USA Centurion now "Invitation Only"
Nov 23, 2009, 7:17 pm
#136
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SXSW
Programs: DL Plat; HH Diamond; SPG & Hyatt Plat
Posts: 996
Hmmmm... Well I have a Cent (not earned with business expenses) and if you see me wearing anything nicer than jeans (not designer) and a tee, then someone probably died or got married...
Nov 24, 2009, 1:50 pm
#137
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 31
I know this goes far off-topic, but I agree with b8b. My own experiences tell me that most of the time, Amex, Concierges, etc. are really beating around the bush and wasting time that could be spent and valued elsewhere. I appreciate kindness on the phone, but you all have to admit that making a phone call to a concierge to do anything usually involves a lengthy conversation. I think I'm just bitter against the fact that Amex (and the Concierges) lack in the technology department. For a major company, why can our concierge requests not be made with exact precision via a website? Why can't we book FHR properties and make requests directly from the web? Why hasn't Amex developed an iPhone or Blackberry app for PLAT and CENT cardholders that not only let you have a look at your spending, but a look at your benefits, a look at your claims (and claim filing), the ability to take advantage of the Fine Dining program right from your phone, the ability to send a request to a concierge and receive a reply back to your phone, all within a technically supported environment?
That's really where I DON'T find value in my $450 PLAT card, or if it were the case, in a $2500/yr. CENT card. It's not that the benefits aren't valuable, and it's not that the cost of the card can't be recouped in things you get for free, and time saved on things that need to be done, but more the fact that that money doesn't go to improving the cards in any revolutionary ways.
That's really where I DON'T find value in my $450 PLAT card, or if it were the case, in a $2500/yr. CENT card. It's not that the benefits aren't valuable, and it's not that the cost of the card can't be recouped in things you get for free, and time saved on things that need to be done, but more the fact that that money doesn't go to improving the cards in any revolutionary ways.
Nov 24, 2009, 2:17 pm
#138
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Point Place, Wisconsin
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, EK Gold
Posts: 14,505
Nov 24, 2009, 3:10 pm
#139
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 1999
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 15,354
I've never bought a shirt that cost more than $50. Hasn't hurt me any. We all spend our money differently -- it's silly to say that if someone doesn't choose to spend money on high end clothes they aren't the right target market for a particular card.
Nov 26, 2009, 8:12 pm
#140
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SXSW
Programs: DL Plat; HH Diamond; SPG & Hyatt Plat
Posts: 996
Ever had one not answered? I've had several never responded to except by their canned response that they'll get to it within 24 hours. I just reserve my own tables, much more effective and more conducive to relationship building.
Nov 27, 2009, 10:23 am
#141
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: California
Programs: Biz Plat, Biz Cent etc
Posts: 125
Although I new what the answer would be, I called this morning for the fun it. They put me on hold for about 2 minutes and said there wasn't an invitation on my account but that they would "notate my interest". It was a very quick conversation and the CSR was very professional and polite. What I thought was interesting was that the only question she asked is if I wanted a biz or personal card. Seemed like a strange question in that they weren't going to give me either LOL 
No dissapointment on my end as it wasn't unexpected obviously. General stats: $350k in spend last 6-7 months, high 700s Fico, 3% current utilization, etc. Very obvious the old criteria is totally out and it's a complete guessing game now 
~Happy Holidays everyone
No dissapointment on my end as it wasn't unexpected obviously. General stats: $350k in spend last 6-7 months, high 700s Fico, 3% current utilization, etc. Very obvious the old criteria is totally out and it's a complete guessing game now ~Happy Holidays everyone
Nov 27, 2009, 12:54 pm
#142
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 95
pannhead51,
I was told by a CSR that Cent was changing to a $350,000 annual spend - IN MAY 2007! In the meantime, it has remained at $250,000.
Who was your source for the new spend requirement of $350,000?
BTW, the 6-7 months spend period is something I haven't heard yet...
Thanks
I was told by a CSR that Cent was changing to a $350,000 annual spend - IN MAY 2007! In the meantime, it has remained at $250,000.
Who was your source for the new spend requirement of $350,000?
BTW, the 6-7 months spend period is something I haven't heard yet...
Thanks
Nov 27, 2009, 12:57 pm
#143
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,049
pannhead51,
I was told by a CSR that Cent was changing to a $350,000 annual spend - IN MAY 2007! In the meantime, it has remained at $250,000.
Who was your source for the new spend requirement of $350,000?
BTW, the 6-7 months spend period is something I haven't heard yet...
Thanks
I was told by a CSR that Cent was changing to a $350,000 annual spend - IN MAY 2007! In the meantime, it has remained at $250,000.
Who was your source for the new spend requirement of $350,000?
BTW, the 6-7 months spend period is something I haven't heard yet...
Thanks
Nov 28, 2009, 8:36 am
#145
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: AMEX:CENT DL:PM HH:DIA IHG:PLT/AMB SPG:GLD MAR:GLD AVIS:PCLUB HRTZ:PLAT
Posts: 15
While you're waiting for your invite, you can be a Centurion fan on FB 
:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Pas...d/117154924407
:http://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Pas...d/117154924407
Nov 29, 2009, 9:16 am
#146
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: California
Programs: Biz Plat, Biz Cent etc
Posts: 125
While you're waiting for your invite, you can be a Centurion fan on FB :
http://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Pas...d/117154924407
:http://www.facebook.com/pages/El-Pas...d/117154924407
Dec 14, 2009, 4:38 pm
#147
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: California
Programs: Biz Plat, Biz Cent etc
Posts: 125
It seems holding one's breath is the new requirement. I recieved my Cent today
http://s836.photobucket.com/albums/zz287/pannhead51/
http://s836.photobucket.com/albums/zz287/pannhead51/
Dec 15, 2009, 9:23 am
#148
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 492
Although I new what the answer would be, I called this morning for the fun it. They put me on hold for about 2 minutes and said there wasn't an invitation on my account but that they would "notate my interest". It was a very quick conversation and the CSR was very professional and polite. What I thought was interesting was that the only question she asked is if I wanted a biz or personal card. Seemed like a strange question in that they weren't going to give me either LOL No dissapointment on my end as it wasn't unexpected obviously. General stats: $350k in spend last 6-7 months, high 700s Fico, 3% current utilization, etc. Very obvious the old criteria is totally out and it's a complete guessing game now
~Happy Holidays everyone
No dissapointment on my end as it wasn't unexpected obviously. General stats: $350k in spend last 6-7 months, high 700s Fico, 3% current utilization, etc. Very obvious the old criteria is totally out and it's a complete guessing game now ~Happy Holidays everyone
It seems holding one's breath is the new requirement. I recieved my Cent today
http://s836.photobucket.com/albums/zz287/pannhead51/
http://s836.photobucket.com/albums/zz287/pannhead51/
Looks like your the most recent member to get a cent so I'm sure others are curious about the "new process".
Dec 15, 2009, 11:07 am
#149
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: California
Programs: Biz Plat, Biz Cent etc
Posts: 125
The only thing that has changed from then to now is my revolving utilization went from 3% down to under 1%. All other variables remained the same. I have alot of reading to do as I'll be doing alot of travel in the next few weeks
Dec 15, 2009, 11:32 am
#150
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 492
Anyway if you're traveling soon - be sure to call in (don't fax or mail) and enroll in all the benefits and any that you plan to be using in the next 6 weeks or so put a rush on them so you'll have the number in 2 days. There's a few like Avis and Hertz and Priority Pass that you have to fax in, but the others you can do over the phone. Then on the ones you put a rush on, just call in 2-3 days and ask for the numbers of those programs.