Review: Amex Centurion card

[Star Ferry]

Recently downgraded from platinum to gold. You don't need to wait for renewal time to change cards -- they'll adjust the costs pro rata

as I hadn't been using my platinum card much, all they offered was 30k additional points if I held onto it for 3 more months (and spent more than $4000 during that time)

[Burlington]

The travel benefits and no quibble insurance from AMEX make the fees worth it alone.

[GB-man]

Half the reason I switched from amex gold to chase SP is that most watch stores would not take the amex lol I don't travel for work at all.

[kearez]

I do a fair bit of traveling for work, so I have the Chase Sapphire preferred. Plus all the points x2 for food and hotels adds up quickly and zero transaction fees for international.

[ltmgeller]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I only pay with gold doubloons.

[tritium8]

"an absurd number of expensive watches"

Which one of you guys was he talking about?!?

[dualcarb]

I only used Amex Platinum for a year and cancelled after that as the annual fees were crazy. I feel that I get more bang for buck and privileges from my HSBC signature Visa than an Amex. The discounts available and credit card points are more attractive. Most vendors will charge extra here in HK if you were to use an Amex card. So...bye bye Amex...nothing special here...

[jamie]

Originally Posted by turborolex

Quite a few of my buddies have centurion cards and they admit it’s all for show.

The perks between it and the platinum are minimal and not worth the $15,000 first year and $5,000 every year...at least for me.


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It's $5k to start and $2k per year after that. I've had it for 10 years, not sure it's worth it.

[turborolex]

Originally Posted by jamie

It's $5k to start and $2k per year after that. I've had it for 10 years, not sure it's worth it.

$10,000 initiation and then $5,000 for the first year= $15,000 the first year.

$5,000 each year after that.

Here is a copy of the cardmember agreement for confirmation.





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[THC]

^^^^ That is insane imo...

[jamie]

Originally Posted by turborolex

$10,000 initiation and then $5,000 for the first year= $15,000 the first year.

$5,000 each year after that.

Here is a copy of the cardmember agreement for confirmation.





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I paid $5k initiation. Now pay $2k per year.

[CashGap]

I have the Platinum and Business Platinum, literally “No Brainer” great value cards I would keep even if the fees went up.

The annual benefits of airline credit, Uber, Dell, Saks, GOES easily cover the annual fee right out of the gate.

Keep in mind, a membership rewards point is worth AT LEAST 1.6 cents, and many times amount that if spent for premium travel. No bigger rip off than the cash back cards that offer a fixed penny or penny and a half with no way to get five or ten times that in value.

I definitely have no need for a concierge searching the internet to find something when I have the internet.

[rbox]

Gold has been the best value for us. And now that they’re metal too, it gives that same luxury feel.


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[GB-man]

Just a thought but I bet apple eats amex lunch as consumers move to Apple Pay for most transactions. I know I am annoyed when I have to fumble with my credit card. Most of my online purchases are made via Apple Pay and I could not care less who the bank is behind the 30 day interest free loan.

[Ferdelious]

Ever since Delta Crown Room starting requiring a Delta ticket to get in with Amex Platinum it's not worth it for me. I rarely fly Delta because almost every flight I take out of Tampa is a connection through Atlanta. If they build more Centurion Lounges then I may reconsider.

[mjclark32]

I’m sure I’ll never need the black card.
I really don’t even need the platinum card, but they only let platinum and black card holders in the lounge at Philly...

[Alexwwjd]

I have had it for a few years but I'm thinking about cancelling it... not that many perks that justify the annual fees. They do give a better service than Platinum. I actually keep both and pay 2 anual fees for them.

[bayerische]

15.000 membership fee the first year. Um, no thank you.

[richard371]

I use the sapphire reserve and Amex platinum. I use all the benefits and we have a Centurion lounge here in SF so the 1000 a year for both works out.

[Xeron2]

The card used to be very handy and extremely customer service focused. Since they went to this POD ( multiple people) instead of your single relationship manager in 2020, the card has tanked for service and concierge. It Literally went from a 10 to a -10. Don’t believe the hype about getting into restaurants ( they use RESY) or outstanding concierge service sourcing rare and difficult items etc ( google search now). The good days are gone I’m sad to say. They actually offered users card art and a stupid wristband for charging things as well. Who ever took over in 2020 is out of touch with their customer base. Caveat Emptor

[7sins]

Originally Posted by Xeron2

The card used to be very handy and extremely customer service focused. Since they went to this POD ( multiple people) instead of your single relationship manager in 2020, the card has tanked for service and concierge. It Literally went from a 10 to a -10. Don’t believe the hype about getting into restaurants ( they use RESY) or outstanding concierge service sourcing rare and difficult items etc ( google search now). The good days are gone I’m sad to say. They actually offered users card art and a stupid wristband for charging things as well. Who ever took over in 2020 is out of touch with their customer base. Caveat Emptor

Maybe this is more dictated by the team you are assigned. I have had nothing but a wonderful experience with my Centurion and the team who takes care of me. I often travel internationally for work, the Centurion team sets an itinerary and makes reservations at all the best restaurants in the city. Had them arrange an entire 3 week trip in Asia last year and couldn't be happier with the outcome, they called me to better understand my eccentric tastes so they could cater an itinerary for exactly what I was looking for. Additionally, I have enjoyed their access to exclusive events here in LA and NYC. The events are MUCH better than the ones they have historically done for when I had a platinum card.

