2021 Has anyone actually received a Centurion Card invite?
Sep 27, 2021, 9:42 am
#301
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 15
I think i should make a video about it. Because i feel many people in this forum think that amex platinum and amex centurion is the same, they are not. I have had platinum for many years and not even one time i felt i was treated differently than the other amex customers.
Incase any of you guys want to watch my other centurion videos, the name on youtube is Get to the point, i have bunch of centurion videos related to how much i spent to get my personal centurion card invite, and another video where i talk about the invitation call and what they asked me, and unboxing video of my centurion card.
Sep 27, 2021, 9:46 am
#302
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 15
It’s interesting to see the dichotomy here. Seems like the longer people have had the Cent card the less perceived value they find in it at present. In my own case I am pretty disenchanted at -18 years myself. Perhaps this is because the benefits tend to just degrade over time, with a rare exception once in awhile when a new one is actually useful (for me the 50% points back), the AF goes up, and we all might apparently have had a honeymoon period where we put effort into making use of the Concierge and whipping it out for notice by others.
These days I either do not use it in public or sneak it under the radar (insert or tap the machine without the associate noticing). I use it nearly exclusively for charges $5K and over and/or for things I might need purchase protection on. Aside from those two fairly minority forms of spend I focus most of my spend on 2.6% cash back via a boring B of A card. Cash is still king and I don’t know what to do with my over 2m MR points with no travel in my future for the time being. That and all point based reward systems are always subject to sudden devaluation.
The biggest insult to me from Amex is the Equinox (I don’t live within 2 states of one) and the Saks (it’s like being forced to buy gift cards to a random store I had no interest in prior). Aside from those two large slaps in the face I was a pretty content cardholder before the recent changes, which were all negative in my opinion.
Yet there are still those on this thread here striving in vain to get into our crappy little club and spending a lot to do so. The grass is always greener I suppose.
These days I either do not use it in public or sneak it under the radar (insert or tap the machine without the associate noticing). I use it nearly exclusively for charges $5K and over and/or for things I might need purchase protection on. Aside from those two fairly minority forms of spend I focus most of my spend on 2.6% cash back via a boring B of A card. Cash is still king and I don’t know what to do with my over 2m MR points with no travel in my future for the time being. That and all point based reward systems are always subject to sudden devaluation.
The biggest insult to me from Amex is the Equinox (I don’t live within 2 states of one) and the Saks (it’s like being forced to buy gift cards to a random store I had no interest in prior). Aside from those two large slaps in the face I was a pretty content cardholder before the recent changes, which were all negative in my opinion.
Yet there are still those on this thread here striving in vain to get into our crappy little club and spending a lot to do so. The grass is always greener I suppose.
I truly love the card and all the benefits. I live close to NYC, i go to equinox, i go to Saks, i do believe they should offer you something else because Equinox is worth 4100 for the first year and 3600 for the year after. I recently went to Saks 5th ave, and i was allowed to come in at 9 AM, when the store was going to open at 12 PM. It felt great to walk around the store and there is no one else there, i was also provided a skin care specialist, a stylist and a tailor who was going to make all the alteration right away. I will make a video about my experience and i will show some footage from the private suite they provided for us and the complimentary snacks. They asked if i want breakfast or lunch, but i had lunch plans after. i was there for almost 3 hours.
Sep 27, 2021, 9:53 am
#303
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 15
Sorry that I haven't visited this forum since your question. I had the Centurion card for more than ten years, maybe 15. I'm not much into using spending to show off. Originally it was the elite status benefits at airlines (USAir, CO, DL) hotels (SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond) that got me. I can't remember whether Hertz Platinum was always part of it or came later, but the Hertz Platinum pickup and drop off were cool when offered.
I never experienced any difference if I paid with the Centurion card vs any other card at any hotel or retailer. Maybe it would have made a difference if I had set something up with a concierge. Generally I didn't find that the Centurion hotel program offered enough benefits to warrant paying the rack rate vs.the discounted rates that might have been available. And probably I just don't buy enough Birkin and luxury goods.
