Centurion card: Exclusive experience and tailor-made service

With Centurion concierge and relationship manager available 24/7 to curate experiences and cater to every need, a key differentiator of the Centurion card is its level of service, which Hamad Hassani, vice president of the Centurion Business, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) reveals is a benchmark of excellence.

“Personalisation, exceptional service, and exacting standards are central to the Centurion offer, but many of the benefits that have earned its stellar reputation centre around its service which include a dedicated Centurion concierge or relationship manager to help curate and facilitate personalised requests,” he says. Moreover, members are treated to special table access at the world’s finest restaurants, accessibility to key airport lounges around the world, in addition to their unique and bespoke arts and culture events through the Centurion Living programme.

An ever-evolving experience

Providing that superlative experience for clientele that perpetually evolves is imperative as American Express continuously innovates its offerings to delight and excite Centurion card members, points out Hassani. “One new feature for Centurion members upon receiving their card is a luxurious wearable designed exclusively for Centurion by luxury fashion house Prada,” he says.

This unisex black Saffiano leather wearable can be worn as a bracelet on the wrist and includes a discreetly embedded payment chip which is imperceptible to the eye, however, enables seamless contactless payments like other contactless cards. “This wearable can be used to make a payment anywhere in the world that accepts AMEX contactless payments, up to locally applicable contactless limits.”

Redefining the arts and culture experience with the Centurion Living programme

With their new, carefully curated global arts and culture program that treats Centurion members with exclusive access to several globally renowned artists and performers from around the world, the ever-evolving Centurion Living programme is completely unique, says Hassani.

“We are always exploring new and innovative ways to provide our members with unique and exclusive access and experiences,” he says. “Exclusively for Centurion members, all the experiences, performances and introductions provided by the new Centurion Living programme are complimentary and take place all over the world,” he explains.

There are two unique strands to the Centurion Living programme, “One is the Great Performances and Experiences, an opportunity to indulge and enjoy the things you may already love, while the Centurion Living Introductions is a programme specifically curated for those who have always aspired to learn more about certain arts and culture ‘territories’ but didn’t know where to start.”

The Great Performances and Experiences strand

In the Great Performances and Experiences element of the programme, Hassani reveals that members can indulge, enjoy, and experience artists and performances they may already enjoy.

“This area of the programme provides some exciting acts from various cultures and communities the world over,” he says, adding: “Some of the recent experiences have showcased Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Alicia Keys with performances in both Paris and Munich.”

Also, Grammy award winner Elaine Elias performed Bossa Nova, with performances in New York, Miami, Zurich, Dubai, Frankfurt, Milan and in Stockholm. “We have also hosted Kathak Indian classical dance performances by Aakash Odedra in Los Angeles, Dubai and Rome, as well as jazz performances with Diane Reeves who boasts more Grammy awards than any jazz vocalist in history.”

A stepping stone to the good life

The second element of Centurion Living is Introductions, which are curated experiences for those who have always wanted to delve more into certain arts and culture territories, but either lacked the time or a starting point to initiate the process. According to Hassani, this is all about bringing new and unusual experiences to their members.

He explains: “Just some of the recent experiences which have taken place in this programme include an introduction to the Scottish Highlands to spend the weekend with the team at Fife Arms in Braemar, Scotland, to discover more about Scottish heritage, craftsmanship and culture by foraging alongside winding brooks; playing golf at the world’s oldest golf course; visiting Scottish castles, as well as clay pigeon shooting.”

There was also an exciting introduction to ceremonial Japan, where card members discovered more about tea ceremonies and Japanese classical theatre at events in Tokyo. The best part about these experiences, points out Hassani, is that irrespective of the member’s home country, any eligible Centurion member can attend events all over the world.

“Our Centurion members in the MENA region attended many events around the world this year and they will be able to continue as the second season of the Centurion Living programme will start in November 2022,” he says.

“If you are a Centurion member, please feel free to reach out to your dedicated Centurion concierge, relationship manager, or book your place through the American Express MENA mobile application. And while membership is by invitation only, those who want to be considered for Centurion membership can register their interest at americanexpress.ae/centurion-living.”