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Centurion does not directly offer airline upgrades, but rather it gives the cardholder elite status in the CO, DL, US and VS frequent flyer programs. Upgrades may be received as a result of status, but none of these carriers offer space-available upgrades on intercontinental flights. The upgrade benefit is primarily valuable on flights within North America where you could purchase an economy class ticket and have a possibility, but not a guarantee, of sitting in first class.

The International Airline Program, which is also available to Platinum cardholders, requires purchase of a full fare ticket, plus payment of taxes and other fees on the companion ticket. Full fare typically means the highest published business class fare. This is usually more expensive than buying two discount business class tickets, provided you can meet the advance purchase requirements, and do not need flexibility to change or cancel your trip.

It is generally better value to transfer the points to an airline or hotel frequent traveller program and redeem for an award ticket or stay, rather than Pay with Points which values the points at $0.01 or less. However, it's generally best not to transfer until you have an award reservation on hold because the transfer cannot be reversed. Finding award-eligible seats requires some knowledge of the three airline "alliances" (OneWorld, SkyTeam and Star) as well as other partnerships, because points do not necessarily need to be redeemed through the program of the airline operating the flights, nor do all the flights on one trip need to operated by the same carrier.