American Express Membership Rewards - Centurion UK Concierge

I've had a UK Cent for 4+ years now and can't think of any occassion when I have actually used the concierge service for anything special.

Have you found it useful for anything other than booking travel and restaurants?

I've had a UK Cent for 4+ years now and can't think of any occassion when I have actually used the concierge service for anything special.

Have you found it useful for anything other than booking travel and restaurants?

I Can tell you when I would have needed it :p Called up UK Plat and asked if they could get a pair of (rare) trainers for me. The CSR said "I could if you were Centurion, I'd call up the factory and get them for you, but since you're not, I can't" -something called "seek and search"?

Wasn't very impressed with that, and said "thanks" and hung up the phone...What's the point in a concierge service at all for Plat?? The only reason I use them for restaurants is I'm usually out and not at a computer to find the number and call myself.

Don't want to turn this into a "How do I get..." thread, but I wish they would upgrade me, or I might move to Quintessentially... :rolleyes: any tips? :D

Well I have used it for numerous things, like remembering all birthdays and anniversary's, buying wrapping and despatching gifts, tickets for exclusive VIP areas and hospitality at sporting events here and abroad, having items bought and immediately couriered to where I happen to be in the world. Of course restaurants play a major part in my bookings, as well as travel, one phone call telling them I want to go, my dates and times and all sorted, billed directly to the card, which is paid by standing order, done. Mind you I did forget to go on one of the jolly trips to Cape Town :D So I ensure I am called a week in advance to remind me ;) I am doing the Cape Town one next Easter to make up.

For your information they have a very good relationship with a company who charter private jets and helicopters, very efficient with chauffeur service to and from the airfield (no messing with parking fees and shuttles to terminal), excellent when time is very important, and not as expensive as you would think ;)

Well that is just a part, but it does seem to me that you lead quite a simple life and perhaps don't really need a centurion card :p

I've used my concierge for gifts as well and also guest list for clubs and last minute flights, invites to vip parties etc. Perhaps my life is more simple...I have to work around a university schedule :o Also, you can do all those things because you have the Cent card and you might need it more than me if you forget about a holiday! :p

However, I do feel that being told they can't find a pair of trainers for me because I'm not Cent makes my Plat card a bit useless. Also, apparently now guest list for clubs is a Cent only perk...I can appreciate different levels of service but that seems silly to me. Call it a restaurant and gift service, not personal concierge...

I think that anyone in good standing with Amex, perhaps showing the need for such benefits should be able to get one. Of course I'm sure many of the people here will disagree with me.

Chris

My comments were to Razflyer, but it seems that if you are a student then you would need it more than me :D . I don't wear trainers so a bit of a waste really, and as for going out to clubs, those days have nearly gone, I much prefer staying in with a nice bottle of champagne and the nanny :p

It does seem that the centurion card has been issued to some riff raff with no class recently, the sooner they price the buggers out the better :D

My comments were to Razflyer, but it seems that if you are a student then you would need it more than me :D . I don't wear trainers so a bit of a waste really, and as for going out to clubs, those days have nearly gone, I much prefer staying in with a nice bottle of champagne and the nanny :p

It does seem that the centurion card has been issued to some riff raff with no class recently, the sooner they price the buggers out the better :D

Ah, ok. The trainers are for a friend of mine...some Puma that are made of fur or something..only 500 in the world :rolleyes:

I might whinge to them and see if they will offer it to me :-: ...I am one of their most loyal customers, normally leaving the flat with my card and no wallet... :o

CSDavidson: The best way to get a Centurion is to spend spend spend! I got one when I spent just over £100,000 in one year, a year after getting a Platinum.

Amexpete: do they charge extra for buying & wrapping & delivering the presents? I found their limo costs to be much higher than going directly. I suppose they do save time, but it seems to be at a cost, which is actually a further cost on top of the £650. I have been to some film premieres, and even a free concert, which was very good, but I just wondered how people actually used the service.

CSDavidson: The best way to get a Centurion is to spend spend spend! I got one when I spent just over £100,000 in one year, a year after getting a Platinum.

I think £100,000 might be a little out of my budget for this year...I've done about £10,000 in 5 months... :o

CSDavidson: The best way to get a Centurion is to spend spend spend! I got one when I spent just over £100,000 in one year, a year after getting a Platinum.

Amexpete: do they charge extra for buying & wrapping & delivering the presents? I found their limo costs to be much higher than going directly. I suppose they do save time, but it seems to be at a cost, which is actually a further cost on top of the £650. I have been to some film premieres, and even a free concert, which was very good, but I just wondered how people actually used the service.

