Amex Personal Plat/Business Plat -Does it affect your Centurion Invite ?

[albyd]

I just received an invite by email - thought these were sent by mail and you got pre-embossed cards. Sounds like they're giving out lots of these so it's not feasible to invest that sort of money unless you have a high acceptance rate. I'd enquired about it after the devaluation was announced for the higher MR earn (based on my subjective valuation of SQ points, I need to spend $80K+ to break even on the extra annual fee over Platinum). I called and got through to the offshore Platinum call center who confirmed it was genuine. Does Centurion have a local servicing center outside of RM work hours? I find that outside of simple queries, messages get lost in translation with the offshore team.

I've had a Platinum Charge card for 3 years but maybe spend between $500-$5000 in any month. I have concentrated all my spend on Explorer in the tens of thousands per month. I've also bought some WOW eGCs on my Edge (that strategy is no longer feasible unfortunately).

I'm willing to consider it if they will wait until closer to the devaluation date as I want to keep hammering my Explorer for 2MR points/$ until then.

While I've got my head around the annual fee, I'm not keen to pay the $5,000 initiation fee. Those who've managed to get that waived, did your invitation come with that fee waived or did you ask? If you asked, how easy was it to get waived and what was your 'reason' (other than I'm not paying it)?

 

[1q2w3e4r]

The number with the invite should be the centurion team based on Sydney - I think you can gauge from the application form when the cutoff date for the offer is on the bottom right hand side.

 

[albyd]

Looks like it’s late March so works well. Will need to call them tomorrow with all my questions ... including waiver for the initiation fee.

There was an application form included. Do they need to do a new equifax credit check? Thought it would just be a product transfer and charging limits be based on your past spend history. Not sure I want a credit inquiry for no bonus.

 

[1q2w3e4r]

How did you get on?

 

[albyd]

I got a call from Centurion yesterday morning. There were no surprises on features as it's been well covered on AFF. Some features reminded me of benefits available with Citi Prestige (eg chauffeur drive and immigration fast track) where they were limited per annum and geographically but didn't have to book through Citi. Not a huge difference in feature set with the Platinum - might be why new earn rate is slightly higher (which interests me as a points enthusiast) - may get more so over time - hopefully due to new features rather than reducing benefits on Platinum to create the point of difference. Feel my Platinum Charge is relatively 'good value'.

The main point of difference was the RM acting as your personal travel agent. I generally book all my own travel - quite enjoy it - though not enough to want to be a travel agent myself. Although my long haul travel is mostly for leisure with business being predominantly short trips.

I asked about Centurion events and it was suggested I flag my interest with my RM to ensure I get the invites. Didn’t get a sense of the caliber and frequency of events. Platinum also has 'events' but can't get excited about a ‘VIP’ shopping night at a furniture retailer. I’d be keen to hear about the type of events current or recent Centurions have been invited to. I'm in Sydney.

I also asked about a waiver of the $5K initiation fee. She committed to putting it forward for consideration in January. If they waive it, I'm likely to give it serious consideration (subject to SWMBO approval). Fall back is the Platinum Charge after a year of trying Centurion out. Explorer will lose its edge post April 14 so for me a choice between either Charge card which will makes account administration simpler (though less lucrative points-wise) going forward.

 

[Comoman]

Well I spend around $50-80k per month on my Plat charge card. Mostly airfares and hotels. Have done for the last 3-4 years.

No invite for me yet.

 

[albyd]

Well I spend around $50-80k per month on my Plat charge card. Mostly airfares and hotels. Have done for the last 3-4 years.

No invite for me yet.

I asked about it following the recent devaluation announcement otherwise hadn't heard anything either (I've concentrated most of my spending on Explorer which might also be why). The rep I spoke with yesterday said they hadn't sent many out this year and they've just sent out a batch.

 

[andye]

What is the post-April earn rate? I cant find it online.
Like you albyd, there may be quite a few (not me ) who could justify it as a viable upgrade financially

 

[Chicken]

What is the post-April earn rate? I cant find it online.

Rewards Changes

 

[andye]

Rewards Changes

Unfortunately that page only lets me see the cards I hold

 

[Chicken]

Unfortunately that page only lets me see the cards I hold

I can see every card from AmEx, including old cards no longer for sale?

 

[andye]

I can see every card from AmEx, including old cards no longer for sale?

The Centurion icon makes me login then "page not found"

 

[albyd]

I got this from the link included with my invite:
From 15 April 2019:

Earn 2.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, except government bodies where you will earn 1 point per $1 spent. Point redemption rates will change as of 15 April 2019.

I recall the Platinum Charge is at 2.25MR

On the basis of a 2:1 conversion rate to most FF programs post devaluation, that would imply:
Platinum 1.125 FF per $
Centurion 1.25 FF per $

Not a huge difference but a difference where there was previously none.

I'm trying to check my logic on this so would welcome some feedback.

