American Express Membership Rewards - Centurion Criteria

With so many changes occurring, I am under the impression that one needs to spend the 250k in a 365 day period. Have been a amex holder for at least one year, and have excellent credit. I read about an individual with low 600 fico scores and could not get a centurion card.

So, does anyone actually know the lowest possible fico score centurion will accept, if you have met all the other criteria?

In these economic conditions- it's hard to gauge. People with scores in the 700s-800s have had their limits significantly reduced, I deduced this from reading on this board. AMEX seems to have little rationale for what they do (random FRs, random CLDs) so there's absolutely no way anyone could tell you what the lowest FICO they'll accept for any card, let alone the Centurion.

With so many changes occurring, I am under the impression that one needs to spend the 250k in a 365 day period. Have been a amex holder for at least one year, and have excellent credit. I read about an individual with low 600 fico scores and could not get a centurion card.

So, does anyone actually know the lowest possible fico score centurion will accept, if you have met all the other criteria?

I believe the person you read about had a large debt ratio. I don't think this person would have been approved for a regular account if he applied for one.

With so many changes occurring, I am under the impression that one needs to spend the 250k in a 365 day period. Have been a amex holder for at least one year, and have excellent credit. I read about an individual with low 600 fico scores and could not get a centurion card.

So, does anyone actually know the lowest possible fico score centurion will accept, if you have met all the other criteria?


The centurion card is for amex's best customers. A cutomer with a low 600 score is not going to be a good cutomer. They may spend alot, but they have greater risk of not paying.

The centurion card is for amex's best customers. A cutomer with a low 600 score is not going to be a good cutomer. They may spend alot, but they have greater risk of not paying.

I am the individual being talked about in this thread. Yes, I did have low 600 scores but I am a good customer. I have always paid on time and spend $300k/year. The only reason for my low scores is my high debt, like someone else said earlier. I do have higher risk but that doesn't make me a "bad" customer.

My advice... if you have scores below 700, don't even both applying. Especially with the economy right now, Amex is going to need to see something excellent about you for them to give you this card.

Ethan

I am the individual being talked about in this thread. Yes, I did have low 600 scores but I am a good customer. I have always paid on time and spend $300k/year. The only reason for my low scores is my high debt, like someone else said earlier. I do have higher risk but that doesn't make me a "bad" customer.

My advice... if you have scores below 700, don't even both applying. Especially with the economy right now, Amex is going to need to see something excellent about you for them to give you this card.

Ethan

Thanks for your input. It sounds like you are a good customer, and thats why I asked the question. You charge a lot, and pay a lot, as do the businesses you charge with. It must be frustrating for you in that they pre-judge you to be risky, yet you have never been late (I assume). So, actually you are a great candidate, and they gladly take your money monthly. Bizarre, at best.

BTW I haven't heard of a single person with a score >800 having his/her credit reduced.

Thanks for your input. It sounds like you are a good customer, and thats why I asked the question. You charge a lot, and pay a lot, as do the businesses you charge with. It must be frustrating for you in that they pre-judge you to be risky, yet you have never been late (I assume). So, actually you are a great candidate, and they gladly take your money monthly. Bizarre, at best.

But isn't the the point of a credit score to pre-judge and indicate risk? Is it not based on current debt levels, credit account history, payment history, etc? That was a rhetorical question, BTW.

At any given time, nevermind the current credit markets, a high debt level fundamentally indicates that one is operating at the edges of their limits.

Sure, you can spend and then pay off $50,000 a month, but what happens when an unrelated event such as job loss occurs? Some in this situation would then have trouble paying off their monthly bill, leading to default and so on. Now, extrapolate that situation to current times, with both high paying and "normal" blue collar jobs disappearing left and right. If you were AMEX, wouldn't you be concerned?

What I'm saying here is just because you have a good payment history doesn't mean you are not a risk. There are a lot more variables that come into play on both a micro and macro level.

But isn't the the point of a credit score to pre-judge and indicate risk? Is it not based on current debt levels, credit account history, payment history, etc? That was a rhetorical question, BTW.

At any given time, nevermind the current credit markets, a high debt level fundamentally indicates that one is operating at the edges of their limits.

Sure, you can spend and then pay off $50,000 a month, but what happens when an unrelated event such as job loss occurs? Some in this situation would then have trouble paying off their monthly bill, leading to default and so on. Now, extrapolate that situation to current times, with both high paying and "normal" blue collar jobs disappearing left and right. If you were AMEX, wouldn't you be concerned?

