UPDATE
WOW!
Talk about hostility.
This post was not meant to brag about how big my e-penis is, how much better I am over people, or that I ran out of people to brag this too. If you took this the wrong way, I apologize. But there is nothing in my initial posts that I think would make me come out as such. As I said, I read some previous topics on this, and a lot of the information was wrong - so for the curious people, I thought I would share some information about this card. It is funny to see when people ask information about different products everyone is willing to listen, but the moment when someone posts information and acknowledges they own said product, flames start to develop.
This isn't FW, it is Anandtech, I realize that. I've been board members on both for a while, just more active over on the other forum. Glad to see other people from FW here, too
This post isn't whether I really have this card or not. I do, but that is besides the point. But for those haters, if you want to put money on this, I will spend the time to take a pic and host it up. Wanna make a PayPal bet?
As for XANGA, I chose to cancel it about a year ago, and they charged me an additional month of picture postings. I disputed this with my credit card (not the BLACK one), and they put that on my account.
I ran into an old discussion on this, wanted to clarify some info - this is a repost from MYSELF over at FW.
I got the AMEX Centurion (Black) Card on December 7th, 2003. Several credit cards have been raised since last posting. It's a $2,500 annual fee, but you can bet there are ways to gets your money's worth on this card after seeing the complete benefits package..
AMEX Centurion Card - undisclosed
AMEX Platinum Card - $100,000
AMEX Blue Card - $11,000
CitiBank Platinum Dividend Card - $5,000
Discover Platinum Card - $5,000
Discover Classic Card - $1,000
PayPal Visa Card - $500?
Banana Republic Store Card - $1,200
Gap Store Card - $600
Old Navy Store Card - $500
American Eagle Store Card - $500?
4 years of credit history, college student, 22 years old, self-employed, Asian
The AMEX Centurion Card comes basically with the same benefits as an AMEX Platinum Card, with some exclusive to the black. It comes with a TON of benefits, and I don't know all of them on the top of my head. But here are some. While I know people say the annual fee is excessive, and it is, you MUST take advantage of the card to justify the fee. I travel around A LOT.
As I said, it is worth is to some people, and to others, it is a waste of one's money. For those who just want the card, it is indeed a "snooty Elitist" thing as SUCKISSTAPLES said.
Also, when the card was explained to me, you need to be an AMEX member for at least 12 months with charges totalling at least $150,000 a year. Although some members get it without hitting those requirements. How they do it I do not know as I qualified through this criteria. I spent one month this past fall of about $130,000 - and the things I buy on the card, the benefits are worth it to me.
Benefits:
Platinum Benefits - Centurion cardholders also receive all the benefits available to Platinum cardholders which include the Hot Plates dining program (whereby cardholders can make reservations at some of the more sought after restaurants in NY, SF, and LA); Quick Getaways which provides cardholders with great offers for fast getaways including relaxing locations such as the Bahamas to mini-adventures such as white water rafting on the Colorado River; Private Jet Charter Program; and Access to Luxury Suites around the world, among other benefits.
BVG - Buy something, and found something cheaper at another store or on the internet? They will give you back $1000 every year.
Personal Assistance - Each cardholder is assigned a personal travel counselor to handle all travel needs, and their own concierge to help with anything from special occasion planning and selecting ideal gifts, to locating unusual items.
Financial - Complimentary two-hour consultation with Provident Financial Management, a subsidiary of American Express Tax and Business Services, which specializes in planning for high-net-worth individuals, including industry leaders and celebrities. A 25% reduction in the management fee for investments and a reduced minimum investment requirement at Portfolio Management Group, a division of American Express Asset Management Group at American Express Financial Advisors.
Personal - Special amenities and upgrades with purchase of an Equinox Fitness annual membership including five Elite Plus training sessions, five one-week guest passes, plus two complimentary spa treatments.
Retail Privledges - Special privileges will be extended to Centurion members at Sony, Escada, Harry Winston, Ferragamo, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue, including personal shopper services, invitations to exclusive events, free consultations, and private shopping hours. Ferragamo also provides an automatic subscription to Ferragamo's Collections catalogs, a scarf for women with a purchase of $1200 (value of $200), and a belt for men with a purchase of $1200 (belt prices range from $135 to $195). ESCADA provides cardholders with access to their "With Compliments Escada" loyalty program, use of the VIP dressing rooms, and an annual gift.
International Airline Program - Complimentary airline upgrades (this allows me to just search for the best deal at standard fare), dedicated check-in, priority boarding, and mileage earning at an accelerated rate via complimentary enrollment in the Continental Airlines OnePass Gold Elite Program, Delta Air Lines Gold Medallion program, and US Airways Dividend Miles Preferred Plus. Complimentary access to the airport clubs of Continental and Northwest. In addition, the International Airline Program offers a complimentary companion ticket when the cardholder purchases a full-fare First or Business Class ticket on more than 20 airlines participating in the program.
