American Express Membership Rewards - Interesting info on Centurion requirements

I called the Centurion department today to apply for my card. Right off the bat the lady listed the requirements straight-up:

- 1 year cardholder
- $250,000 in purchases within 12 months
- $2500 annual fee
- One-time $5000 non-refundable initiation fee

Then she said "Before I pull your credit report, I need to verify your payments are above $250k in the last 12 months" and she put me on hold for just a little over 2 minutes.

She came back and said I qualified with the spending, but that I didn't qualify with the 1 year mark. She said that even though I have been a member since 2004, the Platinum card that I put all of my spending on (and my first charge card product) was short of a year by 7 days. She said that I must meet that requirement and that I should call back July 1st and try again. My credit report was not pulled.

Interesting huh? 7 days short. It goes to show that credit card products do not count towards your 1 year membership. You must have a charge card for 1 year to meet that requirement, no matter how long you've been an Amex member.

Then the next hurdle will be if a credit score in the 600's (with no bad items or late payments, just a lot of open debt) will qualify me or not.

I'll be calling back in 8 days :)

Ethan

Did you press the issue with her? Or just take her word for it?

I thought I had heard of a few people combining platinum card spend with a blue cash card. Maybe I heard wrong.

I have had a Centurion card for quite a few years now, but I certainly would not have gotten it with the $5000 "initiation" fee ... The benefits are really not worth that much, believe me.
At the end of the day you will be paying for "pocket jewelery".... but this is probably material for a different thread.

At least AMEX gave you a 7 day warning to reconsider your desire ! ;)
...use the $7500 and go on a nice vacation instead ! :D

...people combining platinum card spend with a blue cash card...

I think there are two separate issues....

A) Does spending on a credit card count toward the $250,000 minimum?

B) Does time holding a credit card count toward the 12 month minimum?

If I understood correctly this example is type B.

You are flat out wrong> Spend with the payment on credit cards can count towards purchases. I agree with MIA they are two seperate issues and B could be the issue

Are you guys reading the original post? This issue is not the spending, it is the time I've owned the card (the 12 month minimum). I've been an Amex member since 2004 though.

And no, I didn't press her on that. I can wait 7 days if that is what it takes. :)

Are you guys reading the original post? This issue is not the spending, it is the time I've owned the card (the 12 month minimum). I've been an Amex member since 2004 though.

And no, I didn't press her on that. I can wait 7 days if that is what it takes. :)

In order to qualify for a Centurion you do have to have a Platinum card for at least 1 year. $250,000 spending requirement is calculated in all personal charge and personal amex credit cards (issued by amex)

In my case I had well and truly met the spending and time requirements (on a platinum charge card) but on enquiring was told they were not currently accepting any new centurion applicants but my interest would be noted etc.

About six months later the kit arrived in the mail.

In my case I had well and truly met the spending and time requirements (on a platinum charge card) but on enquiring was told they were not currently accepting any new centurion applicants but my interest would be noted etc.

About six months later the kit arrived in the mail.

Welcome to FlyerTalk!!

The Oz Centurion card is a bit different in terms of qualifications.

In order to qualify for a Centurion you do have to have a Platinum card for at least 1 year. $250,000 spending requirement is calculated in all personal charge and personal amex credit cards (issued by amex)

You do not need the Platinum card, just a charge card of some sort. You need to have it for one year and have the account be current. And you need to have spent $250K on ANY AmEx cards linked to your SSN. So if you pay the annual fee and get a charge card but still run everything through a credit card you should be fine to apply. But you do have to have a charge card for a year.

thanks sbm12

Yes, I know requirements differ here.....when the centurion was first released in Aust, it was basically offered to all platinum charge card holders regardless of monthly spend.

I was only spending 5000-6000 per month and was offered it. I originally knocked it back only to find I could not automatically take it up when I wanted it.

You do not need the Platinum card, just a charge card of some sort.

i am sure there are always exceptions, i never had a charge card of any kind prior to me getting a cent but when i called to inquire about one, they told me i was eligible (meeting the spending requirement) on credit cards. i didn't even realize having a charge card was an absolute requirement.

and oh, i got mine before the 5k initiation fee was established.

-hchon

I have had a Centurion card for quite a few years now, but I certainly would not have gotten it with the $5000 "initiation" fee ... The benefits are really not worth that much, believe me.


Seems like trolling to me, but I'll feed it anyway...

