USA Centurion now "Invitation Only"
#181
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SXSW
Programs: DL Plat; HH Diamond; SPG & Hyatt Plat
Posts: 996
Although it is technically a sunk cost, there is a feeling that if you cancel the card, you are just throwing away that $5,000 initiation fee. That doesn't keep me holding on as I have found the card to be valuable for travel... I just hope at some point we get MORE benefits and not less.
#182
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Worldwide
Programs: Amex Plat, BMI Silver
Posts: 401
Maybe since it's been 5 years, they have already gotten there $5k worth and the normal annual fee justifies their current situation. But who knows about tomorrow.
#183
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 6,983
Although it is technically a sunk cost, there is a feeling that if you cancel the card, you are just throwing away that $5,000 initiation fee. That doesn't keep me holding on as I have found the card to be valuable for travel... I just hope at some point we get MORE benefits and not less.
At some point, if the card doesn't meet ones needs, they simply have to get over the initiation fee and move on...
Regards
#184
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Nashville, TN
Posts: 492
Not sure how invitation only it really is. I called up today for fun to see if there was an invitation and they said I have an invitation for both the biz and the personal. I am missing my platinum already though for my upcoming vegas trip LOL
Last edited by lifeandmylens; Aug 12, 2010 at 1:23 pm
#185
Join Date: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,877
Well, by that logic, after two years you've also thrown away another $5k on annual fees and then another $5k every two years hence. Pretty soon, the initiation outlay will have shrunk, as a percentage, in terms of total cost, which is what people should care about rather than obsessing about the initiation fee.
If not 100%, then it would be a percentage of your use of the card. For example, if 45% of your charges are for business purchases/expenses, then you can write off 45% of the fees associated with the card.
Last edited by DelrayChris; Aug 18, 2010 at 8:37 am
#186
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 358
This has anyway been my experience in France for Platinium : first call a rebuttal ("invitation only"), then second call I was enrolled.
I suggest you let them know from time to time you are interested.
#187
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG Plat, Emerald Exec., PC Plat, AA, CO, DL, UBS Charter Card, Palladium Card, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,694
Just curious...I have heard the spend requirements are going up again, what was your spend on Amex before asking?
#188
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat, AMEX Centurion (And All That Goes With It)
Posts: 393
I agree, I think "invitation only" is a marketing ploy. If you inquire a few times, and have a decent expenditure with a Platinum Amex that has had 0 payment issues, I am sure they will take you.
If not, this concerns me as a shareholder of AXP. If there are people willing to fork over $7,500+ so they (and their significant others) can have a 45 cent piece of titanium, and they're not taking advantage of that, I have an issue with that.
As a former Centurion who is more than happy with my Plat, I could care less about obtaining Centurion again. It just isn't worth it. Without Platinum Starwood, Hyatt Diamond, and higher tiers of airline status, not much incentive.
If not, this concerns me as a shareholder of AXP. If there are people willing to fork over $7,500+ so they (and their significant others) can have a 45 cent piece of titanium, and they're not taking advantage of that, I have an issue with that.
As a former Centurion who is more than happy with my Plat, I could care less about obtaining Centurion again. It just isn't worth it. Without Platinum Starwood, Hyatt Diamond, and higher tiers of airline status, not much incentive.
#189
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: SPG Plat, Emerald Exec., PC Plat, AA, CO, DL, UBS Charter Card, Palladium Card, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,694
I agree, I think "invitation only" is a marketing ploy. If you inquire a few times, and have a decent expenditure with a Platinum Amex that has had 0 payment issues, I am sure they will take you.
If not, this concerns me as a shareholder of AXP. If there are people willing to fork over $7,500+ so they (and their significant others) can have a 45 cent piece of titanium, and they're not taking advantage of that, I have an issue with that.
As a former Centurion who is more than happy with my Plat, I could care less about obtaining Centurion again. It just isn't worth it. Without Platinum Starwood, Hyatt Diamond, and higher tiers of airline status, not much incentive.
If not, this concerns me as a shareholder of AXP. If there are people willing to fork over $7,500+ so they (and their significant others) can have a 45 cent piece of titanium, and they're not taking advantage of that, I have an issue with that.
As a former Centurion who is more than happy with my Plat, I could care less about obtaining Centurion again. It just isn't worth it. Without Platinum Starwood, Hyatt Diamond, and higher tiers of airline status, not much incentive.
#190
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: DL DM, SPG Plat, AMEX Centurion (And All That Goes With It)
Posts: 393
You do realize though if they don't have the requirements and it's basically available to anyone with decent spend willing to drop $7500 it will in the end devalue the program and benefits even more. The partners join on and grant the statuses because of the elite clientele they are reaching in hopes of gaining big spenders to better their bottom lines, the less elite the membership base is the less programs you will have granting benefits.
#191
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,884
I don't interpret invitation only to literally mean don't call us, we'll call you . I think it means only that the formal spending criterion has been eliminated and acceptance is discretionary. There is no checklist to assure acceptance.
#192
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SoCal
Programs: Too many to manage
Posts: 175
I agree, I think "invitation only" is a marketing ploy. If you inquire a few times, and have a decent expenditure with a Platinum Amex that has had 0 payment issues, I am sure they will take you.
If not, this concerns me as a shareholder of AXP. If there are people willing to fork over $7,500+ so they (and their significant others) can have a 45 cent piece of titanium, and they're not taking advantage of that, I have an issue with that.
As a former Centurion who is more than happy with my Plat, I could care less about obtaining Centurion again. It just isn't worth it. Without Platinum Starwood, Hyatt Diamond, and higher tiers of airline status, not much incentive.
If not, this concerns me as a shareholder of AXP. If there are people willing to fork over $7,500+ so they (and their significant others) can have a 45 cent piece of titanium, and they're not taking advantage of that, I have an issue with that.
As a former Centurion who is more than happy with my Plat, I could care less about obtaining Centurion again. It just isn't worth it. Without Platinum Starwood, Hyatt Diamond, and higher tiers of airline status, not much incentive.
Oh well....guess I'm saving $7k so that's a bonus.....
stinky
#193
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NYC and Europe
Programs: Amex Plat Visa Sig HH SPG gold Virgin AA Priority Pass Prestige
Posts: 25
I have had a Plat since the 80's, had a Cent for about 2 yrs, then downgraded
For my purposes,I saw not much difference (except prestige, which i can live without) and besides I could not take advantage of what they had to offer b/c I was running around all the time.The fee is not an issue with me
I am sure Cent holders will disagree with me, but hey, to each his own
arbt1988
For my purposes,I saw not much difference (except prestige, which i can live without) and besides I could not take advantage of what they had to offer b/c I was running around all the time.The fee is not an issue with me
I am sure Cent holders will disagree with me, but hey, to each his own
arbt1988