2013 Centurion Benefits

[Brooke01]

Didn't realise the plat have an upgrade?

Yes - with the annual fee increase to $1200pa (which, IMO, is still bloody good value) - the main two things that the Plat Charge Card gets that has not filtered through to Cent card holders is -

- $200 travel credit each year on international flights booked through AmEx travel

- Free night in Accor hotel each year

Conversations I have had with my RM -

"Yes the Platinum Charge Card program has changed, the overall value of the Platinum program has further improved. I would say it is only a matter of time before there are even more enhancements to Centurion Membership. I wish I could provide you with more information, but it is all I know at this stage."


"Let’s hope you will have access to these new benefits also.

I understand Brooke, although Platinum may seem more attractive at the moment, it is always best to consider long term changes.

Here are main points to consider before converting to a Platinum card:

- Once converted to Platinum it cannot be reversed to Centurion (as it is by invitation only)
- New members to Centurion will incur a joining fee of $5,000 + $5,000 annual fee for the first year
- There is no Relationship Manager on the Platinum Charge card
- Membership Rewards cap changes from 750,000 to 300,000
- Cards will be replaced with new card numbers
- Supplementaries are not entitled to Virgin Lounge Access and Priority Pass (not true - I think the new "enhancements" for Plat now give access to Supps??)

- Diamond Hilton HHonors is not available and Priority Club will change from Platinum status to Gold
- Avis will change from Presidents Club to Preferred Guest
- Platinum card annual fee is $1200 per year

Brooke, please do not hesitate to contact me should you require anything further"

This email exchange was back in mid September, and nothing since. For $5000 a year, I expect better ! I know the $200 travel credit, and the free Accor night is pretty lame in the scheme of things - but damnit, if Plat's get it - so should Cents !!!!!!!!


(dismounts high-horse) LOL !

 

[Pukka]

Yes - with the annual fee increase to $1200pa (which, IMO, is still bloody good value) - the main two things that the Plat Charge Card gets that has not filtered through to Cent card holders is -

- $200 travel credit each year on international flights booked through AmEx travel

- Free night in Accor hotel each year

Conversations I have had with my RM -

"Yes the Platinum Charge Card program has changed, the overall value of the Platinum program has further improved. I would say it is only a matter of time before there are even more enhancements to Centurion Membership. I wish I could provide you with more information, but it is all I know at this stage."


"Let’s hope you will have access to these new benefits also.

I understand Brooke, although Platinum may seem more attractive at the moment, it is always best to consider long term changes.

Here are main points to consider before converting to a Platinum card:

- Once converted to Platinum it cannot be reversed to Centurion (as it is by invitation only)
- New members to Centurion will incur a joining fee of $5,000 + $5,000 annual fee for the first year
- There is no Relationship Manager on the Platinum Charge card
- Membership Rewards cap changes from 750,000 to 300,000
- Cards will be replaced with new card numbers
- Supplementaries are not entitled to Virgin Lounge Access and Priority Pass (not true - I think the new "enhancements" for Plat now give access to Supps??)

- Diamond Hilton HHonors is not available and Priority Club will change from Platinum status to Gold
- Avis will change from Presidents Club to Preferred Guest
- Platinum card annual fee is $1200 per year

Brooke, please do not hesitate to contact me should you require anything further"

This email exchange was back in mid September, and nothing since. For $5000 a year, I expect better ! I know the $200 travel credit, and the free Accor night is pretty lame in the scheme of things - but damnit, if Plat's get it - so should Cents !!!!!!!!


(dismounts high-horse) LOL !

Lol the old "once you leave you are not coming back line"

Well I can tell you I did go from Cent to Plat 8 years ago but they invited me back again this year so I changed my mind and went back to black.

Oh & they waived the 5k joining fee without me even asking, maybe they read my mind because I was definitely not going to pay that.

I'm actually happy with them so far much better experience than last time,the promised upgrades are actually delivered. If only they'd pay 1:1 with the ATO then I'd be really happy

 

[Diesellife]

The Hk benefit is slightly different.
One night free for each property per year.

 

[vantage03]

I could be missing something here... But I sincerely doubt anyone who would pay $5000pa for a Centurion card would want a free night in the lowest category room in an Accor hotel anyway..!!

 

[Homer]

I could be missing something here... But I sincerely doubt anyone who would pay $5000pa for a Centurion card would want a free night in the lowest category room in an Accor hotel anyway..!!