What I'm saying here is just because you have a good payment history doesn't mean you are not a risk. There are a lot more variables that come into play on both a micro and macro level.

At first I was upset that they denied me, but in hindsight it was the correct business move by Amex. Obviously I am still a customer, and if I really was in the "elite" class that they are trying to cater to, I wouldn't have such high debt. If I was making hundreds of thousands per year in profit my debt would be paid off, and since it isn't then it's obvious I am not what they are looking for. It makes sense.

The lady who denied me was very nice, she tried to get the decision overturned, but ultimately I was denied. She even said "Get your credit score higher and we'll approve you. Call me back in a few months if you can."

They want to help high spenders, but it is a risk game. By the way, I have had no late payments, charge-offs, bankruptcies, collections, or any bad items on my credit reports for any credit that I have had. This was solely a denial based on debt. If you have bad items, you may have even a harder time than I did.

Ethan

At first I was upset that they denied me, but in hindsight it was the correct business move by Amex. Obviously I am still a customer, and if I really was in the "elite" class that they are trying to cater to, I wouldn't have such high debt. If I was making hundreds of thousands per year in profit my debt would be paid off, and since it isn't then it's obvious I am not what they are looking for. It makes sense.

The lady who denied me was very nice, she tried to get the decision overturned, but ultimately I was denied. She even said "Get your credit score higher and we'll approve you. Call me back in a few months if you can."

They want to help high spenders, but it is a risk game. By the way, I have had no late payments, charge-offs, bankruptcies, collections, or any bad items on my credit reports for any credit that I have had. This was solely a denial based on debt. If you have bad items, you may have even a harder time than I did.

Ethan

To that, and maybe I am incorrect, my point is solidified. They did not reduce your limits, did they? They did not take away your cards, did they? They simply will not allow you to consolidate into 1 centurion card, maybe I have misread? But, as of now you still hold all the cards, your limits are the same, they just wont let you put it all on centurion, correct? So, without a deduction of limit, or a permanent removal of your card(s), they are saying that the level of debt you carry with them, is in fact OK, with them, no?:confused:

I'm very close to reaching 250K, have had the card for over a year and have very good credit. The question is does Amex care how the 250K was charged? Most of my charges are normal purchases just in high volume. I don't buy 40k dollar watches, charter private flights or anything like that. My highest month to date was 54K. Will they disqualify me based on the type of purchases that I make?

Thanks!

I'm very close to reaching 250K, have had the card for over a year and have very good credit. The question is does Amex care how the 250K was charged? Most of my charges are normal purchases just in high volume. I don't buy 40k dollar watches, charter private flights or anything like that. My highest month to date was 54K. Will they disqualify me based on the type of purchases that I make?

Thanks!

it shouldnt, aslong as you are spending.

it shouldnt, aslong as you are spending.

NO it shouldn't matter. I had similar thoughts because I did have a few(3-4) expensive purchases, and a high tax bill paid as well, which accounted for about 70% of my 250k. But in the end its some guy on the other end of the phone who in a matter of 5 minutes simply looks up how much, how long, and pulls your scores. If all 3 criteria are met, you have your card, or at least in this case.:)

NO it shouldn't matter. I had similar thoughts because I did have a few(3-4) expensive purchases, and a high tax bill paid as well, which accounted for about 70% of my 250k. But in the end its some guy on the other end of the phone who in a matter of 5 minutes simply looks up how much, how long, and pulls your scores. If all 3 criteria are met, you have your card, or at least in this case.:)

i had a friend tell me that if you use your card A LOT at bars and strip clubs, things like that, in earning the 250k, they may frown on that, but im not sure......lol

i had a friend tell me that if you use your card A LOT at bars and strip clubs, things like that, in earning the 250k, they may frown on that, but im not sure......lol

Many would consider that money well spent!!:p:o:)

But isn't the the point of a credit score to pre-judge and indicate risk?

Obviously that is correct, and it kills me that because people have paid their bills, they count themselves as a good prospective customers. That is part of it, of course, but it does not take into account probability weighted future risk.

To that, and maybe I am incorrect, my point is solidified. They did not reduce your limits, did they? They did not take away your cards, did they?

