Amex Australia - Centurion Card Eligibility

[Daver6]

Apart from w*nk factor, I’m struggling to see the benefit of Centurion given the very limited benefits the card actually provides

If you're putting a lot of money through the card, the higher points earn rate could pay for itself.

 

[SAB]

I live quite some distance from the airport so the return limo transfers and 1 arrival transfer makes it worth it. Then there are the FHR benefits especially with some hotel chains like St Regis, FS, MO, Aman etc. But if you don't travel often then it's a different story. During COVID, we got supermarket and other vouchers with no minimum spend to compensate a little.

 

[Quattro]

My invitation came at the perfect time for me to test it out to see if it is worth it. I've been plat charge since 18 and Cent since 21.

I do truly believe the Plat Charge is exceptional value if you travel.

However, the Centurion has its perks. The insurance is second to none. See above posts for some examples. I travel with my wife and she is an additional holder.

We have used it for two overseas trips and two domestic. We are about to head off for 5 weeks to Europe.
I'm shocking with planning. The relationship manager has been instrumental in organising and booking all the nitty gritty stuff that is too time consuming for me and my wife. All my wife does is say when she wants to leave, what she wants there and what hotel in which country. This includes all flights, trains, car hire etc. Nothing has ever been classed as too hard. In fact he seems to like a challenge if it brings an idea to life.

We have received:
40% off a hotel stay(paid for by Centurion) with exclusive centurion benefits in Singapore (5 star)
Complimentary pick up from home to airport, airport to hotel and airport to home.
Some benefits and rates have been cheaper than what the Amex portal showed. I spoke to my RM about this(why he can see cheaper) and he said it's something only they have access to.

The only thing I'm unsure of is the upgrade to hotel rooms. This will be tested in Europe as we didn't lash out for the room type for most, just the property to take advantage of the benefits. I have extension experience with what the Plat Charge offered with HHonors Gold/FHR etc.

In terms of the RM, unfortunately they really are limited to travel in my experience. I was hoping they could access or make things a bit easier for my wife with certain luxury brands she has no history with. But the RM referred off to a separate department which I'm not sure is available only to Centurion. I would think any Amex Platinum member could access. Which hasn't proved successful hence my thoughts around that.

Hope that provides some insight.

 

[aus_flyer]

What are the airport transfer benefits?

 

[Quattro]

What are the airport transfer benefits?

Offically:
If you book an international return trip you receive:
Luxury transfer to the airport, destination airport to hotel and airport to home.

I have received this even without booking the return trip (used an awards redemption booking direct with the airline)

 

[Daver6]

I live quite some distance from the airport so the return limo transfers and 1 arrival transfer makes it worth it. Then there are the FHR benefits especially with some hotel chains like St Regis, FS, MO, Aman etc. But if you don't travel often then it's a different story. During COVID, we got supermarket and other vouchers with no minimum spend to compensate a little.

Are the Centurion FHR benefits better than the Platinum Charge benefits?

 

[Quattro]

Are the Centurion FHR benefits better than the Platinum Charge benefits?

It depends on the property.
The FHR property will state on Amex travel portal to some effect of:
"This property has elevated Centurion benefits when booking through your RM"

 

[Daver6]

It depends on the property.
The FHR property will state on Amex travel portal to some effect of:
"This property has elevated Centurion benefits when booking through your RM"

Can you give some examples of what extra benefits you might get?

 

[SAB]

What are the airport transfer benefits?

For Oz, it has to be for overseas biz class tickets, you get a local departure transfer and arrival transfer (but you need to book just one night's overseas accommodation for this). You will also get an arrival transfer for some cities (usually those with fast-track). Post Covid there is a km limit on the latter but I have been able to negotiate with my RM. Especially handy when we used to arrive in Narita.

 

[SAB]

Can you give some examples of what extra benefits you might get?

Usually F&B or spa eg special lunch or dinner.

 

[SAB]

Are the Centurion FHR benefits better than the Platinum Charge benefits?

Fine Hotels + Resorts
Above and beyond experiences at over 1,300 hand-selected, iconic properties in top destinations across the globe. Expertly curated with you in mind, each property is ready to welcome you with exclusive benefits that offer an average total value of AU$800* to elevate your stay with each booking8.

 

[SAB]

Offically:
If you book an international return trip you receive:
Luxury transfer to the airport, destination airport to hotel and airport to home.

I have received this even without booking the return trip (used an awards redemption booking direct with the airline)

Used to get it with Emirates but think they stopped sometime in 2019. Is there another airline which had this feature?

 

[SAB]

My invitation came at the perfect time for me to test it out to see if it is worth it. I've been plat charge since 18 and Cent since 21.

I do truly believe the Plat Charge is exceptional value if you travel.

However, the Centurion has its perks. The insurance is second to none. See above posts for some examples. I travel with my wife and she is an additional holder.

We have used it for two overseas trips and two domestic. We are about to head off for 5 weeks to Europe.
I'm shocking with planning. The relationship manager has been instrumental in organising and booking all the nitty gritty stuff that is too time consuming for me and my wife. All my wife does is say when she wants to leave, what she wants there and what hotel in which country. This includes all flights, trains, car hire etc. Nothing has ever been classed as too hard. In fact he seems to like a challenge if it brings an idea to life.

We have received:
40% off a hotel stay(paid for by Centurion) with exclusive centurion benefits in Singapore (5 star)
Complimentary pick up from home to airport, airport to hotel and airport to home.
Some benefits and rates have been cheaper than what the Amex portal showed. I spoke to my RM about this(why he can see cheaper) and he said it's something only they have access to.

