USA Centurion now "Invitation Only"
Oct 28, 2009, 7:33 pm
#106
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: California USA
Posts: 652
I have three American Express Cards: the Platinum Charge, Starwood Preferred Guest, and the Delta Reserve Card. In all, with supplemental cardholders I spend approximately $1k per year to have these cards. In other words, I am foolish to pay for the privilege of using a credit card, when I could get more generous credit lines for FREE with Bank of America, Chase, and Wells Fargo.
American Express is in the business of punishing their customers lately. I go out of my way to only use my Platinum Charge card. How am I repaid? By having credit limits imposed on me because they are afraid of defaults. Nothing in my credit portfolio has changed. I have a 728 credit score and have never missed any payment, with any credit card/bill/mortgage.
I pay $450 roughly for the Delta Reserve Card, only to have my limit randomly slashed on that card to $1,800 from 5k. Why on earth would I pay $450 to have an $1,800 credit limit? $5k was pushing it to begin with. I can't even buy Delta tickets on the card so I put them all on my Platinum Charge thus defeating the purpose of having the card in the first place.
Note: I'd also like to mention that I have had a Platinum Charge since 1988 and I have been an AMEX cardholder since 1981. I qualified for the Centurion card (but laughed as to why I would pay thousands to have a credit card) in 1999. I have qualified every year since and have ignored 4 of their invitations total.
I find it humorous that AMEX cuts my Delta card to $1,800 while letting me spend tens of thousands on another card. They make no sense and are just insulting.
At the end of 2009, I will, for the first time since 1981 be American Express-free. I am looking forward to it. American Express is hardly taken overseas and if you put all your spending on their cards, they'll just cut your limits.
As for the Centurion, there is no worthy benefit to the card. The "Centurion Concierge" is nothing more than the same Circles Concierge program that answers when you have a Platinum Card--just they say Centurion Concierge if you are forwarded to them from the Centurion line. They can barely get anything done for you, and this is hardly a perk. Case and point: I was traveling in DC and in the mood for Mexican. I asked them to send me good Mexican restaurants, and they e-mailed me (two hours later) a list of restaurants including Chipotle! Wow, impressive.
At anytime I have around 100k in my checking account. I have come to the conclusion that all I need is my debit card, and the credit cards I have with Bank of America/Chase. They are taken all over the world without hassle. And I don't have to pay them to use their cards.
American Express is in the business of punishing their customers lately. I go out of my way to only use my Platinum Charge card. How am I repaid? By having credit limits imposed on me because they are afraid of defaults. Nothing in my credit portfolio has changed. I have a 728 credit score and have never missed any payment, with any credit card/bill/mortgage.
I pay $450 roughly for the Delta Reserve Card, only to have my limit randomly slashed on that card to $1,800 from 5k. Why on earth would I pay $450 to have an $1,800 credit limit? $5k was pushing it to begin with. I can't even buy Delta tickets on the card so I put them all on my Platinum Charge thus defeating the purpose of having the card in the first place.
Note: I'd also like to mention that I have had a Platinum Charge since 1988 and I have been an AMEX cardholder since 1981. I qualified for the Centurion card (but laughed as to why I would pay thousands to have a credit card) in 1999. I have qualified every year since and have ignored 4 of their invitations total.
I find it humorous that AMEX cuts my Delta card to $1,800 while letting me spend tens of thousands on another card. They make no sense and are just insulting.
At the end of 2009, I will, for the first time since 1981 be American Express-free. I am looking forward to it. American Express is hardly taken overseas and if you put all your spending on their cards, they'll just cut your limits.
As for the Centurion, there is no worthy benefit to the card. The "Centurion Concierge" is nothing more than the same Circles Concierge program that answers when you have a Platinum Card--just they say Centurion Concierge if you are forwarded to them from the Centurion line. They can barely get anything done for you, and this is hardly a perk. Case and point: I was traveling in DC and in the mood for Mexican. I asked them to send me good Mexican restaurants, and they e-mailed me (two hours later) a list of restaurants including Chipotle! Wow, impressive.
At anytime I have around 100k in my checking account. I have come to the conclusion that all I need is my debit card, and the credit cards I have with Bank of America/Chase. They are taken all over the world without hassle. And I don't have to pay them to use their cards.