How can you make such a statement? If you have the card for 1 year, the initiation is costing you $5000 per year. If you have it for 20 years, the initiation is costing you $250 per year. If you want to talk about cost vs. benefits, you need to compare the annual fee, not the initiation fee (unless you know how long a particular person will have it).

Different agents say different things. I have spoken to several of them. All of them told me that it was one year holding ANY of their Amex cards (not necessarily a charge card). One of them even told me that they are now doing it with only a 6 month tenure.

I think there are two separate issues....

A) Does spending on a credit card count toward the $250,000 minimum?

B) Does time holding a credit card count toward the 12 month minimum?

In my experience, Yes and Yes. My question to the OP is: who are you speaking to at Amex? If you are speaking to Platinum customer service, then they may be looking at things from a Platinum-focused perspective. In fact, it's my understanding that Platinum agents will tell you No to each of the above two questions, even though this is not true. And, any non-Platinum, non-Centurion customer service rep will refer you to Platinum CS as the gatekeeper for the Centurion product. So, if you qualify for Centurion through other than the Platinum charge card, you need to call Centurion CS directly, and they'll take care of you.

In my experience, Yes and Yes. My question to the OP is: who are you speaking to at Amex? If you are speaking to Platinum customer service, then they may be looking at things from a Platinum-focused perspective. In fact, it's my understanding that Platinum agents will tell you No to each of the above two questions, even though this is not true. And, any non-Platinum, non-Centurion customer service rep will refer you to Platinum CS as the gatekeeper for the Centurion product. So, if you qualify for Centurion through other than the Platinum charge card, you need to call Centurion CS directly, and they'll take care of you.

I spoke with a Platinum CS who then transferred me to Centurion Applications. The Centurion person is the one who told me to call back July 1. Considering that is only 3 days away now really, I'll just call back and try again then.

Now if they still give me any type of runaround, then I am going to start to get pissed. :)

Ethan

Seems like trolling to me, but I'll feed it anyway...

How can you make such a statement? If you have the card for 1 year, the initiation is costing you $5000 per year. If you have it for 20 years, the initiation is costing you $250 per year. If you want to talk about cost vs. benefits, you need to compare the annual fee, not the initiation fee (unless you know how long a particular person will have it).

The $5000 initiation fee is sunk cost once you have been accepted and therefore cannot be amortised over several years. That's just cheating yourself to make you feel better.

And talking about annual fee, you will find that a lot of day one Centurion members feel that the $2500 level is no longer worth the benefits, compared to the original $1000 fee. This is where I am coming from in stating that the benefits are not worth the cost associated with it.

I will ignore your comments about trolling.

The $5000 initiation fee is sunk cost once you have been accepted and therefore cannot be amortised over several years. That's just cheating yourself to make you feel better.

And talking about annual fee, you will find that a lot of day one Centurion members feel that the $2500 level is no longer worth the benefits, compared to the original $1000 fee. This is where I am coming from in stating that the benefits are not worth the cost associated with it.

I will ignore your comments about trolling.


It's really kind of weird to blandish USD 5,000 fee with est 20 yrs using the card. If you want the card and have no other use for the money... fine! IMO it's funny how people try to justify the cent card -- but in the end it doesn't work. Personally, I still keep the card bc of narcissm and/or image neurosis.

But USD 5,000 + 2,500 per annum... it's not a reasonable investment, no matter how you look at it.

The fee for me is not all that big of an issue. First since its thru my Family business its a write off to me (also got it before the bumped fees).

As far as it being worth the annual fee, to me its a YES. Have already racked up 90 cruise days on silverseas and the discount the Cent travel gets paid for itself.

And with the airline programs I now mostly just buy Y class tickets as I do pretty good with upgrades and it allows me to be flexable with the airlines as I don't fly enough these days to keep a high status with more then one carrier.

But I will agree that if I was getting one for personal use I would think about it a bit before dropping $7500. If I was looking for bling that $7500 would look better as another watch.

Now if they still give me any type of runaround, then I am going to start to get pissed. :)

I mentioned this in another post as well, get used to it. Centurion reps in general are not all that pleasant. Perhaps it is because they are used to getting constantly reamed out by DYKWIA type people (and that's really no excuse), but as a rule my father seems to think the regular personal Platinum line is better than the business Centurion line.

The fee for me is not all that big of an issue. First since its thru my Family business its a write off to me (also got it before the bumped fees).

