2013 Centurion Benefits

[sparoz]

So, just a sparkling and no Champagne. So until it becomes a transfer partner it is a bit useless as generally I would be flying J anyway, and like other status offer for us to get to top tier we need to earn it from the start. Base on this, MC Diamond remains the most useful benefit in Centurion.

 

[blessed11]

So, just a sparkling and no Champagne. So until it becomes a transfer partner it is a bit useless as generally I would be flying J anyway, and like other status offer for us to get to top tier we need to earn it from the start. Base on this, MC Diamond remains the most useful benefit in Centurion.

Absolutely agree. MC Diamond trumps Skywards Gold. Hope this isn't a sign of Amex eradicating MC Diamond once this is in place.

 

[sparoz]

Hopefully this is not the case as this will severely devalue the already devalued card.

 

[blessed11]

Hopefully this is not the case as this will severely devalue the already devalued card.

It's the most exclusive card in Australia and earns a "solid" 0.5 points on government spend.

 

[R36snowbound]

It's the most exclusive card in Australia and earns a "solid" 0.5 points on government spend.

This will be my 2nd year as a Centurion card holder and I can help but feel deflated.

When I was 23, I got my first AMEX card, the standard green card. Over the years, I have moved my way up through the AMEX ranks and now that I am finally at the top of the AMEX pecking order, I look around and see what benefits my years of loyal custom, high spend and impeccible payment history has resulted in and I am simply dissappointed. Perhaps I expected to much from Centurion. I simply thought the card is the best available, it will give you the best service, best rewards program and best travel deals but its not the case.

My only conclusion is that AMEX made the centurion card to readily available and are wanting to wind back the number of cards on issue, hence are devaluing the benefits so only the uber wealthy will keep the card as a sign of their status.

I should point out that I have never used any AMEX card for ATO or other government payments but do run a numerous work expenses through my Centurion card.

Centurion.......realise the dissapointment (I mean potential).

 

[shane2603]

Looks like MC Diamond is going, quote from my RM : I’ve just heard from our Marketing Team that the Cathay Marco Polo Diamond level benefit won’t be extended beyond 15Feb 2014.
I know your membership was due to expire end of June, so you should get a new card in the meantime.

 

[k3nnis]

So I assume MPC Gold will be gone as well for Plat charge holders. My MPC Gold expires 2014 so I think that's the end for the charge card for me Unless they are bringing in some nice benefits. I don't think the Virgin lounge access is worth the $900/annual fee nor is the priority pass...

 

[RichardKopf]

This will be my 2nd year as a Centurion card holder and I can help but feel deflated.

When I was 23, I got my first AMEX card, the standard green card. Over the years, I have moved my way up through the AMEX ranks and now that I am finally at the top of the AMEX pecking order, I look around and see what benefits my years of loyal custom, high spend and impeccible payment history has resulted in and I am simply dissappointed. Perhaps I expected to much from Centurion. I simply thought the card is the best available, it will give you the best service, best rewards program and best travel deals but its not the case.

My only conclusion is that AMEX made the centurion card to readily available and are wanting to wind back the number of cards on issue, hence are devaluing the benefits so only the uber wealthy will keep the card as a sign of their status.

I should point out that I have never used any AMEX card for ATO or other government payments but do run a numerous work expenses through my Centurion card.

Centurion.......realise the dissapointment (I mean potential).

I don't understand the whinge about loyalty. It's a business transaction. Most offers are worthwhile for some people but not for others. I definitely agree that Centurion is not for everyone. It would be a waste of money for 99.98% of people. Those people should choose cards which provide them with better value for their circumstances.

I also don't agree that Centurion is for 'uber' wealthy. It is for those who spend a lot on Amex. I operate a business which allows me to purchase most of my supplies on Amex. That's the only reason I was offered a Cent. My wealthiest clients think it's a waste of money, as MR points are a pain to them - they just buy the travel they want - and they mainly have private bank Visa/Master cards with no points programs. Cent is definitely a sign of status, but not to anyone who you would want to impress. It impresses a few shop assistants and waiters. who else sees it?

When Cent was offered, I sought the advice of a couple of Cent holders who were on online forums I frequent. The best advice I received was to add up the value of benefits I would receive and make a decision based on that.

I do also feel that Membership Rewards Premium is the best points program, for me, with 9 airline and a couple of good hotel partners. No other card in Australia offers this benefit. If they add UA as a redemption partner and a Star Alliance status, it would be near perfect.