There really didn't seem to be enough concrete benefit vs. perceived benefit. At the same time the product was even inferior to the Platinum card in terms of points awarded... And the cost went up. And the benefit are not relevant if you live in a city without Equinox and Saks.
And it didn't seem like Amex really cared. I did get miffed when they spent their time and energy explaining to me that they weren't going to reimburse the $50 Nexus (which includes $100 Global Entry) instead of reimbursing the $100 Global Entry. That made me understand that their management was never going to make sensible decisions about Centurion members, just apply rote policies. It wasn't worth the fee if that would be the experience.
I never experienced any difference if I paid with the Centurion card vs any other card at any hotel or retailer. Maybe it would have made a difference if I had set something up with a concierge. Generally I didn't find that the Centurion hotel program offered enough benefits to warrant paying the rack rate vs.the discounted rates that might have been available. And probably I just don't buy enough Birkin and luxury goods.
There really didn't seem to be enough concrete benefit vs. perceived benefit. At the same time the product was even inferior to the Platinum card in terms of points awarded... And the cost went up. And the benefit are not relevant if you live in a city without Equinox and Saks.
And it didn't seem like Amex really cared. I did get miffed when they spent their time and energy explaining to me that they weren't going to reimburse the $50 Nexus (which includes $100 Global Entry) instead of reimbursing the $100 Global Entry. That made me understand that their management was never going to make sensible decisions about Centurion members, just apply rote policies. It wasn't worth the fee if that would be the experience.
I think as someone who is young and little pushy, i always received more free things, better treatment and more upgrades because of my centurion card. There is a way to do this. And i am saying this with all due respect, some of you have been centurion members for years. I recently received it, and i have used centurion concierge service as much as i can. I will call centurion and ask them to book a plane ticket for me, or a hotel for me. then they will book it, call the airline or the hotel, ask for my favorite seat, my preferred room, and i always ask centurion to ask for upgrades. I have received more upgrades with this than ever before. Even when i booked the hotel on my own, i will email centurion, they will then contact the hotel and tell the hotel that i am a centurion member and tell them my preferred room, when i will be arriving and so on. Is it too much? i don't think so. i paid for the card and i am just using the service that is provided to me. Now when centurion calls the hotel and ask for a manager and ask the manager if their client can be upgraded to a suite, it just works more than you might think.
Sep 27, 2021, 10:05 am
#304
Join Date: Jul 2021
Posts: 15
Yes the value of the card as you present it depends on the perspective of the person evaluating. There are many stories over the years of special treatment with the Centurion cards, but that mostly happens at high end businesses. Not at Sheraton nor Walmart. I'll also say that I've had much better treatment overseas than in the US when people see the card (with the exception of Vegas casino bosses who give laser focus when they see a Centurion card) Even in places you'd least expect it. For instance in a mostly residential neighborhood of Tokyo, far from the popular tourist areas. Or a hotel in Buenos Aires, etc.
Every year in these threads there are people who say it has no value. And for these people they are correct. But for others there is real value. For me the card has paid for itself for over 20 years now.
Every year in these threads there are people who say it has no value. And for these people they are correct. But for others there is real value. For me the card has paid for itself for over 20 years now.
I really think if you want to get maximum value out of centurion, you have to do little work. I think so many of us spend time here talking and discussing but not actually speaking to our centurion reps and other people who are there just to help us.
In a recent vacation, i used everything centurion provided me. First i booked with amex travel, used delta platinum status and was upgraded to delta one for me and for my companion, then i was given a discount with hertz platinum status and i was upgraded from mid size car to a suv and was provided some free items that i didn't have to pay for. Once i arrived at waldorf astoria, i was given an upgrade because of my diamond status with hilton, but i showed them my centurion card and asked them if they can do something better. They said they have a great relationship with amex cent ( because it is part of their resort and hotel ) and he upgraded me to a one bedroom suite, i was also given late check out ( this booking was not through amex centurion).
I have made some videos about my experience as a centurion member and in one video i talk about how i was treated in Lexus service department. I been to the same exact place many times, but when i put my centurion card on the table, everything changed. i was treated very well to say the least.
If i have to estimate, the upgrades, and other things that i have used so far is worth more than 10 k. I had the card for only couple of months.
