CX Marco Polo Diamond for Centurion [Ends May 2015]
Apr 5, 2011, 6:26 am
#16
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York City
Programs: BA Gold Guest List; HH Diamond; Hyatt Diamond; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,832
If they apply this to the Japanese card (which is pretty much in need of some decent benefits beyond the global ones like Mandarin Oriental etc) then I will be delighted. I will also eat my hat 
Apr 5, 2011, 6:53 am
#17
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
I spoke to Centurion customer services in the UK about this. They are noteably clueless regarding even existing benefits, and the rep had no idea, but said she would go away and speak to marketing.
She called me back and said words to the effect "we cannot confirm anything at this time, but are always looking to enhance our benefits. If the situation changes we will be notifying you", which was very clearly signalling without confirming that this rumour has substance. My only concern is that this will be targeted to certain high volume (or non One world) travellers, but I think its unlikely Amex could justify a targeted benefit (as opposed to one off give-aways) - it would be out of step with how the programme has always been.
I now believe this is real, and we should watch this space. As I understand it top tier OW would allow access to the BA First lounge at T5 at most other Gold Card benefits - a very considerable benefit, argueably (depending on your particular flying patterns etc) the most valuable benefit of the card
She called me back and said words to the effect "we cannot confirm anything at this time, but are always looking to enhance our benefits. If the situation changes we will be notifying you", which was very clearly signalling without confirming that this rumour has substance. My only concern is that this will be targeted to certain high volume (or non One world) travellers, but I think its unlikely Amex could justify a targeted benefit (as opposed to one off give-aways) - it would be out of step with how the programme has always been.
I now believe this is real, and we should watch this space. As I understand it top tier OW would allow access to the BA First lounge at T5 at most other Gold Card benefits - a very considerable benefit, argueably (depending on your particular flying patterns etc) the most valuable benefit of the card
Apr 5, 2011, 7:10 am
#18
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Apr 5, 2011, 12:15 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: KLM GD, DL PM, AA LT Plt, Hyatt Diamond, SPG LT Plat, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, Fairmont Platinum, Interconti Amb/PC Spire, etc.
Posts: 593
I just shared the news of this new benefit with my US Centurion travel concierge. She knew nothing about it, nor did her supervisor. The supervisor promised to share the news with customer service. Perhaps others should do the same so AMEX US may at some point leverage the global AMEX deal with Cathay and give us this status as well; just a thought 
Apr 5, 2011, 12:17 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 45
looks like irwin8417 and marcuslai were right on the money [in this thread]:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...st-2010-a.html
according to the agents i spoke with, cx marco polo diamond starts on april 11 for aussie and idc centurion card holders (there are probably other centurion countries offering this as well but i could only check the countries where i hold the card).
i'll believe it once the status is in the bank, but for now, colour me stunned. for once, it appears that centurion is actually giving us non-usa members an amazing benefit on a great airline.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...st-2010-a.html
according to the agents i spoke with, cx marco polo diamond starts on april 11 for aussie and idc centurion card holders (there are probably other centurion countries offering this as well but i could only check the countries where i hold the card).
i'll believe it once the status is in the bank, but for now, colour me stunned. for once, it appears that centurion is actually giving us non-usa members an amazing benefit on a great airline.
Apr 5, 2011, 12:32 pm
#22
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Apr 5, 2011, 12:55 pm
#23
Join Date: May 2007
Location: YYZ, but my heart is in Asia
Programs: AC-SE, CX-DM, DL-G, Hyatt-DM, Hilton-DM, Fairmont-Plt, Marriott-S, Accor-Plt, SPG-G, IHG-Plt
Posts: 4,396
I'm sure this benefit would not apply to Canadian Centurion cardholders because Canadian Centurion sucks.
Maybe I should consider getting an IDC in addition to my Canadian Centurion.
Maybe I should consider getting an IDC in addition to my Canadian Centurion.
Apr 5, 2011, 1:16 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MSP
Programs: VS Gold, Delta Platinum, Amex Centurion, Sixt Platinum
Posts: 118
Having an IDC for 5+ years it's got worse and the lack of airline partners (we have VS) is a big problem - especially as I'm now based in the US so Delta etc would be fantastic. Anything to improve things would be welcome as I can't see me doing $250K+ per year to get the US version.
Apr 5, 2011, 1:18 pm
#25
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
I just shared the news of this new benefit with my US Centurion travel concierge. She knew nothing about it, nor did her supervisor. The supervisor promised to share the news with customer service. Perhaps others should do the same so AMEX US may at some point leverage the global AMEX deal with Cathay and give us this status as well; just a thought
Apr 5, 2011, 1:30 pm
#26
Join Date: Oct 2007
Programs: Plat:US,DL (ex KL,AF,LX,LY) Gold:BA,VS (ex CO,UA).Plat.SPG,HGP Diam.HH. ICHG Plat RA. Amex Centurion
Posts: 673
Apr 11, 2011, 6:56 am
#29
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York City
Programs: BA Gold Guest List; HH Diamond; Hyatt Diamond; SPG Gold
Posts: 2,832
Indeed: much as I still reckon this is just a fabulously-executed April Fool's joke, would those who have confirmed the offer in their home market please report that on the thread (along with a confirmation of what that market is, of course)?
Apr 12, 2011, 6:14 am
#30
Moderator: Asiana & Qantas Frequent Flyer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: STR/SYD/SMF
Programs: QF Lifetime SG, LH HON, OZ Lifetime Diamond +, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 14,367