Adjustments to Oz Centurion
Jun 20, 2005 | 2:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: QF WP, SQ SG, MH EG, CX Diamond, AMEX Black, InterconPlat, SPG Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 52
Adjustments to Oz Centurion
Just got the new book of features... airlines are about the same... lots more hotels and a few more restaurants... but horror! - Where's the Mandarin Oriental free night program????
Jun 20, 2005 | 3:10 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: centurion
Posts: 181
Its going for the Uk Centurion also at the end of the year I think. Great shame, but its a decision for Mandarin Oriental - they clearly don't feel the benefits are there. For my part, I have used it a few times, but it wouldn't make me go back to the hotels outside of the programme (I don't know how others feel).
I'm now really worried Starwood Plat will slip to gold - that for me is the number one reason to have Centurion (other than having it for its own sake obviously)
I'm now really worried Starwood Plat will slip to gold - that for me is the number one reason to have Centurion (other than having it for its own sake obviously)
Jun 20, 2005 | 4:27 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 238
I dont mind the changes. More shop discounts as well (which at first I thought were useless, but have since found to be a good bennefit).
Also,I think they now offer a free night at Raffles hotels, for me this replaces the mandarin nights.
I am overall happy with the changes, but as most people, want a high level in the mainstream hotel programs (as Priority Club is useless).
Also,I think they now offer a free night at Raffles hotels, for me this replaces the mandarin nights.
I am overall happy with the changes, but as most people, want a high level in the mainstream hotel programs (as Priority Club is useless).
Jun 21, 2005 | 2:39 pm
#5
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Europe
Posts: 231
Why are you all complaining?
If someone needs to complain, its me.
Centurion in Holland doesnt have any airline cards!!
Only couple of Hotel cards and Car Rental cards.
You lucky guys are member of a frequent flyer program from Centurion.
I need to fly my SQ PPS and CX DPO together.
If someone needs to complain, its me.
Centurion in Holland doesnt have any airline cards!!
Only couple of Hotel cards and Car Rental cards.
You lucky guys are member of a frequent flyer program from Centurion.
I need to fly my SQ PPS and CX DPO together.
Jun 21, 2005 | 7:02 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SWUSA / AA PLAT, SPG PLAT, AMEX CENTURION, HHONORS Diamond
Posts: 1,420
curious *who* at amex weighs these various program changes and drop-outs/replace with affinity partners ?
In the US, in Jan, we lost HYATT Diamond and got a generic airline lounge program (Priority Club). Not sure how or why AMEX managment thought the CENT cardholders collectively would consider one equal to the other...they appeal to two different segments IMO. Is it difficult logic to understand if a HOTEL partner drops out, an EQUAL STATUS different hotel partner is the logical replacement. Did Hilton or Marriott top-tier elite not desire to step up and replace the Hyatt drop out ? Is CENTURION losing its lustre that AMEX could not convince Marriott or Hilton to step up ? To this layman, that's the conclusion I come up with.
All I can say is if for the US program, if spg/PLAT perk goes away, so goes the CENT card from my wallet. Its the last decent perk deserving of this annual fee (and I'm grandfathered at the $1K fee).
In the US, in Jan, we lost HYATT Diamond and got a generic airline lounge program (Priority Club). Not sure how or why AMEX managment thought the CENT cardholders collectively would consider one equal to the other...they appeal to two different segments IMO. Is it difficult logic to understand if a HOTEL partner drops out, an EQUAL STATUS different hotel partner is the logical replacement. Did Hilton or Marriott top-tier elite not desire to step up and replace the Hyatt drop out ? Is CENTURION losing its lustre that AMEX could not convince Marriott or Hilton to step up ? To this layman, that's the conclusion I come up with.
All I can say is if for the US program, if spg/PLAT perk goes away, so goes the CENT card from my wallet. Its the last decent perk deserving of this annual fee (and I'm grandfathered at the $1K fee).
Last edited by ILUVCITIBANK; Jun 24, 2005 at 5:26 am
Jun 22, 2005 | 6:58 am
#8
Flyertalk Posting Legend Moderator: Credit Card Programs, American Express, Capital One, Chase, Citi, Diners Club, Eco Travel, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA, IHG & Marriott Platinum; HH Gold
Posts: 51,741
<<Is CENTURION losing its lustre...>>
Evidently, otherwise why raise the spending threshold from $150,000 to $250,000?
dennis
Evidently, otherwise why raise the spending threshold from $150,000 to $250,000?
dennis
Jun 23, 2005 | 9:32 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: NSW, Australia
Programs: Amex Plat, SPG Platinum, HHonors Gold, Hertz 5*, BA Blue, United Blue, Emirates Blue
Posts: 41
Originally Posted by H99
Its going for the Uk Centurion also at the end of the year I think. Great shame, but its a decision for Mandarin Oriental - they clearly don't feel the benefits are there. For my part, I have used it a few times, but it wouldn't make me go back to the hotels outside of the programme (I don't know how others feel).
I'm now really worried Starwood Plat will slip to gold - that for me is the number one reason to have Centurion (other than having it for its own sake obviously)
I'm now really worried Starwood Plat will slip to gold - that for me is the number one reason to have Centurion (other than having it for its own sake obviously)
) in fact, especially now it seems that the MO is going. The fee difference is enormous and Priority Pass and a bit of domestic travel insurance don't look enough to justify the extra cost. Now if only I wasn't such a snob and could live without the smugness I feel every time I take that damned black card out of my purse....... 
