American Express Membership Rewards - Centurion - worth it?

I read through all the posts and couldn't really find an answer to that question.

I'm considering Centurion because over the past year I've become a bestselling author and as a result I'm getting a lot of speaking engagements and traveling about once a month. I won't fly coach so I'm paying for full-fare first class tickets and my interest in the card is getting the elite platinum status with the airlines, so I can get first class upgrades and stop paying top dollar for tickets.

I've spent nearly $300k on my Platinum card over the last 12 months, paid in full each month and never late ... I was all set to call Amex to request the Centurion when I saw the insane new $5,000 initiation fee. For the $2,500 annual fee I think Centurion is a good deal, but that PLUS $5,000????

So ... would it be worth it for someone like me? Do you usually get upgraded to first class with the platinum elite status or is it always a gamble? If I get 5 upgrades in a year then the fee pays for itself, but do the upgrades actually happen in the real world? Obviously my interest in the card lies solely in airline upgrades. I couldn't care less about the "prestige" factor.

Any input is appreciated - thanks!

yes its worth it for what you want it for. since i got it i have been upgraded 100% of the time over the past yr, granted i normally tell cent travel to only find me a flight i'll get a confirmed upgrade on.

You don't mention what airline you travel on, and if you are traveling mostly domestic or int'l. Also, are you in the U.S.? At what rate are you earning EQMs?

If all you care about is airline upgrades, you should also consider what elite status will get you on the particular airline you frequent, and perhaps read through some of the posts concerning upgrade successes in that airline's threads in the "Miles and Points" section of this website, and/or post a similar question yourself on the relevant forum.

For example, I am 1K on UA. This gives me 6 SWUs per year, plus another 2 at 125k (confirmed systemwide upgrades, which can be used internationally), plus 2 CR-1s and 4 e500 mile upgrades for every 10k EQMs I earn. CR-1s are like SWUs, but for domestic travel. e500 cert upgrades clear based on status (72 hrs for 1k), can be used on domestic travel, and can be combined. Note also that you get EQM bonuses based on fare paid, making it easier to qualify for elite status than acutally flying 100k miles BIS. In addition to the upgrades, you can also use the miles you earn to guarantee an upgrade (15k domestic, 30k int'l) at booking.

As a result of these upgrades, I believe that it is very possible never to fly coach (I never do). I personally only have the plat card.

I'm traveling entirely domestic. I just moved to Orange County, CA and am flying in and out of SNA, so I don't have any one airline I'm loyal to since SNA limits my choices on flights ... it's a question of "who has a flight to that city from SNA" rather than "what is my preferred airline."

(Prior to this I flew 100% on America West/US Airways and enjoyed their upgrades all the time, but now that they're really gone downhill and with terrible experiences on my last 4 flights with them, no thanks.)

Continental has more nonstops out of SNA than anyone else, which concerns me because from reading the CO thread, it sounds like their Platinum Elite is just as worthless as NonePass.

First, you don't get Platinum elite status with CO from a Centurion card. You will get CO Gold, Delta Gold and USAir Platinum, so it is the 2nd tier on all three airlines.

If you will mostly fly CO, you might want to do some searches in the CO forum for upgrade success out of SNA to a variety of cities. You may also be able to reach CO Gold through flying, and the $7,500 first year fees could cover a fair number of first class flights until you qualify.

Whether the fee is "worth it" is very subjective and personal. I would never have paid the $5,000 initiation fee, and even renewing at the $2,500 annual fee is always borderline for me. I don't travel as much as you do, so I know I would never earn the elite status through flying alone which is why I got the card -- to have access to the elite status perks when I do fly. I also use the lounge access, business class check-in, fast-track security (where available) and Avis President's Club from having Centurion.

I've been 3 for 3 in upgrades for me and my husband (who had no status the first time and was CO silver for the next two flights) between EWR-MCO during the past year. But only once was confirmed a couple hours prior to flight time, and the other times were gate lottery. Are you willing to buy economy tickets and chance your upgrade options?

I've also flown Delta several times in the past year, but booked either BE awards or confirmed upgrades with miles ahead of time, so haven't tried for the free upgrades there. My GM status may have contributed to my success with the awards and upgrades.

