US Centurion qualification jumps to $250,000 on May 1, 2005
#16
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: CDG, FRA
Posts: 1,600
Since the Centurion card is "by invitation only", it's Amex sole decision to set the criteria, change them every day, or not to have any.
Amex never published any criteria about the card, there is no "right" to be invited once 150K is reached.
And again, it's only a charge card ! Having it or not having it will not change your life...
Amex never published any criteria about the card, there is no "right" to be invited once 150K is reached.
And again, it's only a charge card ! Having it or not having it will not change your life...
#17
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On a Bridge
Programs: Starwood Residences Owner, AA 1MM, MP Gold, Avis-Hertz PC, Ritz Gold
Posts: 1,072
Originally Posted by Supreme Leader of the Free World
1. If you value your time at 0/hour, then you could obtain status on one airline for $1000 (I am assuming you know). If you value your time at at even $100/hour it is not so cheap. Remember that is only ONE airline. Seems like a deal to me $2500 for gold status on three airlines. One or two upgrades and you make your money back.
This is true regarding time, although I do not value airline upgrades at full-fare prices, so I'd have to fly multiple times to get my money back here. In addition, these upgrades are not guaranteed and are space-available, and you can only upgrade a companion at the airport.
2. Starwood Platinum worth $2500 alone.Like I said before, a good travel agent could get you upgrades equivalent to top-tier status - I'm sticking with my original value of $0.
3. Pulling out a black card at a party that matches my black stripped thomas pink shirt...Priceless.This isn't Mastercard and I hope you don't need [borrowed] self-esteem to validate who you are.
Hehe j/k with #3. I will likely save close to somewhere around 2-3K on one trip alone with confirmed upgrades. You can check other peoples posts. I think one guy in this forum saved 10K+ on one trip to Europe.Besides RC & MO, what upgrades are confirmed/guaranteed? Again...a good travel agent could do this.
This is true regarding time, although I do not value airline upgrades at full-fare prices, so I'd have to fly multiple times to get my money back here. In addition, these upgrades are not guaranteed and are space-available, and you can only upgrade a companion at the airport.
2. Starwood Platinum worth $2500 alone.Like I said before, a good travel agent could get you upgrades equivalent to top-tier status - I'm sticking with my original value of $0.
3. Pulling out a black card at a party that matches my black stripped thomas pink shirt...Priceless.This isn't Mastercard and I hope you don't need [borrowed] self-esteem to validate who you are.
Hehe j/k with #3. I will likely save close to somewhere around 2-3K on one trip alone with confirmed upgrades. You can check other peoples posts. I think one guy in this forum saved 10K+ on one trip to Europe.Besides RC & MO, what upgrades are confirmed/guaranteed? Again...a good travel agent could do this.
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Originally Posted by ahrz
And again, it's only a charge card ! Having it or not having it will not change your life...
But yes, it hasn't changed who I am if that was what you were referring to.
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,764
Originally Posted by Supreme Leader of the Free World
I will likely save close to somewhere around 2-3K on one trip alone with confirmed upgrades. You can check other peoples posts. I think one guy in this forum saved 10K+ on one trip to Europe.
#20
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: Leaders Program, Supreme Commander Platinum
Posts: 160
Originally Posted by Doppy
Most people, when they talk about how much they "saved" are wrong. You get the guy who paid the $199 rate at XYZ hotel and was upgraded to the Presidential Suite with a rack rate of $5000. He "saved" $4800. But he wasn't going to pay for that suite anyway, so there was no savings. He might feel that the $2500 he spent for the card was worth it, though, at check-in methinks if he were offered the opportunity to pay the $2500 right then and there for the upgrade, he'd probably turn it down.
In terms of prestige it certainly has it. If any material thing has prestige that is easily portable, this is it. I must say I like having a card that you need to spend $250K to get. ;-)
#21
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On a Bridge
Programs: Starwood Residences Owner, AA 1MM, MP Gold, Avis-Hertz PC, Ritz Gold
Posts: 1,072
Originally Posted by Supreme Leader of the Free World
You do get confirmed first class upgrades.
I do think the card makes good sense if you want to join Exclusive Resorts. You get a $15,000 discount + $1000/year credit towards expenses. Not a bad deal...
#22
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 4,952
Originally Posted by stimpy
Having Avis Presidents Club means I'm always driving a Cadillac in LA or a Mercedes in France or some other upscale car. Without the black card I would be driving a much lower end car. That, even though superficial to some, makes a difference in my life, especially in LA.
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
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Originally Posted by dsimon
How does driving a Cadillac in L.A. make a difference in your life? As opposed to, say, a Ford Explorer?
