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I have been with Amex since 2004. Platinum in the United Kingdom and then in the States when I moved for work and then after spending over $300,000 in a one-year period, I was invited to become a Centurion member. I had heard a lot about the card, was intrigued about it, and accepted the invitation even though it comes with a $5,000 (NON REFUNDABLE) deposit and then a fee of $2,500 per year. So in the 1st year, it will set you back $7,500 and you don’t even have a Starbucks to show for it!

So then, what’s in it for me?

Well, first impression when the box comes is prestige. The card is made out of Titanium metal and does not flex or bend. It does not wear out like a plastic card and you can feel the weight of it in your hands - its unique in that it is handmade and no other bank puts this much effort into a card! Maybe that’s what the $5,000 deposit is for - the amazing cost of manufacturing such a handmade card?

It also comes with a leather bound book with all the uses of the card. So to cut to the chase, it has all the platinum benefits - Gold card rewards, a travel service etc.

It differentiates itself with bespoke service - instead of calling through to a switchboard of travel advisors and concierge staff, you get your own personal advisors and planners.

They get to know your habits, which hotels you like in my case, the visa requirements of your girlfriend etc and which visa company to refer you to. You get elite airlines cards from Continental (Gold) Delta (Gold) and US Airways (Platinum) and priority pass lounge access, which I never needed as I usually fly upfront anyway. I mean, there is a TON of stuff. Much of which the other reviews have covered, so I won’t go there.

I will just say what adds value to me or what just stands out…

I love the Centurion hotel program. At the Ritz Carlton, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula Hotels and Aman resorts you get an upgrade at the time of booking and not just at check-in, where you get the upgrade only if the next level room is available at the time of check-in, which is on the Platinum Fine Hotels and Resorts program at these hotels.

So, this is where you claw your money back! I will call the travel service, speak to my guy Vijay, if he was on when I call up, which is normal 9 to 5. If not, anyone will do. We then book a deluxe room and get a junior suite or whatever suite they call it at the hotel in question.

Now, if you are in town for a week, you are making a huge saving! Plus on the centurion program, depending on the hotel, they will also throw in an airport transfer, checkout at 6 pm and not 12pm (a half day rate saving on the checkout day) and a complimentary night at each property they have (Mandarin Oriental for this one) once per year, per hotel. Others give you other freebees - you will love it if you are easily satisfied by the very best.

These are all above and beyond the platinum offer of a 4 p.m. check out on the FHR (Fine hotels and resorts program). At all these hotel on this program, you get free breakfast and the upgrade if available at check-in on both cards, but at the hotels above on the Centurion card scheme I mentioned, the upgrade is at the reservation - so you know you are saving money (thousands). Example, a Deluxe room may be $500 or $600 and you will get a suite valued at rate card at $1,500 a day, breakfast for 2 thrown in, late check out a 6 p.m, a special amenity such as lunch for two in the restaurant.

There was a mix up when I went to Beijing and they said at the time of booking that they could not arrange the reservation at the time of booking, as its subject to availability. I went to the Peninsular anyway and got the upgrade at check-in. So it was really the platinum service that time, although I did get a free airport transfer (although I did have to check the bill and get them to take it off the bill.)

But all good things must come to an end, so this is where it all falls down… It’s all on you to make sure you get the value you paid you for… The staff (sorry to sound a bit snobby here) don’t live the lifestyle of the client - they don’t know about the hotels, they don’t care to check that the spa or pool is closed when you are going to a particular hotel, and so they don’t suggest staying at another FHR hotel in town where the spa is actually open. Check first if you plan a treatment or want to swim every morning.

The concierge does a good job if you give them time… They will write up a list of things to do, what clubs and restaurants to go to etc on a holiday. Get a list of activities from the hotel to you etc.

Moving on. I LOVE the By Invitation only events and got to meet and sit next to Donatella Versace during a fashion event in NYC (she is great too, very down to earth and gentle. Not pushy or grand as you might well think. AMEX appointed a fashion guy from InStyle magazine (Hal something), but he was a bit of a snob and a bit full of himself. Donatella was wonderful). They do a number of wonderful events - NYC film festival special tickets/Sundance etc. You will love it and the info is updated on the Centurion website every-month.

