cardholder say amex centurion not worth it

Our piece the other day about the complaints of a holder of American Express Centurion Card - the so-called Black Card - has attracted a surprising reaction from other dissatisfied cardholders.

A recurring theme in the e-mails we received was that service has deteriorated in recent years, the Centurion Card is not worth the HK$19,800 annual fee, and certainly not the new fee of HK$38,000.

Cardholders seemed particularly irked at the suggestion by Amex that the case we reported earlier was a one-off case.

"I am outraged that Amex said the slow call centre service was a one-off. I had the same experience last night. And it was not the first time," wrote one reader, adding that since she paid HK$19,800 for the service, she does not expect to wait, let alone the proposed new charge of HK$38,000.

A former cardholder wrote that he gave up his Centurion card when the fees rose from HK$8,500 to HK$19,800 some years ago. He selected the HK$5,500 Platinum card instead because it offered travel insurance, well, up to a point.

He recounted how his wife was pickpocketed in Paris and the thief ran up a large bill buying opera tickets. Amex covered those charges and cancelled the card and gave a replacement. It paid for the cost of replacing her identity card and driving licence but declined to cover the cash that was stolen, arguing that pickpocketing is not covered for cash loss, but only theft is. The difference, according to Amex, is that theft was only when you saw your thief and he threatened physical harm.

Our reader has now dropped his Platinum card.

Another Centurion holder wrote: "The lengthy wait for 'travel services' is not rare, and if one is successful in speaking to an agent, the level of service is so wildly inconsistent that Amex's assistance becomes a hazard rather than a benefit.

"The airline ticket prices they offer are easily beaten with a quick web search, largely defeating the purpose of using a travel agent, and Amex has for months been slashing all manner of services and benefits (fast track, Marco Polo status, et al) for Centurion members.

"For the company to now double its already unconscionably high annual fee is the height of arrogance."

Commenting on the evident dissatisfaction from some Centurion members, Amex said: "We are committed to maintaining a high standard of customer service and ensure we service all our customers well. We are dedicated to upholding our service standard, and in fact place a lot of focus and efforts on an ongoing basis to achieve this."

Amex added that its call centre was awarded the Gold award of the Inbound Contact Centre of the Year in 2012 by Hong Kong Call Centre Association. "We take customers' feedback and comment very seriously. That's how we are able to continue to improve our service to meet customers' needs."

credit card similar to Centurion card in South Africa

With the invitation-only American Express Black Centurion card for the rich and famous making headlines recently, BusinessTech decided to investigate whether similar credit card exist locally.


Officially called the American Express Centurion card, the “black card” (named so due to its colour) is one of the most elite and exclusive credit accounts in the world, available by invite only – and only to super rich.

The card was introduced in 1999 to customers who meet American Express’ eligibility criteria. The card started out as rumour and a myth, but American Express eventually made the legend a reality, and created an all-black titanium card to serve the needs of its super rich customers.

The card isn’t strictly a credit card, but rather a charge card – meaning there’s no minimum monthly repayment system, and the card must be paid in full at the end of the month, according to reports.

This means that there’s no pre-set spending limit – and no interest fees.

As the card is invite-only, the criteria for eligibility are open to rumour and speculation – though most reports on the card peg requirements of prospective holders at having a significant net worth; an excellent credit record; and being willing to spend around $250,000 a year.

The card also requires a $7,500 initiation fee, as well as a yearly account fee of $2,500.

For being in an exclusive club, card holders gain perks such as travel benefits in the form of airline and hotel upgrades and access to airport lounges. Then there’s a 24-hour consierge service and VIP access to exclusive events.



South African offerings

While most of South Africa’s financial institutions do not offer an elite credit account for their most affluent clients – it does exist.

Standard Bank

According to a spokesperson from Standard Bank, South Africa’s biggest bank does have an exclusive credit card in which customers are invited to participate in, similar to the American Express Centurion account.

However, the details, in terms of pricing and benefits are made available to customers directly, and no further information could be publicly disclosed.

Nedbank

According to head of banking products and packaging at Nedbank, Heidie Ziervogel, the green bank offers elite packages in the form of the Nedbank Private Wealth Amex Platinum Card and the Nedbank Private Wealth MasterCard World credit and Debit Card.

