- American Express Centurion Card Creates Interest - and Controversy
There's a new and unique bit of square plastic from American Express, and
boy has it caused a stir. It's called the Centurion card, and it is
available (officially, at least) by invitation only to select Platinum
members. What has caused the stir is the assortment of benefits, which
include complimentary mid-level elite status in the frequent flyer programs
of Continental OnePass, US Airways Dividend Miles, TWA Aviators and Delta
SkyMiles. Cardholders also receive complimentary elite memberships in some
of the major hotel programs as well. What's the cost of the new card? A cool
$1,000 annually. There are other benefits, too, of course, but it's the
concern over buying elite status that has raised the hackles of frequent
flyers who don't think that status should be for sale at any price. In fact,
the card has generated quite a lively discussion on a couple of FlyerTalk
threads. You can read (and contribute to) the main thread if you like at
http://talk.webflyer.com/forum/Forum69/HTML/000162.html.