You also get Departures magazine - which also goes to Platinum card-members, and this is great. Black Ink is just for Centurion members, is very slim but the pages are big. It’s big on pictures and small on editorial mostly, and it mostly rubbish. Departures is worth reading not Black Ink for the most part. A $60 million dollar apartment at the Mark hotel in NYC anyone? That’s more than a Gulfstream private jet!

I used the limousine program its good - used it in Moscow, Istanbul and London. A local car service, like a Mercedes E class, picks you up and is usually cheaper than a hotel car and you avoid haggling at the airport. More relaxing to have it all organized before you arrive - no worries.

Now a lot of this stuff you can do yourself on Expedia. Where AMEX works well is when things go wrong! They have your details on the computer, and if your flight is canceled while you are at the gate, they can rebook you - you don’t waste your time with lies from gate agents. They cancel your ticket and you move on stress free. You hotel room is guaranteed for late arrival - things like this - they take the stress out of travel. All your complicated flights can be put on just one ticket - for fun, just go and try to book five international legs of an international flight on Expedia - usually, the computer can’t do it!

Amex can! They can also book private jets, yachts etc. If you have the money, they can do it. I have a friend who does this, not used it myself as its too expensive - $300,000 for a return flight on a heavy jet to Moscow! OR $5,000 in First class/Business on Aeroflot??

When you use the card, as beautiful as it is, you do get some reactions from sales staff… “you must have good credit” Starbucks, “I like your card, rich Russians don’t get the metal one, just a plastic Centurion” check-in at the Ritz Moscow… Or they want to put you on the mailing list, which I am sick and tired of now!

If you travel a-lot, and you stay in good hotels and fly business or first, then you will like the card. However, unless you stay at the Centurion Hotels, such as the Ritz or Mandarin etc, then you will probably fine the Platinum card to be a better deal (and MUCH cheaper). The FHR program is good and you also get much of the same benefits (FHR included) across both cards. Run $250,00 though the card, and they will call you or you can call them and ask them if the list is open for new members moving up from another charge card.

As for me, I have now cancelled my account. I am moving back to London and will get a Platinum card for 300 pounds or so a year, the Centurion in the UK is around 600 a year. However, having had the card, I realize that I am happier with the Platinum - the BEST value of all charge cards! The DADDY! You get your money back in one trip with an upgrade at check in and the support of the travel service - its all mostly the same!

In the UK you also get comprehensive travel insurance for yourself and all supplementary cardholders too. In the USA, you get nothing there! Just a baggage insurance, no medical insurance or dental coverage - in the UK, you get EVERYTHING rolled in and this is much better value for a stress free trip.

Also, in the USA, any ATM withdrawals are taken from your checking about within a few days and BEFORE your billing cycle. In the UK, ATM charges are applied to your bill and taken at the next cycle in one payment.

I have to say, the UK Platinum card is the best all-round with the US platinum card in 2nd place due to the lack of medical insurance issue. The US does have the good by invitation only offering, which is rubbish in the UK as they have joke events you don’t want to go to! But overall, I prefer the UK offering.

I would not recommend the Centurion card unless you travel a-lot. If you get this card for the snob value, you will be disappointed. It costs too much and would be a huge waste of money. Use it well, get the benefits in, get your $7,500 BACK in the 1st year and then $2,500 the following years. If you manage it well, you will laugh last - not AMEX!

Just remember, most people at AMEX USA are not too intelligent, you will soon notice that you know the product offering better - if you read the website or the handbook!

You will need to tell them what to do on the phone and what the product offers are! They generally won’t know too much! Keep the handbook in your hand as you speak to them about the special Centurion offers! They honestly are at a loss when you tell them the facts! That aside, you can have fun…

Any of you have $100 million for a trip around the moon (2 seats available) via Space Adventures Spaceflight Club to which Centurion members get free membership. For $40 million you can go to the international space station, and for only a few million dollars more, you can do a spacewalk. For my fictional money at this level, the flight for two around the moon seems fun - not a bad way to start a honeymoon right? Training is done in Moscow and take-off from Kazakhstan in Central Asia. When you come back, think of all those membership reward points! Would take a lifetime to spend them all I suspect!

Make your money and spend it wisely

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