You will find that the buying and wrapping is normally done directly with the store, some like Harrods deliver free, others charge for the courier. I have had things turn up on cycles, motorbikes, taxis, and UPS, so no set MO. One of my most interesting nights was a private dining evening with Reme Krug, I guess you had that invite as well, we enjoyed a great selection of Krug Champagne and some of his personal rare collection, the food was very nice as well. Re limo costs, the advantage is the one call package, no need to waste time ringing around, time is very precious, says me wasting time on here :p

I am at Gleneagles golfing next weekend, and then staying at the Sheraton in Edinburgh to enjoy the best Spa in the UK ( http://www.one-spa.com/ ) , I was there the week before last and had a great time. Maybe I could meet csdavidson for a beer or two next Saturday night in Edinburgh :D

You will find that the buying and wrapping is normally done directly with the store, some like Harrods deliver free, others charge for the courier. I have had things turn up on cycles, motorbikes, taxis, and UPS, so no set MO. One of my most interesting nights was a private dining evening with Reme Krug, I guess you had that invite as well, we enjoyed a great selection of Krug Champagne and some of his personal rare collection, the food was very nice as well. Re limo costs, the advantage is the one call package, no need to waste time ringing around, time is very precious, says me wasting time on here :p

I am at Gleneagles golfing next weekend, and then staying at the Sheraton in Edinburgh to enjoy the best Spa in the UK ( http://www.one-spa.com/ ) , I was there the week before last and had a great time. Maybe I could meet csdavidson for a beer or two next Saturday night in Edinburgh :D

Student + Beer = I'm there :D I wouldn't mind, PM me if you want to, I should be around next Saturday :) If you're a night life person I can get you into Opal Lounge (10 minute walk from the Sheraton) no problem (even if I'm not around), although I'm sure Centurion could as well :o

Chris

Sounds daft....not having a concierge service but do they charge for services like getting you on the guest list to clubs or finding rare trainers? Or is it done on the premise that an Amex Plat is more likely to spend money in a club than someone on a Maestro card so the club want people like you in?

Dinner with Reme Krug sounds interesting....although I'd feel well out of my depth!

...not having a concierge service but do they charge for services like getting you on the guest list to clubs or finding rare trainers?

don't get this bit :o

I wonder myself why clubs put Plat holders (or anyone) on the guest list, perhaps you are correct in thinking that they are more likely to spend more. After all, Amex says this themselves on the merchant section of the UK website. Mind you why on earth a club got me on the list for a "free bar" night is beyond me :cool:

I had dinner with the Director of Moet in October for some tasting thing...I did feel a bit out of place at the start of the evening. I don't think he was happy that our table was having shots of sambuca when we were supposed to be tasting the difference between the rose and '98 vintage...

Chris

don't get this bit

Sorry missed a word or two out :o......'not having a concierge service myself, do they charge for services like getting you on the guest list to clubs or finding rare trainers?'

Sorry missed a word or two out :o......'not having a concierge service myself, do they charge for services like getting you on the guest list to clubs or finding rare trainers?'
That makes a little more sense :)

For the club access no they don't. However it doesn't work for all clubs. I would be quite interested to know what the Amex CSR says to them...the trainers I presume that you would have to pay some premium for shipping, but not the "call" to get it.

I have found it prity good for booking restaurants, in the UK and overseas.

Have tried to get tickets through them, but found them a rip off.

Student + Beer = I'm there :D I wouldn't mind, PM me if you want to, I should be around next Saturday :) If you're a night life person I can get you into Opal Lounge (10 minute walk from the Sheraton) no problem (even if I'm not around), although I'm sure Centurion could as well :o

Chris

Yes, it will be a laugh, I will be with my wife she's a good fun :rolleyes: , only joking, she is a laugh :p . We can certainly have a few beers with you, we are booked into a restaurant at 9pm in George Street, so can have a drink at 9pm and delay the meal slightly, or have a drink after. We will be in the Spa until about 8.30pm, so could meet o/s the Sheraton about 8.45pm

Our flight back down south is not until P.M. Sunday, so if you can recommend any clubs we are up for it, is the Opal lounge that lap dancing strip joint? :D

Is the Grass Market still a lively place?