As far as it being worth the annual fee, to me its a YES. Have already racked up 90 cruise days on silverseas and the discount the Cent travel gets paid for itself.

And with the airline programs I now mostly just buy Y class tickets as I do pretty good with upgrades and it allows me to be flexable with the airlines as I don't fly enough these days to keep a high status with more then one carrier.

But I will agree that if I was getting one for personal use I would think about it a bit before dropping $7500. If I was looking for bling that $7500 would look better as another watch.


i also doubt that i would join now if i was charged the $5,000 initiation. fortunately got in long before the initiation fee started. not sure my current usage would justify the initiation fee.

my wife and i use the mandarin oriental and some of the cruise perks but that is the major benefit we get that differs from platinum.

we use the 2 for 1 airfare to europe and asia. you mention Y class tickets, i am aware they are coded different letters for different restrictions?, i think is the correct term??

what i was wondering is could anyone give a short course on what we should be looking for, or asking for, besides our current "i want to use the 2 for 1 program" when we talk to my amex travel agent.

any help in understanding these different alpha symbols and what we should be thinking about would be of use. ps we travel in business and first class on a fairly regular basis for vacations and sightseeing.

many thanks,

jsq

i also doubt that i would join now if i was charged the $5,000 initiation. fortunately got in long before the initiation fee started. not sure my current usage would justify the initiation fee.

my wife and i use the mandarin oriental and some of the cruise perks but that is the major benefit we get that differs from platinum.

we use the 2 for 1 airfare to europe and asia. you mention Y class tickets, i am aware they are coded different letters for different restrictions?, i think is the correct term??

what i was wondering is could anyone give a short course on what we should be looking for, or asking for, besides our current "i want to use the 2 for 1 program" when we talk to my amex travel agent.

any help in understanding these different alpha symbols and what we should be thinking about would be of use. ps we travel in business and first class on a fairly regular basis for vacations and sightseeing.

many thanks,

jsq


Generally, Y fares refer to any coach tickets. However, most airlines code their full-fare, refundable coach tickets in the Y "fare bucket" or "booking code." Often times, but not on a guaranteed basis, these Y tickets will book into first class (often referred to as F, or sometimes A) or business class (J or sometimes, C), if one is on a three-class aircraft.

Again, the first class seat is NOT guaranteed but if first class is not sold out, you will be moved up front.

Try searching FlyerTalk for "YUP fares" or "Y-UP," which refer to Y, and then UPgrade. Keep in mind that all airlines use different lettering schemes for their fares, so one letter won't mean the same on another airline, but Y is pretty standard.

The advantage of these Y fares is that 1) refundable 2) good chance at getting up front without paying full first class fares.

I'm sure others will chime in with additional info, but these are things as I understand them.

And with the airline programs I now mostly just buy Y class tickets as I do pretty good with upgrades ...

Often times, but not on a guaranteed basis, these Y tickets will book into first class...Try searching FlyerTalk for "YUP fares" or "Y-UP," which refer to Y, and then UPgrade.

:confused:

I read vsop's message to mean buying discounted economy class domestic tickets and using the CO, DL or US status provided by Centurion for an upgrade in accordance with the airline's frequent flyer program rules.

I read dkelly's message to mean buying full fare economy class domestic tickets and receiving an automatic upgrade to the first or business cabin in accordance with the airline's fare tarriff. Eligibility for these fares typically does not require elite status, and would not seem to have any connection with Centurion, merely the willingness to pay the higher fare. My experience, primarily on AA and DL, is that only in the event of irregular operations (e.g. flight cancellation, equipment change, missed connection) will you be seated in economy.

Generally, Y fares refer to any coach tickets. However, most airlines code their full-fare, refundable coach tickets in the Y "fare bucket" or "booking code." Often times, but not on a guaranteed basis, these Y tickets will book into first class (often referred to as F, or sometimes A) or business class (J or sometimes, C), if one is on a three-class aircraft.

Again, the first class seat is NOT guaranteed but if first class is not sold out, you will be moved up front.

Try searching FlyerTalk for "YUP fares" or "Y-UP," which refer to Y, and then UPgrade. Keep in mind that all airlines use different lettering schemes for their fares, so one letter won't mean the same on another airline, but Y is pretty standard.

The advantage of these Y fares is that 1) refundable 2) good chance at getting up front without paying full first class fares.

