Amex Centurion Card eligibility in Australia

[mrtupperware]

I do my own travel arrangements as exclusively travel on points (though I’m sure the ‘reforms’ will out paid to that) so I haven’t got much out of it except the line of credit. Guess the extra ‘marginal’ points earn has helped though the recent devaluation (and likely further devaluation) has changed the economics. I’m unfortunately not the target demographic though may become so after my points are exhausted.

It’s encouraging to hear how many benefits a travel customer gets as it doesn’t look that way at first glance - you need to pay for everything yourself. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

I’m currently in Italy with this trip largely funded by MR points. Will be interesting to see what the future holds.

Dont get me wrong - I still use points *where I can* - flights, hotels etc. But when I travel with the family its hard to find 3 seats to Europe with a short connection time, in that case we just end up buying a ticket. Hotels - we stay at Marriott where we can and take advantage of 5th night free + SNA upgrades. Having said that if we want to splurge out we book Aman / FS / MO and do that exclusively through Amex and the RM.

Example of savings we got was just earlier this year at a FS property. There were 2A and 1 kid, the 3 people room left was materially more expensive. My RM booked me the cheap one and then contactde the hotel and got me a free upgrade at booking to the next category saving us $$$.

 

[daft009]

Example of savings we got was just earlier this year at a FS property. There were 2A and 1 kid, the 3 people room left was materially more expensive. My RM booked me the cheap one and then contactde the hotel and got me a free upgrade at booking to the next category saving us $$$.

That does sound useful! Seen some expensive rooms for 2A and 2 kids

 

[tangjas20]

Just received invitation, I put EOI back in June

Recently I’ve been travelling more often this and last month and also booked for Dec/Jan put it all through FHR. I think that might have played significantly in my case.

Spend ytd approx 600-700k

 

[ShaunM88]

Does anyone have a updated list of beneifts. Done approx 700k in 9 months this year with business expenses on there. 2024 was 950k, 900k in 2023 which when I got the card. We dont pay any ATO or PAYG payments through their but some suppliers etc. Use to book hotels and vehicles through app but now book direct with Accor or Hertz linked with Amex. Did a expression a year and bit ago and didnt hear back but wondering if its worth asking for it again. The extra points on $1m spend seems wortwhile alone.

 

[Franko Costa]

All I want is the extra 0.25 cpp and the rest is just great after that. I apply for EOI every 3 months and nothing yet. I never book using the travel portal and that's likely my downfall

 

[Doctore1003]

The Barefoot Investor taking no prisoners.
“The wank factor is an 11 out of 10 …
Who on earth pays $11,500 for a credit card?
Tossers.”

http://archive.today/utcsM

 

[hexDoor]

The Barefoot Investor taking no prisoners.
“The wank factor is an 11 out of 10 …
Who on earth pays $11,500 for a credit card?
Tossers.”

http://archive.today/utcsM

To be fair, he's not wrong for the vast majority of the population who could probably deploy that kind of cash on literally anything else and get more value.

I wonder how the travel insurance for centurion works with respect to those with pre-existing conditions.
God forbid you have a pacemaker and any travel insurance adds 2k to the premium for literally every trip.

 

[Waddygib]

To be fair, he's not wrong for the vast majority of the population who could probably deploy that kind of cash on literally anything else and get more value.

I wonder how the travel insurance for centurion works with respect to those with pre-existing conditions.
God forbid you have a pacemaker and any travel insurance adds 2k to the premium for literally every trip.

How much better than platinum is the centurion insurance?

Does anyone have a updated list of beneifts. Done approx 700k in 9 months this year with business expenses on there. 2024 was 950k, 900k in 2023 which when I got the card. We dont pay any ATO or PAYG payments through their but some suppliers etc. Use to book hotels and vehicles through app but now book direct with Accor or Hertz linked with Amex. Did a expression a year and bit ago and didnt hear back but wondering if its worth asking for it again. The extra points on $1m spend seems wortwhile alone.

They won't want business spend. Its a consumer card and ASIC not a fan of them selling outside of the target market. I wouldn't hold your breath.

 

[hexDoor]

How much better than platinum is the centurion insurance?

No idea, hence why I wonder.
Hoping someone on the thread could enlighten us.

 

[daft009]

To be fair, he's not wrong for the vast majority of the population who could probably deploy that kind of cash on literally anything else and get more value.

yes but there are still shades of grey. not everything in this world is black or white.

quite a few pages/years back pointsguy claimed on the centurion insurance. his luggage was delayed 2-3 days yet he was allowed ~$6500 (or maybe it was $5k) to buy new clothes. i remember this post from post covid as travel was just reopening and there was lots of luggage delays...
happy looking!

for me the centurion is worth it for my $250k/month spend, mostly business... I've had mine since July 2024.
once the RBA changes hit next year.. hmm... perhaps more a lifestlye card then
i would never qualify for hotel status otherwise
but its about the only "want" in my life.
i dont do fancy cars, watches, fine dining etc
travel mostly on points in J...

