Centurion Card - Is it worth it?

[cove]

Thanks Richard I will look at FT threads as I can make myself eligible. Currently I use a Gold Premium Rewards US Amex and I am close to a good reward for meeting a sign on target.

 

[pshepvic]

Yes, there are many thread in other forums comparing the dozen, or so, Centurion cards around the world, but Australians can't get a US card, unless they reside in the US. Th US card has a 5000 joining fee plus a 2500 annual fee. The benefits are more valuable. Recent Xmas gifts to holders have included a Tumi carry on filled with gifts such as video recorders.

Who uses video recorders these days?


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[oz_mark]

Who uses video recorders these days?

That's why they have to give them away!

 

[maninblack]

Historically i've been all for it, but at this stage I would recommend against getting it. The 'your invited' special events are of a far less quality these days and most a open to plat and cent anyway. Dont ever use priority pass anymore. Never travelled with CX so using Marco Polo is useless (and we hate Qantas so of no use domestically either). Concierge is useless these days and only a few of the staff are exceptional with the rest average call centre employees with feigned interest in really going that extra mile. Restaurant tables are good, but its a bit hit and miss when you can actually succeed with a booking. Travel services aren't of much use because I'm a self planner: they have delivered on one hard travel request in the few years I've had the card (apartment in Budapest) - other than that, nothing to rave about cost savings wise. Often the companion fare savings are still more expensive than two J / F tickets that you can get from other airlines yourself online (during sales).

As much as it pains me to say it, the proposition is a joke in comparison to what was offered five years ago. I feel like we just pay the yearly fee because of nostalgia and to avoid the hassle of having to downgrade to plat. Im not the happiest centurion camper at the moment - if you cant half tell

100%. You have absolutely nailed it.

 

[Stephen65]

The US card has a 5000 joining fee plus a 2500 annual fee. The benefits are more valuable.

From my reading the US card has considerably better benefits. It has some things the Australian card does not have (e.g. exemption from the 3% forex commission charge) and the ability to make much better use of benefits we do have because, for example, many of the hotels offering special benefits to cardholders are located in the US. The fee structure is different with a US$5000 joining fee but only US$2500 annual compared with the Australian card which effectively has a US$4600 annual fee currently, meaning the US card is cheaper after you have completed two years of membership.

 

[RichardKopf]

From my reading the US card has considerably better benefits. It has some things the Australian card does not have (e.g. exemption from the 3% forex commission charge) and the ability to make much better use of benefits we do have because, for example, many of the hotels offering special benefits to cardholders are located in the US. The fee structure is different with a US$5000 joining fee but only US$2500 annual compared with the Australian card which effectively has a US$4600 annual fee currently, meaning the US card is cheaper after you have completed two years of membership.

This is all correct, in theory, but it's a moot point. Aussies can't get US cards, and even someone who has a US residence, social security and credit record, can't apply for a Cent. Especially in the US, Amex offers the card and will not publish or acknowledge its criteria for offering it, other than having operated a US Amex with large spend (rumours say between 25k and 500k) for over a year. Then, if they happen to be offering cards at that time, they choose from those who fit the criteria and invite them, if they choose.

Good luck to any Aussies getting a US card. I (with US wife) have US cards, but not Amex. Amex in US also does occasional credit evaluations on clients, so unless you can show sufficient income and assets, credit comfort levels with be untenably low.

 

[Stephen65]

Amex in US also does occasional credit evaluations on clients, so unless you can show sufficient income and assets, credit comfort levels with be untenably low.

Yes the dreaded "Financial Review" that you see so much complaining about on the FT Amex forum. I've never heard of anything like this in Australia, perhaps our privacy or credit legislation prevents them doing it here?

PS: For Australians there is also the option of getting an Amex ICC Centurion card but I am not sure how the benefits compare with either the US or Australian cards. Plus having to pay it off in USD or Euros means that the forex charges on converting from AUD outweigh any benefits. If you had an income stream in USD or Euros it could be worth considering though.

 

[Jane-Doe]

For self-planners, the Travel Service is almost an inconvenience.

I am down to less than $2000 per month spend on the Centurion card. Most bills have to paid through Visa/Mastercard, so the Citibank card spend is much higher. Maybe it's great for US customers, but not enough bills can be paid with Amex in Aus.

BTW Centurion website has a typo. Let's see if they read this thread

• [h=3]Transferring Points to Travel Partners[/h]You can transfer your Membership Rewards points directly to any of our airline or fequent guest partners. »
  
  

 

[Deleted member]

For self-planners, the Travel Service is almost an inconvenience.

I am down to less than $2000 per month spend on the Centurion card. Most bills have to paid through Visa/Mastercard, so the Citibank card spend is much higher. Maybe it's great for US customers, but not enough bills can be paid with Amex in Aus.

BTW Centurion website has a typo. Let's see if they read this thread

• [h=3]Transferring Points to Travel Partners[/h]You can transfer your Membership Rewards points directly to any of our airline or fequent guest partners. »
  
  

That surprises me Jane. We find may bills that can be paid by Amex. Grocery, fuel, even one of the power companies I believe takes Amex.
But I suppose it helps to be self employed in this situation as we pay absolutely everything via the Amex card, so do quite nicely

 

[Deleted member]

The platinum offers seem to be good ( and expensive) enough any way. Just had my invitation to spend an evening with Heston Blumenthal including a 4 course dinner at the Green room in the Quay Restaurant on the rocks. At $695.00 +airfares+ hotel, it was looking to be a bit up there in cost. So SWMBO has said NO. Not on top of the Boss Reggie lunch in Auckland.

 

[sparoz]

OT: is the centurion magazine still in circulation?

 

[Jane-Doe]

OT: is the centurion magazine still in circulation?

Yes. No change in the past couple of years.

 

[sparoz]

Yes. No change in the past couple of years.

where is mine? I am going to give them a call.

 

[Diesellife]

next one is in Apr...
there are 4 issues per annum... apr, jun, sep, nov iirc

 

[TheFergus]

at Westfield BJ.

Well, that's quite a benefit. I didn't know Westfield offered such a service! lol

 

[WA flyer]

Also just had a phone call invitation this week after receving the black box last year.
I did look at it then but couldn't see much value in it.
Having reached the caps on both the Plat Charge and cc for a few months, I'm currently using the Ultimate and Citi Select, so that may have prompted their call.
I did say I would think about it and they are calling back next week.

 

[TheFergus]

IMHO if they were to comp it for first year, it would be pretty bloody difficult to give it back. What all the dollar rationalisation doesn't address is the lead swinging value of Centurian. Surely a valuable benefit.

Ask Prince Frederik

 

[pshepvic]

Ask Prince Frederik

The one WITHOUT the card probably ended up with the better deal there!


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[RichardKopf]

IMHO if they were to comp it for first year, it would be pretty bloody difficult to give it back. What all the dollar rationalisation doesn't address is the lead swinging value of Centurian. Surely a valuable benefit.

Ask Prince Frederik

Honestly, few know or care what it is, and fewer comment. The closest to lead-swinging is that shop assistants often say it's heavy. Most ask "pin or sign?" not even noticing it doesn't have a chip. In some ways, you can't even pull it out until the transaction is nearly completed. Who could possibly think it's a good idea to have a sales person think you are wealthy?

Places they are often used, like top hotels, sometimes get a good result.

 

[exp1k]

Ok, I had to say it:

The Centurion has a great travel insurance while the insurance of the Platinum card is worthless!

AMEX: Don't mess with the Centurion insurance. We are paying you $4300/year. That should be more than enough to provide us with a comprehensive travel insurance!