Salon Centric Credit Card – Is It Worth the Hype?
Table of Contents Are you a salon professional looking to take advantage of the Salon Centric Credit Card but wondering if it is worth it?
Premium credit cards offer various premium perks and bonuses, which include travel credits, concierge services, trip insurance, etc.
Concierge services typically include reservations in restaurants, tour guides during a trip, tickets for concerts or events tickets, delivery of flowers and gifts, and many other personal and customized services.
American Express or Amex, and Chase are the most popular credit cards. Both of them offer great offers and perks, including concierge services.
Are you puzzled about which option is better, Amex or Chase Concierge Services? Are you interested in learning about their features and the level of service they offer?
Worry Not! This article aims to find out the details of both the concierge services, including their offers and delivery of those services so that you can decide which one is better.
Concierge service is usually not offered to ordinary credit cards. Most top-tier premium credit card holders get the opportunity to enjoy concierge services.
For example, if we consider Amex and Chase, then the Platinum card by Amex or the Chase Sapphire Reserve card would include concierge services as part of their offer.
Consider a concierge like a personal assistant who can help you with simple chores or more complex tasks while traveling.
They can be as simple as booking a ticket for the theatre or picking your clothes for laundry or dry cleaning.
They can be as complex as planning a birthday party or making travel arrangements. It can be booking a reservation at a Michelin-star restaurant or making arrangements for medical care.
Instead of a person with whom you will talk face-to-face, most of these tasks can be delegated by requesting them over the phone or email. They are usually available 24×7 as advertised by these credit card companies.
Let’s check the most common services provided by the credit card concierge services:
Tip: Are you wondering whether the credit card company offers your desired service? Then, call them and ask for it. You would be surprised at the length these credit card companies go to for customer satisfaction.
Depending on the credit card, Chase offers two different kinds of concierge services.
Chase offers multiple services through its basic concierge service. They can help customers with reservations at various restaurants per liking, book tickets for different events, make arrangements for delivery of gifts, and also help in recommending gifts for a special occasion.
They also aid in suggesting and accessing local services. They also help plan a full-blown trip and manage all kinds of travel arrangements, from booking a hotel to confirming flight tickets.
One thing that should be remembered is that the concierge agent is a representative of the Chase account services, and they cannot help regarding billing or lost cards.
The Chase cards that offer the basic concierge services are the following:
Name of the Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
Rewards | 2x to 5x |
Bonus Points | 60,000 Bonus Points |
APR | 20.49% to 27.49% variable APR |
Annual Fees | $95 |
Benefits |
|
Name of the Card | Chase Ink Business Preferred Card |
Rewards | 1x to 3x |
Bonus Points | 100,000 Bonus Points |
APR | 20.49% to 25.49% variable APR |
Annual Fees | $95 |
Benefits |
|
Apart from the services and common perks offered by the basic concierge services, Chase premium credit cards offer additional services and cater to more customized options for consumers.
For example, they may offer you a reservation for a top-notch restaurant which is very difficult to get hold of otherwise. They may help you book tickets for an event through their sources, which are extremely sought after.
The services are usually available 24×7. You need to call them and ask for a service or ask them about any query.
Suppose the agents can provide solutions for the request immediately. In that case, they will ensure they get it done immediately, but they may need additional time if it is much more customized or complicated.
As soon as they have some resolution to the query or the service asked, they will communicate via email to confirm it. These services are free, but any costs incurred for executing the request would be charged to the customer’s card.
For example, suppose you want the concierge agent to book flights or tickets to an event or a theatre. In that case, they will find out the best option for you and book the relevant flight tickets and the tickets for the particular event, and the cost incurred for booking the tickets on your behalf would be charged from your Chase credit card.
There is no fee for these services as they are part of the cards’ benefits. Moreover, one can also get additional benefits through the Chase Ultimate Rewards Benefits.
The two most popular premium Chase credit cards are as follows:
Name of the Card | Chase Sapphire Reserve Card |
Rewards | 3x to 10x |
Bonus Points | 60,000 Bonus Points |
APR | 21.49% to 28.49% variable APR |
Annual Fees | $550 annual fee ($75 for each authorized user) |
Card Benefits |
|
Name of the Card | United Club Infinite Card |
Rewards | 1x to 4x Miles |
Bonus Points | 80,000 Bonus Miles |
APR | 20.99% to 27.99% variable APR |
Annual Fees | $525 |
Card Benefits |
|
Apart from these cards, concierge services are also offered by Chase Visa Infinite and Chase Visa Signature Cards
Visa, which is world-renowned as one of the topmost credit card networks, offers different tiers to consumers. At present, there are three Visa Tiers.
