American Express Membership Rewards - Centurion, OK thus far.

So, I got it a few weeks ago or so. So far it hasn't beeped anywhere it shouldn't. No weird reactions to it. Nice upgrade at the Four seasons despite them not being part of the Hotel plan and upgraded to 1st class on my first 2 flights. Im keeping a mental tally of $ it has given me, so in the first month, I am pleased and able to say it appears to paying for itself, just as I hoped. Now, im waiting to see if we receive a great gift!

The concierge is hit or miss, they seem to have wonderful speeches on how they could NOT accomplish what I asked (find a wii fit for msrp, front row yanni tickets.) We will see how that goes. But, overall, particularly the first class flights, I'm Happy as a clam!^^:cool::cool::D:D

sweet :) glad ya like it!

The concierge is hit or miss, they seem to have wonderful speeches on how they could NOT accomplish what I asked (find a wii fit for msrp, front row yanni tickets.)

If I were the concierge I would also tell you that I couldn't get Yanni tickets. Yanni?!! Come on now. How can you listen to that?

Welcome aboard

If I were the concierge I would also tell you that I couldn't get Yanni tickets. Yanni?!! Come on now. How can you listen to that?

Very funny, but if it was that bad, he'd be able to get us the entire front row, and he cant even get us 2 seats!! (wife is a concert pianist). Do I get some slack now? But your comment was humorous!:o
No, she is NOT a pianist, but Yanni is embarrassing to some:)

The concierge is hit or miss, they seem to have wonderful speeches on how they could NOT accomplish what I asked (find a wii fit for msrp, front row yanni tickets.) We will see how that goes. But, overall, particularly the first class flights, I'm Happy as a clam!^^:cool::cool::D:D

What did they say when they couldn't find your wii fit?

Very funny, but if it was that bad, he'd be able to get us the entire front row, and he cant even get us 2 seats!! (wife is a concert pianist). Do I get some slack now? But your comment was humorous!:o
No, she is NOT a pianist, but Yanni is embarrassing to some:)

well, personally id never expect the concierge to be able to get front row tickets to anything. they do their best but they arent miracle workers!

What did they say when they couldn't find your wii fit?

They found some quickly, but the website selling them wanted double retail price. So, we passed. We could of, but we felt taken advantage of.

As far as 1st row yanni.....its not like its the stones reunion tour!!!:) We sat 3rd row a few years ago and we bought those on ebay!

Overall, Im very pleased, but it is interesting to compare all the rumors people have shared through the years about centurion, to real life.:cool::cool:

well, personally id never expect the concierge to be able to get front row tickets to anything. they do their best but they arent miracle workers!

They have ticket brokers that they work with regularly. I'm surprised that they couldn't wrangle something that way. I know another FTer who used to work as a concierge in a hotel in AC and has some pretty good ticket broker contacts. PM me if you want me to put you in touch with him.

They have ticket brokers that they work with regularly. I'm surprised that they couldn't wrangle something that way. I know another FTer who used to work as a concierge in a hotel in AC and has some pretty good ticket broker contacts. PM me if you want me to put you in touch with him.

ahh, well i did try to get tickets for me and a friend to a backstreet boys reunion concert or something over the summer, which i kinda figured they would be able to do givin the size of the event, but the best they could do for me was like general admition in like the farthest back section....and they wanted 3x the price ticketmaster was offering

ahh, well i did try to get tickets for me and a friend to a backstreet boys reunion concert or something over the summer, which i kinda figured they would be able to do givin the size of the event, but the best they could do for me was like general admition in like the farthest back section....and they wanted 3x the price ticketmaster was offering

OT, but whatever - About a year ago I bought some tickets through either an AMEX presale, Plat Concierge, or both (concierge purchasing on my behalf) and ended up in the absolute last row.

OT, but whatever - About a year ago I bought some tickets through either an AMEX presale, Plat Concierge, or both (concierge purchasing on my behalf) and ended up in the absolute last row.

