Thread: Is the Centurion card worth it?

Are there hidden benefits that aren't common knowledge on the rewards program for this card? I am looking for the highest cash back card available, and it seems the Fidelity Amex is the best there is.

I believe I would qualify for the Centurion but don't have a current card issued from Amex themselves. I don't know if high usage of an Amex network card from BofA would trigger an invitation or not.

I'm trying to figure out if I should be opening an Amex platinum to get on the way to Centurion, or if there is no benefit if 2% back on Fidelity is better.

No, it do not trigger any invitation for the Centurion. The Centurion would not give you any cash back either.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is what you want?

The Centurion? then open a Platinum account and prove AMEX you are good enough for the invitation.

Cash Back? Then go for the best cash back card available in the market.

By the way, if you need to ask about the card, then it is not the one for you.

Originally Posted by 4Runner

By the way, if you need to ask about the card, then it is not the one for you.

Oh, pardon me, sir.

You must enjoy your Centurion concierge, that is not worth $20,000+ a year to me.

Originally Posted by 2percentPlus

Oh, pardon me, sir.

You must enjoy your Centurion concierge, that is not worth $20,000+ a year to me.

I agree. I will go even farther than that though. I just don't see how anyone could justify paying the ridiculous fees required for Amex Cards, or any other cards. Let alone a concierge or airport lounge. I thought I had made a huge mistake by paying $25/year for a Zync. After comparing that fee to the fees of cards farther up the chain I don't feel so ripped off. I've compared all of the so called benefits of all these cards and I've come to the conclusion that that the annual fees should be called "prestige fees". Basically paying for the privilege of carrying a status symbol card. I use cards for points only and it just seems more logical to carry a card with no annual fee.

No 2percentPlus, I do not enjoy any Centurion card.

I declined their invitation, I will not pay the initiation fee + annual fee for the card, that too much money to be throw away for just a card.

I prefer to use that money with my wife traveling. I just have GPR and Platinum card, and I am quite happy with both.

Wannabe's always say it's not worth it. Even worse are the ones that say the declined an invitation. Amex didn't send out ANY invitations in 2011 and this has been confirmed multiple times (here's just one example), but there's a bunch of misinformation from a bunch of morons who think they know. What invitation? Post a picture of it here in the forums and prove it!

It's totally worth it if you use the benefits. US Airways Platinum status alone costs $3,000. Delta Platinum could arguably be worth the same (see this blog post). That's $6,000 in value right there, if you use it. For the renewal years, the $2,500 makes that look like a bargain. Again, if you use it.

There's a lo of other benefits too. It's been more than worth it for me, but I'm no wannabe.

Originally Posted by bravo4

Wannabe's always say it's not worth it. Even worse are the ones that say the declined an invitation. Amex didn't send out ANY invitations in 2011 and this has been confirmed multiple times (here's just one example), but there's a bunch of misinformation from a bunch of morons who think they know. What invitation? Post a picture of it here in the forums and prove it!

It's totally worth it if you use the benefits. US Airways Platinum status alone costs $3,000. Delta Platinum could arguably be worth the same (see this blog post). That's $6,000 in value right there, if you use it. For the renewal years, the $2,500 makes that look like a bargain. Again, if you use it.

There's a lo of other benefits too. It's been more than worth it for me, but I'm no wannabe.

I can definitely say I am a wannabe. Someone that wants to be that guy that avoids paying thousands of dollars in annual fees for services and savings that don't even offset the fees. I'd rather use that money for extra cash to spoil the wife and kids with. The smiles on their faces from genuinely enjoying themselves with the money is much more valuable than the selfish gratification I'd feel from OVER PAYING annual fees basically just to get seat upgrades, maybe avoid checked luggage fees, and sit in a luxury lounge. At best the Centurion card is nothing more than a wallet sised status symbol.

I can MAYBE see myself having an Amex Platinum if I was a frequent flyer. And I mean very frequent. At least with that card the value of the benefits is offset by anyone that practically lives in airports and airplanes. Those of us that think the black card is way overpriced may or may not be "morons" but at least we have enough humility to refrain from slandering others simply for not wanting a pricey prestigious charge card. To some of us value and status in an airport mean two different things. To me anyway. But I AM a wannabe.

Originally Posted by UPS Gregg

I can definitely say I am a wannabe. Someone that wants to be that guy that avoids paying thousands of dollars in annual fees for services and savings that don't even offset the fees. I'd rather use that money for extra cash to spoil the wife and kids with. The smiles on their faces from genuinely enjoying themselves with the money is much more valuable than the selfish gratification I'd feel from OVER PAYING annual fees basically just to get seat upgrades, maybe avoid checked luggage fees, and sit in a luxury lounge. At best the Centurion card is nothing more than a wallet sised status symbol.

I can MAYBE see myself having an Amex Platinum if I was a frequent flyer. And I mean very frequent. At least with that card the value of the benefits is offset by anyone that practically lives in airports and airplanes. Those of us that think the black card is way overpriced may or may not be "morons" but at least we have enough humility to refrain from slandering others simply for not wanting a pricey prestigious charge card. To some of us value and status in an airport mean two different things. To me anyway. But I AM a wannabe.

What if you can afford to do all those things to spoil the wife and kids AND pay the $2500 a year to spoil them in a lounge and first class section when you fly off to your south pacific vacation?

I'd freely admit to being a wannabe. I have a platinum and make use of it. I could probably see making use of a centurion but I don't think I'd want to pay the fees. I could afford it but I guess I'm just a little cheap that way. I'd rather invest the money. Fortunately though it's irrelevant. My spending is not $250,000 a year, or even half that. I've got the income to support it but prefer to save for an early retirement rather than spending it all now.