The cards are bundled in a monthly maintenance fee of R259 per month, for now, and are available unbundled as well, according to Ziervogel.

The Nedbank offering comes with the following benefits for wealthy clients who qualify for it:

Full Travel and Lifestyle Benefits
24/7 Access through our dedicated Contact Suite
Quick turnaround times
Relationship with Nedbank Private Wealth Private Banker
Concierge Services through both affiliations
Travel Insurance Benefits
FNB

FNB told BusinessTech that while no elite account was offered by the bank, it did have its FNB Private Clients credit card for their wealthier customers – and a Platinum Credit Card for non-Private Banking customers who earn between R350,000 and R1.1 million per annum.

The FNB accounts don’t offer much in the way of elite privileges, however, with the same sort of rewards being offered to other credit account customers (just with higher discounts), plus the addition of access to SLOW lounges at the country’s biggest airports.

Other banks in SA

Bidvest Bank and RMB in South Africa do not offer credit cards to individuals, with a bigger focus on business accounts.

Investec and Absa did not return enquiries by time of publishing.

Malaysia amex lounge access at klia and lcct

Airline Privileges Program for american express Platinum credit card

You and a companion automatically qualify for great savings of up to 80%. Also, enjoy unparalleled savings on our special airfares for individual travelers on our participating airline partners.
Airport Lounge Access* Complimentary access to the Plaza Premium Lounge at KLIA, LCCT and Senai Johor Airport
Limousine Transfer* Complimentary one-way limousine transfer to KLIA from anywhere in the Klang Valley with purchase of First or Business Class tickets.
Hotel Privileges Access to Fine Hotels & Resorts Program and Small Luxury Hotels offering, for example, room upgrades, late check-out upon request and continental breakfast for two
Cruise Privileges Experience smooth sailing abroad luxurious cruise ships and oceans liners with the Platinum Cruise Privileges Program. Click here to find out more about Cruise Privileges Program
Other Travel Privileges International Airport Lounge Access, International Limousine Service

Travel Personal Accident Insurance up to RM1,000,000
Luggage loss up to RM2,500
Luggage delay up to RM800
Flight delay up to RM800
Missed connections up to RM800

Savour tantalizing dining treats and luxurious accommodation offers from our hotel partner, Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur.
• Click here to find out more about Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur benefits

Platinum Lifestyle Programme - Golf
Partners
Complimentary golf at world-class golf courses around Malaysia & other countries. Click here for terms & conditions and FAQs.
Platinum Lifestyle Programme - Leisure Partners
Enjoy exclusive privileges on your leisure pursuits.

Citibank Plaza Premium Lounge access

Complimentary Plaza Premium Lounge
Present your Citibank Platinum card for complimentary access to the Plaza Premium Lounge in KLIA, Langkawi International Airport and Sultan Ismail International Airport (Johor) with the following facilities at your disposal:
Freshly prepared hot meals and beverages
Free flow of draught beer
Shower with amenities
Free high-speed email, Internet access & local calls
Reading materials, TV area and Movies


Citibank Platinum Travel Hotline
Travel hotline for airlines and tour packages booking at 603-62866222 from Monday to Friday (9am - 6pm) by Holiday Tours & Travel Sdn. Bhd.


Top 3 reasons to apply for a Citibank Platinum Credit Card

1. 5X Rewards Points
  Accelerate your Rewards earnings at major department stores and supermarkets/hypermarkets.

2. Extended Warranty
  Enjoy up to 24 months extended warranty which takes effect when the original manufacturer's warranty expires.

3. 20% premium dining discounts
  20% dining discount at premium dining outlets and an additional complimentary wine/dessert for every RM500 spent in a single receipt.






Complimentary travel Insurance with peace of mind:
Travel Inconvenience Coverage (limit per cardmember)
Baggage Loss: Up to RM12,000 if your luggage is lost or not delivered within 24 hours when travel to overseas.
Baggage Damage: Up to RM500.
Baggage Delay: Up to RM2,000 if your luggage is not delivered within 6 hours when travel to overseas.
Overseas 24 Hours Personal Accident
Covers you and your supplementary cardmember(s) for any personal accidents incurred while overseas of up to RM200,000 when you charge your travel ticket to your Citibank Platinum Card.
Home Away Content
If you suffer a burglary to your home and its contents while you are away, you are eligible to be reimbursed up to the sum insured, up to a maximum of RM15,000 per year.

citibank premiermiles HK lounge access

Take off with your Citibank PremierMiles Card and enjoy a wide range of benefits all around the world.