I'm sure others will chime in with additional info, but these are things as I understand them.

this is helpful, i appreciate your input.
many thanks,

regards,
jsq

:confused:

I read vsop's message to mean buying discounted economy class domestic tickets and using the CO, DL or US status provided by Centurion for an upgrade in accordance with the airline's frequent flyer program rules.

I read dkelly's message to mean buying full fare economy class domestic tickets and receiving an automatic upgrade to the first or business cabin in accordance with the airline's fare tarriff. Eligibility for these fares typically does not require elite status, and would not seem to have any connection with Centurion, merely the willingness to pay the higher fare. In my experience, primarily on AA and DL, is that only in the event of irregular operations (e.g. flight cancellation, equipment change, missed connection) will you be seated in economy.

this is likewise helpful,
many thanks,

regards,
jsq

I called the Centurion department today to apply for my card. Right off the bat the lady listed the requirements straight-up:

- 1 year cardholder
- $250,000 in purchases within 12 months
- $2500 annual fee
- One-time $5000 non-refundable initiation fee

Then she said "Before I pull your credit report, I need to verify your payments are above $250k in the last 12 months" and she put me on hold for just a little over 2 minutes.

She came back and said I qualified with the spending, but that I didn't qualify with the 1 year mark. She said that even though I have been a member since 2004, the Platinum card that I put all of my spending on (and my first charge card product) was short of a year by 7 days. She said that I must meet that requirement and that I should call back July 1st and try again. My credit report was not pulled.

Interesting huh? 7 days short. It goes to show that credit card products do not count towards your 1 year membership. You must have a charge card for 1 year to meet that requirement, no matter how long you've been an Amex member.

Then the next hurdle will be if a credit score in the 600's (with no bad items or late payments, just a lot of open debt) will qualify me or not.

I'll be calling back in 8 days :)

Ethan

Interesting but that is not how I got my Black Card. I have been a member since 2003 and I have just been spending over 75k per year and they invited me to be a member. I did not even spend close to the $250k and they still offered me one. Perhaps because I have been a member for so long and have a few cards with them being personal and for business? I am not sure but sometimes they do not care sometimes they do.

Wirelessly posted (Treo 700p Sprint: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D052; Blazer/4.5) 16;320x320)

I called the Centurion department today to apply for my card. Right off the bat the lady listed the requirements straight-up:

- 1 year cardholder
- $250,000 in purchases within 12 months
- $2500 annual fee
- One-time $5000 non-refundable initiation fee

Then she said "Before I pull your credit report, I need to verify your payments are above $250k in the last 12 months" and she put me on hold for just a little over 2 minutes.

She came back and said I qualified with the spending, but that I didn't qualify with the 1 year mark. She said that even though I have been a member since 2004, the Platinum card that I put all of my spending on (and my first charge card product) was short of a year by 7 days. She said that I must meet that requirement and that I should call back July 1st and try again. My credit report was not pulled.

Interesting huh? 7 days short. It goes to show that credit card products do not count towards your 1 year membership. You must have a charge card for 1 year to meet that requirement, no matter how long you've been an Amex member.

Then the next hurdle will be if a credit score in the 600's (with no bad items or late payments, just a lot of open debt) will qualify me or not.

I'll be calling back in 8 days :)

Ethan

Interesting but that is not how I got my Black Card. I have been a member since 2003 and I have just been spending over 75k per year and they invited me to be a member. I did not even spend close to the $250k and they still offered me one. Perhaps because I have been a member for so long and have a few cards with them being personal and for business? I am not sure but sometimes they do not care sometimes they do.

How long ago did you get invited? did you have a platinum charge card before?

Wirelessly posted (Treo 700p Sprint: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D052; Blazer/4.5) 16;320x320)



How long ago did you get invited? did you have a platinum charge card before?

I guess I will tell a quick story about myself. I am now 24 years of age. I am going after my MBA and have two businesses. I first joined American express in 2003 when I was 19 years of age (so 5 years). Year 1; I had the credit cards, I forgot which ones. Year 2, I was asked to go to pick a charge card so I just wanted to try it out and I went with the green card. Year 3, I was asked to upgrade to the gold card. In the middle of year 3, I was asked to get the Platinum card. Year 4 I was asked to get the Black card and I have had that card ever since. I do still have the Platinum card. I have other cards for personal as well as for the businesses. I first did not spend a lot of money on the businesses on the cards but then I started to in about year 3. I think I am leaving some information about me out but I am quite tired.

