From: Colin Forrester 
Newsgroups: uk.finance
Subject: Re: Swipe and Pin ?
Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 07:17:59 +0100

JoJo wrote:

>>>> How many Waitrose cashiers do you think have a clue what a Centurion
>>>> card anyway?
>>>
>>> Looks like a nice card, but if you can afford one you should be paying
>>> someone else to be do your shopping :)
>> I sometimes wonder that myself.  But I like my lunchtime stroll along
>> the Kings Road :-)
> 
> Can you only get one by invitation in the UK?

That is my understanding - however their Platinum card is probably a 
prerequisite for such an invitation.  I had one of those when they 
launched it is 1990 having previously been a Gold card "big spender" in 
80's stockbroking.

> How much do you need in the bank and how much is the annual fee?

I seem to recall the annual fee is £650.00 (no statements to hand - 
someone does that for me).  It seems to be more about spend than net 
worth - a couple of people I mix with are worth a lot of money (think 
hundreds of millions).  I don't come close, but my monthly spend often 
exceeds them by a factor of 2 or 3 (that's why they have money and I 
don't :-)).

> Do you ever use any of the 'special' features?

You mean like the opening night of the Sound of Music tickets and the 
Cast party - well yes I do!  The children are going to love that.

They used to be second to none for arranging my travel (upgrades, etc.) 
- but that is now better done on-line by me.