Obviously, as we all have different needs, some, who earned many points by paying ATO are deflated, but others, who did not, and who spend past the maximum bonus points limit, have not been affected. I'm guessing these are the members that Amex is most interested in.

I would love to take on a Citi Select or similar card so I could earn more airline points per dollar spent- a card accepted everywhere by all businesses, except they won't give me a $450k limit, won't allow business spend (so limit the number of points an individual may earn), have horrible, offshore customer service, etc. They don't want members with my spend pattern. Amex does, and rewards accordingly.

Each card has its proponents. That's why we have choice, so we can get what suits us best, but it doesn't seem reason to denigrate those which do not.

 

[RichardKopf]

Looks like MC Diamond is going, quote from my RM : I’ve just heard from our Marketing Team that the Cathay Marco Polo Diamond level benefit won’t be extended beyond 15Feb 2014.
I know your membership was due to expire end of June, so you should get a new card in the meantime.

A similar quote was offered for the last renewals. I'll take it while I can get it. I also do not believe that Amex staff are privy to info like this, 8 months out. On another board, I read that Cent is being offered EK Gold for some Euro/ICC card countries. Would obviously make sense here, now, too. Too bad EK will never join OW

 

[R36snowbound]

I don't understand the whinge about loyalty. It's a business transaction. Most offers are worthwhile for some people but not for others. I definitely agree that Centurion is not for everyone. It would be a waste of money for 99.98% of people. Those people should choose cards which provide them with better value for their circumstances.

I also don't agree that Centurion is for 'uber' wealthy. It is for those who spend a lot on Amex. I operate a business which allows me to purchase most of my supplies on Amex. That's the only reason I was offered a Cent. My wealthiest clients think it's a waste of money, as MR points are a pain to them - they just buy the travel they want - and they mainly have private bank Visa/Master cards with no points programs. Cent is definitely a sign of status, but not to anyone who you would want to impress. It impresses a few shop assistants and waiters. who else sees it?

When Cent was offered, I sought the advice of a couple of Cent holders who were on online forums I frequent. The best advice I received was to add up the value of benefits I would receive and make a decision based on that.

I do also feel that Membership Rewards Premium is the best points program, for me, with 9 airline and a couple of good hotel partners. No other card in Australia offers this benefit. If they add UA as a redemption partner and a Star Alliance status, it would be near perfect.

Obviously, as we all have different needs, some, who earned many points by paying ATO are deflated, but others, who did not, and who spend past the maximum bonus points limit, have not been affected. I'm guessing these are the members that Amex is most interested in.

I would love to take on a Citi Select or similar card so I could earn more airline points per dollar spent- a card accepted everywhere by all businesses, except they won't give me a $450k limit, won't allow business spend (so limit the number of points an individual may earn), have horrible, offshore customer service, etc. They don't want members with my spend pattern. Amex does, and rewards accordingly.

Each card has its proponents. That's why we have choice, so we can get what suits us best, but it doesn't seem reason to denigrate those which do not.

RichardKopf,

Maybe I am a suxer for AMEX marekting but I thought the centurion card was offered to AMEX customers who had shown the most loyalty to AMEX, through their high spend and ontime payment. In return, the centurion card is offered to less than 1% of AMEX's customers and AMEX use the "mystery" of the Centurion card to encourage member loyalty and for card holders to inspire to receive an invitation.

Yes, I treat my centurion "membership" as an investment and over the last 12 months, my ROI has been dropping. Am I still getting more value than the the annual membership fee, yes, but what about in another 12-24 months? What other enhancements do Amex have up their sleeve?

I have not done this excercise for my Amex card yet but for the Citibank Select Visa Signature card ($700 annual fee), my ROI exceeds 500%. This is based on an average spend with Citibank of between $20-35K per month. Average montly spend with Amex is between $25-50k per month. Will be an interesting excercise to complete.

As a business, Amex' devaluing of the Centurion card would indicate that Amex Centurion card holders are costing Amex money and they are trying to stem the loses.

 

[RichardKopf]

RichardKopf,

Maybe I am a suxer for AMEX marekting but I thought the centurion card was offered to AMEX customers who had shown the most loyalty to AMEX, through their high spend and ontime payment. In return, the centurion card is offered to less than 1% of AMEX's customers and AMEX use the "mystery" of the Centurion card to encourage member loyalty and for card holders to inspire to receive an invitation.

Yes, I treat my centurion "membership" as an investment and over the last 12 months, my ROI has been dropping. Am I still getting more value than the the annual membership fee, yes, but what about in another 12-24 months? What other enhancements do Amex have up their sleeve?

