Sorry Golds - Amex Centurions are now Platinums
Jun 3, 2007, 5:37 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Alexandria, VA
Programs: UA 1K/3MM, AA MM, DL MM
Posts: 314
Sorry Golds - Amex Centurions are now Platinums
While browsing the Amex Forum I came upon this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=699012
It seems that Amex Centurions are getting an unexpected bump to Platinum DM status from Gold. Instead of competing for upgrades with the Centurion-granted Golds on the same level, it looks like BIS Golds will now have another group in front.
I hope that Tempe remembers to back those folks out when they are adding up the numbers of DM members that increased status in 2007!
It seems that Amex Centurions are getting an unexpected bump to Platinum DM status from Gold. Instead of competing for upgrades with the Centurion-granted Golds on the same level, it looks like BIS Golds will now have another group in front.
I hope that Tempe remembers to back those folks out when they are adding up the numbers of DM members that increased status in 2007!
Jun 3, 2007, 6:55 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MHT, CHS
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Dia, Avis Pres Club
Posts: 1,248
It is because of crap like this this full-fare BIS CP has left the airline.
I was tired of seeing silvers and golds up-graded while I sit in the back. I was told they wanted to give others a chance for first.
And that I should by my ticket firther in advance to get the UG. IN the past I was rewarded for my high fare last minute ticket, but not from this group in Tempe. There for US has slid from the top spot to # 5 on my booking preserences in the past four months.
I was tired of seeing silvers and golds up-graded while I sit in the back. I was told they wanted to give others a chance for first.
And that I should by my ticket firther in advance to get the UG. IN the past I was rewarded for my high fare last minute ticket, but not from this group in Tempe. There for US has slid from the top spot to # 5 on my booking preserences in the past four months.
Jun 3, 2007, 7:03 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Silver, MR Plat Prem & LT Plat, Hyatt Plat,SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE, UA 1K
Posts: 3,405
Yaaahooo...another wild ride about to happen!!!
Glad this DOESNT happen at CO!
Glad this DOESNT happen at CO!
Jun 3, 2007, 8:45 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: LHR - PHL - LHR - PHL - MAN - PHL - LHR....
Programs: US CP
Posts: 1,180
un-freakin-believable 
Jun 3, 2007, 8:57 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 7,541
This is the reason I refuse to REQUAL as a Platinum next year on my dime...someone else will have to pick up the tab from now on or NRSA travel.
Jun 3, 2007, 9:59 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: RIC
Programs: Delta Gold, National EE, Hertz PC, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 889
Wonder what I have to sign up for to get CP status? It has to be coming next...
Jun 3, 2007, 10:57 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Stuck Between the Moon and CLD or SAN, Your local Taco Bell
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLT, DL PM, UA Silver, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,510
Yes, it does. Centurions are Gold on CO. Like US Plat, that's one tier from the top. Same difference.
Further, to have a Centurion card you have to spend a huge amount of money on AMEX plus pay a not insignificant fee. There's not exactly an over abundance of Centurions who I'd expect to be "stealing" upgrades.
The only way this is a make-or-break issue is for folks looking for something to complain about. Compared to the "fools Golds" this set of people is likely to be very, very minimal.
Further, to have a Centurion card you have to spend a huge amount of money on AMEX plus pay a not insignificant fee. There's not exactly an over abundance of Centurions who I'd expect to be "stealing" upgrades.
The only way this is a make-or-break issue is for folks looking for something to complain about. Compared to the "fools Golds" this set of people is likely to be very, very minimal.
Jun 3, 2007, 11:31 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: AVL
Programs: AA EXP ; Cunard Plat
Posts: 4,211
) and these folks would much prefer to fly paid First Class on competing airlines if they had a choice, methinks...
Jun 3, 2007, 11:34 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: MIA/ATL
Posts: 1,482
Yes, it does. Centurions are Gold on CO. Like US Plat, that's one tier from the top. Same difference.
Further, to have a Centurion card you have to spend a huge amount of money on AMEX plus pay a not insignificant fee. There's not exactly an over abundance of Centurions who I'd expect to be "stealing" upgrades.
The only way this is a make-or-break issue is for folks looking for something to complain about. Compared to the "fools Golds" this set of people is likely to be very, very minimal.
Further, to have a Centurion card you have to spend a huge amount of money on AMEX plus pay a not insignificant fee. There's not exactly an over abundance of Centurions who I'd expect to be "stealing" upgrades.
The only way this is a make-or-break issue is for folks looking for something to complain about. Compared to the "fools Golds" this set of people is likely to be very, very minimal.
Jun 4, 2007, 12:22 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Santa Monica, CA
Programs: AA EXP 1MM, UA Silver, HHDmd, MBvLTPLT, PCAmb/Dmd, HYT Dis
Posts: 1,579
Have a few friends with the black card. They take advantage of the comped status for upgrades (when they clear) on shorter flights (DC to FLL for example). But each one of them pays for F on longer flights (i.e. DC to LAS/LAX/SFO/DEN). Doubt it will really have much of an impact.
Jun 4, 2007, 6:20 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
I never spent enough to become centurion(150k then), but did spend over 100k a year on the card. had many friends who spent that kind of money with the card. most comes from business expense. would be very difficult to rack up 250k on the card on personal expenses with an income under 2 or 3 or 5 mil.
we were all small business owners. 90+% was on business expenses. everything from raw materials to office supplies to equipment to hotel rooms and company lunches.
none of us flew in F. most flying F are on business expense. either paid by the company, or by the client, or just an UG. not all, but a lot of them.
we were all small business owners. 90+% was on business expenses. everything from raw materials to office supplies to equipment to hotel rooms and company lunches.
none of us flew in F. most flying F are on business expense. either paid by the company, or by the client, or just an UG. not all, but a lot of them.
Jun 4, 2007, 6:48 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Somewhere between Singapore and the US
Programs: Qantas Platinum, SQ Krisflyer PPS, UA 1p, Marriot Lifetime Platinum, American EXP
Posts: 988
I am not certain that is is the number that is the issue
I think the real point of the post is just another step in the ever decreasing value of the FF product. Tempe is looking for additional revenue stream and Amex was will to give them some money. It reminds me of the joke where the punch line is; "We have already determined that you are a whore, now we are just negotiating price".
Jun 4, 2007, 7:19 am
#14
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Programs: AAdvantage EXP/1mm/Admirals,United Silver+Club (life),Marriott Titanium,Hilton & Accor Gold
Posts: 5,061
If you don't want the free upgrades, why pay for a Centurion card?
Jun 4, 2007, 7:55 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: HH Silver, MR Plat Prem & LT Plat, Hyatt Plat,SPG Plat, Hertz PC, National EE, UA 1K
Posts: 3,405
Ummmm..not really
CO is:
To Achieve You Must Travel
Silver Elite 25,000 Elite qualification miles or 30 points
Gold Elite 50,000 Elite qualification miles or 60 points
Platinum Elite 75,000 Elite qualification miles or 90 points
US is:
How to Qualify Silver Gold Platinum Chairman's
2007 Preferred Qualifying Miles 25,000 50,000 75,000 100,000
2007 Preferred Qualifying Segments 30 60 90 120
So...if you fly 90 segments or 75K on CO, you will NOT compete with the centurions...but if you do that on US...you WILL! And with the diminishing F cabins...even ONE may make a 75K/yr ff'er miss an u/g.
Too bad for all of the ff'ers "stuck" with US!