Thought I'd share this with the board.

After reading posts on this forum regarding the illusive Centurion card, I was very suprised and then disapointed to find an invitation waiting for me when I returned from the office this evening.

Brief AMEX history for all you that want one: Platinum for 4 months, Gold 12 months before that, average monthly charges £1500 with a couple at £4000 and a couple at £500... oh and I'm 22... hence my suprise.

Next comes the disapointment. The invitation looked very cool (a box with a book that was kind of a like a picture-book with a hard cover in felt all in black and lots of pics and quotes inside). As I read through I found myself thinking "where are all these great benefits?"... I called to confirm what I had read and can list the advantages *in addition* to Platinum are as follows:

More insurance
Sentinel Card Protection
Hotel elite status*

* (Starwood Platinum, Hilton Gold, Intercontinental, Savoy, Mandarin etc etc etc)

errr... thats it really the rest is related to the super-duper concierge service which can get you into restaurants and clubs in London (like Platinum was supposed to but never really could...). Everything else is identical to Plat (lounge access, airline companion ticket program...) although you get priority seats in the latter (wow).

So, no airline elite status which was the real downer for me after hearing all that the US card gets.

Other than impressing my friends (and boss!) the only real advantage as I see it is elite status in almost all hotels, but I'd sacrafice that easily for a oneworld or *A elite card...

Oh, and the annual fee: £650 instead of £245.

I must say I was really disapointed. I dont think I'll shell out for it. It was nice to be invited though! :-)