 

[colt75]

yes but there are still shades of grey. not everything in this world is black or white.

quite a few pages/years back pointsguy claimed on the centurion insurance. his luggage was delayed 2-3 days yet he was allowed ~$6500 (or maybe it was $5k) to buy new clothes. i remember this post from post covid as travel was just reopening and there was lots of luggage delays...
happy looking!

for me the centurion is worth it for my $250k/month spend, mostly business... I've had mine since July 2024.
once the RBA changes hit next year.. hmm... perhaps more a lifestlye card then
i would never qualify for hotel status otherwise
but its about the only "want" in my life.
i dont do fancy cars, watches, fine dining etc
travel mostly on points in J...

Personal and Business spend is vastly different amounts required.
Earlier in the year there was some points about 250k annual spending being enough, now the latest data points seem to be 500k pa minimum.

I was pushing my spend doing average 30k a month personal spend trying to get it but not even sure i'll bother now

 

[daft009]

Personal and Business spend is vastly different amounts required.
Earlier in the year there was some points about 250k annual spending being enough, now the latest data points seem to be 500k pa minimum.

I was pushing my spend doing average 30k a month personal spend trying to get it but not even sure i'll bother now

I average 3-5k personal per month

 

[Pointy Bird]

For most people this is not worth it.
For me it is - but a borderline call.
The $6500 yearly fee is tax deductible for me, so actual cost is circa $3400pa.
I was the one that insurance paid some $6000 - luggage delay > 48 hrs. That was good value.
The higher points earn rate compared to platinum is not huge, but adds up as my spend is a few million pa
The relationship manager is an excellent service - I had a single person I dealt with for the last 6 years.
I never pay for a flight but Centurion arrange all our hotels, transfers, restaurants, tours etc.
We very frequently get upgraded, so I book a basic room and usually end up with a large room or suite.
In summary - only worth it if fee tax deductible, you travel a lot and spend a lot.

 

[hexDoor]

yes but there are still shades of grey. not everything in this world is black or white.

i would never qualify for hotel status otherwise
but its about the only "want" in my life.
i dont do fancy cars, watches, fine dining etc
travel mostly on points in J...

I don't believe my comment was neccessarily absolute but my point is that the "tosser" described in the article is someone who is compromising their own financial stability as a result of the centurion.
We should be strongly discouraging such behaviour anyway.

 

[daft009]

That guy could be a business owner.. he knows nothing before calling him names

For most people this is not worth it.
For me it is - but a borderline call.
The $6500 yearly fee is tax deductible for me, so actual cost is circa $3400pa.
I was the one that insurance paid some $6000 - luggage delay > 48 hrs. That was good value.
The higher points earn rate compared to platinum is not huge, but adds up as my spend is a few million pa
The relationship manager is an excellent service - I had a single person I dealt with for the last 6 years.
I never pay for a flight but Centurion arrange all our hotels, transfers, restaurants, tours etc.
We very frequently get upgraded, so I book a basic room and usually end up with a large room or suite.
In summary - only worth it if fee tax deductible, you travel a lot and spend a lot.

Sorry got your name wrong but yeah I meant you

 

[colt75]

For most people this is not worth it.
For me it is - but a borderline call.
The $6500 yearly fee is tax deductible for me, so actual cost is circa $3400pa.
I was the one that insurance paid some $6000 - luggage delay > 48 hrs. That was good value.
The higher points earn rate compared to platinum is not huge, but adds up as my spend is a few million pa
The relationship manager is an excellent service - I had a single person I dealt with for the last 6 years.
I never pay for a flight but Centurion arrange all our hotels, transfers, restaurants, tours etc.
We very frequently get upgraded, so I book a basic room and usually end up with a large room or suite.
In summary - only worth it if fee tax deductible, you travel a lot and spend a lot.

Technically the entire fee initiation and yearly fee could be tax deductible right

 

[Waddygib]

Technically the entire fee initiation and yearly fee could be tax deductible right

Why? It is a personal consumer card with the benefits largely accruing to personal use.

Even if you use it for some business expense it is unlikely to be tax deductible.

And if it is you should be paying FBT on any benefits, right?

 

[colt75]

Why? It is a personal consumer card with the benefits largely accruing to personal use.

Even if you use it for some business expense it is unlikely to be tax deductible.

And if it is you should be paying FBT on any benefits, right?

Well I think you can portion the business use of the fee as an expense

But i Don think the ATO specifies your business expenses must be used on a business credit card to be eligible as a tax deduction.

 

[Waddygib]

Well I think you can portion the business use of the fee as an expense

But i Don think the ATO specifies your business expenses must be used on a business credit card to be eligible as a tax deduction.

You can deduct the business expenses themselves. You could deduct the fee for a business card.

But an over-the-top fee for an over-the-top consumer credit card, also used for personal use and entitling one to benefits unrelated to the business: no. That should not be tax deducted.

It's like booking a one month first class round the world holiday for the family and claiming it on tax because you went to a conference for a day of it.

 

[colt75]

You can deduct the business expenses themselves. You could deduct the fee for a business card.

But an over-the-top fee for an over-the-top consumer credit card, also used for personal use and entitling one to benefits unrelated to the business: no. That should not be tax deducted.

It's like booking a one month first class round the world holiday for the family and claiming it on tax because you went to a conference for a day of it.

You do you. Everyone runs their books differently.

You're trying to say that any FBT should be payed on points/bonuses earned on any business expenses. So why do all these payment gates like pay.com.au exist then to pay your BAS and ATO bills.

Obviously there is a benefit out of it which is allowed.