New 2012 Centurion Benefits

[xevious]

I called up CTS recently as I am going back to HK for a holiday / business trip and also asked about CX Renewal. My CTS contact informed me yes indeed it will be renewed this year! But CX will do it directly and will send me the forms towards the end of May. (my CX diamond finishes on 30th June). Funny thing is, she informed me I could get the renewal form earlier if i contact CX directly - but when I did, CX told me AMEX should be handling it. Which was abit strange. Regardless, now it is with CTS and I used the current CX form on the Centurion website and lets see what happens!

So! Abit about my upcoming trip! And with the fantastic 1:1 transfer to asiamiles now its so good!! And with CX diamond, you can redeem for whatever flight you want with no restrictions or blackouts!

31/05 BNE-HKG on a CX 33B in J (used 80000 points!)
05/06 HKG-PEK on a CX 77W in Y (used 20000 points!)
Redeemed voucher for Raffles Beijing for 1 night free stay and extending with FHR for 2 nights!
08/06 PEK-SHA by train
Redeemed 1 night free stay at Jumeriah Himilayas in Shanghai with FHR benefits - moving on to try out the new Andaz Shanghai!
11/06 SHA-CAN on a CSA A321 in Y
Thanks CTS for organising this for me! bloody CSA website doesnt accept AMEX
Using HHonors Diamond to book a stay at Hilton TianHe with HH points! Always get upgraded and executive floor access and free breakfast and gifts on arrival!

 

[Diesellife]

Redeemed 1 night free stay at Jumeriah Himilayas in Shanghai with FHR benefits - moving on to try out the new Andaz Shanghai!

Mmm... how do you get the Jumeirah Himalayas free night??
PS: I'm going to HKG around the same period, then PVG. Maybe I will see you in HKG...haha

 

[wafliron]

So! Abit about my upcoming trip! And with the fantastic 1:1 transfer to asiamiles now its so good!! And with CX diamond, you can redeem for whatever flight you want with no restrictions or blackouts!

Do you mean no blackout dates, as in no flights you're completely barred from redeeming for (which I think is normal for all AsiaMiles members isn't it)? Or no restrictions at all, as in you can turn any available seat into an award seat?

Congrats on the booking too, the trip sounds great

 

[xevious]

Towards the end of last year, usually the busiest time for CX and close to impossible to redeem a seat using points - I simply called up CX diamond line to book my reward seat and I've been able to turn ANY available seat into an award seat.
CX diamond is like a godsend. AMEX simply MUST continue with this benefit!

 

[xevious]

Mmm... how do you get the Jumeirah Himalayas free night??
PS: I'm going to HKG around the same period, then PVG. Maybe I will see you in HKG...haha

Sure stay in touch I am in HKG until end of June and in PVG for at least 4 days and Jumeirah Himalayas Shanghai complementary night stay was part of a Jumeirah promotional campaign brochure that was sent out. Upgrade, guaranteed suite in JHS, and breakfast.

 

[Diesellife]

Jumeirah promotional campaign brochure that was sent out. Upgrade, guaranteed suite in JHS, and breakfast.

I didnt get that when was that?

 

[Deleted member]

Had prolonged discussions with my Relationship Manager after I told him Cent not delivering me $3.4K in benefits over and above Plat - following is list of comp benefits he advised I would receive if I took Cent again:

• Relationship Manager: My role is to make your life easier. I’ll provide prompt attention on any day-to-day account queries you may have and you can count on me to ensure you consistently receive the highest standards of service.
• Hotel privileges and memberships: Preferred Golf Club membership, Hilton Honours Diamond Membership, Relais Chateau, Starwood Preferred Guest Gold Status....$550.
• Airline Privileges Program: Make substantial savings (up to 46%) on First or Business class flights with a companion on partner airlines. Single traveller savings also available on selected carriers.....$4,248.
• Centurion En Route: Enjoy private car transfers to/from the airport in Australia. A complimentary limousine is also provided when you arrive at your destination. Available at major cities around the world....$435.
• Centurion Fast Track: When booking your First or Business Class travel through Centurion Travel, a representative can be arranged to meet you at the end of the aerobridge where you will be ushered past queues at immigration and customs and then taken to your car....$500.
• Qantas Club Lounge Access: One complimentary annual membership, available to either the Basic or Supplementary Cardmember...$840.
• Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR): Elite Tier FHR including enhance FHR benefits across various partners, including: room upgrades at time of reservation, complimentary room night, additional hotel food & beverage or spa credits....$1,145.
• Priority Pass (VIP) Lounge access: Two memberships complimentary for you and your Supplementary Centurion member Unrestricted access to over 600 airport lounges around the world, in 300 cities across 90 countries, regardless of what airlines or class you are travelling....$594.
• Avis Presidents Club Membership: Complimentary President’s Club membership....$508.
• Travel Insurance: Trip Cancellation & Curtailment, Baggage & Money, Hospital Cash, just to list a few.....$1,045.
• Marco Polo Diamond: Renewal notice is not yet officially open to CardMembers as we are currently in negotiation with Marco Polo. Once this has been confirmed I will update you further.

