aviators...don't you remember the centurion card (and platinum) don't have credit limits :P

but if you ask them what your exposure limit is they will tell you... what is it with amex and their specific terms...

Thanks for the responses. I have to say that this makes the card much more appealing. Will Amex really not take away my card if I barely charge anything to it?

you can charge nothing (but the initiation and annual fees) and they will not take the card away, but i wouldnt recommend it

Why wouldn't you recommend it?

waste of $2500 a year if you just have the card but dont use it....its like paying $2500/yr for a piece of wallet jewelry

Not exactly. If I decide to go for this card, it will be because of the travel perks and other benefits. I would much prefer to keep most expenses on either the plum card (60 days to pay) or our corporate Diners Club (DC points which I much prefer to MR).

Can anyone comment on the concierge and/or travel agency? Is it true that you get a personal extension for each and can talk to the same person each time? There are still no fees for booking travel with them, correct?

Thanks again for responses.

because if you charge absolutely nothing (except the fees), you don't get some of hte benefits...for example FHR is supposed to be paid with the Cent card...don't charge it you are supposed to be able to use the benefits (keyword is supposed to, there have been stories of getting passed it). same with the concierge or trip planners. also i don't know the plum card benefits but if it doesn't have the protection that centurion gives you, then thats another reasons.

as for the personal extension your supposed to get one, but most of the time centurion users say most of them arent reachable.

cant confirm on fees, but usually there are no official fees for travel.

You can pay for your FHR reservation hotel with ANY AMERICAN EXPRESS card according AMEX own written rules so it is allowed.

I'll second this. I've done it every time I've used FHR. You may encounter an agent that says its impossible. Just quote the T&C's and tell them you know people who do it all the time.

Jblackbelt, the only perks that you won't get by not using the actual card, that I can think of, would be the extra-extended warranty which is longer than that given by other AMEX products. Concierge, etc. are able to charge any card.

For fees, I'm pretty sure they do charge for airline bookings, like any travel agent would.

Njvandy, don't get Centurion to use CTS for all of your travel needs. Use them only for things they need to book (FHR, IAP, etc.) and use a local TA for everything else.

i agree with troy on the don't get it for all your travel needs... i only use them for FHR.

didn't know it was any amex card, just thought it was any amex charge card.

With respect
 

This is meant with respect but I would say ryanpw3 that based on the info you've provided ("six figure salary" and only $1-2kpm spend), this card isn't likely the right one for you. Travel benefits like lounge access, upgrades / discounts etc. can be paid for... paying the monthly card fee of this magnitude only makes sense if you spend quite a bit on travel and then really avail yourself of the discount. Your typical profile user would have an annual income approacing or in the seven figures and would be a global road warrior for business and non-business.

That's right. Regarding FHR, as others have already pointed out, it is not a requirement that you use the Platinum or Centurion card to get the benefits - just that you use any Amex card product in your name.

I charge very little to my Centurion, as I prefer to use the Starwood Amex card before SPG blows away MR (for my situation at least). But, I still get to use FHR, IAP, Centurion travel, and get the airline status benefits. I even get Centurion customer service on the other Amex products: I can call the regular Starwood Amex customer service number on the back of that card and enter my Starwood acct number, and it directs me to Centurion customer service to serve the Starwood card. So, I get a higher level of customer service for all Amex products.

You're right in all cases. Unlike others in this thread, I use Centurion travel as my only travel agent. In my opinion, the key thing is to not use Centurion or any other travel agent for everything. I'm much better suited to make my own regular airline reservations than any travel agent is, for example. For hotel situations where there's not an internet-only rate, I'll usually use CTS, as I find having an agent working on your side is useful from time to time. As far as CTS vs a local agent, I don't make that many bookings to be worth anything to a local agent, and it's my opinion that 95%+ of local travel agents are totally worthless, and I don't feel like trying to find one of the few hidden gems that are probably out there. Plus, I often book things after-hours, so having an agency that is full service 24/7 is helpful. Also, CTS will accept collect calls from anywhere in the world.

You can pay for US Plat, CO and Delta Gold? That alone has made it worth it for me. I get upgraded to F 90% of the time.

OP: If you can't qualify based on your spend and you *really* want the card and will pay the outrageous fees and have anything travel related to trade, I might be able to help you. PM me.