If you book your International travel through Amex, then the limo and customs clearing service would be a big value add. However, the benefits and service don’t always stack up. I noticed an extra $10,000 worth of limo fees that I had not authorized, so I contacted Amex. I was informed that my card would be cancelled immediately, and that a new one would be issued in 3-5 days time – I get the need to protect against fraud, but I asked them to make sure it was within 3 days as I was heading to Thailand on vacation, or could I pick a new one up. The card didn’t arrive in time. When I arrived in Thailand, I thought I wold take advantage of one of the travel benefits listed in the Centurion magazine, so I rang to book. “No, sorry Mr M, you need to a have an activated Black card to make that booking”…”but you can see what happened, you didn’t deliver my replacement card in time for me to receive it”…”I’m terribly sorry, but there is nothing we can do”….”please cancel my card”…”Mr M, I cannot accept that request as it has been made after hours, please ring back tomorrow during work hours”.

I then started thinking about what I could spend the AUD$4k membership fee on. I decided to forgo my Titanium status symbol – as that is pretty much what it amounts to. Funnily enough, if they had provided exceptional service and delivered a replacement card prior to me leaving Australia, I would still be a paying member.

As a parting comment, AMEX is aware that many vendors are refusing AMEX cards (Black to Green), so they are readily discounting the yearly membership fee – which they did offer to me.

I can only say that the Platinum Card which costs EUR500/year is well worth the cost. I have used it for both business and private expenses and the money saved far outweighs the cost. That is however, because the level of service in Austria (which is closely connected to the German service center) is very high.

Alone the perks from the Membership Rewards Program make up for about half the annual fee, and the rest is made up through the Priority Pass lounge access, hotel upgrades, rental car reductions etc. Plus on top of that, you really have a great insurance coverage for the whole family. Considering, that I, my wife and my step-dad can all enjoy these benefits, it goes without saying that this is my all-time favorite card.

In Vienna for example, there is a members only business club. “Keycard 47″. As a Platinum member in Austria, you receive free membership. Then there are the many local perks and rewards at hotels and restaurants. All taken, if used correctly, this card is a lifestyle enhancement.

But more importantly, given my 40 years, is the security it gives my family while travelling. I know that, god forbid, something terrible would happen, AMEX Austria would be there for us. Just recently I was on vacation in Greece. While at a small boutique, I tried to pay with the card. The terminal gave the message, please have customer call AMEX. Then I called the 24/7 emergency line in Austria, and they had informed me that they had detected possible fraud on my card. Internet purchases of about EUR500 over the past few days. Apparently, this raid red flags with them. I explained to them i was on vacation, and would check online when i got back to the hotel. They immediately allowed the current purchase (after verifying my identity) and indeed upon checking the account, i saw this was some kind of fraud. After contacting AMEX they reported this to the fraud department. Then next day, i had a message on my mobile phone. This was there specialist, who verified the fraud, and the continueing attempts for using my card in USA, Germany, Russia and China and notified me that they must immediately cancel this card and issue a new one. Since I hade my second card plus my wifes with, this wasnt an issue. All charges were immediately credited and this whole fraud did no damage to me. Upon returing home, my new Platinum Card was waiting for me. My wife had a similar experience in Thailand, where a tailor tried to charge the card for items not purchased. This also was handled very professionally and competetly by AMEX and no charges were allowed.

Given that in 2009 it is almost impossible to live without a credit card, it seems to me, that AMEX Platinum is the best choice for a traveller. Perhaps in some countries the Centurion is most prestigious, but I doubt the service could be any better.

In case anyone from AMEX is reading this, I hope that you will not reduce your service in these financially troubled time. Indeed, if anything you should increase it, and your loyal customers will remain loyal for years to come.

I know of friends who have the cards. One friend who got it through her hubsband and she love it for being showy. And she buys a lot of luxury items she does use for years. And one of my other friend downgraded his black card to platinum one because he only spent about 220,000 a year with the card since then. He think when he charges 250,000 a year, he barely cover the annual fee expense 250,000 generally gives back 1% of spending for benefit. He is a succesful guy who build his business out of nothing. He is very budgetary when it comes to making purchase for his business. And he lives a very simple life with his family. he said that it is only worth it if he can spend $500,000 a year to offset the annual membership fee. But he is not a showy type of person. He said one time to the airport counter that “he has no problem fitting his bonny ass in economy seat” when his request for upgraded was unsucessful due to unavailability of business class. LOL

To sum it up, this card is for spendaholic or sucessful business owner who has the money to reward themselves pesonally while putting business expense at good use.

I make about 150K a year. I think a green rewards card will work great for me. And I am pretty satisfied with it.

It really depends what you want for your life. Some people wants to be known for being rich. They will pay for those fee for their status to be shown. While some OK rich live a ultra lavish lifestyle with this card, some “potential centurion cardholders” still think $7,500 for first year + $2500 per year thereafter is still not worth it for a spending of less than $500,000 a year.

Now the card is over-rated and in other words “played out”. My of my business associates still carry the card and are trying to cancel/downgrade their memebership to platinum (some even saying gold). Knowing and speaking with 7 – 10 black card holders, they strongly believe that the card has lost much of it’s status, and if anything “looks stupid” to pull out during a recession.

Best thing – use the cards with cash back or miles, and don’t max out your credit card, use 30 – 50% of the limit, which should help your credit score and eventually save you a ton on interest for a mortgage

You making any “decent” software these days?