Thank you @Saleen099 for sharing this - very insightful. It's a real balancing act if they create a new card sitting between Platinum and Centurion. What would be the hook that snags?
1. Rewards/Credits: earnings can be scaled/partnered any which way for any tier level so that's not impossibly hard to do. Amex could figure that out.
2. Physical Access: the original Platinum in 1984 offered access to members-only private clubs that were unrelated to airport lounges. Centurion offers on-demand immediate lounge access regardless of peaks in usage, making it a sure thing. Apart from granting similar access levels and burning money building out more Centurion-type facilities at airports (or elsewhere) and concierge services, Amex needs to find/create a 'highly desired exclusive access niche' to offer to this new tier (plus Centurion). Paid for by higher Annual Fee and possible spend level.
3. Status Psychology: perhaps marketing this as "guaranteed minimum $50k/$100k single-swipe transaction approval" etc. would appeal to those buying higher-end cars, chartering private jets, cruises, OTT business dinners and Jackson Hole or Davos lodges (I've done some and held my breath praying until the charge went through - moment of truth time: not fun). Not based on overall annual spend like the invite-only Centurion, but raw swipe power. Just muscle your way into the card. Might be very popular to certain demographics...
RIP: 
