Centurion Card (UK)
Jun 7, 2019, 11:18 am
#77
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: BA GGL CCR
Posts: 87
I have centurion and coutts. I nearly always use the coutts card overseas to avoid the amex fx charge the only exceptions would be if to secure hotel benefits I need to pay with a centurion card.
The amex benefits are a bit mixed - they keep a fee tables permanently reserved at a handful of restaurants until 12.00 on the day ( I think ), some of the hotel benefits are good ( MO stands out ) but the club benefits are pretty ( IMO ) worthless - any of the clubs that you would want to get into they can't - 5 Hertford Street, Oswald's etc but they are better than Coutts which is outsourced to 10. One surprising thing is that they can come up with some really good deals on air fares - air france premier was significantly better than anything I could find.
Some of the experiences can be mixed too - I did an orient express dinner that was terrible.
The amex benefits are a bit mixed - they keep a fee tables permanently reserved at a handful of restaurants until 12.00 on the day ( I think ), some of the hotel benefits are good ( MO stands out ) but the club benefits are pretty ( IMO ) worthless - any of the clubs that you would want to get into they can't - 5 Hertford Street, Oswald's etc but they are better than Coutts which is outsourced to 10. One surprising thing is that they can come up with some really good deals on air fares - air france premier was significantly better than anything I could find.
Some of the experiences can be mixed too - I did an orient express dinner that was terrible.
Jun 7, 2019, 1:27 pm
#78
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plt
Posts: 2,607
I have centurion and coutts. I nearly always use the coutts card overseas to avoid the amex fx charge the only exceptions would be if to secure hotel benefits I need to pay with a centurion card.
The amex benefits are a bit mixed - they keep a fee tables permanently reserved at a handful of restaurants until 12.00 on the day ( I think ), some of the hotel benefits are good ( MO stands out ) but the club benefits are pretty ( IMO ) worthless - any of the clubs that you would want to get into they can't - 5 Hertford Street, Oswald's etc but they are better than Coutts which is outsourced to 10. One surprising thing is that they can come up with some really good deals on air fares - air france premier was significantly better than anything I could find.
Some of the experiences can be mixed too - I did an orient express dinner that was terrible.
The amex benefits are a bit mixed - they keep a fee tables permanently reserved at a handful of restaurants until 12.00 on the day ( I think ), some of the hotel benefits are good ( MO stands out ) but the club benefits are pretty ( IMO ) worthless - any of the clubs that you would want to get into they can't - 5 Hertford Street, Oswald's etc but they are better than Coutts which is outsourced to 10. One surprising thing is that they can come up with some really good deals on air fares - air france premier was significantly better than anything I could find.
Some of the experiences can be mixed too - I did an orient express dinner that was terrible.
Jun 7, 2019, 3:09 pm
#79
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
Jun 8, 2019, 5:22 am
#80
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: BA GGL CCR
Posts: 87
Coutts Silk Card is now free ( you used to have to spend £50,000 ) to earn out the fee, there is a reward scheme of sorts which is in the process of being relaunched. At the moment if you spend £75,000 you can redeem the points for a bottle of Dom Perignon P2!
It really is just a charge card that sits alongside your bank account - you can't get the card if you don't bank with coutts. So if such things matter it is arguably in the UK smarter than Centurion.
Jun 13, 2019, 2:54 pm
#81
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plt
Posts: 2,607
Got my first Centurion card in last week. So far the concierge is at least pretty good it seems and responds quickly over email which was a big concern for me. The airline and car benefits aren't too useful but I'm hopeful that with flights they will come in handy with complex itineraries. Strangely though for a new York hotel the fhr site had a cheaper price for the same hotel as the concierge pulled. Slightly worrisome.
Jun 15, 2019, 4:59 am
#82
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Bonvoy Amb, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 553
Got my first Centurion card in last week. So far the concierge is at least pretty good it seems and responds quickly over email which was a big concern for me. The airline and car benefits aren't too useful but I'm hopeful that with flights they will come in handy with complex itineraries. Strangely though for a new York hotel the fhr site had a cheaper price for the same hotel as the concierge pulled. Slightly worrisome.
Jul 17, 2019, 11:34 am
#83
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 66
I’ve been trying to get a centurion card but I find it tough to physically spend the required cash ... as a new parent my social life is pretty dead. Other than luxury items like watches and furniture my options are limited. In 2019 I have spent £95k on a car but the dealer wouldn’t take Amex. I bought a small tourer for £15k and they also wouldn’t take the card.
I’m spending £25k on new windows imminently but I’ll be shocked if they take Amex!
I’m spending £25k on new windows imminently but I’ll be shocked if they take Amex!