I will PM my e-mail address, I have a blackberry so it will reach me 24/7

Yes, it will be a laugh, I will be with my wife she's a good fun :rolleyes: , only joking, she is a laugh :p . We can certainly have a few beers with you, we are booked into a restaurant at 9pm in George Street, so can have a drink at 9pm and delay the meal slightly, or have a drink after. We will be in the Spa until about 8.30pm, so could meet o/s the Sheraton about 8.45pm

Our flight back down south is not until P.M. Sunday, so if you can recommend any clubs we are up for it, is the Opal lounge that lap dancing strip joint? :D

Is the Grass Market still a lively place?

I will PM my e-mail address, I have a blackberry so it will reach me 24/7

Great :D

Haha, my Dad and his girlfriend said the same thing when I said "I'll take you to Opal Lounge" :p It's a normal club, one of the more up market ones and they keep all the riff-raff out. Lucky you're coming on a Saturday and not a Friday otherwise it would be full of pretentious 18 year olds with their Dad's Visa card :p

Sent you a PM :)

Great :D

Haha, my Dad and his girlfriend said the same thing when I said "I'll take you to Opal Lounge" :p It's a normal club, one of the more up market ones and they keep all the riff-raff out. Lucky you're coming on a Saturday and not a Friday otherwise it would be full of pretentious 18 year olds with their Dad's Visa card :p

Sent you a PM :)

The Opal lounge, so I take it Saturday is 'Grab a granny night' with pension books :( :D Do I need to get us on the guest list or have you got secret powers :p

The Opal lounge, so I take it Saturday is 'Grab a granny night' with pension books :( :D Do I need to get us on the guest list or have you got secret powers :p
lol no, it's very good on a Saturday...I'm virtually in there every night :o 70% of my Amex statement says "Opal Lounge" :rolleyes:

That club is probably the only place in the world where I would have more weight than Centurion :cool: I've been a member there since it opened ;)

Speaking of which I didn't realise it was so late...It's their 3rd birthday today and I'm going to miss my free drinks.... :eek:

Hi,

I've had a Centurion card for a couple of years now but have never heard anything about VIP club entry. What other clubs around the UK will it get access to? (Preferably in London but I travel around England and Scotland regularly).

Thanks,

Phill

Hi,

I've had a Centurion card for a couple of years now but have never heard anything about VIP club entry. What other clubs around the UK will it get access to? (Preferably in London but I travel around England and Scotland regularly).

Thanks,

Phill


I think if you call Cust services they can send / e-mail a list. I have never used the service myself as I am not into clubs. Perhaps onre day I will give it a go.

From what I understand they will try with pretty much any club. They have got me into clubs where Amex isn't even accepted :)

I would say places like China White would almost certainly give VIP access to Cent members (but not Plat as I found out)...

IIRC you need to give them 72 hours notice
Chris

Aha, I will give it a try over the next couple of weeks. Do I just phone and speak to the same guys who organise restaurants etc?

Aha, I will give it a try over the next couple of weeks. Do I just phone and speak to the same guys who organise restaurants etc?

Yeah that's the one (option 3 -if it's the same as Plat) :D

Chris

China White - any day except Wednesday or Saturday.

China White - any day except Wednesday or Saturday.

I tried for China White in Glasgow the other week. The CSR said that the 'relationship' between China White and Amex re Guest List isn't great...they will only do it for Cent...and even then only some Cent customers for the weekend... :(

Chris

'except Saturday' hmm. Anyone know if the can do Home House or Century in London.

'except Saturday' hmm. Anyone know if the can do Home House or Century in London.

Dial 08081005050, option 3...say "Can you get me on the guest list for Home House or Century in London for the coming weekend".... :p


Sorry, can you tell I'm bored atm :o

Chris

From what I understand they will try with pretty much any club. They have got me into clubs where Amex isn't even accepted :)

I would say places like China White would almost certainly give VIP access to Cent members (but not Plat as I found out)...

IIRC you need to give them 72 hours notice
Chris

i posted in another thread before, but some years ago, one of my additional card holders, billed in 45k in a restaurant and China White in LONDON.

it was 45Euro, and a big shock...

he had a plat. additional card, and centurionservice made him a reservation when he was from the restaurant to the club. at arriving he pulled out his plat card and was granted axx.

i will never forget my face when i realized that i had 45k new MR points :) and a busted additonal card holder, as he didnt had the money to pay back ...

dp

so centurion will bring you in, almost in every club .
i only was refused in asia, to get on the guestlist on some clubs.
but asia is another story, they dont know or dont care about wannabe VIPS like me :)

I'm going to Nottingham this weekend for a friends birthday, can anyone recommend somewhere nice in Nottingham that I can give this a try? Otherwise, I will try it in London next week and report back.