Hello everyone

I am new to this forum here and would like to seek some advice regarding the centurion benefits in australia:

I was invited for the amex centurion back in march this year and my starwood platinum membership was carried forward from when I started my amex platinum membership in feburary 2003. The requirement for us (pls correct me if i am wrong) at that point of time was to accumulate 10 qualified stays during the issuance of the first SPG platinum card up and until the expiry of that card (mine is due to expire in 02/05) to renew for a further year and after that it will be only renewed for another twelve months upon 25 qualified stays etc.

So my concern is whether they still regard my SPG platinum membership back from the old amex platinum current and will offer a renewal for a further year since I have accumulated 18 stays over the minimum 10 stays or plainly wait still to be downgraded to a gold status due to the centurion introduction which overrides all the previous condtions.

Furthermore, I do agree totally with our aussie centurion members that our benefits need expanding so as to come on par with others around the globe as there are far too few of the available benes around the country. Being an isolated member living in Perth, Western Australia, the benefits are virtually non-existant around our capital city with only one Sheraton property(3* in my opinion) and around 4-5 centurion partner restaurants that I can just walk in without making any reservation thru an amex CSR. Not to mention any shopping entitlements or other lifestyle previledges that amex 'strategically' locate those events in the eastern states that our Perth members find it impractical to participate when travelling (a 4-5 hours flight) has to be factored in to make those entitlements worthwhile. I am in much anticipation that amex in Australia will further improve their association with other partners in travel and lifestyle around the country. Other than the above, amex centurion membership has been a very useful tool in managing all my personal and business affairs and thus seeing more and more places around our little city starting to accept the card.

Thanks in advance.