SPECULATION: new USA card priced between Centurion & Platinum?
Dec 10, 20, 10:18 am
#151
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NW Iowa
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum Elite, Delta Silver Medallion
Posts: 365
Well, hopefully you realized I was joking. I didn’t mean to create a “full time job” for you to prove me wrong 
Realistically, I suspect I would not be interested in a card that makes me prepay $5k to then be reimbursed piecemeal for all these assorted services I may or may not want to use. I don’t know that that is a winning strategy for a Centurion style card in general. I am the kind of card holder who is ultimately more interested in benefits that I cannot (easily) get through other means, such as Centurion Lounge access or loyalty program status (in programs I may only occasionally use). But they are unlikely going to find enough to entice me to fork over $5k (or even $2.5k).
Realistically, I suspect I would not be interested in a card that makes me prepay $5k to then be reimbursed piecemeal for all these assorted services I may or may not want to use. I don’t know that that is a winning strategy for a Centurion style card in general. I am the kind of card holder who is ultimately more interested in benefits that I cannot (easily) get through other means, such as Centurion Lounge access or loyalty program status (in programs I may only occasionally use). But they are unlikely going to find enough to entice me to fork over $5k (or even $2.5k).
Things I'd like to see:
Delta Diamond on Centurion/ Delta Gold on Junior Centurion
Marriott Ambassador on Centurion/ Marriott Platinum Elite on Junior Centurion
Hilton Diamond on Both cards
Specialty, unique gifts from Amex for Christmas (not just targeted)
Dec 10, 20, 8:18 pm
#152
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 54,591
Heh. Kinda like a Centurion farm league. "I know you think you belong in the majors, kid, but show us what you can do with the Toledo Mud Hens first."
Dec 11, 20, 1:35 pm
#153
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Hawaii
Programs: AA EXP, HA PL, Hilton 💎, Marriott Ti, Wyndham/Caesars 💎, Hertz PC
Posts: 343
Agreed. I'd entertain the notion of a "Junior Centurion" at $2K or so IF the benefits were not easily obtainable through other means. I don't currently think the Centurion offers a good value as far as additional benefits that the Platinum card doesn't already offer (in some form) so they'd probably have to overhaul the Centurion first and then make the step-down Centurion a valuable proposition otherwise I can't see Amex getting many folks to shell out $2K+ for slightly better Platinum.
Things I'd like to see:
Delta Diamond on Centurion/ Delta Gold on Junior Centurion
Marriott Ambassador on Centurion/ Marriott Platinum Elite on Junior Centurion
Hilton Diamond on Both cards
Specialty, unique gifts from Amex for Christmas (not just targeted)
Things I'd like to see:
Delta Diamond on Centurion/ Delta Gold on Junior Centurion
Marriott Ambassador on Centurion/ Marriott Platinum Elite on Junior Centurion
Hilton Diamond on Both cards
Specialty, unique gifts from Amex for Christmas (not just targeted)
Dec 11, 20, 2:18 pm
#155
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NW Iowa
Programs: Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum Elite, Delta Silver Medallion
Posts: 365
Delta status wouldn't do much for me or other people with status at other airlines or who don't fly out of Delta hubs. Also Marriott Platinum Elite is now pretty devalued and crowded given the ongoing Bonvoy card promotions. And there's no way Marriott will open up Ambassador to cardholders, even Centurion. Hilton Diamond is nice but I already have that with the Aspire, which is a card that puts money back in my pocket with the fee credits and annual free weekend night. I'd like to see credits and/or elevated bonus categories geared towards their kind of spender. 5x airfare, but also 5x for spa/wellness/fitness, 5x department stores (Nordstrom, Saks, Bloomingdales, etc), 5x on luggage/travel stores (or statement credits). I think they should offer a choice of elite statuses for airlines. Centurion/Junior Centurion - choose PPro/Platinum (AA), Platinum/Gold (UA), Platinum/Gold (DL), maybe comp a yearly lounge membership for your preferred legacy carrier as well. Now wouldn't be a bad time to lock in a great deal with the airlines, they're hard-up for cash. Not sure if their other relationships with card-issuers and banks preclude them from doing something like that though.
Marriott Platinum at least gives free breakfast which, in my opinion, is probably the biggest perk of having any type of hotel status next to complimentary upgrades.
"Their kind of spender" I think is evolving though from the previous type who frequently shopped at Nieman Marcus/Saks/etc to a younger cardholder who primarily shops online at Amazon and boutique stores rather than large department stores. I think to be relevant for this generation, they'll have to really give cardholders things that aren't available through other programs or cards.