Another perk that might be useful for you, depending on the cities you travel to, are the Mandarin Oriental free nights and/or the FHR program, where you can get hotel upgrades and extra perks (late check-out, breakfasts, etc.). It could make your travel more comfortable if you use any of the relevant hotels.

Susan

Although the impressive FHR (Fine Hotels & Resorts) benefits are also available for a fraction of the Centurion fee by getting a Plat card ...

Bottom line with airline upgrades - if you've got the cash, you'll have a less stressed life if you buy a premium seat in the first place (using some of the $7,500 you'll save in the next year by not getting Centurion)

Welcome to FT NeverColdCall. If you are a bestselling author maybe you can get your publisher or the people for your speaking engagement to pick up the bill. That is even a lot etter than any Amex card. ;)

Welcome to FT NeverColdCall. If you are a bestselling author maybe you can get your publisher or the people for your speaking engagement to pick up the bill. That is even a lot etter than any Amex card. ;)
Yeah - right! That's like trying to squeeze water from a rock. (Is that the right analogy? lol)

From reading the CO thread it sounds like Gold Elite isn't going to do much for me. Upgrades from SNA apparently are few and far between, and I fly to EWR several times a year and it sounds like they're non-existent there.

The new book is doing well so maybe it's time to raise my fees and just continue paying full fare!

The hotel upgrades aren't a big deal to me, for the cost of the card I can just pay for a nicer room.

Am I missing something here, or is there no benefit to Centurion outside of the gold elite on a few airlines and the hotel perks??

Am I missing something here, or is there no benefit to Centurion outside of the gold elite on a few airlines and the hotel perks??

http://www.geocities.jp/ctwxg845/platvscent.html

Edited:

M-site Platinum vs. Centurion table has been updated.

I understand if you dont feel comforable answering this question so dont feel obligated....but....

whats the name of the book?

...traveling about once a month. I won't fly coach so I'm paying for full-fare first class tickets ...

Is it literally true that you are buying full fare first class tickets? If you only travel once per month and if your schedule is determined well in advance you could be using discounted first class fares. On most airlines these are essentially full, or nearly full, fare economy fares with an "automatic" upgrade to first class.

I read through all the posts and couldn't really find an answer to that question.

I'm considering Centurion because over the past year I've become a bestselling author and as a result I'm getting a lot of speaking engagements and traveling about once a month. I won't fly coach so I'm paying for full-fare first class tickets and my interest in the card is getting the elite platinum status with the airlines, so I can get first class upgrades and stop paying top dollar for tickets.

I've spent nearly $300k on my Platinum card over the last 12 months, paid in full each month and never late ... I was all set to call Amex to request the Centurion when I saw the insane new $5,000 initiation fee. For the $2,500 annual fee I think Centurion is a good deal, but that PLUS $5,000????

So ... would it be worth it for someone like me? Do you usually get upgraded to first class with the platinum elite status or is it always a gamble? If I get 5 upgrades in a year then the fee pays for itself, but do the upgrades actually happen in the real world? Obviously my interest in the card lies solely in airline upgrades. I couldn't care less about the "prestige" factor.

Any input is appreciated - thanks!

Congratulations on your book. Tell your agent to negotiate first class travel for your speaking engagements in the future. :D

Seriously, I have the Centurion and I fly in and out of SNA alot (my son goes to college in OC). You will not get an upgrade on the CO SNA-EWR flight (ever) and unless you book your ticket a few weeks in advance, you will not even be able to PURCHASE a FC seat, on any credit card. These seats sell out all the time.

What the card will get you, however, is the ability to get 2-4-1 international business class seats, sometimes.

The hotel room upgrade benefit, while maybe not a reason to get the card, is a great thing. I'm beginning to enjoy 2000 square foot suites at FS hotels.

If you have to justify paying the fee to get the card, it's probably not for you. You can purchase quite a few FC seats for the cost of the initiation fee.

I understand if you dont feel comforable answering this question so dont feel obligated....but....

whats the name of the book?