I have not done this excercise for my Amex card yet but for the Citibank Select Visa Signature card ($700 annual fee), my ROI exceeds 500%. This is based on an average spend with Citibank of between $20-35K per month. Average montly spend with Amex is between $25-50k per month. Will be an interesting excercise to complete.

As a business, Amex' devaluing of the Centurion card would indicate that Amex Centurion card holders are costing Amex money and they are trying to stem the loses.

I'm not certain of American Express' criteria for Centurion invites, as they have never been published. some people like to guess. I just asked for it. I'm certain it's no reward, though as current invitees have to fork out $10k for the first year.

It's interesting that you have done calculations of ROI, although as long as any card returns more than it costs, they are all good, since you could not have 20 Citi Select Visa accounts to multiply your return, the more cards the better. In fact, I believe Amex allows an individual to have only so many accounts. I have 2 charge cards and 2 credit cards with Amex, plus 2 bank issued cards. The changes to Amex earn, last year, actually made it easier. for me, as there is no need to worry which card gets which spend, as long as they all reach the bonus point limit.

I doubt any card suite could beat the return we receive from Amex, especially as we are in a situation, where, if we didn't want to travel, we could exchange 4 million points a year for about $40000 in cash. That works out to an ROI of 615% on points, alone, although I'd much rather use those points for travelling. The only 'investment' part of the card products, for me, is the points bank which grows, if some remain unused, so I will still be able to travel, once my spend reduces - assuming that frequent flyer programs are still around in 10 years. If I consider the interest earned on the average 300k owed to Amex, at any time, which sits in my accounts until they require payment, my ROI increases to 770%

I don't believe that Amex has devalued Centurion. Its costs have increased, dramatically, as have those of the banks. These financial institutions have to buy points from airlines, and as their value increases (in theory, 7-10% a year) so does the costs of providing the points. Many banks halved the value of points a few years back. Then Qantas made them all choose between Qantas and everyone else. Only MR Ascent Premium allows all.

I still agree that bank issued products are great for most people. Cent is used by 1/30th of 1 percent of the population so they obviously don't feel the need to please the other 99.97%.

We have to pay more superannuation, more towards Medicare, more for insurance, petrol, food, entertainment or get less for the same money. A packet of smith's chips used to be 250g. Now it's 175g. A block of Cadbury dairy Milk used to be 250g. Now it's 200g, or less. Tim Tams used to have 13 in a pack. Now it's 10 or 11. Cherry Ripe used to be 56-57g. Now they're 52g. Everything is worse value, due to inflation. Our card products are no different.

Enough rambling, for now

 

[Pukka]

I'm not certain of American Express' criteria for Centurion invites, as they have never been published. some people like to guess. I just asked for it. I'm certain it's no reward, though as current invitees have to fork out $10k for the first year.

It's interesting that you have done calculations of ROI, although as long as any card returns more than it costs, they are all good, since you could not have 20 Citi Select Visa accounts to multiply your return, the more cards the better. In fact, I believe Amex allows an individual to have only so many accounts. I have 2 charge cards and 2 credit cards with Amex, plus 2 bank issued cards. The changes to Amex earn, last year, actually made it easier. for me, as there is no need to worry which card gets which spend, as long as they all reach the bonus point limit.

I doubt any card suite could beat the return we receive from Amex, especially as we are in a situation, where, if we didn't want to travel, we could exchange 4 million points a year for about $40000 in cash. That works out to an ROI of 615% on points, alone, although I'd much rather use those points for travelling. The only 'investment' part of the card products, for me, is the points bank which grows, if some remain unused, so I will still be able to travel, once my spend reduces - assuming that frequent flyer programs are still around in 10 years. If I consider the interest earned on the average 300k owed to Amex, at any time, which sits in my accounts until they require payment, my ROI increases to 770%

I don't believe that Amex has devalued Centurion. Its costs have increased, dramatically, as have those of the banks. These financial institutions have to buy points from airlines, and as their value increases (in theory, 7-10% a year) so does the costs of providing the points. Many banks halved the value of points a few years back. Then Qantas made them all choose between Qantas and everyone else. Only MR Ascent Premium allows all.

I still agree that bank issued products are great for most people. Cent is used by 1/30th of 1 percent of the population so they obviously don't feel the need to please the other 99.97%.

We have to pay more superannuation, more towards Medicare, more for insurance, petrol, food, entertainment or get less for the same money. A packet of smith's chips used to be 250g. Now it's 175g. A block of Cadbury dairy Milk used to be 250g. Now it's 200g, or less. Tim Tams used to have 13 in a pack. Now it's 10 or 11. Cherry Ripe used to be 56-57g. Now they're 52g. Everything is worse value, due to inflation. Our card products are no different.

