American Express Membership Rewards - Titanium Centurion card is made by First Data Corp not American Express

Titanium Centurion Card is made by First Data Corp. You would never think a company that handles visa mastercard transactions also makes cards for amex. Just a little bit of trivia. sshhhh top secret;)


NOTE: My information was NOT obtained from an insider of Amex or First Data and did not violate any trade secret/information policy of the named companies since I obtained if from materials sent to me by the foremeationed companies.

Titanium Centurion Card is made by First Data Corp. You would never think a company that handles visa mastercard transactions also makes cards for amex. Just a little bit of trivia. sshhhh top secret;)

Very nice information!:)

thanks,
masahiro

No matter who is making it.. I wish all my other cards were made the same. Its the only card I have that I do not need to request a replacment before it expires. All my other cards wear out from use and being in my wallet.

yes the card is well made. i like the card. i just wish amex would also give us a plastic card (like we originally had AND LIKE EURO CUSTOMERS STILL HAVE ALONG WITH THE metal TITANIUM CARD) so we could travel through all airport security checkpoints unmolested.

the titanium card activating the metal detector is most annoying. wasting time getting wanded for a titanium charge card is a bit absurd. and yes i know this does not happen at every metal detector but it happens enough to make it a nuisance.

it would be nice to have the titanium metal card for when we want to carry that version ie local use. and also have the original "plastic" black centurion card for other times, ie when we travel with public airlines.

regards,
jsq

yes the card is well made. i like the card. i just wish amex would also give us a plastic card (like we originally had AND LIKE EURO CUSTOMERS STILL HAVE ALONG WITH THE metal TITANIUM CARD) so we could travel through all airport security checkpoints unmolested.

the titanium card activating the metal detector is most annoying. wasting time getting wanded for a titanium charge card is a bit absurd. and yes i know this does not happen at every metal detector but it happens enough to make it a nuisance.

it would be nice to have the titanium metal card for when we want to carry that version ie local use. and also have the original "plastic" black centurion card for other times, ie when we travel with public airlines.

regards,
jsq



Maybe you could put your wallet in the x-ray machine? Those mini-bins are there for a reason. Just sayin....

...never think a company that handles visa mastercard transactions also makes cards for amex...

I'm curious to understand why you are surprised. I don't imagine that American Express has a card fabrication factory, do you?

Citi's cards are made by this company...

http://vct-nj.com/about-us/index.htm

Maybe you could put your wallet in the x-ray machine? Those mini-bins are there for a reason. Just sayin....

hello d kelly,

i will try to repectfully explain my reasons which may only apply to me.

why would anyone voluntarily remove their wallet and walk away from it if they do not have to??. and without the metal version of the centurion card i never have to remove my wallet.

why complicate my life or take the risk of complicating my life by having my wallet or items in it stolen when their is no good reason to take the risk and it is easily preventable by keeping my wallet in its pocket so that it is under my control.

my request for amex is simple, bring back the plastic card as an option for those who prefer it when traveling through airports so we don't have to remove our wallets if we do not wish to.


i do not wish to risk having my wallet pilfered or items removed from the wallet while i am being sent through a check point and my wallet is going in another direction. if you think this does not occur you may wish to do a bit of research and talk to some people at airport security. albeit it is a small risk that someone will swipe my wallet while i am distracted in line but it is also a small risk to stand on high ground during a thunderstorm, yet i would not recommend it.

some of us, all other things being equal like to keep our lives as uncomplicated as possible - introducing a metal card or hybrid metal card at a security checkpoint complicates life on some occasions. keeping our life simple and easy is supposed to be one of the benefits of the centurion card, that is why i would like a plastic centurion card as an option for me when i wish to use the option. the euro customers have this option why not the american brethern?

i am not trying to impose a plastic centurion card on anyone else. everyone is free to do as they see best to serve their needs and i will not attempt to enforce my beliefs (right or wrong) on them.


jsq

hello d kelly,

i will try to repectfully explain my reasons which may only apply to me.