Oct 28, 2009, 9:06 pm
#107
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sydney
Programs: UA/EK(Gold) CX(Diamond) Marriott Gold Accor Platinum Hilton Diamond Shangri-la Jade
Posts: 585
Dennis, you are doing a great job and I for one do appreciate flyertalk's volunteer moderators.
Oct 28, 2009, 11:01 pm
#108
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AMEX Cent, VS G, CO G, US Plat, IC Plat Amb
Posts: 101
... and congratulations on your expensive shirts. ^
Oct 29, 2009, 6:06 am
#110
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Oct 29, 2009, 6:56 am
#111
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 15
Do you have at least an expensive print T-Shirt?
This thread is going off the track, but to resume....
I have called a handful of times to Centurion, and they have gone out of their way to be nice and help me. I have even gotten the same girl twice a week apart and she remembered me and our consersation. Maybe closing the doors on the card is the first to them restructuring? Have any of you long time card holders noticed better responses and nicer people the last couple of weeks? Or have I just been lucky?
This thread is going off the track, but to resume....
I have called a handful of times to Centurion, and they have gone out of their way to be nice and help me. I have even gotten the same girl twice a week apart and she remembered me and our consersation. Maybe closing the doors on the card is the first to them restructuring? Have any of you long time card holders noticed better responses and nicer people the last couple of weeks? Or have I just been lucky?
Oct 29, 2009, 7:32 pm
#112
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: Earned: AC SE, AA PLT - Comped: DL PLT, Avis PC, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 781
I think the original comment was correct, if you understand what the definition of "value" was.
When a person chooses to buy coach, the potential upgrades that come with status aren't worth anything specific that you can quantify in order to offset the Cent fees.
It is the person who normally pays F, who would save money by purchasing coach and flying in the F cabin anyway due to status obtained through Cent membership.
The difference between the F they used to pay and the coach they will now pay is a direct monetary "saving" - which they would balance against the 2500 annually for the Cent. That's where the direct "value for money" comes in.
If you were purchasing a $300 suit, and you were offered a $1300 suit instead - did you just "save $1000"? No, because you wouldn't have paid $1300 to begin with.
On the other hand, if you went in to purchase the $1300 suit, and the salesperson said that they would allow you to pay for a $300 suit and give you the $1300 suit anyway - then you DID save $1000.
When a person chooses to buy coach, the potential upgrades that come with status aren't worth anything specific that you can quantify in order to offset the Cent fees.
It is the person who normally pays F, who would save money by purchasing coach and flying in the F cabin anyway due to status obtained through Cent membership.
The difference between the F they used to pay and the coach they will now pay is a direct monetary "saving" - which they would balance against the 2500 annually for the Cent. That's where the direct "value for money" comes in.
If you were purchasing a $300 suit, and you were offered a $1300 suit instead - did you just "save $1000"? No, because you wouldn't have paid $1300 to begin with.
On the other hand, if you went in to purchase the $1300 suit, and the salesperson said that they would allow you to pay for a $300 suit and give you the $1300 suit anyway - then you DID save $1000.
In regards to your argument, I still disagree that those people really save any money from centurion (though, they obviously can).
I know very few people who can justify buying paid F, but would be willing to roll the upgrade dice.
Stretching your suite analogy a bit, How many people do you know that can afford and buy $1300 suits that would be caught in a $300 suit, just to save $1000? That's the risk you run with the upgrade game.
Last edited by mattm00se; Oct 29, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Oct 29, 2009, 7:53 pm
#113
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SXSW
Programs: DL Plat; HH Diamond; SPG & Hyatt Plat
Posts: 996
<begin rant>Actually, I don't really like being chatted up about my day and this and that (nice thought, but they can't possibly really care) at Centurion CS and especially the "Concierge" (feels like they quadruple the amount of words necessary for normal/efficient communication), all I want to do is get the credit card business done so I can get back to my regular business (no offense, it's business, not personal). Centurion, especially the concierge, is all about typical American insincere "How are you's" and contrived empathy.
