American Express Membership Rewards - Centurion Launched in Mexico

I just heard that the Centurion Card has been launched in Mexico.

Anyone know any details ??? Seems a strange market to launch it in.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by alexbs:
....Seems a strange market to launch it in.</font>

Why is that?

To date, Amex has launched the card in fully developed markets (US,Germany,Switzerland, Hong Kong, etc).

Mexico has a very small proportion of wealthy people, most of who have financial arrangements in the US or Cannada anyway...thus I think it strange to bother launching the card in Mexico.

My experience using Amex in Mexico has been very poor. A lot of restaurants...especially in Guadalajara where I travel monthly....won't accept the card. I run into hand written signs saying "AMEX NO LONGER ACCEPTED HERE" frequently. Don't know what the issues are but I would think they would shore up relationships with their merchants before they launch a ultra premium card.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by alexbs:
To date, Amex has launched the card in fully developed markets (US,Germany,Switzerland, Hong Kong, etc).

Mexico has a very small proportion of wealthy people, most of who have financial arrangements in the US or Cannada anyway...thus I think it strange to bother launching the card in Mexico.</font>

Why would you say that? The proportion might be small, but the numbers are large enough to support a Centurion market, both in number of people and in the potential spend numbers. And most of them don't have financial arrangements in the US or Canada. Some of them do, but most of them don't. And even those who do, sizable portions of their endowments remain in Mexico.

I wonder what the criteria for Amex is to issue the Centurion Cards in a certain country.

I doesnt surprise me that the Centurion Card is offered in Mexico, The Visa Infinite Card is offered there and in other Latin American countries.

Both Cards are not avilable in Canada

Centurion is not offered in Canada? So...would the Int'l Dollar Card be the best bet for Canada Centurion?

Yes, although Int'l Centurion requires payment in USD and not CAD, and doesn't offer membership in most elite programs. It does include priority pass, MUCH better insurance benefits and a 2nd cent card.

Thank you. How would I go about switching from the US card to the Int'l Centurion?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by WhiteAMEX:
Thank you. How would I go about switching from the US card to the Int'l Centurion?</font>

I don't think that the int'l USD Amex products are available to US residents.

Steve M is right - you must have a non-US address to apply. Interestingly enough, you can have both a US and an Int'l card as I did for a while (to separate personal & business expenses and enjoy the better insurance coverage).I've been in touch with a few executives in AMEX for a while, and they promised to improve US insurance coverage shortly.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MoreMiles!:
I've been in touch with a few executives in AMEX for a while, and they promised to improve US insurance coverage shortly. </font>

That is good news. How can Amex seriously say that the Centurion Card is its flagship when my green Corprate Card has much better insurance?

I also have residence outside of the U.S. How do I switch my Centurion to the Int'l?

Those who don't mind speaking with AMEX executives about Centurion insurance issues are welcome to e-mail me privately. I'd be more than happy to refer you to the right individuals. They're FINALLY starting to realize that this is an issue, and the more of us who speak up the quicker they're likely to address this.

As for the Int'l Centurion - you can't merely "switch". You'll have to apply for the card by calling their service center. Mentioning that you have a US card will help, but you'll still have to qualify per their criteria. Their number is 0808-100-5050 if calling from the UK, or +44-1273-66-7272 if calling from the US.