If you google OP's username you'll most likely come up with the title of the book ;)

I completely agree. I liken the card to gambling. You have to be willing to go with what you paid for and hope you win sometimes. The only thing to count on are the guarunteed items like MO, Ritz, etc.

For myself, I never use the domestic airline benefits because its important enough to me to fly in F that I figure other ways to get the ticket so I am not gambling on that aspect. That being said, the card to me is worth the expense as I am able to get my benefits from it elsewhere. See my previous post regarding the MO Prague last month.

Also, Climbermom, did you really get a suite upgrade from FS based on your Cent card? That is great, I havent had that happen yet. Which one was it?

Thanks.

If you google OP's username you'll most likely come up with the title of the book ;)

and the website is listed in his profile.. seems very questionable to me..

Also, Climbermom, did you really get a suite upgrade from FS based on your Cent card? That is great, I havent had that happen yet. Which one was it?

Thanks.

It was the NY FS I was referring to, although I also got great upgrades at the FS in London and the new RC in Boston.

and the website is listed in his profile.. seems very questionable to me..

I don't really find it suspicious.

What I *do* find suspicious is that he couldn't care less about the prestige. (Based on his webpage)

What Prestige? :p

I had a Centurion card but dropped it since the benefits offered were substantially diluted last year. I have not missed it for a moment.

If you really are serious about getting upgrades, then the best way to do that is to participate in FlyerTalk. You will quickly learn the best ways to get airline status. I was BA Blue when I first subscribed to Flyertalk a couple of years ago. Within a few months, I had learned the best strategy for getting and keeping BA Gold. I never fly in Y anymore.

BTW, welcome to FlyerTalk!

I completely agree. I liken the card to gambling. You have to be willing to go with what you paid for and hope you win sometimes. The only thing to count on are the guarunteed items like MO, Ritz, etc.

For myself, I never use the domestic airline benefits because its important enough to me to fly in F that I figure other ways to get the ticket so I am not gambling on that aspect. That being said, the card to me is worth the expense as I am able to get my benefits from it elsewhere. See my previous post regarding the MO Prague last month.

Also, Climbermom, did you really get a suite upgrade from FS based on your Cent card? That is great, I havent had that happen yet. Which one was it?

Thanks.


For us, it wasn't FS but the Hotel Arts in Barcelona that gave us our biggest Cent suite upgrade (Wynn & Bellagio have also been very generous)

It actually had an intercom from the living room to the bedroom. 367/night
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ourshots/sets/72157600071364956/

whats the name of the book?

Never Fly Economy Again. :D

and the website is listed in his profile.. seems very questionable to me..

What do you mean "questionable?"

Congratulations on your book. Tell your agent to negotiate first class travel for your speaking engagements in the future. :D

Seriously, I have the Centurion and I fly in and out of SNA alot (my son goes to college in OC). You will not get an upgrade on the CO SNA-EWR flight (ever) and unless you book your ticket a few weeks in advance, you will not even be able to PURCHASE a FC seat, on any credit card. These seats sell out all the time.

Thank you on the congrats! Unfortunately, publishers only pay for travel if it's a media tour paid for by the publisher. I'm referring to my own paid speaking engagements which is how we authors make most of our income. That is totally separate from the publisher. The book business is drastically different from how the public perceives it ... it's certainly not glamorous at all ;)

And you're not kidding about getting 1st class from SNA-EWR! I fly there more than anywhere else and always book way in advance.

For clarification - I don't pay full-fare 1st class, what I meant was that I pay for the ticket rather than relying on upgrades. My bad.

For those who asked, my two books so far are "Never Cold Call Again" which is my NY Times bestseller, and my new book "Selling Sucks" which was just released a few weeks ago ... they're available on Amazon, all bookstores, Kinko's and most airports.

I'm going to read through these forums as someone suggested and start learning the 'tricks of the trade' ... though it sounds like there's no chance on that SNA-EWR route!!

no way!! its worth it only to show off at the club to pick up hot chicks

The other factor weigh in here is that the 5k initiation fee is one-time only - something you can ammortize over the period of time you might expect to hold the card. Thus, if you think you will take advantage of the other perks the Cent has over plat, and you will benefit from these things over a long period of time, it could still be worth it. On the other hand, IMHO, many of the most tangibly valuable perks (FHR, IAP, Fine Dining, lounge access) are already available to Plat members.

