Amex to launch Centurion card

[NYCguy]

The whole Centurion mystique existed in the last decade when only a select few (Oprah etc) had access to one. Now you only need to spend $120K and the computer automatically sends you an invite. Exclusive? Not likely.

I couldn't have put it better myself! I am very happy with my 'silver' Amex.

In the end, it comes down to perceptions of status. If it's the 'status' of having the black card with the titillating lustre that you're after, then go for it, although most of the people you'll hand it to would have been just as impressed with the 'silver' version.

 

[kito]

I couldn't have put it better myself! I am very happy with my 'silver' Amex.

In the end, it comes down to perceptions of status. If it's the 'status' of having the black card with the titillating lustre that you're after, then go for it, although most of the people you'll hand it to would have been just as impressed with the 'silver' version.

It all depends what you want to get out from using the charge card no matters what colour of the card is...............

For $2800 per year and 1.5 pts per dollar spend up to $500k....i m happily accelerating my MR pts and last year alone I claimed 2x FC tickets from Aus to Thailand, 1x FC ticket Aus to HKG & 1x upgrade to J from Aus to HKG. This year so far, 2x J Domestic PER to SYD, 2xJ Aus to HKG, 2x FC HKG to NRT & 1x J Aus to HKG plus 2x Maserati Drive Day event which roughly totalled 1.22M MR points. Starwood Platinum (until Feb 2007) provided excellent accomodation benefits and perks at Sheraton & Westin at the lowest possible rates I found and booked on the internet. Mandarin O gave a free night with a booked night plus all the perks and Priority Pass (x2) for airport lounge. I did my maths and I got more than the fees paid.

I don't even consider the black card is anything special when using it other than a financial instrument which makes life far more easier. At the end of the day, the account still needs to be completely paid off....

Thanks
Kito

 

[armanie]

Hi,

The other day, I saw this American with the new Black Titanium Amex.

Does anyone know whether it's available or when it's coming to Australia?

armanie

 

[Bob]

I received the "invite" recently, so it looks like the black card has finally lost all exclusivity.

As Groucho Marx said (approx), "I wouldn't want to join any club that would have me as a member" :mrgreen:

 

[gaia]

I received the Amex boxed black card kit last week. Gives me around 6 weeks to activate the card if I want it.

I'm now working out whether I think that it's financially worth it.

At the moment I have 4 Amex platinum charge cards (me two - one personal & one company #1 expenses, one for wife - personal, one for daughter - personal) and 2 platinum credit cards (me - one for company #2 expenses, wife - one for company #2 expenses). Platinum cards work out a good deal for me and better than the gold cards I used to have when the 1.5 MR points are factored in.

 

[NYCguy]

Perhaps Amex need to launch a new "ultimate" card that doesn't have any rewards program (no-one bothers about points at this level!), doesn't have any concierge service (if you qualify for one, you already have people making all your arrangements for you anyway), doesn't confer any airline benefits (if you fly commercial you probably won't qualify, and if you did you certainly wouldn't be worried about getting two $17000 tickets for the price of one), or hotel benefits (who ever heard of a discounted Royal Suite?).

You know, something REALLY exclusive, like Centurion was supposed to be, before Amex got carried away and started offering them to people like me! :!:

 

[oz_mark]

Perhaps Amex need to launch a new "ultimate" card that doesn't have any rewards program (no-one bothers about points at this level!), doesn't have any concierge service (if you qualify for one, you already have people making all your arrangements for you anyway), doesn't confer any airline benefits (if you fly commercial you probably won't qualify, and if you did you certainly wouldn't be worried about getting two $17000 tickets for the price of one), or hotel benefits (who ever heard of a discounted Royal Suite?).

You know, something REALLY exclusive, like Centurion was supposed to be, before Amex got carried away and started offering them to people like me! :!:

I agree with much of the sentiment in this post. The problem I think Amex would have though is in trying to justify the cost of such a card when it did not have any of the frills. The $2,800 annual fee has to get you something.

I am down a rung a bit, only ever having been offered a Platinum card and toi be honest, unless there are some undocumented features, I don't even see the value in that/