Assuming broad feature "parity" between Platinum and Centurion (I know there are some differences but makes this analysis a little easier):

• You're paying $3,550 extra annual fee for the Centurion 'premium';
• I value SQ J redemptions at 3c/point based on a recent Long Haul Redemption to Europe - everyone's calculation will differ. I've left F out as the devaluation will mean I should prize my points more since they will be harder to earn from Card spend;
• I'd need to earn $3,550/$0.03 = 118,333 points to cover this 'gap';
• To earn 118,333 points at 1.25/$, I'd need to spend $94,666

Does this make sense or have I missed something?

 

[1q2w3e4r]

2.5 points for everything but utilities from April

 

[1q2w3e4r]

I got a call from Centurion yesterday morning. There were no surprises on features as it's been well covered on AFF. Some features reminded me of benefits available with Citi Prestige (eg chauffeur drive and immigration fast track) where they were limited per annum and geographically but didn't have to book through Citi. Not a huge difference in feature set with the Platinum - might be why new earn rate is slightly higher (which interests me as a points enthusiast) - may get more so over time - hopefully due to new features rather than reducing benefits on Platinum to create the point of difference. Feel my Platinum Charge is relatively 'good value'.

The main point of difference was the RM acting as your personal travel agent. I generally book all my own travel - quite enjoy it - though not enough to want to be a travel agent myself. Although my long haul travel is mostly for leisure with business being predominantly short trips.

I asked about Centurion events and it was suggested I flag my interest with my RM to ensure I get the invites. Didn’t get a sense of the caliber and frequency of events. Platinum also has 'events' but can't get excited about a ‘VIP’ shopping night at a furniture retailer. I’d be keen to hear about the type of events current or recent Centurions have been invited to. I'm in Sydney.

I also asked about a waiver of the $5K initiation fee. She committed to putting it forward for consideration in January. If they waive it, I'm likely to give it serious consideration (subject to SWMBO approval). Fall back is the Platinum Charge after a year of trying Centurion out. Explorer will lose its edge post April 14 so for me a choice between either Charge card which will makes account administration simpler (though less lucrative points-wise) going forward.

I'm taking the same approach, Will road test for a year and see how it goes. Otherwise will drop back to platinum charge.

The RM is a plus for me as there's tickets annually to an event family members always attend that sells out in 10 minutes, the Platnium concierge were able to sort tickets no issue but it'd be handy to have it all organised/ requested and accountable with one person. That coupled with the hotel and airline status makes it worthwhile for me to run with it

 

[albyd]

Is the event an Amex event? If so, mind sharing as I don't believe I've received an invite to anything of note while holding my Platinum.

Sounds like you've recently received an invite too. Did they waive the initiation fee?

 

[1q2w3e4r]

Mind sharing the event 1q2w3e4r?

Sounds like you've just received an invite too. Did they waive the initiation fee?

The event is nothing anyone would want to attend! It's for a thing called BJP physical culture which is at the Syd Opera House every year. My mother's been involved for decades as have a bunch of my family and the tickets all sell out within 10 minutes every year, so there is always a mad dash for people to try and get them. The concierge was able to sort 10 tickets which was what my mother was after. Sounds simple enough, but pretty stressful for her.

I didn't ask about the fee waiver, I accepted it about 2 1/2- 3 weeks ago. Came at the start of the month. Probably should have asked in hindsight, bit late now!

For those interested, the cards apparently come from the UK. The new platinum "metal" charge ones are from Singapore as AMEX has sent me 3 due to - upgrade, fraud, non-delivery (which subsequently turned up but the DHL courier delivered to wrong address)

 

[andye]

I got this from the link included with my invite:
From 15 April 2019:

Earn 2.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, except government bodies where you will earn 1 point per $1 spent. Point redemption rates will change as of 15 April 2019.

I recall the Platinum Charge is at 2.25MR

On the basis of a 2:1 conversion rate to most FF programs post devaluation, that would imply:
Platinum 1.125 FF per $
Centurion 1.25 FF per $

Not a huge difference but a difference where there was previously none.

I'm trying to check my logic on this so would welcome some feedback.

Assuming broad feature "parity" between Platinum and Centurion (I know there are some differences but makes this analysis a little easier):

• You're paying $3,550 extra annual fee for the Centurion 'premium';
• I value SQ J redemptions at 3c/point based on a recent Long Haul Redemption to Europe - everyone's calculation will differ. I've left F out as the devaluation will mean I should prize my points more since they will be harder to earn from Card spend;
• I'd need to earn $3,550/$0.03 = 118,333 points to cover this 'gap';
• To earn 118,333 points at 1.25/$, I'd need to spend $94,666

Does this make sense or have I missed something?

Shouldnt it be the points difference between Charge and Centurion?
i.e 118,333 @ 0.125/$= $946,666

 

[albyd]

That was one of the alternatives I'd come up with but had discounted it as 'too high' to make sense. In short, all other things being equal (and they aren't) it's either:

• $94,666 minimum spend to at least cover the extra annual fee in points earn;
• $946,664 for the extra earn of 0.125 to generate the extra points required to get to parity with the 'do nothing' position.

Thanks for the additional insight. I'll now wait to hear back from Amex re waiver in January then make a final decision.

Happy to hear about Centurion Event Invites/Experiences in the meantime

 

[andye]

I'm guessing some have had the fees deemed deductible as a business expense.
Presumably that would mean using the Reserve (or other card) for personal spend