They do use opentable and resy for reservations, however many famous restaurants do set aside seating for centurion clients, I have gotten in to some of the more difficult places in LA that have a multi-month wait list in a few days. Not to say there haven't been times when they were not able to provide access but there is only so much they can do. If you know how to leverage and use the team to your benefit they can be incredibly helpful. Do agree the prada wristband for charging is profoundly ridiculous. The equinox global membership, Delta platinum, saks $1000 annual credit, 20% back on all points, PS membership, better prices on Amex Travel IMO more than pay for the annual $5k fee.

Just my .02 from a happy client.

[Krash]

Before retiring, I was a tech exec for a financial services company. I used our company products. We got a lot of great employee benefits for doing so. It never made any sense for me to explore any other credit card products like that.


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[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by 7sins

Maybe this is more dictated by the team you are assigned. I have had nothing but a wonderful experience with my Centurion and the team who takes care of me. I often travel internationally for work, the Centurion team sets an itinerary and makes reservations at all the best restaurants in the city. Had them arrange an entire 3 week trip in Asia last year and couldn't be happier with the outcome, they called me to better understand my eccentric tastes so they could cater an itinerary for exactly what I was looking for. Additionally, I have enjoyed their access to exclusive events here in LA and NYC. The events are MUCH better than the ones they have historically done for when I had a platinum card.

They do use opentable and resy for reservations, however many famous restaurants do set aside seating for centurion clients, I have gotten in to some of the more difficult places in LA that have a multi-month wait list in a few days. Not to say there haven't been times when they were not able to provide access but there is only so much they can do. If you know how to leverage and use the team to your benefit they can be incredibly helpful. Do agree the prada wristband for charging is profoundly ridiculous. The equinox global membership, Delta platinum, saks $1000 annual credit, 20% back on all points, PS membership, better prices on Amex Travel IMO more than pay for the annual $5k fee.

Just my .02 from a happy client.

I used Equinox years ago but then a) had condo amenities that made Equinox redundant / obsolete and then subsequently b) have a home gym. I’ve never been an Amex user myself except for my corporate card…

The decline in customer support seems to be consistent with my experience with my own Centurion equivalent card (JPM Reserve). Concierge and support overall was exceptional but then more recently has (imo) declined. Are they simply seeing less competition in the market? I’m no credit card geek so admit there is much I can learn. $5k/annual fee just seems excessive once the Equinox access is negated (which I imagine is the case for many Centurion clients). The one area my card still excels is bypassing restaurant wait lists / obtaining prime seating and possibly itinerary building (they were exceptional with the latter when I last requested one). But I usually eat at home…and with small kids rarely travel.

[HHIslander]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Recently downgraded from platinum to gold. You don't need to wait for renewal time to change cards -- they'll adjust the costs pro rata

as I hadn't been using my platinum card much, all they offered was 30k additional points if I held onto it for 3 more months (and spent more than $4000 during that time)

I downgraded to gold too. Lounges have gotten way too crowded and full of plebes. The additional points I earn dining/food made it a no brainer as wasn’t using most of platinum perks. Prefer the retro look too.

The only person I know with a black card tried to use the concierge service as his personal assistant and that didn’t quite work out.

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by HHIslander

I downgraded to gold too. Lounges have gotten way too crowded and full of plebes. The additional points I earn dining/food made it a no brainer as wasn’t using most of platinum perks. Prefer the retro look too.

The only person I know with a black card tried to use the concierge service as his personal assistant and that didn’t quite work out.

I get United Club through my card. Every time I enjoy those free lounges I feel like a plebe posing as a player lol.

[VictorGMT]

Forgot to add, getting 5x membership rewards points on all airline purchases (basically a 10% rebate), plus 35% points rebate on Business or First Class rewards travel... Both AMX platinums have a permanent home with me.

[Andy0331]

There was talk pre-Covid of Amex developing/issuing a new card between Platinum & Centurion, essentially downgrading the current Platinum and adding a few perks.

I'd like a Centurion, but wouldn't be able to get much/any use out of some of its perks, so it would largely be to satisfy my ego. Make a card that's midway between them, remove lounge access from Platinum, bump up some of the credits, etc. and it would be a winner in my book.

[elau1958]

I travel for work every week so I guess beside the regular perks like Uber, airline/hotel credits, Clear/TSA/Global Entry, I eat and drink my fair share at the Lounge everyday. I think I probably cost them as a customer with my Platinum card.

[TRS1]

I’ve asked AMEX twice if I can get a plastic option over the metal card and no joy. I’ve told them it’s silly and heavy and they don’t last as long as plastic as they start to delaminate and peel.

[VictorGMT]

Originally Posted by TRS1

I’ve asked AMEX twice if I can get a plastic option over the metal card and no joy. I’ve told them it’s silly and heavy and they don’t last as long as plastic as they start to delaminate and peel.

I used to notice that, but 95% of transactions are ApplePay these days, so card looks pristine!!!

Add in the increased security of the merchant never receiving your card number! Great for when a merchant allows YADB (Yet Another Data Breach).