Airport Club Access - Complimentary access to Continental Airlines President?s Club®, Delta Crown Room Clubs®, and Northwest Airlines WorldClubs® airport clubs. Forget about bringing notebooks, etc. Gives me free internet access, private lounge, free fax & copier, etc.
Fine Hotels and Resorts Program - Room upgrades, late checkout, complimentary use of fitness centers, and other benefits through enrollment in Starwood Platinum Preferred Guest program, Gold VIP membership in the Hilton HHonors program, Diamond membership in the Hyatt Gold Passport program and membership in the Inter-Continental Six Continents Club. Confirmed room upgrades, when available, at Ritz-Carlton and select Four Seasons properties around the world and more than 330 other fine hotels, resorts, and spas. Complimentary international cellular phones, which are delivered directly to Centurion cardhlders, who pay only the cost of the calls.
Complimentary enrollment in the Membership Rewards® program - Saves me $40 a year and also converts miles on a 1-1 basis. Double points on MANY things, including airline related purchases. Also, if you want to eBay these, they give, in essence, a 1.5% cashback. Fee-free enrollment in Membership Rewards Plus, the premium level of the Membership Rewards program. This includes redemption of points for travel on any airline anywhere in the world, and for purchases charged on the American Express Card. A 100% Membership Rewards point bonus on all charges made with a Centurion Card at our Centurion partners. These partners include Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines, British Airways, Hilton Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and others.
Business Centurion Concierge - 24-hour expert assistance for your business and personal activities. I call them and can get anything I want, even hard to get items. As I remember from one person, if for instance you want blue MM's at 3AM, you will get it. That's going to the extreme, but it's to show an example.
Business Centurion Exclusives Program - Exclusive tickets available to unique experiences and exciting events. If you want to go to something sold-out or not available, call them up, most likely, you will get in.
Business Centurion Fine Dining - Priority reservations at more than 850 restaurants. There are a lot of hard to get to restuarants that have tables reserved for AMEX customers.
Car Rental Privileges - Reserved membership and discounts at Avis Preferred® Select, Budget Fastbreak(SM), Hertz #1 Club Gold and National Car Rental® Emerald Club®[/b]
WOW!
Talk about hostility.
This post was not meant to brag about how big my e-penis is, how much better I am over people, or that I ran out of people to brag this too. If you took this the wrong way, I apologize. But there is nothing in my initial posts that I think would make me come out as such. As I said, I read some previous topics on this, and a lot of the information was wrong - so for the curious people, I thought I would share some information about this card. It is funny to see when people ask information about different products everyone is willing to listen, but the moment when someone posts information and acknowledges they own said product, flames start to develop.
This isn't FW, it is Anandtech, I realize that. I've been board members on both for a while, just more active over on the other forum. Glad to see other people from FW here, too
This post isn't whether I really have this card or not. I do, but that is besides the point. But for those haters, if you want to put money on this, I will spend the time to take a pic and host it up. Wanna make a PayPal bet?
As for XANGA, I chose to cancel it about a year ago, and they charged me an additional month of picture postings. I disputed this with my credit card (not the BLACK one), and they put that on my account.
I ran into an old discussion on this, wanted to clarify some info - this is a repost from MYSELF over at FW.
I got the AMEX Centurion (Black) Card on December 7th, 2003. Several credit cards have been raised since last posting. It's a $2,500 annual fee, but you can bet there are ways to gets your money's worth on this card after seeing the complete benefits package..
AMEX Centurion Card - undisclosed
AMEX Platinum Card - $100,000
AMEX Blue Card - $11,000
CitiBank Platinum Dividend Card - $5,000
Discover Platinum Card - $5,000
Discover Classic Card - $1,000
PayPal Visa Card - $500?
Banana Republic Store Card - $1,200
Gap Store Card - $600
Old Navy Store Card - $500
American Eagle Store Card - $500?
4 years of credit history, college student, 22 years old, self-employed, Asian
The AMEX Centurion Card comes basically with the same benefits as an AMEX Platinum Card, with some exclusive to the black. It comes with a TON of benefits, and I don't know all of them on the top of my head. But here are some. While I know people say the annual fee is excessive, and it is, you MUST take advantage of the card to justify the fee. I travel around A LOT.
As I said, it is worth is to some people, and to others, it is a waste of one's money. For those who just want the card, it is indeed a "snooty Elitist" thing as SUCKISSTAPLES said.