why would anyone voluntarily remove their wallet and walk away from it if they do not have to??. and without the metal version of the centurion card i never have to remove my wallet.

why complicate my life or take the risk of complicating my life by having my wallet or items in it stolen when their is no good reason to take the risk and it is easily preventable by keeping my wallet in its pocket so that it is under my control.

my request for amex is simple, bring back the plastic card as an option for those who prefer it when traveling through airports so we don't have to remove our wallets if we do not wish to.


i do not wish to risk having my wallet pilfered or items removed from the wallet while i am being sent through a check point and my wallet is going in another direction. if you think this does not occur you may wish to do a bit of research and talk to some people at airport security. albeit it is a small risk that someone will swipe my wallet while i am distracted in line but it is also a small risk to stand on high ground during a thunderstorm, yet i would not recommend it.

some of us, all other things being equal like to keep our lives as uncomplicated as possible - introducing a metal card or hybrid metal card at a security checkpoint complicates life on some occasions. keeping our life simple and easy is supposed to be one of the benefits of the centurion card, that is why i would like a plastic centurion card as an option for me when i wish to use the option. the euro customers have this option why not the american brethern?

i am not trying to impose a plastic centurion card on anyone else. everyone is free to do as they see best to serve their needs and i will not attempt to enforce my beliefs (right or wrong) on them.


jsq


I get what you're saying and that's your prerogative, but know that you're not the only one going through security. Your wallet setting off the metal detector is not only slowing you down, but also your fellow travelers behind you waiting in line. Out of curiosity, do you take your watch off? What do you do with your cell phone or blackberry?

Maybe you could secretly conceal your wallet in your jacket pocket as it goes through the x-ray machine? Or maybe put it in a zippered compartment in your travel bag or laptop bag.

There are plenty of ways to not tip off those evil TSA pilferers who are waiting for you to get distracted to snatch your wallet from the x-ray machine.

I get what you're saying and that's your prerogative, but know that you're not the only one going through security. Your wallet setting off the metal detector is not only slowing you down, but also your fellow travelers behind you waiting in line. Out of curiosity, do you take your watch off? What do you do with your cell phone .

hello d kelly,
you mention: "but know that you're not the only one going through security. Your wallet setting off the metal detector is not only slowing you down, but also your fellow travelers behind you waiting in line"

that is exactly why i choose not to carry the metal centurion card through a security line in my pocket, i do not wish to infringe on any one elses time by causing a delay - bins avoid the beep of the metal detector but my wallet in a bin away from my pocket introduces the possibility of a whole other set of problems with wallet theft etc. that is why i sometimes leave the black metal centurion card at home when traveling via public airports. i now use a visa or mastercard in some instances if no amex perks are requiring the card on the trip.

so if amex wants its customers, who generally speaking spend the most $ per year according to their advertisements, to more often use competing products like visa or mastercard, i guess they have convinced me.

for amex managers if you read this site, marketing 101: give the customer what THEY want, (charge them for it and make a profit), and make your product simple to use and problem free in ALL situations when compared to its competition.

when i carry visa or mastercard i NEVER have had my wallet trigger a metal detector causing the removal of my wallet from my person. the same can not be said regarding the hybrid metal centurion card.

those who do not need the plastic centurion or those who do not wish to use the plastic centurion do not have to use it, but please provide plastic as an option to those whom perceive a benefit.

elsewhise i propose a possible new slogan for your amex metal hybrid centurion card:

"leave home without it if you want a simpler and more pleasant life at airport and other security checkpoints"

truth in advertising works but i am not sure this is what you want to convey, so it might not be a very good slogan even though it is truthful in some, not all, situations.

if, like is currently done in europe from what was reported on this site, amex lets us have a plastic centurion card IN ADDITION to the metal centurion card that would solve the problem. what a concept, solve a problem!!

per your other question: my cell phone, and other metal objects, are sent through in the plastic bin, my cell phone has nothing valuable or private in it, it would be a nuisance to lose it but not compared to my wallet. my wallet, like many peoples, has id cards, $, and other private info like insurance cards etc that i would prefer not to share or lose or take the risk of sharing or losing.


regards,
jsq

"Getting Hassled Today by Airport Security? Buy them with American Express Centurion(TM) today." :D

Sanosuke!

heh, is there a cash advance limit?