Unlimited free access to lounge/ salon services at the Hong Kong International Airport
Enjoy the services by presenting your boarding pass and Citibank PremierMiles Card on the day of travel.

  free service at The Travelers' Lounge/ Wellness Spa & Salon
Boarding pass on the day of travel must be presented to enjoy the offer. Cardholders´ accompanying guest is subject to an entrance fee of HK$200 per person. Each Cardholder can choose maximum one complimentary service per visit per day and patronage of every extra service is subject to a HK$200 service fee. There is no limit on the number of accompanying guests. Relevant fee will be charged to Cardholders´ Citibank PremierMiles Card accounts. For more information, please contact Plaza Premium Lounge Hotline at 3960 1396.

citibank ultima india credit card reviews

The india Citibank Ultima Credit Card is your key to a world of luxury and exclusive priviliges such as complementary access to international airport lounges across the world, concierge services and exclusive dining priviliges
Top 3 reasons to get a Citibank Ultima Credit Card

free access to over 600 VIP International Airport Lounges.
Complimentary rounds of golf hosted specifically for you throughout the year.
24x7 dedicated Concierge Assistance.

International Airport Assistance
Available at Heathrow, London, England, Changi, Singapore, Beijing Capital, Beijing, China, Rome Fiumicino, Rome, Italy
Convenient and efficient fast track immigration at over 280 international airports
At air-bridge welcome for arriving passengers and kerbside greeting for departing guests
24 Hour English speaking Support Center for your assistance
All this at special savings on the Ultima Card

Get the freedom to transfer your Reward Points to the Frequent Flyer Program of our partner airlines.
Choose from Air India, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Airlines, Jet Airways, Singapore Airlines & Thai Airways.
Get 5 times the number of air miles on transfer of your Reward points.
Transfer of miles can take upto 3 weeks. Terms and Conditions apply.

Get the freedom to transfer your Reward Points to the Frequent Flyer Program of our partner airlines.
Choose from Air India, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Delta Airlines, Jet Airways, Singapore Airlines & Thai Airways.
Get 5 times the number of air miles on transfer of your Reward points.
Transfer of miles can take upto 3 weeks. Terms and Conditions apply.


Get coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakhs on outstandings on your Citibank Credit Card with Credit Shield Plus.
An offer to pay off your Credit Card outstanding together with a Personal Accident cover is available with the special Insurance package for Cardmembers, Suraksha.
Protect your loved ones and your employees at a nominal cost with Good Health Policy.
Travel abroad with peace of mind without worrying about falling ill with Travel Insurance Plan.

UAE citibank ultima lounge and Skywards Silver

Emirates-Citibank Ultima Credit Card
Use your Emirates-Citibank Ultima Credit Card and earn 1.5 Skywards Miles on every US Dollar spent internationally and 1 Skywards Mile for every US Dollar spent domestically. Redeem your Skywards Miles for tickets and upgrades with Emirates and partner airlines.
Your Skywards Miles will be transferred to your account on weekly basis and will reflect in your Skywards statement on skywards.com
To redeem your Skywards Miles , Contact Skywards on +9714 600 555555 or visit skywards.com
Unlimited 'Buy 1 Get 1 free' Vouchers
Enjoy unlimited access to Buy One Get One Free vouchers at over 100 of your favorite restaurants, entertainment parks and spas, which you can avail every day during the month of validity and redeem up to four vouchers per visit.

Skywards Silver Membership
we are pleased to offer you complimentary Skywards Silver membership with your Ultima Card. The Silver membership earns you bonus tier Miles every time you fly with Emirates. It also brings you exclusive privileges that complement your lifestyle such as priority check-in, excess baggage allowance and much more.

Priority Pass
You can access over 600 airport VIP lounges around the world at more than 325 airports across 100 countries through your complimentary membership to Priority Pass Membership, regardless of choice of airline and class of airline ticket. Enjoy unlimited visits, courtesy of Citibank.

0% interest on Emirates tickets
Complimentary golf
Citibank World Privileges
International Concierge