While I'm at it, I wish Americans would wake up and not rhetorically ask "how are you" when we mean "good day to you sir, I hope you and your family are well and I wish much kindness and goodness in your general direction" (or whatever level you mean that at, I do). It's kinda awkward when someone doesn't answer anyway, especially if you really mean it like I do and are really asking when so many people aren't asking, just saying it as part of the culture. I also wish slow drivers would get out of the fast lane, like Germany where it is mandatory.
BTW: I am American, born and raised, just have seen a few things/countries and went to an international Uni. - so don't think I'm not patriotic (I'd be on a boat dumping tea right now if I thought it'd help, gov't is out of control.)
</end rant>
Last edited by b8b; Oct 29, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Oct 29, 2009, 9:29 pm
#115
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SXSW
Programs: DL Plat; HH Diamond; SPG & Hyatt Plat
Posts: 996
I was hoping that scrip was a cent benefit, but I think it only is with the Impersonal Centurion Card. I have the personal. Used to have the business too.
Reminds me of an recent proverb, "I pitty tha foo."
Oct 30, 2009, 7:40 am
#116
Join Date: May 2009
Location: germany
Programs: LH SEN, AMEX Cent, HH DIA, SGP gold, Hyatt Plat,
Posts: 23
.......
<begin rant>Actually, I don't really like being chatted up about my day and this and that (nice thought, but they can't possibly really care) at Centurion CS and especially the "Concierge" (feels like they quadruple the amount of words necessary for normal/efficient communication), all I want to do is get the credit card business done so I can get back to my regular business (no offense, it's business, not personal). Centurion, especially the concierge, is all about typical American insincere "How are you's" and contrived empathy.
While I'm at it, I wish Americans would wake up and not rhetorically ask "how are you" when we mean "good day to you sir, I hope you and your family are well and I wish much kindness and goodness in your general direction" (or whatever level you mean that at, I do). It's kinda awkward when someone doesn't answer anyway, especially if you really mean it like I do and are really asking when so many people aren't asking, just saying it as part of the culture. I also wish slow drivers would get out of the fast lane, like Germany where it is mandatory.
BTW: I am American, born and raised, just have seen a few things/countries and went to an international Uni. - so don't think I'm not patriotic (I'd be on a boat dumping tea right now if I thought it'd help, gov't is out of control.)
</end rant>
<begin rant>Actually, I don't really like being chatted up about my day and this and that (nice thought, but they can't possibly really care) at Centurion CS and especially the "Concierge" (feels like they quadruple the amount of words necessary for normal/efficient communication), all I want to do is get the credit card business done so I can get back to my regular business (no offense, it's business, not personal). Centurion, especially the concierge, is all about typical American insincere "How are you's" and contrived empathy.
While I'm at it, I wish Americans would wake up and not rhetorically ask "how are you" when we mean "good day to you sir, I hope you and your family are well and I wish much kindness and goodness in your general direction" (or whatever level you mean that at, I do). It's kinda awkward when someone doesn't answer anyway, especially if you really mean it like I do and are really asking when so many people aren't asking, just saying it as part of the culture. I also wish slow drivers would get out of the fast lane, like Germany where it is mandatory.
BTW: I am American, born and raised, just have seen a few things/countries and went to an international Uni. - so don't think I'm not patriotic (I'd be on a boat dumping tea right now if I thought it'd help, gov't is out of control.)
</end rant>
but your application for a german passport would not be declined....
Oct 30, 2009, 10:51 pm
#117
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SXSW
Programs: DL Plat; HH Diamond; SPG & Hyatt Plat
Posts: 996
Nov 2, 2009, 12:35 pm
#118
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: Amex Platinum, Starwood Gold, VX elevate
Posts: 324
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 2, 2009, 2:30 pm
#119
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: VS/bmi Gold, CX Diamond, SPG/Radisson/Sirius Gold, PC/A|Club Plat, GHA Black, Hilton Diamond +++
Posts: 171
Regarding the card's value, I just got 100.000 MR bonus points, for reaching the 100K USD spending threshold. That's worth the annual fee in itself. I aslo had numerous valuable hotel upgrades and free nights, for example a weekend in a suite at Jumeirah Carlton Towers in London that saved me some GBP 1500.
Also, some of the comments I get on the card are priceless