The tier of the cardholder will determine what additional benefits the consumer will receive apart from the perks and benefits offered by Chase. The higher the Visa Tier better are the rewards.
Basic concierge services, along with zero liability security, are offered by the Standard Visa Cards.
The Visa Signature card not only offers these services but also provides a wide range of additional benefits.
The Visa Signature Concierge offers insurance for delaying trips, security for purchased items for a certain period in case it is stolen or accidentally broken, access to premium airport lounges, and insurance for accidents during travel.
On the other hand, the Visa Infinite Card offers premium concierge services as it is Visa’s top-tier card. It offers all the perks and rewards offered by the previous basic and signature cards and many more exclusive options.
Visa Infinite Concierge services include access to VIP lounges, luxury restaurant reservations, and luxury hotels, which are part of the Visa Luxury Hotel Collection. The card holders are also offered VIP status perks.
The benefits, rewards, and perks for Visa Infinite credit cards may vary and be different. The common factor for Visa Infinite cardholders is the access to premium concierge services and the availability of the service 24×7. The benefits available for each card can be easily checked from their website.
Amex premium cardholders get the Platinum Concierge Services provided by American Express. Some of the most popular Amex cards that offer concierge services are The Platinum Card from Amex, Delta SkyMiles Platinum Amex card, and the Centurion card by Amex.
The wide array of services offered by the Amex cards is similar to that of Chase cards, but they put much more emphasis on the exclusivity factor.
They go above and beyond to offer tickets to events that are exclusive and extremely difficult to get hold of.
They will make dining reservations at the best of the restaurants for you, which seems ever elusive, and book the best hotels through their hotel partners or tours that may seem difficult to arrange. They even assist with gift recommendations, be it flowers or anything else.
However, where Amex takes the cake is travel and itinerary planning. They help book hotels and flights, avail tour guides, suggest and book dinner reservations at restaurants, or book tickets for other attractions during your visit.
Suppose you are to receive any refunds against any travel purchases at the time of your visit. In that case, the card perk includes concierge agents acting on your behalf like a personal travel assistant and claiming the refund.
Let’s check the Amex cards in detail:
Name of the Card | The Platinum Card from American Express |
Rewards | 1x to 5x |
Bonus Points | 80,000 Membership Reward Points |
APR | 20.49% to 28.49% variable APR on eligible charges |
Annual Fees | $695 |
Card Benefits |
|
Name of the Card | Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card |
Rewards | 1x to 3x |
Bonus Points | 90,000 Bonus Miles |
APR | 20.24% to 29.24% variable APR on purchases. |
Annual Fees | $250 |
Card Benefits |
|
Amex offers two levels of service, American Express concierge service (The Platinum card) and Dedicated Service, which is available with Centurion Card.
Centurion Card, also known as American Express Black Card, is an invitation-only credit card by American Express that offers highly customizable services through a dedicated assistant that plays the role of a relationship manager and takes care of all the relevant needs of the card holders.
The main focus of their concierge service is on personalized service and exclusivity. They try not to disappoint the customers and honor the requests made by their cardholders.
For example, they go to great lengths to book a ticket for an exclusive event as requested by the cardholder or even take care of personal needs, such as delivering ice to a customer on a remote island by helicopter after he requested some via their concierge services.
Concierge services in both cases can be availed by simply calling the. The number is usually printed on the back of the credit card. It is also available in all the documents related to your account.
In both cases, the cardholders can get access to concierge services worldwide, and agents speaking different languages are available across the globe.
The assistance provided by both companies is free, but any costs incurred for procuring goods or services requested will be billed to the card of the holder who made the request.
Amex excels in some of the services provided, such as booking luxury hotel suites, a place on a luxury cruise ship, avail tickets for a special event, planning a detailed itinerary for vacations and day trips, or even catering to personal requests such as a specific bottle of wine when you arrive at a restaurant.
