CX to offer Amex Centurion Cardholders from Certain Countries MPC Diamond status
Apr 5, 2011, 6:00 am
#31
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 6,978
I wouldn't get too hot under the collar about this.
CX already give away DM status to folks from large corporate accounts and this is just an extension of this.
If, through moves like this, CX can attract more passangers who routinely buy J/F tickets the better it is for all of us -- CX will invest more in the product and will be less likely to reduce the number of routes with an F cabin - which is the one single thing that would stop me flying CX.
CX already give away DM status to folks from large corporate accounts and this is just an extension of this.
If, through moves like this, CX can attract more passangers who routinely buy J/F tickets the better it is for all of us -- CX will invest more in the product and will be less likely to reduce the number of routes with an F cabin - which is the one single thing that would stop me flying CX.
Apr 5, 2011, 8:09 am
#33
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,345
**
But to be honest folks, after chatting with a few of my frequent flyer friends, I wouldn't be too worried about it honestly, because:
1) Top spenders from Centurion will get it. And to be honest, you won't see many top Centurion spenders in LMV fares sitting in the back; they probably fly J or F (or even have their own planes!!) anyways, so honestly they either already have status, or don't fly often enough to get Diamond but bring in a lot of full fare premium cabin revenue for CX, which we all know CX loves.
2) This is not lifetime DM membership. I know that the MPC have changed their benefits in the past before, and I know for sure that AMEX have changed benefits for Centurion in the past as well. Maybe its a one year thing, maybe its a few years, but despite the fact that impact should be minimal, I guess we're not seeing an influx of DM lifetime members.
Now, maybe we were just trying to reassure ourselves, but I was a little less worried after our discussion. What are your thoughts?
Apr 5, 2011, 8:34 am
#34
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
You would be shocked 
. This individual, if he books through his formal channels, is actually a "'VIP" on CX and other carriers when he flies. [snip] I suspect he could get DM arranged if he wanted, but I guess it's more of a status thing - people, even important ones, have natural human emotions towards earning something they don't have.
. This individual, if he books through his formal channels, is actually a "'VIP" on CX and other carriers when he flies. [snip] I suspect he could get DM arranged if he wanted, but I guess it's more of a status thing - people, even important ones, have natural human emotions towards earning something they don't have.but if he uses Centurion chances are that he likes to be known by status. being DM (or DM+) would be a good way to stand out :P so yes, status would make a difference heehe.
Last edited by kaka; Apr 5, 2011 at 8:40 am
Apr 5, 2011, 12:26 pm
#35
Ambassador: Japan Airlines
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: JAL Mileage Bank, JMB Diamond, oneworld Emerald, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 16,394
Apr 5, 2011, 8:31 pm
#36
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX Diamond (OW Emerald), former SQ Krisflyer Gold
Posts: 2,527
Two points:
1) Amex Centurion - not that exclusive. I know many. Annual fee in HK is approx HK$20000 p.a. versus HK$5500 for Platinum.
2) Does anybody have a email address or postal address for Katie Rowen? I think if enough people write to her about this, it may cause them to reconsider renewing this agreement.
1) Amex Centurion - not that exclusive. I know many. Annual fee in HK is approx HK$20000 p.a. versus HK$5500 for Platinum.
2) Does anybody have a email address or postal address for Katie Rowen? I think if enough people write to her about this, it may cause them to reconsider renewing this agreement.
Apr 6, 2011, 9:58 pm
#38
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
The number isn't secret as Amex markets their centurions for product placement and advertising (using Centurion magazine, formerly called Black Ink). For Asia there are 14,000 centurions (would guess less than half in HKG, but who knows?), and 6,000 in Australia. Compared to 50,000 in Europe (again less than half in UK, presumably). Average net worth is EUR 4.5 million, and income is EUR 600,000 ... so a well known and defined demographic. CX DM equivalent status has been offered as a Centurion benefit for several years now by various airlines (e.g. DL, US Air) as well as the free upgrades and free companion tickets. Mandarin Oriental has offered free hotel nights (with a paid night) for years, and doesn't seem to suffer for it 
Apr 6, 2011, 11:54 pm
#39
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: CX DM, UA MPP, HH, Marriot, Hyatt Gold
Posts: 48
The number isn't secret as Amex markets their centurions for product placement and advertising (using Centurion magazine, formerly called Black Ink). For Asia there are 14,000 centurions (would guess less than half in HKG, but who knows?), and 6,000 in Australia. Compared to 50,000 in Europe (again less than half in UK, presumably). Average net worth is EUR 4.5 million, and income is EUR 600,000 ... so a well known and defined demographic. CX DM equivalent status has been offered as a Centurion benefit for several years now by various airlines (e.g. DL, US Air) as well as the free upgrades and free companion tickets. Mandarin Oriental has offered free hotel nights (with a paid night) for years, and doesn't seem to suffer for it
Apr 7, 2011, 12:39 am
#40
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: ...
Programs: CX DM / SQ PPS / VN Platinum
Posts: 1,078
Numbers look a bit odd. The average income of EUR600k is believable, but the average net spend is EUR4.5m seems a bit high? I know many people who earn 2-3x that a year but unlikely to put even EUR1m on all of their cards together. It will be interesting to know what is spent on the 4.5m!!! It is odd that according to AMEX the average spend is 7.5x the average income!
net worth, not annual spend.
Apr 7, 2011, 8:37 pm
#42
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: hong kong
Programs: Centurion, Lan Platinum, ANA Mileage Club, HHonors D, SPG G
Posts: 401
much to the chagrin of all you butt in seat DM mile folk.. all i can say is
cahmonnnnnnnnn Diamond for Centurion!!!!!!!!
ps. im not potty trained either.
cahmonnnnnnnnn Diamond for Centurion!!!!!!!!
ps. im not potty trained either.
Apr 8, 2011, 4:12 am
#43
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,799
DM for Centurions will be warmly welcomed by those who can't get DM by 120K Club Miles - like my parents.
If this does actually go thorugh (esp for HKG-based Centurions) there'll be a huge increase in # of applicants - those who didn't think Amex earned the 19.8K annual fee.
There's already other benefits they like - the private clubs benefit http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hong-...hong-kong.html and the Infinite Rewards (they blow >160K annually http://www.americanexpress.com/hk/en...ms_basic.shtml)
Apr 8, 2011, 4:15 am
#44
Ambassador, Hong Kong and Macau
Join Date: May 2009
Location: HKG
Programs: Non-top tier Asia Miles member
Posts: 19,799
The number isn't secret as Amex markets their centurions for product placement and advertising (using Centurion magazine, formerly called Black Ink). For Asia there are 14,000 centurions (would guess less than half in HKG, but who knows?), and 6,000 in Australia. Compared to 50,000 in Europe (again less than half in UK, presumably). Average net worth is EUR 4.5 million, and income is EUR 600,000 ... so a well known and defined demographic. CX DM equivalent status has been offered as a Centurion benefit for several years now by various airlines (e.g. DL, US Air) as well as the free upgrades and free companion tickets. Mandarin Oriental has offered free hotel nights (with a paid night) for years, and doesn't seem to suffer for it
(assuming this isn't a hoax)
HK - early 2010 - 11.7K.
Australia - 6K
Read it and weep!