American Express Membership Rewards - Centurion Upgrades in the US

Hello

I've never used my Centurion Card in the US and I'd like to find out about the "leverage" I can get out of it.

How easy is it to get upgrades at US-based airlines, car rentals and hotels?

Specifically, I'll be traveling from NYC to SFO and back from LAX to NYC (haven't booked the tickets yet & have no airline preference). I'll be renting a car (probably at Hertz where I have the Gold Card) and staying in various 5 star hotels in all the aforementioned cities. How best to go about it to get some nice upgrades?

Thanks a lot for your help.

John

confirmed upgrades etc >

LAX - peninsula
SFO - ritz carlton, mandarin oriental
NYC - mandarin oriental, ritz carlton battery park, ritz carlton central park, peninsula

There's no airline in the US that offers upgrades based directly on having a Centurion card. Several airlines offer membership in their frequent flyer programs at mid-tier elite levels based on having a US-issued Centurion card, and then most of those programs have elite upgrades based on elite level. But, I doubt that US-based airline elite status is offered to non-US Centurion holders, and since upgrades are based on elite status and not the Centurion card directly, there's no chance that you'll somehow "sneak by" and grab an upgrade based solely on having a Centurion card.

If there is a similar policy regarding European Centurion card holders (elite in FF programs) its possible you could still get some upgrades. FB elite members should be able to get upgrades on NW flights, though you may have to show your card to get it. This program was in place last year, it may have changed as the merger with DL goes forward. I'm also not sure about the priority.... i.e. is it only after all NW/DL elites are upgraded? If so you may have less luck.

If you want non-stop NYC-SFO you are probably looking at DL (out of JFK) or UA (also JFK). Just be aware that if you are traveling ex-NYC to the west coast free upgrades can be really difficulty to get. I believe the rep from CO said on average there is one elite upgrade per flight on the EWR-SFO route.

Like others have posted airline upgrades are unlikely so I would base your airline on price/time also note that virgin america has several daily non-stop flights from jfk to sfo. As for hotels you can always check out the fhr properties.

And while the previous posts sum up everything one need to know there is one thing I can add to this discussion: Welcome to FT and the Amex forum, JohnRain!

Thanks a lot for your help guys, I really appreciate it.
Thanks also for your kind welcome note, DownUnderFlyer.

Any tips regarding car rentals?

Cheers

John

Like others have posted airline upgrades are unlikely so I would base your airline on price/time also note that virgin america has several daily non-stop flights from jfk to sfo. As for hotels you can always check out the fhr properties.

I'm a bit confused by some of these posts. International Centurion cards do not include elite status on any US airlines. No Centurion gives perks on Virgin America. I don't see how a non-US Centurion will make any difference on US domestic flights.

I'm a bit confused by some of these posts. International Centurion cards do not include elite status on any US airlines. No Centurion gives perks on Virgin America. I don't see how a non-US Centurion will make any difference on US domestic flights.

It doesn't make a difference. What the posters wanted to say is that even a US Centurion Card doesn't give you upgrades. They only give you status and then this status might give you an upgrade. The Centurion card alone is not doing anything no matter whether it is a US or other card.
And the reference to Virgin America was only to point out to the OP that there is an interesting airline flying the route he wants.

Hello

I've never used my Centurion Card in the US and I'd like to find out about the "leverage" I can get out of it.

How easy is it to get upgrades at US-based airlines, car rentals and hotels?


Probably best to call up the number on your card and ask, as finding a list of benefits for the swiss issued card (I assume?) is hard to find..

But, if you have a Hertz CDP/Avis AWD code with your membership, they should work in the US..

What airline(s) were you planning on flying while visiting the US? You can see if your membership rewards options include any of those, and then look at transferring MR points to the airline program to do a mileage upgrade, or traveling on award ticket(s) in your desired class of service.

While FT is usually a good resource for such things, since there's limited information on the perks available to you, calling the Card services number will give you the best information, and they should be able to tell you which hotels qualify in your destination cities for Centurion/FHR rates.

The best sum up is that you will receive whatever benefits in the U.S. that your European Centurion card offers. The Avis President's club status has netted me consistent upgrades from full size to Cadillac and Lincoln Town Car at the U.S. locations I have used. In that sense, I have had better luck receiving luxury car upgrades through the Avis status conferred through Centurion than the President's Circle status I otherwise obtained from Hertz based on my frequent Hertz rentals. In my experience, it is rare to obtain a luxury car as an upgrade from Hertz. I have also received some nice upgrades at U.S. Radisson hotels which offers gold elite status to some European Cent cards but not I believe to U.S. cent card holders. Similarly, Jumairah Sirius program for the Middle East which the International Cent offers does provide some nice benefits at their NYC property and these benefits would not be open to U.S. cardholders as I do not believe that is a benefit for their Centurion card. That hotel provides gold Sirius status holders with airport transfers for stays of three nights or more.

Are there any special slight deals at the moment for UK Centurion card holders?