"Getting Hassled Today by Airport Security? Buy them with American Express Centurion(TM) today." :D

Sanosuke!

sanosuke!,

excellent humor! if only we could solve all of our problems so easily.

all the best,
regards,
jsq

I had an epihany and found out a way to get rhough security with a black card without taking out your wallet!

Just take out the card out and put it in a pocket of jacket or bag that you are sticking through the x-ray.

And yes, a plastic card (as a duplicate) would be nice.

I had an epihany and found out a way to get rhough security with a black card without taking out your wallet!

Just take out the card out and put it in a pocket of jacket or bag that you are sticking through the x-ray.

And yes, a plastic card (as a duplicate) would be nice.

That is what I do with my wallet and cell phone each time. Before I arrive at security I put it in my Briefcase and let them scan it.

I don't put it in a bin because its then sitting out in the open, and if you get delayed thru the screening someone could swip it easly. I also put it in before the checkpoint so that anyone on the area does not see me do it. Less chance of someone swipping my bag because they know my wallet is inside.

Only thing that I would worry about with having 2 cards is having one misplaced or stolen. My wallet is already thick enough without having to add another card to it. So if I kept the extra one in my office of desk, first I would not be checking on it each day so if someone grabbed it could be a while before I notice and the other end if its a home and stolen during a robbery then it could even be weeks as I travel alot.

While amex has been pretty good at calling me about purchases on the card, I would bet someone could get away with 10k before I was alerted based on my own spending one the card.

So while it would be nice to have the plastic version as well I just don't like the idea of having an activated card sitting around.

There is nowhere near enough Titanium in the Centurion card to set off a metal detector. I pass through them with the card in my wallet many times per week, never a problem.

Probably most cards are made by a specialisdt firm. Alike to bank checks--now mostly printed by outside printers.

There is nowhere near enough Titanium in the Centurion card to set off a metal detector. I pass through them with the card in my wallet many times per week, never a problem.

Wrong, it depends on the sensitivity of the machine. Sometimes you can pass right through, sometimes not. I used to use a wallet that had a small metal logo on it that never set off an alarm. One time it set it off and the TSA agent asked if I had a black card, so at times it must set it off.

Wrong, it depends on the sensitivity of the machine. Sometimes you can pass right through, sometimes not. I used to use a wallet that had a small metal logo on it that never set off an alarm. One time it set it off and the TSA agent asked if I had a black card, so at times it must set it off.

About 65 flights so far (many international), and I've yet to set off the detector.

Wrong, it depends on the sensitivity of the machine.

To detect a non-ferrous metal, the detector's sensitivity would have to be set so high that the zipper in your jeans would set it off way before then.

There is nowhere near enough Titanium in the Centurion card to set off a metal detector. I pass through them with the card in my wallet many times per week, never a problem.

go to beijing and see if you still feel this way. two out of most recent two times = beep beep. this was at normal level of airport security setting from what i was told.

also honolulu or maui (can't remember which) tripped the beeper.

many other locations i have visited = no problem.

many other locations i have not visited = ????

so you may be correct not enough titanium to cause a problem, but their is enough of SOMETHING that will on occasion trip it. who needs the grief?

regards,
jsq


and i totally agree with vsop, i am not worried about the employees doing the screening, i am worried about the unkown fellow passengers when my card is sitting in a wallet or a briefcase or a jacket at the end of the conveyor belt while i am being held up in some line. i have seen as many as ten people (random travelers) cleared before me, while my personal belongings sat unattended at the end of a conveyor with the security people all focusing their eyes in the other direction. who needs the grief?


and NO i do not make plastic cards or own stock in any plastic card manufacturer or benefit in any way if amex brings back the plastic card as an additional option EXCEPT MY LIFE GETS SIMPLER AT SOME AIRPORTS (of which i have no idea which airports in advance might cause me a problem), i am beginning to wonder if the people so hostile to us getting a plastic black centurion card as an ADDITIONAL option to our titanium centurion (just like someone on this site said they currently get in at least one european country) make a living manufacturing or selling the titanium cards or originally sold the concept to amex, or??