Interesting but that is not how I got my Black Card. I have been a member since 2003 and I have just been spending over 75k per year and they invited me to be a member. I did not even spend close to the $250k and they still offered me one. Perhaps because I have been a member for so long and have a few cards with them being personal and for business? I am not sure but sometimes they do not care sometimes they do.

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

The spending qualification was much lower in 2003, so that explains why you didn't have to spend that much to get one. And you didn't have to pay the $5K initiation fee either.

Yea that is true, but I know a few people also who just spent under $100k per year and they were offered an invitation and they asked me if it was a truthful one or not and I was like go ahead it is just accept it and be done with it.

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

The spending qualification was much lower in 2003, so that explains why you didn't have to spend that much to get one. And you didn't have to pay the $5K initiation fee either.

Didn't he got invited to Centurion in 2007 then?

I do still have the Platinum card. .

Why do you still have a Platinum Card then? Doesn't Centurion Card include all Platinum benefits and lots more? Unless you have a Business Platinum card?

Didn't he got invited to Centurion in 2007 then?

Yes, he misunderstood me I guess.

2003; regular cards
2004; ;green card
2005; gold card, platinum card
2006; Centurion

Why do you still have a Platinum Card then? Doesn't Centurion Card include all Platinum benefits and lots more? Unless you have a Business Platinum card?

I have Centurion Personal as well as Business Platinum and regular Platinum. . Why do I have them? I just do- no reason. (I was thinking to get the Centurion for Business but never thought of doing so.)

I have Centurion Personal as well as Business Platinum and regular Platinum. . Why do I have them? I just do- no reason. (I was thinking to get the Centurion for Business but never thought of doing so.)

That is yours an educated consumer choice ;)

That is yours an educated consumer choice ;)

I just never had any reason to cancel the platinum cards, especially the personal one. I know that the Black is better but just never had any incentive to do so. Just always, love having both in my wallet- I donno. Perhaps one day I will get rid of it but for now, I do not need to. The annual fee for the Platinum Cards is not that bad and sometimes I get years free. If i feel like charging it to my Platnium cards i do If i want to show off i charge it to the Centurion. Moreover, sometimes i just buy a few things under a certain dollar amount so I wont use the Centurion Card.

I just never had any reason to cancel the platinum cards, especially the personal one.

You do not need to have a separate personal Platinum Card account. You could close that account and eliminate the $450 annual fee. Instead you could request supplementary Platinum cards on your Centurion account, annual fee $175 for one, two or three physical cards. However, if you really do not want to show off, you could request supplementary Gold cards, up to five, for a flat $45 per year.

You do not need to have a separate personal Platinum Card account. You could close that account and eliminate the $450 annual fee. Instead you could request supplementary Platinum cards on your Centurion account, annual fee $175 for one, two or three physical cards. However, if you really do not want to show off, you could request supplementary Gold cards, up to five, for a flat $45 per year.

Yea I would not go to down to the Gold card when I have both of the top two cards at American Express. Again, the annual fee is not that bad so I do not mind. If it comes to the point where I no longer need those separate accounts then I will do something, but as indicated earlier, I just have had no incentive or push to leave.

I declare shenanigans.

I declare shenanigans.

Agreed (http://www.salagir.com/gfx/troll-web.jpg). ;)

I declare shenanigans.

:)

Kyle: That does it! Shenanigans! SHENANIGANS!
Operator: Uh what are you doing?
Kyle: I'm declaring Shenanigans on you! This game is rigged!
Operator: Shenanigans?
Officer Barbrady: What's all the hoo-ha?
Kyle: Officer Barbrady, I wanna declare Shenanigans on this carnival operator.
Officer Barbrady: Why?
Kyle: This game is fixed! The balls are bigger than Jennifer Love Hewitt's mouth!
Officer Barbrady: If that is true, then your declaration of Shenanigans is just. What do you have to say, carnival operator?
Operator: Look, the kid was really close. He still has another ball left. Let's try again, son. Here you go. There, you see? We have a winner!
Kyle: It worked!
Officer Barbrady: Young man, you can't just go declaring Shenanigans on innocent people! That's how wars get started!
Stan: Sorry, Officer Buttbaby.
Officer Barbrady: Barbrady!
Stan: Oh, I'm sorry. What did I say?
Officer Barbrady: You said Buttbaby.
Cartman: Sweet.