The only thing I'm unsure of is the upgrade to hotel rooms. This will be tested in Europe as we didn't lash out for the room type for most, just the property to take advantage of the benefits. I have extension experience with what the Plat Charge offered with HHonors Gold/FHR etc.

In terms of the RM, unfortunately they really are limited to travel in my experience. I was hoping they could access or make things a bit easier for my wife with certain luxury brands she has no history with. But the RM referred off to a separate department which I'm not sure is available only to Centurion. I would think any Amex Platinum member could access. Which hasn't proved successful hence my thoughts around that.

Hope that provides some insight.

You are very lucky. My RM changes so often that I've lost count. The good ones don't last because they get promoted and the bad ones (thank goodness) just leave abruptly. With luxury brands, best to speak to the hotel concierge for an intro. That's what I usually do in Paris, makes the experience much more pleasant. Same with getting a table at certain restaurants overseas. Centurion couldn't help. So far for me, they have not been able to help with anything not travel related.

 

[woomp001]

If you're putting a lot of money through the card, the higher points earn rate could pay for itself.

Yes on paper for sure. The obvious problem atm is actually deploying points... I have circa 20M (half warehoused with AMEX, the oher half across an array of programs) but at the moment I feel like I might as well have none. Reward flight availability is difficult to find atm... hopefully it improves next year as capacity comes back, but at the moment, lots of points aren't worth much :-(

 

[SAB]

Yes on paper for sure. The obvious problem atm is actually deploying points... I have circa 20M (half warehoused with AMEX, the oher half across an array of programs) but at the moment I feel like I might as well have none. Reward flight availability is difficult to find atm... hopefully it improves next year as capacity comes back, but at the moment, lots of points aren't worth much :-(

Even with EK and SQ? I find that it's much easier to get F award seats on these 2 carriers.

 

[Pointy Bird]

Availability is not an issue if you can get organised. We have return flights to Europe all in First in March , June and September next year.

I have previously listed the Centurion benefits upstream.

Mostly worth it if you spend a lot (more points per $ spent) , travel a lot (my RM is excellent and had not changed for 2+ yrs) and can if you make the card tax deductible.

 

[FrankMu]

About the incompetence of the staff. I was in New York, trying to buy a train ticket from a machine using my AmEx card. The machine asks for a postal address code. My home address didn't work. The money was blocked, I didn't buy the ticket. No problems on Visa. I called AmEx, they don't know anything about the postcode and don't want to know, no help to customers. The money for the ticket not bought was returned after a month, but the negative attitude remained.

 

[Quattro]

For Oz, it has to be for overseas biz class tickets, you get a local departure transfer and arrival transfer (but you need to book just one night's overseas accommodation for this). You will also get an arrival transfer for some cities (usually those with fast-track). Post Covid there is a km limit on the latter but I have been able to negotiate with my RM. Especially handy when we used to arrive in Narita.

I could be wrong, but I thought that was changed with the new product (increase to AF etc) to be any international ticket regardless of class.

Used to get it with Emirates but think they stopped sometime in 2019. Is there another airline which had this feature?

Not sure, I have heard Singapore Air do it.

You are very lucky. My RM changes so often that I've lost count. The good ones don't last because they get promoted and the bad ones (thank goodness) just leave abruptly. With luxury brands, best to speak to the hotel concierge for an intro. That's what I usually do in Paris, makes the experience much more pleasant. Same with getting a table at certain restaurants overseas. Centurion couldn't help. So far for me, they have not been able to help with anything not travel related.

Wow, I have to be honest if I was a first time member (which I am), I cannot stand dealing with multiple different people and was actually a large part of why I accepted the invitation. I would of put in some words about how I didn't like that.

Thank you for the tip re. luxury brands. A shame though that we have to do it that way. Perhaps my RM can tee that up with the concierge in advance?? in terms of trying to get an appointment.

Yes on paper for sure. The obvious problem atm is actually deploying points... I have circa 20M (half warehoused with AMEX, the oher half across an array of programs) but at the moment I feel like I might as well have none. Reward flight availability is difficult to find atm... hopefully it improves next year as capacity comes back, but at the moment, lots of points aren't worth much :-(

Yikes.

Availability is not an issue if you can get organised. We have return flights to Europe all in First in March , June and September next year.

I have previously listed the Centurion benefits upstream.

Mostly worth it if you spend a lot (more points per $ spent) , travel a lot (my RM is excellent and had not changed for 2+ yrs) and can if you make the card tax deductible.

I agree with Pointy Bird. You really have to work the system and plan well in advance (yes it was more flexible pre-Covid). I have not had issues with First return for two on Singapore Air.

 

[albyd]

I have received this even without booking the return trip (used an awards redemption booking direct with the airline

I have too - Wondered about it but don't look a gift horse in the mouth - I redeemed to EU on SQ earlier this year. Wouldn't have booked a revenue fare with Amex but might give it another look now.

You are very lucky. My RM changes so often that I've lost count.

I have changed a number of times - I think at least once a year. I need a little more than a travel Agent - I need someone who knows the nuts and bolts and can get me some "hidden" value. I was sorry to see my last RM go - she was really a gem. Not sure yet about my new RM.

If you're putting a lot of money through the card, the higher points earn rate could pay for itself.

I calculated the breakeven at $3.24m on cash value of the extra points you're redeeming (1.25c/$ pn Centurion vs 1.125c/d on Platinum Charge). That's alot of money to spend to breakeven on the AF. If you value your FF points well above this, then the AF "Breakeven" is much sooner. If you put a value on more than the " brag" factor, especially now we all use Apple Pay so no one can see what card we are paying with anyway, then it its money well spent.

I value the much larger credit line of Centurion and the other features are "nice to have".

 

[SAB]

@albyd , how does one get a complimentary transfer on an SQ redemption booking? Your RM organised it?