Correct...

 

[pshepvic]

I could be missing something here... But I sincerely doubt anyone who would pay $5000pa for a Centurion card would want a free night in the lowest category room in an Accor hotel anyway..!!

But as a centurion member you'd get an upgrade as an Accor Platinum. But I also stay at the Sydney Sofitel for work frequently, and on occasion extend a night over the weekend which I pay for, so would definitely use it in that situation.

 

[Diesellife]

It's not easy to book... Eg all blocked out with limited dates 6 months ahead etc

 

[Pukka]

It's not easy to book... Eg all blocked out with limited dates 6 months ahead etc

Yes lots of things are booked out. Stayed in the Grand Hyatt Melbourne recently "sir you have a $100 spa credit" ok thanks that's nice what's available? 1/2 hour relaxation massage 3pm Tuesday. Ok that's great I'll cancel the trip to the Melbourne cup then lol

Or maybe not!!!

 

[RichardKopf]

Why can't you make the assumption that it's automatic? After the first Cent supp, all the rest receive Plat cards so I would expect them to receive the Plat benefits. If the supp does, then the primary must. That's the logic I would apply and see if they can disagree.

 

[sparoz]

Honestly, we will never use the free night from the Advantage Plus program. My experience the free night from all these programs from Marriott, Sheraton and the likes, is very hard to book. I would probably use the 50% dinning however occasionally though. With the exception of IHG, recent experience is that FHR seems to recognise the Cent card better than a hotel status. Accor had so many status match that everyone is a plat; Hilton starts searching to see if you are a real Diamond, and SPG Gold was never useful apart from the two bottles of SPG water. Despite the good experience from Sofitel in general recently, they told me they can't upgrade me further in Melbourne as I have already booked the Prestige Suite so I guess the suites on the 50th floor is out of bounce, where as recent experiences from IHG and FHR doesn't seem to have these restrictions. So, I do tend to pick a FHR over a status matched program unless I am at a conference.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Received following from Cent RM this morn:

Hello Cruiser

I hope you are well and had a good weekend !

We are currently working to get Emirates set-up in our Membership Rewards system, and this should be completed by next week. Once set-up is complete you will be able to transfer points.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Kind Regards,
Cent RM

Centurion.R.Manager Relationship Manager - World Service American Express, 60 Union Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009, Australia ( 1800 231 889 (option 3)| 7 (+612) 9271-8588 americanexpress.com.au Member since 2008 * Please note my working hours are 8am - 4pm AEST, Monday to Friday

 

[k3nnis]

Thanks for the info. I wonder if it's 1:1?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Thanks for the info. I wonder if it's 1:1?

Patience Grasshopper - shortly all will be revealed.

 

[sparoz]

Now, that's a game changer, but then I question if we will continue to get CX Diamond beyond next year.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Now, that's a game changer, but then I question if we will continue to get CX Diamond beyond next year.

YES it may well prove to be a game changer - may even have me retaining Cent now.

 

[Pukka]

Now, that's a game changer, but then I question if we will continue to get CX Diamond beyond next year.

Does the CX Diamond make it easier to get reward flights with Cathay? I want to book a couple of Business or first from LHR to BNE July next year.

I've got loads of Amex points I could transfer to Asia miles but I haven't used them before I mainly use Virgin & Singapore. Is the availability usually good? I see they expire in 3 years so I don't want to waste them if availability is poor

 

[maninblack]

but then I question if we will continue to get CX Diamond beyond next year.

Unless you earn 120,000 Asia miles this year the answer to that is, no. So sorry :!:

 

[sparoz]

Does the CX Diamond make it easier to get reward flights with Cathay? I want to book a couple of Business or first from LHR to BNE July next year.

I've got loads of Amex points I could transfer to Asia miles but I haven't used them before I mainly use Virgin & Singapore. Is the availability usually good? I see they expire in 3 years so I don't want to waste them if availability is poor

Yes, but you have to ring up and not through the website. They will also hold the seats for you and you can transfer the points over. However, you must confirm the seats once the points are there or you forfeit the seats. I have got seats released to me a couple of times when it was not available.

 

[sparoz]

Unless you earn 120,000 Asia miles this year the answer to that is, no. So sorry :!:

How unfortunate. .

 

[k3nnis]

So definitely no cx diamond from Amex next year??