Amex Centurion Card eligibility in Australia

[Franko Costa]

Do you want it because it’s a trophy card or because of its perceived benefits? I have one and am tossing things up myself. I think the value just isn’t there unless you use Centurion as your travel agent almost exclusively. They won’t do points redemptions so I’m booking my own travel & work books everything else.

I only want it as it has 0.25 extra points. That would more than make up for the AF

 

[Waddygib]

That's a lot of spend mate - is it all business spend? These days Amex might be reluctant to give you an invite only consumer card if you're mainly using it for business.

 

[Franko Costa]

That's a lot of spend mate - is it all business spend? These days Amex might be reluctant to give you an invite only consumer card if you're mainly using it for business.

A bit of everything with some MS too. I don't think the invite will come as it needs to be a certain type of spending. I did book a couple of biz class trips and kept them for 3 months to see if that would help but no

 

[Waddygib]

A bit of everything with some MS too. I don't think the invite will come as it needs to be a certain type of spending. I did book a couple of biz class trips and kept them for 3 months to see if that would help but no

THe MS won't help either as it is probably low margin or loss making for them (eg gift cards from supermarkets). They are looking for cardmembers they will make more money from if they are centurion. So travel spend (which they can assist with using concierge and so make the commissions on ticket sales) and outbound (international) spend.

Business spend is a no-no due to regulatory concerns in offering a card on that basis. Points hungry spend is also a no-no as why give a higher-earning card to such a person? THey'll just make less money off you.

 

[daft009]

I got mine in July 2024. Mainly business spend.
Only used Amex travel for TC.

Personal spend is 3-4k a month with a few hotels in the mix on our family trips.
Flights usually on points

 

[Waddygib]

Yeah that was before the concerns about product design and distribution.

 

[Franko Costa]

THe MS won't help either as it is probably low margin or loss making for them (eg gift cards from supermarkets). They are looking for cardmembers they will make more money from if they are centurion. So travel spend (which they can assist with using concierge and so make the commissions on ticket sales) and outbound (international) spend.

Business spend is a no-no due to regulatory concerns in offering a card on that basis. Points hungry spend is also a no-no as why give a higher-earning card to such a person? THey'll just make less money off you.

Yes but I'm not going adjust my spend to hopefully get an invite. Have been doing biz spend on it for years with no issues

 

[million_thanas1968]

Phew! Read through the whole thread. The Centurion card looks quite appealing. I’m particularly interested in the travel concierge side of things. I travel a lot for fun and have already covered nine countries this year. Would love to use RM for hotel and transport arrangements, and most of the FHR properties match where I typically stay.

From more recent reviews, it seems the service quality and benefits have started to slip a bit. Curious to see what happens to QF Points Club once it’s removed; hopefully Amex introduces something comparable to fill that gap.

I opened the Explorer about five months ago and have put around $125k through it so far. Once I graduate uni in a few years and start channelling more spend through work, I’m hoping to jump straight to Centurion without going through Platinum first. Some reports suggest Amex has offered it to those with lower spend if they fit the right profile, which seems promising.

 

[shuuy]

Aim high, but don't get disappointed.

Keep enjoying travel for travel, not for points

The Centurion card looks quite appealing.

[...]

Once I graduate uni in a few years

 

[Franko Costa]

Aim high, but don't get disappointed.

Keep enjoying travel for travel, not for points


[...]

I aim high but can't help the disappointment

 

[HisHoliness]

Who needs an amex when you have daddy's trust fund

 

[daft009]

Anyone planning to go to the Porsche day in Berry here?
Thinking of trying to get tickets for the Wednesday, likely going solo

 

[Franko Costa]

Just a reminder that I EOI for the card again (probably unsuccessful)

 

[daft009]

Anyone planning to go to the Porsche day in Berry here?
Thinking of trying to get tickets for the Wednesday, likely going solo

tix sold out in 2sec I'm told and i didnt get them baah

 

[giacomoagostinelli]

Amex Centurion Review (4 years as member, recently downgraded to Platinum)

The Good:

• The convenience of having a Relationship Manager — easily the biggest benefit
• Confirmed room upgrades at time of booking (often to suites) with a “VVIP” note sent to hotels
• Complimentary chauffeur transfers on flights booked through the RM
• Accor Platinum + Hilton Gold status (great for free breakfast and upgrades)
• Higher travel insurance limits/coverage
• Langtons wine credit

The Bad:

• RM mostly booked from the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts list — nothing you couldn’t do yourself with a Platinum card
• FH&R hotels were often more expensive than booking directly
• Restaurant and activity recommendations frequently came from basic Google searches
• Can’t “move mountains” — the urban legends are exaggerated (e.g. couldn’t secure dinner at Vue de Monde for my wife’s birthday, requested 1 month ahead)
• Flower delivery was underwhelming — just used the first florist on Google, no premium partnerships
• Popular Centurion events are almost impossible to get into (e.g. Bentley/AMG drive days)
• Many events felt outsourced and poorly organised
• No one is impressed by the black metal card — most people don’t even recognise it or care.
• International Airline Program rarely offered better business class fares
• Noticeable pressure sales tactics from the RM
• Very high annual fee combined with ongoing points devaluation
• Narky treatment by Amex staff with downgrade request

Would I recommend it?

No. You’re better off saving the money and using a good independent luxury travel agent.

No regrets on downgrading.

 

[Quickstatus]

No one is impressed by the black metal card — most people don’t even recognise it or care.

I suspect a lot of people get off on flashing the card. Not surprised that no one cares.

 

[Daver6]

Amex Centurion Review (4 years as member, recently downgraded to Platinum)

The Good:

• The convenience of having a Relationship Manager — easily the biggest benefit
• Confirmed room upgrades at time of booking (often to suites) with a “VVIP” note sent to hotels
• Complimentary chauffeur transfers on flights booked through the RM
• Accor Platinum + Hilton Gold status (great for free breakfast and upgrades)
• Higher travel insurance limits/coverage
• Langtons wine credit

The Bad:

• RM mostly booked from the Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts list — nothing you couldn’t do yourself with a Platinum card
• FH&R hotels were often more expensive than booking directly
• Restaurant and activity recommendations frequently came from basic Google searches
• Can’t “move mountains” — the urban legends are exaggerated (e.g. couldn’t secure dinner at Vue de Monde for my wife’s birthday, requested 1 month ahead)
• Flower delivery was underwhelming — just used the first florist on Google, no premium partnerships
• Popular Centurion events are almost impossible to get into (e.g. Bentley/AMG drive days)
• Many events felt outsourced and poorly organised
• No one is impressed by the black metal card — most people don’t even recognise it or care.
• International Airline Program rarely offered better business class fares
• Noticeable pressure sales tactics from the RM
• Very high annual fee combined with ongoing points devaluation
• Narky treatment by Amex staff with downgrade request

Would I recommend it?

No. You’re better off saving the money and using a good independent luxury travel agent.

No regrets on downgrading.

Was it just Hilton gold or diamond? Platinum is gold, so you're still getting a free breakfast.

 

[giacomoagostinelli]

You are correct. It was Hilton Diamond.

 

[daft009]

I'm nearly 2yrs in and still a keeper for me

But I do agree with the majority of your assessment

 

[albyd]

I’m still struggling with it. It’s a trophy card for sure but can’t bring myself to downgrade. Im
Waiting until we see what further changes come in October after the ‘reforms’ kick in.

I think though the continual devaluations are basically telling us all we need to know. They don’t value our business and the outsized AF. If they can’t make money from that AF, they’re doing it wrong!!