Enough rambling, for now

I think they're waiving the $5k joining fee for a while.

I had a Centurion in the UK about 10 years ago dropped it when I came to Australia ( was told they would never ever offer it to me again) anyway they offered it to me again recently with no $5k joining fee so I said ok.

Ironically since they enhanced the ATO points my spend has dropped to around $25k a month sometimes less but more on the travel & luxury items which is what they like.

I think they really disliked people putting hundreds of thousands of tax dollars through it. It was nice while it lasted though.

I did laugh at the letter though

"The letter you hold in your hands is incredibly rare.It is one of a very limited number that will ever be printed.....

Lol do me a favour seriously

 

[Diesellife]

"The letter you hold in your hands is incredibly rare.It is one of a very limited number that will ever be printed.....

Lol do me a favour seriously

To be fair - Amex's statement seems to be correct.
Centurion invitation is much harder to get... At the very least, it can't be applied directly.
Centurion's benefit is arguable but the number of card holders is indeed limited.

 

[Pukka]

To be fair - Amex's statement seems to be correct.
Centurion invitation is much harder to get... At the very least, it can't be applied directly.
Centurion's benefit is arguable but the number of card holders is indeed limited.

Well even though I mock it I suppose it worked as I went back for a second bite of the cherry.

Titanium is a novelty it was plastic last time I had it. That was back in the days when you could pay the card the day before the next statement date and not pay any charges.

 

[sparoz]

I am pretty much in the same boat as RichardKopf and if anything I have earned more points than previous years after the change. My bookkeeper is happier with me as I now put all my expenses in the right card. As my business pay more GST than collect GST we gets a refund rather than a bill. I have a bank issued business MC and we currently struggle with the limit as we often find that I need to pay before the due date because the limit runs out and the bank is not forth coming with more limit. If they do provide more limit it offsets against my leverage anyway.

The Titanium card is the most annoying thing as it doesn't like to go through machines especially at car parks, but it has its usefulness at certain establishments. It is definitely more recognised in other countries than here in Australia. I am not in the business which I need to show off my wealth, but I can certainly think of a few professions that would be of benefit.

The renewal of the card however is under review every year, and so far it has made it for another twelve months. I have managed to get excellent service from concierge and I guess at the end of the day, for me, that is the most valuable part of the service I paid for. I have heard I get the same service team as Plat, but honestly I never had good experience when I used to be just Plat. Especially, my sister in law just had a bad experience with Platinum (although it is in Hong Kong) - she wanted to get something that is only available in Japan and asked Amex for help and was told that she should find a company to do such service on the web.

My disappointment was with Travel Service, but hopefully I have that rectified as now I have a contact of a good consultant. Let's hope she doesn't leave like other good consultants I had during the years.

The biggest perks at the moment is MC Diamond - I guess that is crucial as it is often difficult to access redemptions without tier. MC Diamond changed that and make finding a redemption flight that much easier and I would be disappointed if that is gone. Not in the too distant future my daughter will be school aged and that means going on holidays in peak season. Without a top tier airline status it would be hard to get flights. So the points would become almost worthless if you can't use it the way you want to. Skywards Gold is useless unless they also become a transfer partner. Honestly, from previous posts from various Cent members and myself include, we don't travel on coach unless we have to which deems it absolutely useless.

The Raffles Centurion Suite is gone, so no more free nights there either.

I am sure I will ask the ROI question again same time next year. What exactly am I paying for a Cent when most of the perks are also available to Platinum Card holders. For me the card need to buy me more time and a card that have a top tier airline partner who is also a transfer partner so I can actually utilise my points.

 

[blessed11]

Emirates Gold sign up now available via the Centurion portal. No mention when this offer expires as I have no need for this benefit at the moment my plan is to sign up as close to expiry as possible and gain 12 months Gold status from that date.

Anyone heard of an expiry date yet?

 

[RichardKopf]

Emirates Gold sign up now available via the Centurion portal. No mention when this offer expires as I have no need for this benefit at the moment my plan is to sign up as close to expiry as possible and gain 12 months Gold status from that date.

Anyone heard of an expiry date yet?

May I ask where you found this? I can only find the hotel enrolments. We're does one click? TIA

Update: Found this... under "Lounges". of course.

Further update: The online form would not accept my Skywards number. I confirmed it was correct and sent it to my RM to make the application.

