Centurion here I come.....

[wozza62]

Um, that was a dinner at Fat Duck. It isn’t in London, but it’s not far. I’ve tried to get in there twice in the last 12 months or so and haven’t been able to. If we weren’t going to be in Canada in July then I would have seriously considered taking up the offer. The previous, similar offer I can recall was an all-day affair at El Bulli which, again from memory, was around $3K per person. I missed out on that because we were away when the invitation arrived and it sold out in the first day but it would have been absolutely sensational and, well now at least, unique.

I don’t think AMEX considers their cardmembers to be idiots. I think they understand that some appreciate the finer things in life and obviously enough of them do because the offers sell out. On the “1,200 bucks a head” aspect, I agree it isn’t cheap but it’s not difficult to spend around half that per head at Quay if you know your way around a wine list. For what it was I thought it was a pretty fair deal.

Um, so what if it's the Fat Duck?, I still wouldn't pay $2400 for 2 people if it was at Buckingham Palace.

 

[Homer]

Um, so what if it's the Fat Duck?, I still wouldn't pay $2400 for 2 people if it was at Buckingham Palace.

Don't worry unnecessarily. I'm sure you won't be receiving an invitation any time soon.

 

[wozza62]

Don't worry unnecessarily. I'm sure you won't be receiving an invitation any time soon.

Thanks for that Captain Obvious.
While I suppose masticating over a broiled goose might be Ambrosia to the gods to some people, I for one won't be wasting my hard earned on it.
And unless those who put their hand up like eating alone, a minimum 2 and a half grand for any meal for 2 is ridiculous no matter whether they can afford it or where it is.

 

[Homer]

I understand that *you* think it is ridiculous. My point is that others obviously don't share your opinion. It's as simple as that. You have the right to spend your money the way you see fit. Just don't cast wide generalisations on AMEX and others if they don't share your particular opinions.

 

[TonyHancock]

Um, so what if it's the Fat Duck?, I still wouldn't pay $2400 for 2 people if it was at Buckingham Palace.

If you are a UK company the best way to get the Buck House invite is to win a Queens Award for Industry - Export and Innovation are handy ones!! The invite is free too!!

 

[Pukka]

Been there done that got the T-shirt, I think Centurion is an absolute rip off if you live in Australia. Had it in UK when it first came out seem to remember it was only about 900GBP a year. Felt really important when the Tesco shop assistant said "Oh I've never seen a black one before" but in reality the benefits you get are not much better than the Platinum charge card. Amex points are great but you can get the same bonus points as Centurion by spending $250K on the Plat charge and $150K on the free Pat credit card.
On the car front I've just bought a Range Rover, sure its way more than you would pay in USA but that's because their $ is at all time lows and because of the luxury car tax but it doesn't really matter as the second hand prices over here are excellent.
If Centurion was A$2500 I'd have one just to be flash but the current price is a joke. Enjoy it though

 

[Robert K]

Well if you're a wp, might as well be a wc too

 

[Diesellife]

Um, so what if it's the Fat Duck?, I still wouldn't pay $2400 for 2 people if it was at Buckingham Palace.

$2,400 for a dinner is expensive but I value my personal enjoyment much more than that.

Without the invitation, Fat Duck requires booking 2 months ahead of time and does not guarantee you a table. The time factor for me is priceless.

To further illustrate your point here, it maybe wise to ask yourself the following:

- Why people fly MEL-LHR in first class for $11,000 when you can do economy for just under $2000?

- Why buy a bottle of 1986 lafite for $1,200 when you can get a cheap bottle for $8?

- Why spend $20m for a resident when you can buy a place for you to live in for $100000.

 

[Pukka]

I think the bottom line here is it's obviously not for everyone. If you value getting into top restaurants at the drop of a hat and you're willing to pay an extra $3350 a year for that then this card might be for you.

I must admit I used it to get in Nobu London a couple of times when that was the place. Last year when I was in London you could walk in to ANY place in Mayfair without a reservation the recession was killing them. Might be back to normal now though.

Or if you think it just improves your status or you just want one then get one life's too short.

My gripe is the cost is way in excess of the same card in USA or GB for possibly reduced benefits. I don't mind paying extra for cars or houses as they are an asset but the Centurion card is just a recurring charge.

I hear they actually have the audacity to charge you a joining fee now on top of the annual fee!! Is that right? Certainly didn't used to be.

 

[Robert K]

Guess they need to keep the riffraff out~

 

[straitman]

You have to make a gazzilion dollar to qualify for the card, so $7500 a year for a card with so many perks wouldn't make a dent in their wallets.

There are things money can not buy, like a table at famous restaurants.

Where do you get $7500 from?
You appear to be type casting people with your comment!




Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Robert K]

Where do you get $7500 from?
You appear to be type casting people with your comment!

I think thats the american fee.

type casting? you mean how you have to be rich to get the centurion?

 

[Noob]

I think thats the american fee.

type casting? you mean how you have to be rich to get the centurion?

Put it this way, it was most definitely not designed for 99% of the population.

 

[yohy?!]

I think thats the american fee.

type casting? you mean how you have to be rich to get the centurion?

US Cent is 2500usd per year.

Definitely intended for the upper crust of the market.

 

[Robert K]

US Cent is 2500usd per year.

Definitely intended for the upper crust of the market.

According to wiki it's 2500 to join and annual fee of $5000

 

[nlagalle]

You have to make a gazzilion dollar to qualify for the card, so $7500 a year for a card with so many perks wouldn't make a dent in their wallets.

There are things money can not buy, like a table at famous restaurants.

You don't need to make a gazzillion to qualify. I certainly don't and I was sent an invitation. It's to do with spend on the card amongst other things.

 

[simongr]

Um, so what if it's the Fat Duck?, I still wouldn't pay $2400 for 2 people if it was at Buckingham Palace.

Fat Duck is one of the top rated restaurants in the world serving some of the most interesting and amazing food you can imagine. I think $1200 is pretty steep - a friend went recently and paid GBP300 per head...

 

[Homer]

Fat Duck is one of the top rated restaurants in the world serving some of the most interesting and amazing food you can imagine. I think $1200 is pretty steep - a friend went recently and paid GBP300 per head...

Ah but you do get a tour of the kitchen and a cookbook.

(Plus you get a table - they apparently log up to 30,000 calls a day for reservations...)

 

[simongr]

Ah but you do get a tour of the kitchen and a cookbook.

I already have the cook book (and an El Bulli 2003/2004 "cook book")

 

[Robert K]

Fat Duck is one of the top rated restaurants in the world serving some of the most interesting and amazing food you can imagine. I think $1200 is pretty steep - a friend went recently and paid GBP300 per head...

it's probably different. the 300 is for the 4 hour tasting menu i believe.