Amex Centurion/Black card
Discussion
A guy at work reckons he's been "invited" to apply for the Amex Centurion card. From what I can see, it offers the benefits of the Platinum card, but with an improved concierge service and higher costs. And it's possibly metal.
Has anyone here got one? And is it worth it, what benefits do you get?
I'm intrigued. Not that I earn enough to get one.
Has anyone here got one? And is it worth it, what benefits do you get?
I'm intrigued. Not that I earn enough to get one.
A quick google gave this...
[b]Availability and fees
The Centurion Card is invitation-only after appropriate net worth, credit and spending criteria are met.[3] American Express does not publicly disclose the requirements necessary for getting or keeping a card except that the cardholder has a substantial net worth and is a former Platinum card holder.[3]
While the eligibility criteria are subject to speculation, most reliable sources agree that Centurion Card holders have historically spent $250,000 or more per year on lower level American Express cards, and have annual household incomes of around $1.3 million and net worths of $16 million[/b]
[b]Availability and fees
The Centurion Card is invitation-only after appropriate net worth, credit and spending criteria are met.[3] American Express does not publicly disclose the requirements necessary for getting or keeping a card except that the cardholder has a substantial net worth and is a former Platinum card holder.[3]
While the eligibility criteria are subject to speculation, most reliable sources agree that Centurion Card holders have historically spent $250,000 or more per year on lower level American Express cards, and have annual household incomes of around $1.3 million and net worths of $16 million[/b]
My old boss had one. I would guess his income was no more than half the figure suggested above. No real idea of his net worth - low millions I would guess, and mostly property. He was definitely a big spender as lots of business travel and corporate entertainment went on the card. Can't see him spending as much as was suggested, though.
I wasn't invited to have one nor did I ask for one but what looked like a Pizza delivery arrived at my door probably around 1999-ish and inside a giant black box was a pair of Centurion cards for me. 1st year I don't think there was any fee then for the next few years the fee was circa 3-400 quid I think.
I'm guessing it was around the time of first launch in the UK as my cards always had 'Charter member' on them
What seemed to happen was the service offered was about what the old Platinum service had plus a few minimal extra's. Eventually I gave up on it given that I didn't rate the perks for the greater price. I wonder what the yearly fee is now given the current Platinum fee?
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/qbmeXmay.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/qbmeXmay" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/qbmeXmay.jpg)
I'm guessing it was around the time of first launch in the UK as my cards always had 'Charter member' on them
What seemed to happen was the service offered was about what the old Platinum service had plus a few minimal extra's. Eventually I gave up on it given that I didn't rate the perks for the greater price. I wonder what the yearly fee is now given the current Platinum fee?
ukshooter said:
I wasn't invited to have one nor did I ask for one but what looked like a Pizza delivery arrived at my door probably around 1999-ish and inside a giant black box was a pair of Centurion cards for me. 1st year I don't think there was any fee then for the next few years the fee was circa 3-400 quid I think.
I'm guessing it was around the time of first launch in the UK as my cards always had 'Charter member' on them
What seemed to happen was the service offered was about what the old Platinum service had plus a few minimal extra's. Eventually I gave up on it given that I didn't rate the perks for the greater price. I wonder what the yearly fee is now given the current Platinum fee?
Interesting! Platinum is £450, so must be a couple of grand or so maybe. A lot of money for a bit of metal...I'm guessing it was around the time of first launch in the UK as my cards always had 'Charter member' on them
What seemed to happen was the service offered was about what the old Platinum service had plus a few minimal extra's. Eventually I gave up on it given that I didn't rate the perks for the greater price. I wonder what the yearly fee is now given the current Platinum fee?
paul71a said:
I had one for fifteen years.
Yes, it's made of titanium.
Current annual fee is £2.5K
I let it go last year and moved to a basic "green" card. Saved a fortune and, frankly, haven't missed it.
I hope one day to be a quid behind you!Yes, it's made of titanium.
Current annual fee is £2.5K
I let it go last year and moved to a basic "green" card. Saved a fortune and, frankly, haven't missed it.
A business associate of mine had the same card, did exactly as you did and like you, doesn't miss it at all. He spends 10 months of the year in the USA and that was his reason for hanging onto it for so long.
He says back 20 years ago it was worth the extra cost, now it just isn't.
Best thing about these cards is the concierge service, don't use that and you aren't getting the benefit of the annual premium. It doesn't help that the internet provides much of the same discounts and late availability to what is good in an area with the likes of getmein. I used to love my Gold Amex card twenty years ago but the Internet rapidly replaced the concierge service for me.
I've had one for years. Takes the place of a personal assistant for me. I travel 70-100k miles years. They sort out out my travel and bookings. Automatic enrolment at top levels in a variety of hotel and car rental programs, much easier to get resto bookings, never have to wait.
Is it worth it?....depends on your lifestyle. Its just a credit card with some very useful benefits for me. Cannot tell anyone else to get one. I am very happy with it.
I put a fair amount on it annually.
Is it worth it?....depends on your lifestyle. Its just a credit card with some very useful benefits for me. Cannot tell anyone else to get one. I am very happy with it.
I put a fair amount on it annually.
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