Now i do travel a lot, for vacation, for business, meeting friends and family, i do stay in a lot of hotels, i do use lounges, i do buy a lot of luxury items and i think centurion is made for me. It gives me so much value that i won't cancel it anytime soon.
Sep 27, 2021, 11:11 am
#305
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: DEN
Posts: 13
With respect to the devaluation of the Centurion product - I fully expect that in 20 years’ time the Centurion target invitation recipient and their respective interests will be vastly different than most of us who are receiving invites now. They will also have demographic data that will ensure that a significant proportion of cardholders will have access to the major benefits offered at that time. To think that the program won’t evolve over a 2 decade period is to deny that more banks are entering (or are desirous) of entering this space - which is certainly a contributor to the changes that may frustrate many early invitees. These banks have their own relationships with corporate partners that will no doubt effect the offerings available of competing credit card companies (Amex). It’s more likely than not that we’ll continue to see additional shifts in historic programs (Multi-airline status; multi-hotel status) continue to be replaced by more niche offerings that are geared towards new Cent accounts - and less so the retention of existing cardholders. After all, the business model relies on convincing NEW members to pay the 10k initiation fee. Amex is confident that most current Cent holders will retain their accounts despite these changes - and have clearly stated that their current goal is to promote upgrades from gold —> plat, and plat —> cent. A certain rate of attrition is built into the plan - and frankly for every one that says “I’ve had it!” there’s probably a multiple of 10 spending insane amounts doing everything they can to procure and invite.
Sep 27, 2021, 12:23 pm
#306
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Manhattan, Palm Beach Island, San Francisco, Boston, & Hong Kong
Programs: Lifetime United Global Services, Delta Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Ambassador, & Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,165
With respect to the devaluation of the Centurion product - I fully expect that in 20 years’ time the Centurion target invitation recipient and their respective interests will be vastly different than most of us who are receiving invites now. They will also have demographic data that will ensure that a significant proportion of cardholders will have access to the major benefits offered at that time. To think that the program won’t evolve over a 2 decade period is to deny that more banks are entering (or are desirous) of entering this space - which is certainly a contributor to the changes that may frustrate many early invitees. These banks have their own relationships with corporate partners that will no doubt effect the offerings available of competing credit card companies (Amex). It’s more likely than not that we’ll continue to see additional shifts in historic programs (Multi-airline status; multi-hotel status) continue to be replaced by more niche offerings that are geared towards new Cent accounts - and less so the retention of existing cardholders. After all, the business model relies on convincing NEW members to pay the 10k initiation fee. Amex is confident that most current Cent holders will retain their accounts despite these changes - and have clearly stated that their current goal is to promote upgrades from gold —> plat, and plat —> cent. A certain rate of attrition is built into the plan - and frankly for every one that says “I’ve had it!” there’s probably a multiple of 10 spending insane amounts doing everything they can to procure and invite.
Sep 27, 2021, 5:23 pm
#307
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
After all, the business model relies on convincing NEW members to pay the 10k initiation fee. Amex is confident that most current Cent holders will retain their accounts despite these changes - and have clearly stated that their current goal is to promote upgrades from gold —> plat, and plat —> cent. A certain rate of attrition is built into the plan - and frankly for every one that says “I’ve had it!” there’s probably a multiple of 10 spending insane amounts doing everything they can to procure [an] invite.
Sep 27, 2021, 7:01 pm
#308
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,026
I was a charter member - even said so on my card. I was grandfathered in at the $1,000 AF until I wasn't so finally gave up last year. With very little travel, an Equinox too far and Cent and PP lounges for the most part closed when I did travel. (SJC low gates still closed) I gave mine up last year. No retention offer just a thanks and see ya.
Today I got a call from Cent services asking if I'd like the card again No initiation fees, still the same price for a supplemental card with fewer benefits and no bonuses for coming back.
I politely declined. Then I was offered a Plat at $695 with a supplemental card and all Plat fees waived for 12 months and a 100K membership rewards bonus.
I took them up on this offer.
As much as I'd like the Cent card, after having one for so long the benes just don't work for me anymore.