The contact details for Chase and Amex are as follows:
Concierge Service Provider | Phone Number |
American Express | 1-800-917-8054 |
Chase | 1-877-660-0905 |
Factors | American Express Concierge | Chase Concierge |
---|---|---|
Accessibility | Available only to top-tier Premium Card holders | Widely available to standard and premium cardholders |
Interaction | Overall friendly agents and the interactions of the concierge agents are pleasant and helpful. | The agents are friendly and engage in lengthy conversations to properly understand the cardholder’s request. |
Response Time | Seven Hours of waiting time | Two minutes waiting time |
Recommendations | Three recommendations within 24 hours | Four recommendations within 72 hours |
Unique Factors | • Premium Service • Available only to premium card holders such as the Platinum card holders • Expert in planning travel • Can handle administrative tasks such as getting refunds during travel, paperwork for insurance, or making arrangements for any medical crisis. • Assist in booking hotels and lavish restaurants or booking concert tickets. • Offer special experiences during your vacation. • Slower response time, but the service quality is great. | • Basic and Premium Service • Available to standard card holders and premium card holders. It is more widely accessible. • People with different financial profiles and credit scores can access the concierge services. • The Standard Visa and Visa Signature offer the basic concierge services. • The Infinity Visa cards offer premium concierge services, which are available 24×7. • It can easily cater to simple requests like recommendations, and any card holders can request such a service. • Faster response time, but the service quality is generic. |
Usually, luggage storage facilities are included in the card membership of both Chase and Amex credit cards, but it also depends on where you seek the service. Your location and accommodation should offer the facility for the service.
Getting hold of the concierge service beforehand is always advisable to make prior arrangements. If the service is available, the concierge will take care of it and book it for you before you arrive at your destination.
Alternatively, consumers can contact the hotel concierge service directly to book any storage facilities. Many hotels across the globe offer storage and locker facilities as part of the amenities offered.
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American Express has been associated with the travel business for decades, and they have honed their skills and experience in the field.
They have offices across the world, and they make it a priority to satisfy customers by going to lengths that other card services might think twice about.
Although Chase is better at responding to queries or requests faster and may, in some cases, deliver on the request faster, however, ultimately, the quality of the service matters, and sometimes they need to improve in that department.
Amex focuses on the exclusivity factor and puts a lot of emphasis on providing a one-of-a-kind service to cardholders. Chase’s offer, on the other hand, is sometimes generic.
For example, Amex Platinum Card Concierge may have a higher hold time than Chase Sapphire Reserve Concierge, but the service is personalized and top-notch.
Suppose you want to reserve a seat at a coveted dining restaurant that the customer makes a sudden plan about. Amex Platinum concierge would try to book the seats at that restaurant.
Also, reviewers from across the world have praised Amex’s capability to cater to services that are extremely tough to fulfill.
They have garnered so much positive reputation that users prefer to call their concierge service rather than contact the vendor or the service provider directly.
Their main motto is to offer a seamless experience; to execute that, they offer their services only to select premium card holders. This way, they can retain the quality of the service.
On the other hand, despite providing premium services, Chase still needs to up the ante on the exclusivity and personalized service factor.
In some cases, the service offered by both cards may not match the expectations as many times it depends on the individual concierge, especially when they are randomly assigned.
Hence, it is always a good practice to build rapport and try to get hold of the offer to a direct extension of the concierge to enhance the chances of a smooth experience.
American Express is better than Chase as Amex offers exclusive and personalized service. They also have access to sought-after hotels, priority pass lounges, popular restaurants, and access to tickets for private events and concerts. Their reward system is much better, and they have offices all over the globe. Does Chase have a concierge service?
Yes, Chase offers concierge services in a wide variety of cards. They offer basic and premium concierge services through their credit cards, such as Chase Sapphire Reserve cards or the United Club Infinite Card, which include various services from the lounge to hotel reservations and many more.
Amex concierge performs various tasks for its cardholders, including planning international travel from booking hotels, restaurants, tour guides, and flights. It avails tickets to private events, Broadway shows, or theaters. It also caters to personalized requests by going to great lengths.
The Centurion or the American Express Black Card is the hardest Amex to get. It is available only on an invitation-only basis. It is rumored to offer us the world service, but users applying for it must have an annual income of $1 million.
Access to the best hotels worldwide, reservations at top tier Michelin star restaurants, tickets to a private event, free exclusive entry to clubs, or discounts on purchases per calendar year or premium services can not only save you money but offer great value and treat you as a VIP at the same time.
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Subject to conditions and with some exceptions, American Express Concierge Service is better than Chase Concierge Service.
However, it should always be kept in mind that the service rendered by these credit card companies depends a lot on the individual who is handling the requests, so it is important the conversation skillfully to get your job done.
One should always set reasonable and achievable expectations and be patient, as it helps the concierge service providers and the service executives to fulfill the request successfully.
Concierge service is also about developing a relationship with the customer. So, if the customer reciprocates and helps build a good relationship with the concierge service executives, it makes it easier for both parties.
Disclaimer: All the information presented in the article has been collected independently by BitMoneyAlpha and has not been reviewed or approved by American Express or Chase. The product information may vary. Please check the issuer’s websites for the latest information. The statements and opinions expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any credit card issuer. The content is for informational purposes only. It is not financial advice. So, before investing, do your due diligence and always invest what you are comfortable losing, as all investments are your responsibility.
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