Getting back to the original post, First Data was actually owned by Amex back in the 1980s. It was spun off because the ownership issue was creating conflict of interest issues with its non-Amex customers.

Most banks contract out the card manufacturing and payment processing to specialty companies like First Data and TSYS. The economies of scale are in favor of outsourcing -- a single bank usually only offers a few cards, but an outsourced company can do hundreds with a common facility and staff.

Getting back to the original post, First Data was actually owned by Amex back in the 1980s. It was spun off because the ownership issue was creating conflict of interest issues with its non-Amex customers.

Most banks contract out the card manufacturing and payment processing to specialty companies like First Data and TSYS. The economies of scale are in favor of outsourcing -- a single bank usually only offers a few cards, but an outsourced company can do hundreds with a common facility and staff.


Interesting I did not know Amex owned Frist Data ever. I do know they were public company and KKR bought them which means they will be sold to someone else or taken public again imho.

go to beijing and see if you still feel this way.

I was in Beijing with my card and still feel this way.

...if the people so hostile to us getting a plastic black centurion card as an ADDITIONAL option

I don't see that anyone has been hostile, but rather they have explained their own experiences and how they work around the problem. It seems unreasonable for American Express to expect cardholders to "work around" a forseeable problem, or to pay extra to have a supplementary Platinum or Gold card.

However, reports from the same airports with different outcomes suggest that there may be more than one physical card design. Are the cards known to be solid titanium, or is there a core made of a different material with a titanium coating?

they have explained their own experiences and how they work around the problem. It seems unreasonable for American Express to expect cardholders to "work around" a forseeable problem

However, reports from the same airports with different outcomes suggest that there may be more than one physical card design. Are the cards known to be solid titanium, or is there a core made of a different material with a titanium coating?


hello mia,

thanks for your coment, the key you noted being:

"they have explained how they work around the problem"

like many in this world i prefer to eliminate problems "not work around" problems.

as i have said, if others wish to continue with the titanium alloy card at airports, more power to them. most of the time i likewise have had no problem, but 3 times in the last 12 to 18 months is a nuisance, i want the plastic version to eliminate the problem for good and i am happy to pay amex for their trouble to produce the plastic version. those who do not want the plastic version shouldn't order one and won't have to pay for it. i am happy for anyone to use whatever card choice they desire and makes them happy. i do not wish to restrict anyones choices/options.

regarding your note on the same airports with different results. i have no idea if the cards composition are different but perhaps, as we have heard occurs, the airport equipment is set to different metal detection levels at different times so some of us have different results.

regardless, i choose not to "work around a problem" that can be easily fixed by allowing use of the plastic version as a compliment to the metal version, just like amex provides in europe.

if termites are eating my house i wouldn't add more wood to "work around" the problem, i would eliminate the termites.

all the best,

regards,
jsq

...i prefer to eliminate problems "not work around"...

Agreed. Have you discussed this with American Express above the entry customer service level? It does seem to be a predictable problem for which American Express should have a ready solution.

Agreed. Have you discussed this with American Express above the entry customer service level? It does seem to be a predictable problem for which American Express should have a ready solution.

hello mia,

so far i have only contacted entry level customer service. i am waiting for an additional reason to contact a bit higher up so i can do two things at once.

also i was hoping that discussing it on FT would encourage any one else with the same problem to also contact amex customer service and get the message percolating upwards.

thanks for your input,
regards,
jsq

Here's a little bit of trivia that works off the OP's information. Amex used to OWN First Data! Back in the 80's AMEX sold off First Data into it's own company.

Here's a little bit of trivia that works off the OP's information. Amex used to OWN First Data! Back in the 80's AMEX sold off First Data into it's own company.

Someone beat you to that.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showpost.php?p=9954558&postcount=21