Cool..Sounds like Im looking forward to listening to his CD in the mens room at the concert. Sweet, should i tip the concierge for the primo seats? After all Ill have a lock on the door to my seat!
:confused::eek::p:mad::rolleyes:;)

They have ticket brokers that they work with regularly. I'm surprised that they couldn't wrangle something that way. I know another FTer who used to work as a concierge in a hotel in AC and has some pretty good ticket broker contacts. PM me if you want me to put you in touch with him.

Cool..Sounds like Im looking forward to listening to his CD in the mens room at the concert. Sweet, should i tip the concierge for the primo seats? After all Ill have a lock on the door to my seat!
:confused::eek::p:mad::rolleyes:;)

I'm the concierge of which sbm12 speaks. Hi there. :D PM me your details (location, date, budget, any relevant preferences) and I'll see what I can do.

Cool..Sounds like Im looking forward to listening to his CD in the mens room at the concert. Sweet, should i tip the concierge for the primo seats? After all Ill have a lock on the door to my seat!
:confused::eek::p:mad::rolleyes:;)

You do know that private suites cost more, don't you?

Just out of curiosity, what airline upgrades Cents to first? Was it a domestic or international trip? Did you have status on the airline?

First I've heard of this particular benefit so I am curious to know how established it is.

Just out of curiosity, what airline upgrades Cents to first? Was it a domestic or international trip? Did you have status on the airline?

First I've heard of this particular benefit so I am curious to know how established it is.

when you get a cent card your givin status with the airlines which are what give you the upgrades.

Just out of curiosity, what airline upgrades Cents to first? Was it a domestic or international trip? Did you have status on the airline?

First I've heard of this particular benefit so I am curious to know how established it is.

US Centurion give you Gold status on Continental and Delta, and Platinum on USAir. It also gives you Gold on Virgin Atlantic, but that doesn't have anything to do with upgrades.

If you don't know about these perks, what *do* you know about Centurion? Those are the most important ones, followed by hotel and rental car...

If you don't know about these perks, what *do* you know about Centurion? Those are the most important ones, followed by hotel and rental car...

Has it potentially occurred to you that the poster might be a new cardholder? :rolleyes: He could, just perhaps, not e as well-versed in the benefits of the card as you are. Oh, the horror. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Has it potentially occurred to you that the poster might be a new cardholder? :rolleyes: He could, just perhaps, not e as well-versed in the benefits of the card as you are. Oh, the horror. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I had considered that (of course). However, my response was in particular to the following quote:


First I've heard of this particular benefit so I am curious to know how established it is.


He is implying that he has heard of other benefits, so I'm asking which ones.
I was also assuming that he is not a cardholder at all, since he didn't mention that he is, and I can't imagine someone ponying up for the annual fee without knowing about the first class upgrade capabilities!

Has it potentially occurred to you that the poster might be a new cardholder? :rolleyes: He could, just perhaps, not e as well-versed in the benefits of the card as you are. Oh, the horror. :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Ummm... I hope that is exactly not the case. At the monetary cost required to secure a Centurion card, one would at least hope an individual actually knows why they are getting it.

Regards

There does seem to be a worrying number of people that are still interested in the card in the US, even with the $5000 initiation fee. Obviously a number of people that clearly have more money than sense, and want the card because it's black.

Happy New Year

Deleted - it's New Year!

There does seem to be a worrying number of people that are still interested in the card in the US, even with the $5000 initiation fee. Obviously a number of people that clearly have more money than sense, and want the card because it's black.

I guess there are also a bunch of people in the UK who are much smarter than we stupid Americans. People who obviously have some motive for spewing out insults to those who do well in life. I hope that some day you get over what makes you such an angry and rude person, and that the new year brings you only good things.

I guess there are also a bunch of people in the UK who are much smarter than we stupid Americans. People who obviously have some motive for spewing out insults to those who do well in life. I hope that some day you get over what makes you such an angry and rude person, and that the new year brings you only good things.