#24
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 4,952
Originally Posted by stimpy
Without the Black card I would be driving a Malibu or Lesabre at best. Second of all, I never knew how much driving a nice car in LA meant, til I lived here a while.
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
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Originally Posted by dsimon
Okay, insert Malibu into the above question. Please explain to me what driving a nice car in L.A. means to you.
#26
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 4,952
Relocation to L.A. is not in my short term plans.
I am not trying to be a joker, I honestly want to know what driving a Cadillac in L.A. means to you as opposed to, say, a Malibu. Surely you can cite one example or something anecdotal where it has impacted your life.
I am not trying to be a joker, I honestly want to know what driving a Cadillac in L.A. means to you as opposed to, say, a Malibu. Surely you can cite one example or something anecdotal where it has impacted your life.
#27
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: DL DM, UA 1K GS, Marriott LT Titanium, Hilton Gold, Avis Chairman, Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 637
Originally Posted by stimpy
First of all a Ford Explorer would be the same or more than a Caddilac at Avis or Hertz. Without the Black card I would be driving a Malibu or Lesabre at best. Second of all, I never knew how much driving a nice car in LA meant, til I lived here a while.
However, from what I have read through all the forums, to all those who carry the Centurion Card for its "Presitge" obviously to me don't have at all the self-esteem or confidence than those who carry a regular credit card. You may get treated better at Neiman Marcus or Saks and get those first-class and room upgrades at the fancy hotels who want your money, but the Centurion Card certainly does not get you the respect from family or friends (unless they're materialistic too).
As an employee of Goldman Sachs, most of the wealthy clients I know do not even carry an American Express Card. They don't need to demonstrate that they are wealthy at the POS counter. They fly coach, stay at the Holiday Inn, and drive Toyota Camrys. One individual client even donated $205 million dollars to an Arts Foundation several years ago. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that most people who are in this forum are not really wealthy, but want to be treated as a wealthy individual when shopping thereby obtaining the Black Card. If you truly are at the top tier of society, then you don't need to be upgraded, you can afford to purchase whatever your heart desires.
Again, it makes me sad to hear that a Caddilac makes someones life more convienent, when a Taurus will provide you the same needs. Yes you can live life to the fullest, but wouldn't you get more satisfaction if you spend your money more responsibly and if you have money lying around, donating it to a charitable cause. That's my two cents.
Last edited by Kyle53719; Apr 19, 2005 at 11:47 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,764
Originally Posted by Supreme Leader of the Free World
Maybe, but it has to be worth something...for example would they pay $500?. I personally only consider confirmed upgrades/benifits that I would have paid for normally for as a savings. I not sure it is plausable to say that you would not get your $2500 worth.
I would consider getting the Centurion, but the last few years has seen the fee go up by 250% and services go down quite a bit. Maybe if raising the spending requirement coincides with an increase in service, I'll consider it.
#29
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Redondo Beach, CA USA
Programs: UA 1KMM, Bonvoy LTE+A, HH D, Nat'l EE, Hertz Plat, Avis PC
Posts: 3,714
This is an interesting development. It certainly seems to make sense that if AmEx wants to preserve the exclusivity of the card, they would raise the qualification level. But that does nothing for all the riff-raff who got it these past few years at the lower level. And I certainly don't understand why they grandfathered cardholders at the $1K annual fee instead of raising it for everyone, new cardholders as well as existing ones, to $2,500. That would have eliminated more riff-raff right there--if you can't afford $2,500 a year for the card, then you're probably not the kind of customer they're looking for. Yes, it would have ticked off some long-time loyal customers, but most would probably have grudgingly accepted the increase.
The key for them seems to be stopping the perceived slip in quality of services provided to Centurions. Maybe halting new card offers (which the $250K spend limit seems like it will effectively do) will enable them to focus on bringing perceived value back to the card. I still think that an across-the-board annual fee increase would greatly enhance this process, but maybe that's their plan once the card's benefits are beefed up. "Okay, we've turned Centurion back into an exclusive, really valuable program. Now pony up or ship out."
Interesting, indeed...
The key for them seems to be stopping the perceived slip in quality of services provided to Centurions. Maybe halting new card offers (which the $250K spend limit seems like it will effectively do) will enable them to focus on bringing perceived value back to the card. I still think that an across-the-board annual fee increase would greatly enhance this process, but maybe that's their plan once the card's benefits are beefed up. "Okay, we've turned Centurion back into an exclusive, really valuable program. Now pony up or ship out."
Interesting, indeed...