AMEX Centurion Benefits List for 2016

[Mr_Orange]

Just wondering if you get the free Edge or Reserve card do the points go into same account and do you still get one bill or are these separated?

Assuming the Centurion is the same as the Platinum Charge, the Reserve is the free companion card and you receive separate bills.

 

[kody]

Points are pooled, separate bills as one is credit the other is charge.

Thanks Plutonus, if you opt for the edge and the points are pooled do they still earn at the higher rates for supermarket and petrol, and is the cap still 750,000 or does this increase to include the cap for the edge (not sure what that is)

 

[mrtupperware]

Centurion holders - I have a question

My Explorer limit is $40k, in the last two months i've started putting my business expenses through the card and i've been doing circa $100k each month. I always pay down my card before using it, so I never go over limit or to positive credit.

Yesterday, I had credit available of $7k and bpay'd $10k expecting my available credit to go to $17k BUT instead Amex blocked my card for 5-7 days citing "high risk" and that I am using more than my credit limit each month.

I explained that I am using it for business expenses but not really getting anywhere with them.

Have you ever had that with the card you had before the Centurion?

 

[Mr_Fitz]

Hmm. The only suggestion I could make is to make a payment through the AMEX portal or by calling them (and debiting straight from your account) as then the payment goes onto the card straight away.

Bpay can take 2 days or so to clear, so this may have caused the credit issue.

When I am close to the limit on my Centurion, my RM calls me to let me know. If it goes over the credit limit, sometimes the transaction processes (if it's a few K) however if it's $7K or more the transaction just comes up as declined.

Blocking the card seems like a hefty thing to do, so just keep building up the $100K per month payments and then have a conversation with them about your credit rating...

I hope this helps

 

[mrtupperware]

Thanks.

I waited for the Bpay to clear before making the payment. My limit had $6.5k disappear and the 10k was noted as received (amount due is down by 10k) but my available credit didn't increase. they pretty much credit-squeezed me - took the money but didn't let me use it. Ironically, I barely used my card this month. I don't understand the reasoning behind it especially when their exposure to me is still the maximum amount on the card, as its not a charge card.

 

[kody]

I wasn't sure about it before but I would have to say yes. The biggest thing for me is that both the Primary and Secondary get the status, ie. Both of us get Hilton Diamond. With 4 kids, it means we can book one under SWMBO's name and one under my name and get 4 breakfasts and only have to cover the two youngest (which is big dollars for us). Also chances of upgrades on both rooms. This means we don't have to play the maximise status game and can just choose a better place. Things like the improved FHR with confirmed upgrades (only briefly looked at it).

Getting the Edge as the companion card is a huge plus and 750k points + the edges limit is awesome.

We are very much focused on the family wide benefits but I can see far more benefit for people who weren't dragging the kids around with them.

How did you manage to get the Edge as a companion card, trying this at the moment and the "relationship manger" (not very impressed with the new one) has advised only the Platinum Reserve can be the companion card. Also I thought Ive heard of people applying via a referral link and receiving sign up bonuses as well (current offer is fee free and 15K points) any advice on peoples experience with that would be greatly appreciated. As i was thinking of just signing up via a referral link and then having them merge the points accordingly and having the fee waived ongoing... thanks in advance as always

 

[grounded]

I received an "invite" for Centurion yesterday; $5k joining fee and $5k / year. Not going to take it up based on the joining fee (seriously - can anyone explain the rationale?). Even at this price point - only airline status offered is Emirates.

Question: Do StarAlliance and OneWorld strictly prohibit the selling of status?

 

[Mr_Fitz]

Speak with your accountant. You may be able to write off both the establishment fee and the annual fee as a 'bank fees'.

 

[grounded]

Speak with your accountant. You may be able to write off both the establishment fee and the annual fee as a 'bank fees'.

That's not the point. Saving 30% isn't an incentive. Question was about alliances permitting members to sell status.