Eh? Where did that come from? I was merely making an observation that would tie into the feelings some of the other long standing Centurion cardholders (both here in the UK and the US) have expressed that Centurion is a shadow of it's former self and has lost a number of good benefits. I seem to recall that you're a more recent Centurion member (last 12-18 months) so wouldn't been around when it really was a stellar product, now it just about justifies itself. Just seems crazy that people still are queuing up to pay $7500 upfront for a product that is openly criticised here on FT for not living up to it's full hype and potential. If you think that's its worth the $5k initiation fee, then that's great for you, but I think most would question it unless they are after the cachet.

Agreed.

I keep it because it's good value for the travel and hire car insurances and Priority Pass. The perks have largely evaporated. If the fee trebles then I'll do the sums coldly and decide.

Agreed.

I keep it because it's good value for the travel and hire car insurances and Priority Pass. The perks have largely evaporated. If the fee trebles then I'll do the sums coldly and decide.

But the 'travel and car hire insurances and Priority Pass' are the same with Platinum in the UK (£300), are they not?

There does seem to be a worrying number of people that are still interested in the card in the US, even with the $5000 initiation fee. Obviously a number of people that clearly have more money than sense, and want the card because it's black.

In the UK, Santander were kind enough to give me a black card for free. Best of all, it's a Mastercard so it's more widely accepted than Amex. Plus it comes with no forex conversion fee. I think I'm doing better than the Centurions!

Obviously a number of people that clearly have more money than sense, and want the card because it's black.

I remember a thread on some board a while back discussing how it was hard to stay friends when people have a lot more/less money. I think this post is an example of one of the reasons.

If you make 100K/year, $7500 is a big deal. If you make, 1M/year it isn't. On 100K you have 0-10K in disposable income, this one purchase could be all of it. With 1M you have 400-500K in disposable income $7500 is less than a weeks worth of spending - an impulse buy. A guy making 1M/year and paying $7500 doesn't have more money than sense. He has more money than you and therefore a different perspective on what $7500 means. (Please no flames on salary versus wealth - salary just makes it easy)

Considering the fact that for (hopefully) most card holders the $7500 start up and $2500 annual is a trivial amount, the fact that many also feel they get more than $2500 worth of value from the card makes it a deal. That's right...I feel like I MAKE MONEY on my $2500 annual fee.

I know I can't change the world here, but sometimes these posts really rub me the wrong way. :p

Eh? Where did that come from? I was merely making an observation that would tie into the feelings some of the other long standing Centurion cardholders (both here in the UK and the US) have expressed that Centurion is a shadow of it's former self and has lost a number of good benefits.

Um...no you weren't. You made a broadly generalising statement that people in the US who would pay for the Centurion have "more money than sense". You don't think that's insulting to people who have one?

US Centurion give you Gold status on Continental and Delta, and Platinum on USAir. It also gives you Gold on Virgin Atlantic, but that doesn't have anything to do with upgrades.

If you don't know about these perks, what *do* you know about Centurion? Those are the most important ones, followed by hotel and rental car...

I knew about these perks, but wasn't aware they guaranteed upgrades. In fact, I suspected otherwise given the overall complaining on FT about the CO program's award stinginess. Also, I am 1k on United and Plat on AA and they certainly don't guarantee upgrades.

However, it is pretty much true that everything I know about Cent, I''ve learned either on the Amex webpage or in this forum!

I remember a thread on some board a while back discussing how it was hard to stay friends when people have a lot more/less money. I think this post is an example of one of the reasons.

If you make 100K/year, $7500 is a big deal. If you make, 1M/year it isn't. On 100K you have 0-10K in disposable income, this one purchase could be all of it. With 1M you have 400-500K in disposable income $7500 is less than a weeks worth of spending - an impulse buy. A guy making 1M/year and paying $7500 doesn't have more money than sense. He has more money than you and therefore a different perspective on what $7500 means. (Please no flames on salary versus wealth - salary just makes it easy)

Considering the fact that for (hopefully) most card holders the $7500 start up and $2500 annual is a trivial amount, the fact that many also feel they get more than $2500 worth of value from the card makes it a deal. That's right...I feel like I MAKE MONEY on my $2500 annual fee.