So the question is, is there something that Cent will give you over plat that makes it worth the 2k premium every year?

Worth means different things to different people. Certainly the perception that one has the magical ability to "pick up hot chicks" with the cent card may be priceless to some people and may be well worth the 2k premium over the plat card. All others may need more tangible benefits to justify it. ;)

Slightly off-topic but a question that, I believe, has yet to be addressed:

Would they charge the 5k initiation fee for someone moving to the US but who already holds a Centurion card in their country of origin ? (using their so-called "Global Transfer" service)

LOL ... I already have my hot chick, and seriously, if a guy is so insecure that he needs to impress women with bling, there are better ways to do it.

As for the annual fee, I'd spring for that as 2 FC upgrades would pay for the card, but the $5k is just silly.

As for the other benefits, already got that on the Plat card so no biggie there.

As for the annual fee, I'd spring for that as 2 FC upgrades would pay for the card, but the $5k is just silly.


I am 11/12 for upgrades on CO this year.

LOL ... I already have my hot chick, and seriously, if a guy is so insecure that he needs to impress women with bling, there are better ways to do it.

As for the annual fee, I'd spring for that as 2 FC upgrades would pay for the card, but the $5k is just silly.

As for the other benefits, already got that on the Plat card so no biggie there.

Did you look at the Plat. vs. Cent. table I linked? Your last statement isn't true. Perhaps you meant to say that "you don't care about those."

Both my wife and I are CO Plat members. We fly out of SNA, LAX and SAN but most of the time out of SNA. We have been CO Plat members for over 4 years since we moved here and I can tell you we rarely get upgraded to/from the West Coast. We have been upgraded once this year on a SoCal flight and that was on a Saturday flight from IAH to SAN. EWR flights are impossible to get upgraded and IAH flights are looking bad. I have only flown into CLE once and did not have any luck.

I currently qualify for Amex Centurion, but I am hesitant to pay the $5000 "initiation" fee, as I do not travel very often. The only thing that may be beneficial to me is relating to Gold Card Events (concert tickets/packages and such). I know that anyone with a Gold Card can get through, but does the Centurion Concierge offer anything that may not be available or easily accessible to the general Gold/Platinum Card holding public?

For example, if Gold Card Events had a block of seats for Eric Clapton, would I be able to get the best seats that they had through Centurion? I asked the Centurion rep this same question, but she said she couldn't tell me because they had to maintain the "secrecy" and "exclusivity" of the card. However, she did say that my dedicated Centurion rep would be able to work that out with me. Meaning that I should pay the $7500 first and then ask questions.

Has anyone ever bought tickets for Gold Card Events using Centurion Concierge? If so, what was your experience like and what type of seats did you get?

Thanks.

I currently qualify for Amex Centurion, but I am hesitant to pay the $5000 "initiation" fee, as I do not travel very often. The only thing that may be beneficial to me is relating to Gold Card Events (concert tickets/packages and such). I know that anyone with a Gold Card can get through, but does the Centurion Concierge offer anything that may not be available or easily accessible to the general Gold/Platinum Card holding public?

For example, if Gold Card Events had a block of seats for Eric Clapton, would I be able to get the best seats that they had through Centurion? I asked the Centurion rep this same question, but she said she couldn't tell me because they had to maintain the "secrecy" and "exclusivity" of the card. However, she did say that my dedicated Centurion rep would be able to work that out with me. Meaning that I should pay the $7500 first and then ask questions.

Has anyone ever bought tickets for Gold Card Events using Centurion Concierge? If so, what was your experience like and what type of seats did you get?

Thanks.

My experience with this particular area has been very disappointing. If that's really the "only thing that may be beneficial" to you, you should definitely not get the card.

You should investigate the dedicated concierge services. There's an excellent thread on this message board about them, but I can't find it at the moment. Hopefully someone else will post it for you.