Actually no. Most credit card companies do not reassess their customers every period. (If they did, a lot more people would lose their cards.) However, if you apply for a new card or change in limit, this forces the credit checks to occur. Now, if Amex was truly coordinated, you are right - they probably should reduce people's current limits when they decline new credit lines. Good for us here on this board that they do not.

Many would consider that money well spent!!:p:o:)

lol id rather spend 250k traveling the world....or buying my friends fun xmas gifts!

Why can't you then travel the world with your friends visiting strip clubs of the world to spend the 250k? :)

haha i suppose i could do that :p now all i need is the 250k to do it!

my spends are mostly on flights, hotels, dinning, and the fact that I'm building a house doesn't hurt. The card would be useful to me because of the amount that I do travel. The upgrades on the airlines alone would be worth the $7500 initiation and first year dues. My question was based on a reply I received from Amex about the card. The email indicated that the card was reserved for people who travel extensively for pleasure. All of my vacation travel is free because of the amount I travel for work. It adds up to at least 3 weeks of vacay/year. I hope you all are right!

I received a letter from American Express a few days ago telling me that my credit limit had been reduced. I knew I had a credit limit, but I have never spent even 50% of the limit they assigned. I pay off my bill monthly, and I have never deferred any charges to the old sign and travel part. I really do not care that a credit limit has been assigned, because I would need resuscitation if my monthly Amex bill got as high as that!:confused:

my spends are mostly on flights, hotels, dinning, and the fact that I'm building a house doesn't hurt. The card would be useful to me because of the amount that I do travel. The upgrades on the airlines alone would be worth the $7500 initiation and first year dues. My question was based on a reply I received from Amex about the card. The email indicated that the card was reserved for people who travel extensively for pleasure. All of my vacation travel is free because of the amount I travel for work. It adds up to at least 3 weeks of vacay/year. I hope you all are right!

id give em a call, the majority of the perks are aimed at travelers but that shouldnt dictate who they approve....

my spends are mostly on flights, hotels, dinning, and the fact that I'm building a house doesn't hurt. The card would be useful to me because of the amount that I do travel. The upgrades on the airlines alone would be worth the $7500 initiation and first year dues. My question was based on a reply I received from Amex about the card. The email indicated that the card was reserved for people who travel extensively for pleasure. All of my vacation travel is free because of the amount I travel for work. It adds up to at least 3 weeks of vacay/year. I hope you all are right!

Dont over think it. You call, and they decide, no choices on your part. Just poney up and let her fly. If all you say is true then you'll be pleasantly surprised.:-:^

Okay. I think I've got the nerve to call. So long $7500! That's a lot for me by the way!

Okay. I think I've got the nerve to call. So long $7500! That's a lot for me by the way!

the good news is, next year you get a $5,000 savings off the first!! Let us know!

I will!:) Hopefully my wife will not kill me and I will become a regular to the forum!

I will!:) Hopefully my wife will not kill me and I will become a regular to the forum!

No Worries, she's going to love and hate you! Its hard not to fall in love with the card, after you get over the fees they just billed you!:D:p;)

I received a letter from American Express a few days ago telling me that my credit limit had been reduced. I knew I had a credit limit, but I have never spent even 50% of the limit they assigned. I pay off my bill monthly, and I have never deferred any charges to the old sign and travel part. I really do not care that a credit limit has been assigned, because I would need resuscitation if my monthly Amex bill got as high as that!:confused:

Sounds like you and they are in agreement, then!

I will!:) Hopefully my wife will not kill me and I will become a regular to the forum!

once amex starts sending you the xmas gifts and free gift cards im sure she will start loving it!

In these economic conditions- it's hard to gauge. People with scores in the 700s-800s have had their limits significantly reduced, I deduced this from reading on this board. AMEX seems to have little rationale for what they do (random FRs, random CLDs) so there's absolutely no way anyone could tell you what the lowest FICO they'll accept for any card, let alone the Centurion.
My FICO is around 700 and I spent $115k last month without a hitch. I average around $85k/mo and haven't seen any issues.
Jerry

My FICO is around 700 and I spent $115k last month without a hitch. I average around $85k/mo and haven't seen any issues.
Jerry

hehe wish my limit was that high :)

I will!:) Hopefully my wife will not kill me and I will become a regular to the forum!

Well?^ or :td:

I've yet to call. I still have a little spending to do.