I know I can't change the world here, but sometimes these posts really rub me the wrong way. :p

Couldn't agree more. I still haven't been able to reasonably determine why those who paid $500 or $1,000 for centurion have higher expectations than those who pay the $7,500. I see the card as a business transaction that upgrades and other services will easily pay for (at least in my mind).

It does seem amazing that people received so much back in the day for the price, maybe the card was too inexpensive back then:confused:. It seems the current wave of Centurion members who paid more seek less from it. Certainly makes me wonder if its a generational thing? Certainly its not a geographic one.

I knew about these perks, but wasn't aware they guaranteed upgrades. In fact, I suspected otherwise given the overall complaining on FT about the CO program's award stinginess. Also, I am 1k on United and Plat on AA and they certainly don't guarantee upgrades.

However, it is pretty much true that everything I know about Cent, I''ve learned either on the Amex webpage or in this forum!

You are/were correct. There is no guarantee of upgrades.

Couldn't agree more. I still haven't been able to reasonably determine why those who paid $500 or $1,000 for centurion have higher expectations than those who pay the $7,500. I see the card as a business transaction, that upgrades and other services will easily pay for (at least in my mind).

It does seem amazing that people received so much back in the day for the price, maybe the card was too inexpensive back then:confused:. It seems the current wave of Centurion members who paid more seek less from it. Certainly makes me wonder if its a generational thing? Certainly its not a geographic one.

It is a function of American Express figuring out which perks are the core perks of the card, and figuring out what people are willing to pay for those perks. For most people, the core perks are the airline elite status, the hotel benefits over Platinum, the lounge benefits over Platinum, and the rental car benefits. Amex decided that those perks would be worth 2500/yr for the customers they want, and they turned out to be right.

Amex decided that those perks would be worth 2500/yr for the customers they want, and they turned out to be right.

Certainly makes me wonder how they came up with the $5000 initiation fee? It would have been nice to be a fly on the wall during that meeting!

Sounds like it was $2000 or so for (1500 and 500 for the extra card?) a few years ago, this year it was $9000 (initiation, my card, wife's card). Big increase! Possibly a "get rid of" plan for whomever they think shouldn't carry? All theories of course, but these fees certainly eliminate many, even former holders. Maybe they will offer more perks to a smaller group of holders? Maybe they felt they had lost what the card was intended for, by it becoming too available, after all there are so many CC available for $500=/_ nowadays.:confused:

I have absolutely no idea, but my sense is that the airlines granting status don't want to do this for an unlimited number of people. The $5,000 initiation (that I fortunately didn't have to pay four years ago - or no Centurion!) might be a way, along with the increase spending from $150K per year to $250K, to keep the numbers limited and, in some way, add to the exclusivity.

Sure as hell makes it hard for us to leave, doesn't it!

All that said, hey guys, it's a new year. Let's not start if off by being .....y to each other!

Um...no you weren't. You made a broadly generalising statement that people in the US who would pay for the Centurion have "more money than sense". You don't think that's insulting to people who have one?

Not necessarily. People can have virtually unlimited amounts of money.

Very few (if any) of us have virtually unlimited amounts of sense, and there is no direct correlation between the two. ;)

I think it is simpler than you're thinking. It's about revenue. $150k to $250k is much more in merchant fees. $1500 more in annual fees, plus (later) $5000 initiation means more money. Fees were raised enough so that it wouldn't matter if they lost some people. The increase in fees means they could lose more than a third of their members (if I am correctly recalling the math I did 2 years ago) and still make much more than before they lost those people. Add to that the fact that I have not heard that they lost people. In fact, most people on FT who threatened to leave, did not.

I think the $5000 initiation fee serves mostly as a retention method rather than a barrier to entry for new members.

Look, there are two types of people who have the Centurion card. The first (and the original target) is the wealthy individual/business owner who spends a nice amount each year and who the annual fee and initiation is not a big deal for. The second is the type of person who needs to reach a bit to get the qualifying spend and has to more carefully consider the annual fee and initiation. For the first member, the initiation isn't an issue. The second type of member wants the card and sees enough value in it that they will also get it, even if the fee is high. Sure, there are plenty of people in between those two extreme examples, but I think those examples represent the bulk of cardholders.

