American Express Membership Rewards - If I drop Centurion, what is best alternative (for me)?

I think you will agree I am the ideal candidate to drop Centurion benefits and would like your advice. I have had Cent for about six years+ and fee comes up in October.

I USED TO:
fly 2 for 1 international several times a year
use the concierge
need to have limos at odd locations
charge 10 to 25k (and occassionally over 60k) mainly in travel
stay in Ritz's and Four Seasons.


NOW I mainly use the card to get in airport lounges domestically (since overseas is all business +).

NOW my corporate travel is all on the company card (ugh)

I WILL NEED to keep an AMEX card of some type as my MR total has two commas.

But I am really interested in a much cheaper card that will get me in the various lounges when I fly domestic.

Plat seems like the obvious downgrade. But I love my Cent, in spite of the fact that it's theoretically a huge ripoff - I certainly get $2500 of value out of it.

Plat seems like the obvious downgrade. But I love my Cent, in spite of the fact that it's theoretically a huge ripoff - I certainly get $2500 of value out of it.

Ditto. The flight upgrades, technically, pay it off easily.

As stated, the Platinum charge card is the obvious choice since it provides the lounge access.

Just keep in mind that should your travel pattern change in future and you'd like to get the Centurion back, you would be required to pay the $5,000 initiation fee to do so (plus, requalify with annual spend, I believe).

Susan

Well.. I'm a bit surprised that at this level of charge ("10K to 25K every month, occasionally 60K") the annual fee could be a real problem ;)
If you use your company card, you'll miss some MR points for sure, unless it's also an Amex and you are allowed to use the points. Is it a good reason to drop the Centurion ?

You could still use many of the Centurion benefits even if you don't use the card for travel related business expenses.

I suspect Amex to have a kind of numerus clausus for issuing Centurion cards. I think SusanDK is right, it could be difficult to get it back at a later time.

To answer your question : I agree that the Platinum charge card is a good alternative for you.

I think you will agree I am the ideal candidate to drop Centurion benefits and would like your advice. I have had Cent for about six years+ and fee comes up in October.

I USED TO:
fly 2 for 1 international several times a year
use the concierge
need to have limos at odd locations
charge 10 to 25k (and occassionally over 60k) mainly in travel
stay in Ritz's and Four Seasons.


NOW I mainly use the card to get in airport lounges domestically (since overseas is all business +).

NOW my corporate travel is all on the company card (ugh)

I WILL NEED to keep an AMEX card of some type as my MR total has two commas.

But I am really interested in a much cheaper card that will get me in the various lounges when I fly domestic.

Agree with the previous posters that if you switch, then Plat is the right AMEX for you.

But also note that you can switch at any time and they will pro-rate the fee you've already paid. At least that's how they handle the other cards, and I don't think CENT is any different in that regard.

Things to consider: Are you getting hotel or airline upgrades as a result of your CENT card? Do you expect your situation to change any time soon? The non-refundable entrance fee is a sunk cost and should not factor into your decision to stay or go. It only comes into play if you think you might return in the future.

Well.. I'm a bit surprised that at this level of charge ("10K to 25K every month, occasionally 60K") the annual fee could be a real problem ;)

He said that he USED TO do that, but that now his situation is different.

He said that he USED TO do that, but that now his situation is different.

Steve M has it right... I used to spend a bunch when I was on my own. Now I just looked it up for 2008...I spent 125k and 50k through may, so 10k a month is likely a good average.

As for upgrades, I think my hotel and airline upgrades MAINLY come from my excessive miles spent in the air.

If I downgrade now will I get refunded my as prorata part of this year's money I already spent? If so I should probably do it now!

But also note that you can switch at any time and they will pro-rate the fee you've already paid. At least that's how they handle the other cards, and I don't think CENT is any different in that regard.


You are correct in this statement.