Today I got a call from Cent services asking if I'd like the card again No initiation fees, still the same price for a supplemental card with fewer benefits and no bonuses for coming back.
I politely declined. Then I was offered a Plat at $695 with a supplemental card and all Plat fees waived for 12 months and a 100K membership rewards bonus.
I took them up on this offer.
As much as I'd like the Cent card, after having one for so long the benes just don't work for me anymore.
Sep 27, 2021, 9:41 pm
#309
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,007
Sep 28, 2021, 1:59 am
#310
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA GfL & GGL, LH Sen, EK & VS Gold, Amex Cent
Posts: 1,719
Friend of a friend just got an invite to Swedish Cent. By no means a high spender (certainly not in the UK/US sense) but fairly senior in a major international firm, so probably a relatively high earner in the market and his job does require some travel across the Nordics mostly. Huge fee (like in Finland) and aside from the usual global Cent benefits (Hertz and the like) I'm not sure what you really get with the card....
Sep 28, 2021, 10:18 am
#311
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Friend of a friend just got an invite to Swedish Cent. By no means a high spender (certainly not in the UK/US sense) but fairly senior in a major international firm, so probably a relatively high earner in the market and his job does require some travel across the Nordics mostly. Huge fee (like in Finland) and aside from the usual global Cent benefits (Hertz and the like) I'm not sure what you really get with the card....
I can count on one hand how many Swedish residents of Sweden I’ve ever seen with a Centurion card pulled out. And I spend enough time at the Amex Lounge at the Stockholm airport that I’m surprised I haven’t seen more. That said, several years ago, I was pretty sure that the total number of Swedish market Centurion card accounts was less than 700. And I’m also pretty sure that many of the top 40 income earners in Sweden in 2020 have no Amex card or didn’t get a Centurion invite even if they have an Amex. Spending 100k-150k SEK/month on the Amex did it for some of those who had the card — that’s an amount that is like a drop in the bucket compared to the spend my US Centurion holding relatives did in the run up to getting Centurion invites.
Last edited by GUWonder; Sep 28, 2021 at 10:25 am
Oct 4, 2021, 7:41 am
#312
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
Have there been any definitive instances of people being extended an invite with only a cobrand Platinum (i.e. Schwab, Morgan Stanley, etc.)? Or recent invites to people that don't currently hold a Platinum at all?
I know this has been possible in the past, but I haven't seen something recent.
I know this has been possible in the past, but I haven't seen something recent.
Oct 5, 2021, 11:51 am
#313
Join Date: Oct 2021
Programs: AMEX
Posts: 3
I've been an Platinum (USA) cardmember since 2006. Have personal plat, biz plat and gold, and a corporate account. I've been nagging for a Centurion card for some time with no luck.
I'm wondering if when Centurion reviews the account, do they look at spend on personal and business or only business, if you are request business Centurion? My business card has the volume but my personal has the "type" of spend they like.
I'm wondering if when Centurion reviews the account, do they look at spend on personal and business or only business, if you are request business Centurion? My business card has the volume but my personal has the "type" of spend they like.
Oct 5, 2021, 12:25 pm
#314
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 285
I've been an Platinum (USA) cardmember since 2006. Have personal plat, biz plat and gold, and a corporate account. I've been nagging for a Centurion card for some time with no luck.
I'm wondering if when Centurion reviews the account, do they look at spend on personal and business or only business, if you are request business Centurion? My business card has the volume but my personal has the "type" of spend they like.
I'm wondering if when Centurion reviews the account, do they look at spend on personal and business or only business, if you are request business Centurion? My business card has the volume but my personal has the "type" of spend they like.
Oct 8, 2021, 11:33 am
#315
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 3
I'm a little late to the party here but I got a business centurion invite two days ago on 10/6 and still had the option to select an art card, so perhaps that 9/30 deadline was a little aggressive. I got the floral one. It should arrive today but I'm not in town to receive it, haha.
I'm excited about the Centurion Living program and plan to take advantage of whatever events I can squeeze in. Seems pretty cool.
I'm excited about the Centurion Living program and plan to take advantage of whatever events I can squeeze in. Seems pretty cool.