What I'm trying to say here is that I don't think the initiation fee really keeps people who want the card from getting it. However, the possibility that an existing cardholder would have to pay the fee if they canceled and then rejoined may help retain them as ongoing cardholders. Just my thoughts.

Well said, Troyb

Yes, I agree that the $5k works to keep people from canceling early.

Deleted

The whole spending issue is interesting. Personally, I try and always look for every gain I can get be it buying some sahdes or a car - the cost level doesn't really matter. I have several colleagues, all who earn big sums and have Cents, and on the whole if they notice a potential $10 gain they will use it. Perhaps a reason they got where they are. That said, its easy to do some impulsive spending and not care! Also earning $1m+ a year with a highflying job (perhaps?), maybe you already have these elite cards and can afford to upgrade your room. Do they really care about the "welcome gift" or "breakfast for two" etc? Evidently as they have the cards! Though without $5k sign on. Several have dropped having a personal and business card to just having the business card. No point duplicating benefits!

I have heard friends ask of their bosses - why does he/she always pay for everyones hotels with their BA Amex for points when they can easily afford to pay for their flights outright?

On a similar point, there is a card in the UK which guarantees you walk-in access to numerous clubs in London with no entry fee (a perk I wish Cent/Quintessentially actually had!), whether on guest list or not. It costs c.2000 pounds. I really like that idea as it would make spontaneous nights easier, but after thinking about it, most clubs early in the week you can walk in, and on weekend 2000 pounds equates to 4-5 good nights with a table which will allow you to walk in anyway and include the drinks! Did the math. Didn't make sense.

My suspicion (would like to see amex's data) is that more high net worths are happy to just spend than actually weigh what things are worth (and I am not judging the Cent's worth eitherway) when it comes to something like this. I may be wrong!

My close friend has a Centurion card and I have only witnessed her get ripped off with it. Any time we travel, I get a better rate at the hotel than she does - except they'll throw in a spa treatment with her Cent card. i did not know about travel upgrades, however.

My suspicion (would like to see amex's data) is that more high net worths are happy to just spend than actually weigh what things are worth (and I am not judging the Cent's worth eitherway) when it comes to something like this. I may be wrong!

Exactly. A lot of people enjoy spending for the sake of it, and it's their money and there's nothing wrong with that. For the simplest example, witness those buying new cars, even if it usually is a (financially) stupid decision.

Exactly. A lot of people enjoy spending for the sake of it, and it's their money and there's nothing wrong with that. For the simplest example, witness those buying new cars, even if it usually is a (financially) stupid decision.

Considering that there are between 7 and 8 million new car purchases per year in the US, I'll bet a good number of people who are commenting on the lack of sense of Cent holders are also making their own financially stupid decisions, then. (I think I'm agreeing with you, btw)

Considering that there are between 7 and 8 million new car purchases per year in the US, I'll bet a good number of people who are commenting on the lack of sense of Cent holders are also making their own financially stupid decisions, then. (I think I'm agreeing with you, btw)I'm not sure what your point is, though annual US sales of light vehicles including SUVs are about 10 million, the lowest in 26 years. (The exact figure is due out on Monday.) What is interesting is that cars are now outselling SUVs, so it seems the crunch has brought about an outbreak of commonsense.

In the UK, new car sales are down about 35% year on year, so people are deciding priorities.

I haven't got the figures for Centurion subscriptions.

Very funny, but if it was that bad, he'd be able to get us the entire front row, and he cant even get us 2 seats!! (wife is a concert pianist). Do I get some slack now? But your comment was humorous!:o
No, she is NOT a pianist, but Yanni is embarrassing to some:)

Back in my college days, I went to see Yanni's pre-fame band, Chameleon, playing in some dive bar. Anyone willing to grab a barstool and pull it up to the stage could have had front row seats.