Centurion annual fee increase from 5K to 6.5K

[danpez]

The wearable is a good idea, but the new cards are cough quality. Tell your RM and keep your titanium as long as you can.

 

[Chicken]

Bill Gates wears a $20 Casio still

So he injects computer chips via COVID vaccine into the whole world, but he would not even wear a Fitbit or Samsung watch? I knew it!!!

 

[albyd]

You don’t get rich by spending money apparently.

 

[Moopere]

I already have to wear a Fitbit, I don't need to wear another thing, including this Prada.

Do people still wear old style straight watches???

Straight watches? Like mechanical windup/movement ones?

...

If so then yep, I do. I've got a half dozen 'automatic winder' ones and another half dozen battery powered. Not a single electronic screen strapped to my wrist

 

[Moopere]

As far as price for the Centurion - honestly, they could just about charge anything they like and they'd probably lose very few customers who currently have them. These long ago left behind any concept of price-for-function. They're essentially a fashion item.

 

[Chicken]

As far as price for the Centurion - honestly, they could just about charge anything they like and they'd probably lose very few customers who currently have them. These long ago left behind any concept of price-for-function. They're essentially a fashion item.

I also have this same idea.

If I don't blink at $6500 annual fee, then surely I would be doing enough travelling and dining that I would not even need any reward program.

I do know someone who goes into any restaurant in Sydney and the staffs would address him on first name basis. I have only ever seen him settle the bill using a Reserve card, not even Platinum charge (And no, I don't mean el Jannah Chicken)

Straight watches? Like mechanical windup/movement ones?

...

If so then yep, I do. I've got a half dozen 'automatic winder' ones and another half dozen battery

If I pay $6500 per year, I would expect a Montblanc. I don't want to be the Devil Wears Prada.

 

[danpez]

Before the 'vid, I was getting twice the value of the card fee in travel benefits/upgrades etc. But obviously that has been hard to do last few years. Had some free hotel stays that's about it.

 

[Rnwillia]

Aahhh, Bill Gates is my hero. I wear a $700 gifted Garmin Solar.

 

[Rnwillia]

I also have this same idea.

If I don't blink at $6500 annual fee, then surely I would be doing enough travelling and dining that I would not even need any reward program.

I do know someone who goes into any restaurant in Sydney and the staffs would address him on first name basis. I have only ever seen him settle the bill using a Reserve card, not even Platinum charge (And no, I don't mean el Jannah Chicken)

If I pay $6500 per year, I would expect a Montblanc. I don't want to be the Devil Wears Prada.

I’d want a Rolex, Paul Newman Daytona would suffice!

 

[leer987]

Anyone been able to waive the sign up fee?

 

[Quattro]

I was unsuccessful earlier this year.

Is it still 5k? Or did they up it to 6.5k

 

[leer987]

I was unsuccessful earlier this year.

Is it still 5k? Or did they up it to 6.5k

Did you push for it hard? Am weighing up whether it is worth pushing for the invitation. Have spent ~80k in the last 3 months on 80% FHR and J/F tickets

 

[Quattro]

Did you push for it hard? Am weighing up whether it is worth pushing for the invitation. Have spent ~80k in the last 3 months on 80% FHR and J/F tickets

I asked for an escalation and they refused to do so. That's as hard as I pushed.

Reason for no escalation was due to "it being done before and declined", even though I said I know of other members I know personally who have had theirs waived.

With that spend I'd say go for it.

 

[leer987]

Requested An account review. Was asked for interests, job title and LTM spend

I asked for an escalation and they refused to do so. That's as hard as I pushed.

Reason for no escalation was due to "it being done before and declined", even though I said I know of other members I know personally who have had theirs waived.

With that spend I'd say go for it.

 

[jhy10998]

So does anyone know the current invitation threshold?

Is it still 100k per year?

However I feel like the benefits are getting worse and worse

 

[sudoer]

So does anyone know the current invitation threshold?

Is it still 100k per year?

Spent >100kpa on my Plat and haven't had an invite, but I haven't also haven't lodged an EOI.

I could understand the appeal if the 5k fee was tax deductible for some people, but 6.5k is getting silly.

 

[leer987]

Hope it’s still around the 100k mark - have expressed interest on the basis of ~$180k LTM spend mainly on travelling and restaurants

 

[daft009]

I just did 200k this month and no invite haha

 

[leer987]

Ooft that is some big spending..

 

[bluelondon]

@CSS Did you end up cancelling?

My Centurion renewal is next month - and I'm considering cancelling altogether.

Hard to justify $6,500 renewal fee annually. Have been Amex member since 2004 and Centurion for 5 years+. Can't think of a single benefit I have received in that time that in aggregate would be worth the fee.

Have any members had success downgrading to Platinum and getting the annual fee waived?