Changes in morphology, local chemical composition, catalytic activity and local surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity due to various methods of modification of surfaces of Cu-Zr, Cu-Hf and Cu-Ti amorphous alloys were investigated. Our recent investigations have shown that otherwise detrimental processes of material degradation may help to segregate clusters of Cu and to develop a large specific surface area of Cu on ZrOchi or HfOchi supports. This transforms the original Cu-based amorphous ribbons of low surface area into efficient and stable catalysts. The following methods of activation based on the degradation processes, and their combinations are presented: ageing/oxidation in air, anodic activation, and pre-treatment with hydrogen (hydrogenation under high hydrogen pressure, or cathodic hydrogen charging). Structural changes in the bulk of the amorphous alloys introduced by the above pre-treatments were examined by XRD. Morphological and chemical changes on the surface were followed microscopically (optical microscopy and high resolution SEM) and by using a high resolution scanning Auger microprobe (SAM) and an X-ray electron microprobe. The amount of segregated Cu on the surface was estimated by an electrochemical method. A test reaction of dehydrogenation of 2-propanol was used to compare the catalytic activity of the materials after different chemical pre-treatments. Proposed mechanisms of changes in the local adsorption properties, local enhancement of Raman spectra and the catalytic activities due to the above combined pre-treatments are discussed.