Jul 17, 2019, 11:40 pm
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 10,709
I’ve been trying to get a centurion card but I find it tough to physically spend the required cash ... as a new parent my social life is pretty dead. Other than luxury items like watches and furniture my options are limited. In 2019 I have spent £95k on a car but the dealer wouldn’t take Amex. I bought a small tourer for £15k and they also wouldn’t take the card.
I’m spending £25k on new windows imminently but I’ll be shocked if they take Amex!
I’m spending £25k on new windows imminently but I’ll be shocked if they take Amex!
With my accounts I spend, well my wife does, amex on products. Then I use the membership rewards points for my mum and sister. They have an account on a amex credit card, and spend my points generated on amazon.
There are dealers who will take amex you need to search for them, first on the amex website then onto the dealer themselves.
(wait until you get a mistress) You could just be nice and buy your wife a necklace instead.
Jul 18, 2019, 1:33 pm
#85
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 66
But Amazon takes amex if your house is like my house, amazon is a regular visitor. It all adds up each month.
With my accounts I spend, well my wife does, amex on products. Then I use the membership rewards points for my mum and sister. They have an account on a amex credit card, and spend my points generated on amazon.
There are dealers who will take amex you need to search for them, first on the amex website then onto the dealer themselves.
(wait until you get a mistress) You could just be nice and buy your wife a necklace instead.
With my accounts I spend, well my wife does, amex on products. Then I use the membership rewards points for my mum and sister. They have an account on a amex credit card, and spend my points generated on amazon.
There are dealers who will take amex you need to search for them, first on the amex website then onto the dealer themselves.
(wait until you get a mistress) You could just be nice and buy your wife a necklace instead.
I had good news today in that I can pay for the new windows with Amex ... the bad news is that it’s £5k more than expected (or perhaps I should view that as good news in my quest for a Centurion invite!)
Jul 19, 2019, 5:17 am
#86
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangkok
Programs: Bonvoy Amb, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 553
I have had spend into 7 figures into my personal and business cards, and never received an invite. I wouldn't pay extra just to put charges onto your card in hopes of an invite.
We're currently looking for alternatives to shift our spend away since most of our spend incurs the 3% FX fee (amex probably makes a good 5 figures a year in those commissions) and not even remotely close to an invite it seems.
I think the best bet is either go thru a private bank route if you really want one and pay the slightly higher fees, or just spend in the most cost effective way using your cards and hope for the best with a request on your account.
We're currently looking for alternatives to shift our spend away since most of our spend incurs the 3% FX fee (amex probably makes a good 5 figures a year in those commissions) and not even remotely close to an invite it seems.
I think the best bet is either go thru a private bank route if you really want one and pay the slightly higher fees, or just spend in the most cost effective way using your cards and hope for the best with a request on your account.
Last edited by Sohan; Jul 19, 2019 at 5:26 am
Jul 20, 2019, 4:21 am
#87
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SE England
Programs: Amex Cent and all that comes with it
Posts: 332
I have centurion and coutts. I nearly always use the coutts card overseas to avoid the amex fx charge the only exceptions would be if to secure hotel benefits I need to pay with a centurion card.
The amex benefits are a bit mixed - they keep a fee tables permanently reserved at a handful of restaurants until 12.00 on the day ( I think ), some of the hotel benefits are good ( MO stands out ) but the club benefits are pretty ( IMO ) worthless - any of the clubs that you would want to get into they can't - 5 Hertford Street, Oswald's etc but they are better than Coutts which is outsourced to 10. One surprising thing is that they can come up with some really good deals on air fares - air france premier was significantly better than anything I could find.
Some of the experiences can be mixed too - I did an orient express dinner that was terrible.
The amex benefits are a bit mixed - they keep a fee tables permanently reserved at a handful of restaurants until 12.00 on the day ( I think ), some of the hotel benefits are good ( MO stands out ) but the club benefits are pretty ( IMO ) worthless - any of the clubs that you would want to get into they can't - 5 Hertford Street, Oswald's etc but they are better than Coutts which is outsourced to 10. One surprising thing is that they can come up with some really good deals on air fares - air france premier was significantly better than anything I could find.
Some of the experiences can be mixed too - I did an orient express dinner that was terrible.
mradey
Jul 27, 2019, 2:24 am
#88
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: London
Posts: 68
I use Amex for international too (too lazy). I get the maths why I shouldn’t but I value insurance, benefits and points. Coutts points kind of worthless.
As noted above in my post you want to probably show >£300k annual income and they probably ask for proof. So if earn £50k but charge £500k through expenses you won’t pass the credit check necessarily. Amex wants to know you can cover their high credit lines when push comes to shove.
As noted above in my post you want to probably show >£300k annual income and they probably ask for proof. So if earn £50k but charge £500k through expenses you won’t pass the credit check necessarily. Amex wants to know you can cover their high credit lines when push comes to shove.
Sep 17, 2019, 2:28 am
#90
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plt
Posts: 2,607