Thanks for the info. I'll try to find the thread. Obviously I may be able to take advantage of some of the other perks that Centurion offers, but none of them are truly appealing. I have a surplus of FF miles and SPG points; which I use if I ever need flight/hotel. According to the rep, Centurion related first class upgrades can only be done through full fare tickets. Rarely do I ever pay for tickets, as the miles earned from my Delta Amex takes me wherever I need to go. The FHR, personal shopper, Sony Cierge, Fine Dining, etc, are great and all, but really don't persuade me to pull the trigger. I buy concert/sports tickets quite often and attend tons of evens...much more than you'd think. I should have phrased it better. Priority for Gold Card events is not the ONLY thing that may be beneficial, but it's the area that would benefit me the most.

Thanks again for the heads up on the dedicated concierge thread. Hopefully it'll answer my questions...if I can find it.

Thanks for the info. I'll try to find the thread. Obviously I may be able to take advantage of some of the other perks that Centurion offers, but none of them are truly appealing. I have a surplus of FF miles and SPG points; which I use if I ever need flight/hotel. According to the rep, Centurion related first class upgrades can only be done through full fare tickets. Rarely do I ever pay for tickets, as the miles earned from my Delta Amex takes me wherever I need to go. The FHR, personal shopper, Sony Cierge, Fine Dining, etc, are great and all, but really don't persuade me to pull the trigger. I buy concert/sports tickets quite often and attend tons of evens...much more than you'd think. I should have phrased it better. Priority for Gold Card events is not the ONLY thing that may be beneficial, but it's the area that would benefit me the most.

Thanks again for the heads up on the dedicated concierge thread. Hopefully it'll answer my questions...if I can find it.

Unless you can enter a Centurion card number, you aren't transferred to a Centurion rep...and the non-Centurion rep you got gave you misinformation.

The upgrades you get *as a result of being Centurion* are from any airfare. I highlighted those words because Centurion itself doesn't get you upgrades. Centurion gets you Gold Elite status on Continental, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic, and Platinum Preferred status on USAirways. You can look at what that gets you on the various airline websites, but for all but Virgin it gets you upgrades from any fare. The Gold Elite upgrades are 3 days prior to departure if it's available, and the Platinum Preferred is 4 days prior to departure. I have had 100% success with this in the 1 year I've had the card (although I have only tried it around 10-12 times).

You should take a look at the following page to see the differences between Platinum and Centurion, and make your decision based on that:

http://www.geocities.jp/ctwxg845/platvscent.html

...Centurion itself doesn't get you upgrades. Centurion gets you... status on Continental, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic, and ... USAirways. You can look at what that gets you on the various airline websites...

It sounds as if streep10 is hoping for upgrades on award tickets, and I think it's fair to say that none of those airlines offer that perq at any elite level, except if an operational upgrade is required on the day.

my experience with the sony cierge "benefit" (term used loosely) is that for me it has been less than worthless and actually counterproductive.

my experience with the sony cierge "benefit" (term used loosely) is that for me it has been less than worthless and actually counterproductive.

That was my experience as well.

Sony Cierge managed to get me a PS3. It was delivered the day they were released in stores. No discount, but not having to wait in line was nice. Beyond that, I would agree that they are not of much use.

if you are seeking centurion amex card for the mandarin oriental free night benefit, you might want to check out the similiar offer for mandarin oriental free night for all "premium" mastercard holders. --

Receive a complimentary night with a 2 -or 3-night stay at 18 participating Mandarin Oriental hotels


Premium MasterCard® cardholders will receive one complimentary night at 18 participating Mandarin Oriental hotels and resorts.

here is the link to mastercard main site with hotel and and other high end offers:

http://www.mastercard.com/us/personal/en/specialoffers/premiumoffers/premium_offers.html

if the link isn't working go to mastercard.com
click on special offers, premium offers, view offers links in succession.

mo offer might not be identical to amex centurion but might be close enough for most people. also many other high end chains ie abercrombie and kent tours etc etc offer special gifts and benefits.

i think most "premium" level mastercards are quite common and have no annual fee. they are not big deal despite the name. i think they say "premium" on the front or back of your card. if nothing else contact your individual issuer of mc to find out how to upgrade.

regards,
jeff