 

[Mr_Fitz]

Ok. Then find another charge card with a higher credit limit and get back to us. If that ain't incentive enough for you, then you don't need the card

 

[grounded]

Ok. Then find another charge card with a higher credit limit and get back to us. If that ain't incentive enough for you, then you don't need the card

Trolling.Seriously?

 

[Mr_Fitz]

Just the facts ma'am, just the facts.

 

[grounded]

Just the facts ma'am, just the facts.

Facts:

1. Centurion isn't a credit card, it's a charge card - so no limit.
2. Already have Plat Charge (hence the Centurion invite) - also no limit.
3. You provide no facts, or even on topic discussion... you're just trying to get a rise out of me by being rude and disrespectful.

 

[andye]

That's not the point. Saving 30% isn't an incentive. Question was about alliances permitting members to sell status.

CX used to do so before the EK tie-up. They also gave Gold to Charge holders. I'm pretty sure it was a business decision to stop rather than an alliance rule

 

[ftm]

Facts:

1. Centurion isn't a credit card, it's a charge card - so no limit.
2. Already have Plat Charge (hence the Centurion invite) - also no limit.
3. You provide no facts, or even on topic discussion... you're just trying to get a rise out of me by being rude and disrespectful.

There is still a limit on the Centurion. While they don't necessarily tell you what your limit is, it's no different to the Platinum Charge in that the limit is a function of your spending and repayment history.

 

[Mr_Fitz]

Lol. I started the thread, so if you want 'facts and figures' I suggest you go right back to page 1 and read the information back there.

Don't think it's ever been mentioned as a credit card.. .

There is limit in your Plat card. Just like there is a credit limit on Centurion. Call AMEX and they will tell you yours. Neither are 'limitless'.

However, the fact is a Centurion card has a larger line of credit than the Platinum and is the primary reason why I hold one - and 6 Platinum cards for my staff. No other bank comes close.

I repeated my notes from page 1 about writing off the fees (as it looked like you didn't take the time to read them). But you dismissed that handy hint as well.

But really if you don't need a larger line if credit, then you won't see the value of the fees and you won't get the card. Simple.

In the meantime I suggest you go back to page 1 and read the information there and then the rest of the great info added to this thread by the rest of the members...

Hopefully it helps you make an informed decision.

 

[mrtupperware]

Mr Fitz

Can you confirm the points earn you said at the start and which program (Ascent Premium I am guessing) the Centurion gives you?

If its 1PPD on most places, it looks like the Explorer earn rate is better?

I spoke to Amex today and was told by the CSR I should qualify soon...

 

[Mr_Fitz]

Yes confirming Ascent Premium Points Earn with Centurion as follows:

3 POINTS
Tens of thousands of restaurants in Australia

2 POINTS
Airlines, accommodation, major cruise and tour operators paid directly or through travel agencies
Spend in foreign currency when overseas and online

1 POINT
Everywhere else, excluding the providers below

0.5 POINTS
Utilities: Gas, water and electricity providers
Insurance: excluding insurances offered by American Express
Telecommunication providers: goods and services purchased from phone, mobile and Internet service provider
Government bodies: including the Australian Taxation Office, Australia Post, federal/state and local government bodies.

How does the Explorer card give better points earn? I've glanced at it, but loath to have other AMEX since I've already got 7 (4x Centurion, 1 x platinum edge, 1x NAB Velocity AMEX and 1 x Westpac AMEX in my wallet... Cheers

 

[mrtupperware]

Amex Explorer gives you 2 PPD on everything, if you pair it with the Centurion and merge programs you will earn 2 Ascent Premium points everywhere.

• "Earn 2 Membership Rewards points[SUP]6[/SUP] per $1 spent on all purchases except government bodies in Australia where you will earn 0.5 points per $1 spent"

 

[Mr_Fitz]

Thanks for the update! Do you know if the 2ppd is capped or is it unlimited? Cheers