Also, when the card was explained to me, you need to be an AMEX member for at least 12 months with charges totalling at least $150,000 a year. Although some members get it without hitting those requirements. How they do it I do not know as I qualified through this criteria. I spent one month this past fall of about $130,000 - and the things I buy on the card, the benefits are worth it to me.
Benefits:
Platinum Benefits - Centurion cardholders also receive all the benefits available to Platinum cardholders which include the Hot Plates dining program (whereby cardholders can make reservations at some of the more sought after restaurants in NY, SF, and LA); Quick Getaways which provides cardholders with great offers for fast getaways including relaxing locations such as the Bahamas to mini-adventures such as white water rafting on the Colorado River; Private Jet Charter Program; and Access to Luxury Suites around the world, among other benefits.
BVG - Buy something, and found something cheaper at another store or on the internet? They will give you back $1000 every year.
Personal Assistance - Each cardholder is assigned a personal travel counselor to handle all travel needs, and their own concierge to help with anything from special occasion planning and selecting ideal gifts, to locating unusual items.
Financial - Complimentary two-hour consultation with Provident Financial Management, a subsidiary of American Express Tax and Business Services, which specializes in planning for high-net-worth individuals, including industry leaders and celebrities. A 25% reduction in the management fee for investments and a reduced minimum investment requirement at Portfolio Management Group, a division of American Express Asset Management Group at American Express Financial Advisors.
Personal - Special amenities and upgrades with purchase of an Equinox Fitness annual membership including five Elite Plus training sessions, five one-week guest passes, plus two complimentary spa treatments.
Retail Privledges - Special privileges will be extended to Centurion members at Sony, Escada, Harry Winston, Ferragamo, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue, including personal shopper services, invitations to exclusive events, free consultations, and private shopping hours. Ferragamo also provides an automatic subscription to Ferragamo's Collections catalogs, a scarf for women with a purchase of $1200 (value of $200), and a belt for men with a purchase of $1200 (belt prices range from $135 to $195). ESCADA provides cardholders with access to their "With Compliments Escada" loyalty program, use of the VIP dressing rooms, and an annual gift.
International Airline Program - Complimentary airline upgrades (this allows me to just search for the best deal at standard fare), dedicated check-in, priority boarding, and mileage earning at an accelerated rate via complimentary enrollment in the Continental Airlines OnePass Gold Elite Program, Delta Air Lines Gold Medallion program, and US Airways Dividend Miles Preferred Plus. Complimentary access to the airport clubs of Continental and Northwest. In addition, the International Airline Program offers a complimentary companion ticket when the cardholder purchases a full-fare First or Business Class ticket on more than 20 airlines participating in the program.
Airport Club Access - Complimentary access to Continental Airlines President?s Club®, Delta Crown Room Clubs®, and Northwest Airlines WorldClubs® airport clubs. Forget about bringing notebooks, etc. Gives me free internet access, private lounge, free fax & copier, etc.
Fine Hotels and Resorts Program - Room upgrades, late checkout, complimentary use of fitness centers, and other benefits through enrollment in Starwood Platinum Preferred Guest program, Gold VIP membership in the Hilton HHonors program, Diamond membership in the Hyatt Gold Passport program and membership in the Inter-Continental Six Continents Club. Confirmed room upgrades, when available, at Ritz-Carlton and select Four Seasons properties around the world and more than 330 other fine hotels, resorts, and spas. Complimentary international cellular phones, which are delivered directly to Centurion cardhlders, who pay only the cost of the calls.
Complimentary enrollment in the Membership Rewards® program - Saves me $40 a year and also converts miles on a 1-1 basis. Double points on MANY things, including airline related purchases. Also, if you want to eBay these, they give, in essence, a 1.5% cashback. Fee-free enrollment in Membership Rewards Plus, the premium level of the Membership Rewards program. This includes redemption of points for travel on any airline anywhere in the world, and for purchases charged on the American Express Card. A 100% Membership Rewards point bonus on all charges made with a Centurion Card at our Centurion partners. These partners include Delta Air Lines, Continental Airlines, British Airways, Hilton Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and others.
Business Centurion Concierge - 24-hour expert assistance for your business and personal activities. I call them and can get anything I want, even hard to get items. As I remember from one person, if for instance you want blue MM's at 3AM, you will get it. That's going to the extreme, but it's to show an example.
Business Centurion Exclusives Program - Exclusive tickets available to unique experiences and exciting events. If you want to go to something sold-out or not available, call them up, most likely, you will get in.
Business Centurion Fine Dining - Priority reservations at more than 850 restaurants. There are a lot of hard to get to restuarants that have tables reserved for AMEX customers.
Car Rental Privileges - Reserved membership and discounts at Avis Preferred® Select, Budget Fastbreak(SM), Hertz #1 Club Gold and National Car Rental® Emerald Club®[/b]