drugs in NYC clubs. If you have a connection at a club in this city, there is a good chance that person has some dealings with drugs. Thanks for the advice though.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BigTexasRugger:
It's also worth noting Q is beefing up their presence in the US because they are now doubling as the Vertu concierge.
.</font>

Yes, but Quintessentially directly is so much cheaper than Vertu! I checked out the Vertu scheme and it really is quite cool (And their treatment of even just potential customers should be a lesson to all in customer service!), but I couldn't rationalize putting somehwere between $3000 and $25000 on a mobile phone, no matter how cool it is.

By the way, Quintessentially was featured in the Departures magazine this year in the Britannia issue. It will be interesting to see how they fare in NYC - part of their success in London, I think, is due to the fact that the founders had very extensive social connections here. They are starting out from scratch in NYC.

I am glad to see them setting up the NY office, though. I actually complained to them that they pretend to be global, but have limited or no offers/services in NY. This was actually one of their selling points to me since I go back and forth quite frequently. Although I don't really need their help for clubs or restaurants, it is always nice to have someone to take care of the little things, no matter where you are.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by jja34-1:
Yes, but Quintessentially directly is so much cheaper than Vertu! I checked out the Vertu scheme and it really is quite cool (And their treatment of even just potential customers should be a lesson to all in customer service!), but I couldn't rationalize putting somehwere between $3000 and $25000 on a mobile phone, no matter how cool it is.</font>

Yes, the Vertu folks really understand great customer service. True, it is an expensive route unless you really want the phone. And the phone is SO cool. I never thought I could rationalize it either, but now you'd have to pry it from my dead, cold hands to take it away from me.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">By the way, Quintessentially was featured in the Departures magazine this year in the Britannia issue. It will be interesting to see how they fare in NYC - part of their success in London, I think, is due to the fact that the founders had very extensive social connections here. They are starting out from scratch in NYC.</font>

Agreed. Much like a great concierge at the best hotel in town, they pull of the miracles they pull off because of personal connections. This is why, IMHO, AMEX Concierge can't ever outdo the concierge at the Four Seasons NY, just as an example.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">I am glad to see them setting up the NY office, though. I actually complained to them that they pretend to be global, but have limited or no offers/services in NY. This was actually one of their selling points to me since I go back and forth quite frequently. Although I don't really need their help for clubs or restaurants, it is always nice to have someone to take care of the little things, no matter where you are.</font>

I'm glad too. I even had some difficulty setting things up in Paris with them. Having an office and staff that is local sounds like a great enabler to more personal connections which, in turn, should lead to better offerings (or at least a greater miracle potential.)

[This message has been edited by BigTexasRugger (edited 12-10-2002).]

Big Rugger: you set up your account through the Paris office? I wonder if I can contact London directly and work with them. Also, why do you have the Q service + Vertu? Don't they in effect cancel each other out? Any pics of the Vertu?!?! Also, can you post details of the specs of the phone and the service plans (are there any?), provider (is it self contained?)...There are so many questions that I have and the website is pretty much useless. I'm considering visiting the suite in NYC, but I don't think they will take me seriously. Who knows...Thanks in advance.

[This message has been edited by DaveLinNYC (edited 12-10-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by BigTexasRugger:
I never thought I could rationalize it either, but now you'd have to pry it from my dead, cold hands to take it away from me.
</font>

Would you please email me? I have questions regarding the Vertu service(s). Thank you.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DaveLinNYC:
I'm considering visiting the suite in NYC, but I don't think they will take me seriously. Who knows...Thanks in advance.</font>

They will take you seriously. There is so much money in NYC. Besides most of the people with $$ in NYC are a bit on the conservative side, unlike their Jersey counterparts (i.e., loud, obnoxious, "look how much money I have", etc.).

With that said you will be treated well as they do no know if you are another $10 Million dollar man.

Well, Vertu took me seriously, and I walked in in sweatpants. Seriously. I was on a short break from the library and even had by backpack with me. I don't think i had ever looked so tired and frustrated in my life. And i probably raised my eyebrows a bit when they mentioned the price. I may wear a nice watch and shoes, but I do have limits.

They were very nice, got me something to eat and drink. And the view is amazing!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DaveLinNYC:
Big Rugger: you set up your account through the Paris office? I wonder if I can contact London directly and work with them. Also, why do you have the Q service + Vertu? Don't they in effect cancel each other out? Any pics of the Vertu?!?! Also, can you post details of the specs of the phone and the service plans (are there any?), provider (is it self contained?)...There are so many questions that I have and the website is pretty much useless. I'm considering visiting the suite in NYC, but I don't think they will take me seriously. Who knows...Thanks in advance.

[This message has been edited by DaveLinNYC (edited 12-10-2002).]</font>

Yes, they do sorta cancel each other out. You don't get the weekly newsletter through Vertu nor do you have a website to access information. I signed up for Q via the London office before I bought the phone. The Paris reference was regarding requests I had made of Q for dinner reservations in Paris. I still had to call London to make the request.

Actually, the Vertu website has pictures and specs on the phones that I consider fairly extensive. It operates with GSM carriers only, so you need to use your SIM card from one of the GSM carriers. I use AT&T Wireless. Don't worry though. The folks at Vertu will sort out all those details. They will take you seriously. I can even call my contact and give him a head's up if you feel it would make a difference. Just be prepared to spend a minimum of $5000.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by DelrayChris:
Would you please email me? I have questions regarding the Vertu service(s). Thank you.

</font>

You have mail.

Rugger: Thanks for the info, I'm going to go in after the New Year. However, I think 5000 at a minimum is way too expensive if I have to use my own service, not really worth it. I got my Centurion today and have already been pleasantly surprised with the Travel department and Concierge. They have been nothing but first rate. I hope this continues.