Figures quoted are from AMEX - not my figures.

All very nice and if these add ons are ongoing and not a one off pretty attractive. But it still favours the frequent long haul international traveller. Not a lot for the stay at home types like me.

I have plat because of he annual travel ins. And the 1.5 points per$ spend. The extra $3400. Doesn't give me much if I don't do the flying

 

[Deleted member]

Same. Both Cent and Plat mags came in March

What plat mag?

 

[Deleted member]

I have QP life membership. I don't stay in enough hotels world wide often enough to get excited about status, but do have SPG gold at present ( and I prefer SPG over Hilton)
AFAIK the centurion card is offered ( twice so far to me) due to my spend , they know what and where I spend so common sense wold tell them that aside from the bling gasp value most of the benefits are a bit useless.
However if the annual fee was actually only a first year cost and ongoing about half I would take it up. I don't need to have the extras like CX diamond ( as nice as it is) my attraction is the travel insurance ( i do enough trans Tasman and domestic to make it worth while) and the high points cap.
A friend of mine has had it offered a few times and ended saying yes BUT would not pay the full hit and still they gave him one. Maybe next time I will try the same. ?

 

[wafliron]

Towards the end of last year, usually the busiest time for CX and close to impossible to redeem a seat using points - I simply called up CX diamond line to book my reward seat and I've been able to turn ANY available seat into an award seat.
CX diamond is like a godsend. AMEX simply MUST continue with this benefit!

Wow, that's some benefit... wish I had Cent for the CX Diamond, all I've got is CX Gold from my lowly Platinum card. I can't find any specific mention of CX Diamond being able to turn any available seat into an award seat - I assume it's an unpublished benefit?

 

[sparoz]

I guess that means Departure as Plat Mag no longer in circulation. I finally got my Cent mag after contacting my Rep. Why a Cent Service "Executive" would say it is no longer publish is beyond me. Now let's see if I have to ask for it each quarter.

 

[enigma]

Has anyone recently reviewed the Centurion website? The airline privileges program now stipulates that you can save up to 33% on companion (and other) flights. I was under the impression it was up to a maximum of 46% saving. I appreciate you won't receive 46% discount at all times, but it is somewhat of a concern that discount has now been reduced to 33%

Any thoughts?

 

[Deleted member]

Has anyone recently reviewed the Centurion website? The airline privileges program now stipulates that you can save up to 33% on companion (and other) flights. I was under the impression it was up to a maximum of 46% saving. I appreciate you won't receive 46% discount at all times, but it is somewhat of a concern that discount has now been reduced to 33%

Any thoughts?

Probably on the no discount absolute highest price options.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Guys can anybody advise how many titanium cards are available with each Cent Card - is it 1 supp card or 3?

 

[blessed11]

Hey,

1 Supp card and 1 Account card (linked to Basic Card member). Subject to approval you can request additional Centurion Supps at $1,400 a year.

Hope that helps !

 

[sparoz]

You can have an additional card for your self, and 1 supplementary. The rest are plats.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

You can have an additional card for your self, and 1 supplementary. The rest are plats.

Hmmm.......that is what ARO told me as I wanted to add an additional supp - but lo and behold in the mail arrives a titanium card with her name on it and 2 days later a plat with her name on it - shades of Citi me tinks.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Are these clowns serious?

Yesterday received latest Cent 'By Invitation Only' package - AFL Grand Final for 299,444pts - OMFG.

294K KF pts equated to 98% of pts reqd 2 x ret F Saver flts MEL-PEK - now if I bought those flts from SQ cost would be approx $7.3K ea = $14.6K x 98% = $14.3K - hmmm.......

Do any of you guys ever take these offers up?

 

[Homer]

Are these clowns serious?

Yesterday received latest Cent 'By Invitation Only' package - AFL Grand Final for 299,444pts - OMFG.

294K KF pts equated to 98% of pts reqd 2 x ret F Saver flts MEL-PEK - now if I bought those flts from SQ cost would be approx $7.3K ea = $14.6K x 98% = $14.3K - hmmm.......

Do any of you guys ever take these offers up?

Almost never, but I am seriously considering doing the dinner with David Attenborough at the Opera House. We had requested tickets to his Sydney show but this looks better (albeit a lot more expensive). Just debating now...

 

[RichardKopf]

To give an idea of popularity, I've applied and missed out twice, on smaller events. One, I faxed the reply within 30 mins of receiving it, so it was either very popular, or my offers were sent later than others'.