I liked the book of benefits I received when I first received the card. I wish they would sent insert pages for new benefits as the some parts of website are poorly designed. e.g.: there's a section for benefits which require enrolment, but CX/EK, etc are not listed there. They are in the "Lounges" section, which I think is plain stupid, especially since the only travellers who require lounge access as a benefit are economy travellers. It's kind of like they give you a bunch of stuff which is intentionally useless.

 

[blessed11]

Haha, was just about to respond outlining where the form can be found and then noticed your updated post.

Agree that some of the benefits are not clearly outlined. Another example is the "Centurion Club Access", there are a few new additions (my RM emailed me a new list a few weeks ago). New list depicts the following for those who are interested in the updated partners:




NSW

Zeta Bar
4/488 George St Sydney
Greeted and escorted by your Zeta host to your own VIP Booth
Enjoy your first coughtail complimentary for Centurion member & guest
*Not Applicable on Saturdays

Marquee
The Star Sydney, 80 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont, NSW 2009
A reserved table held each Friday & Saturday night
Senior VIP Host to greet you on arrival
Complimentary bottle of Champagne on arrival
*Table must be booked by 7pm

One Moncur
1 Moncur Street, Woollahra, NSW 2025
A premium reserved table
Complimentary glass of sparkling wine for Card member and guest
10% off dining (lunch & dinner, for up to 8 guests)
Priority bookings for special events (including monthly champagne tasting events)
*Tables cannot be guaranteed on all Friday & Saturday nights and are subject to availability

VIC

Spice Market
Beaney Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Door only guest list
Access to VIP area (Friday & Saturday Night) Min $150 spend per person

The Long Room
162-168 Collins Street Melbourne
Priority entry
Access to the Long Room VIP Areas
Access to book private VIP booths or functions space in advance
Complimentary bottle Chandon NV Sparkling Wine on arrival for guests who pre book a table or booth
*Booking reservation lines are open Mon-Fri between 9-5PM. You will need to call before 5 pm on Friday for Friday evening, Saturday/Sunday reservations.

Baroq House
9 Drewery Place, Melbourne
Priority Entry
Waived entrance fee (Cardmember plus 3 guests)
Reserved Table or VIP Booth (when booked in advance)

Candela Nuevo
Level 12, 2 Queens Street, Melbourne
Reserved table
Enjoy your first drink complimentary for Centurion member & guest
*Advance reservations are required in most cases


Terms and Conditions
All requests must be made in advance by calling Centurion Concierge.
American Express takes no responsibility in the event of a Centurion member and/or their guests being refused entry. Entry to the club is always at the discretion of the door staff.

 

[mello128]

I have realised the disappointment and have recently made the decision to cancel the Centurion. Amex have failed to understand the benefits that would deliver value for their elite card members.
I would agree that Amex has issued too many Centurion cards however on the flip side the card members are not using the card. I have heard stories that there are alot of card members that get the card for "show" and never use it. Each RM is measured based on how they can get their accounts to spend more through the Amex Centurion card. I have found the value of the Centurion declined since they launched. Having being a Platinum member before Centurion and then a Centurion member since their launch - it really was a huge disappointment that then brand and benefits have dwindled to uselessness. Never believe their "impossible stories" as they seem alot of BS. The only upside for the Australian members is that they do not have to wait for the travel service team for 40 mins, ie like the card members in Hong Kong.


I feel so much better now that I have cancelled the card - $5K on the annual fee was a major joke!

This will be my 2nd year as a Centurion card holder and I can help but feel deflated.

When I was 23, I got my first AMEX card, the standard green card. Over the years, I have moved my way up through the AMEX ranks and now that I am finally at the top of the AMEX pecking order, I look around and see what benefits my years of loyal custom, high spend and impeccible payment history has resulted in and I am simply dissappointed. Perhaps I expected to much from Centurion. I simply thought the card is the best available, it will give you the best service, best rewards program and best travel deals but its not the case.

My only conclusion is that AMEX made the centurion card to readily available and are wanting to wind back the number of cards on issue, hence are devaluing the benefits so only the uber wealthy will keep the card as a sign of their status.

I should point out that I have never used any AMEX card for ATO or other government payments but do run a numerous work expenses through my Centurion card.

Centurion.......realise the dissapointment (I mean potential).

 

[Theky]

Emirates Gold sign up now available via the Centurion portal. No mention when this offer expires as I have no need for this benefit at the moment my plan is to sign up as close to expiry as possible and gain 12 months Gold status from that date.

Anyone heard of an expiry date yet?

Got the invite in my mail today. Any idea if this is in addition to the CX Marco Polo Diamond, or replacing it?