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Are you rich enough to score an Amex Centurion Card? (Spoiler: You're not)
All information about the American Express Centurion Card has been collected independently by Yahoo Finance. The details on this page have not been reviewed by the card issuer.
The American Express Centurion, also known as the Black Card, is the most exclusive credit card on the market. To apply, you need to receive an invitation from the card issuer, and to say the requirements are steep is an understatement — unless you're independently wealthy, you're likely ineligible.
American Express keeps a tight lid on the card's details and declined to comment on this story. But based on anecdotes from cardholders and online reports, here's what we know about this card.
How to get approved for the Amex Centurion Card
American Express offers some of the most premium credit cards on the market, but the Black Card takes the cake. You can only apply for the card if you receive an invitation from the card issuer. Prospective cardholders were previously able to request consideration on the Centurion site, though that option has since been removed.
The card issuer doesn't disclose the criteria it considers to extend an invitation, but online reports suggest you need to spend anywhere between $200,000 and $1 million a year on American Express credit cards.
You also typically need to have excellent credit, with some reporting a minimum score of 800.
Amex Centurion Card features and fees
The Amex Centurion Card offers a lot of value, but its eye-watering fees make it clear that its biggest benefit is prestige.
If you're invited to apply and you accept, the card issuer charges a $10,000 initiation fee to become a Centurion member. On top of that, the card charges a $5,000 annual fee.
There's no preset spending limit and you generally need to pay your balance in full each month. However, you can pay off certain purchases over time with a variable APR of the prime rate plus 12.74%.
Read more: How does credit card interest work?
For such an expensive card, you'd expect best-in-class perks — and that's exactly what you'll get. However, it's important to note that many of the Black Card's benefits are also available on the Platinum Card® from American Express, which charges a $695 annual fee and doesn't require an invitation to apply.
With that said, here's what we've been able to glean from online reports about the card's features.
Rewards
This card isn't about rewards, so it comes as no surprise that it doesn't offer a welcome bonus. What's more, your everyday purchases will net you just 1 point per dollar.
Elite status
As a cardholder, you'll become an automatic elite member with several top travel loyalty programs. That includes:
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion
Hilton Honors Diamond
IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite
Marriott Gold Elite
Hertz Platinum
Avis President's Club
Airport lounge access
You'll get access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection, which includes several airport lounge networks:
The Centurion Lounge
The International American Express Lounges
Priority Pass
Delta Sky Club
Lufthansa Lounges
Escape Lounges
Plaza Premium Lounges
Other airport benefits
At select airports, you can benefit from VIP arrival and departure services, including a personal guide if you're flying business or first class. The card issuer can also arrange ground transportation for you.
Other airport-related perks include an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, as well as a statement credit toward one or more CLEAR Plus memberships.
Concierge services
With the Amex Black Card, you essentially get 24/7 access to a personal assistant to help you with a variety of needs, such as planning travel, scoring impossible-to-get reservations and event tickets, and finding unique gifts for your loved ones.
Read more: How to reserve a table at the hottest restaurant with your credit card
Other luxury perks
The card comes with a host of other premium perks that can improve your travel experiences and overall lifestyle:
Centurion Dining: Tables are held for cardholders at roughly 1,000 of the world's top restaurants.
Wine benefits: You'll reportedly get access to private tastings and tours in Napa Valley, along with special wine purchase offers through the Centurion website.
Cruise discounts: You can enjoy credits ranging from $100 to $500 per stateroom, along with additional amenities.
Equinox credits: You'll receive up to $3,600 in credits each year toward a membership with the luxury gym — though this may only be beneficial if you live near a location.
Saks credits: You'll get up to $250 in statement credits per quarter toward purchases with Saks Fifth Avenue, up to $1,000 in total each year.
Amex Centurion Card alternatives
The Amex Centurion Card is the holy grail of credit cards, but most people won’t receive an invitation to apply. If you don't qualify for the Black Card, consider other premium credit cards to get the travel and lifestyle perks you're looking for.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Annual fee$695
- Welcome offerEarn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in the first 6 months
- Card type(s)Travel
- Ongoing Purchases APRSee Pay Over Time APR
- Recommended credit scoreExcellent/Good
- Rewards rate
- 5x points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per year)
- 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
- 1x points on all other purchases
- Benefits
- Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel (requires a minimum two-night stay)
- Get up to $199 back per calendar year on your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your card (CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues)
- Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the U.S. annually (you must have the latest version of the Uber App downloaded and your eligible American Express Platinum Card must be a method of payment in your Uber account; Amex benefit may only be used in United States)
The Platinum Card charges a $695 annual fee, which is steeper than most credit cards, but it still pales in comparison to the Centurion Card's costs.
You can redeem your rewards with American Express, giving you up to 1 cent per point in value, or transfer them to one of the card issuer's many airline and hotel loyalty program partners.
Some of the card's other benefits include:
• Up to $200 in airline fee credits with one qualifying airline each year
• Up to $240 in digital entertainment credits with select providers each year (up to $20 per month)
• Complimentary access to several airport lounges (the same list you get with the Black Card)
• Up to $155 in statement credits toward a Walmart+ membership each year
• Up to $100 in statement credits on Saks Fifth Avenue purchases each year
• Gold elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
• Elite status with Avis, Hertz, and National Car Rental
• Application fee credit toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
Read our full review of the Amex Platinum Card
- Annual fee$550
- Welcome offerEarn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (that's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠)
- Card type(s)Travel
- Ongoing Purchases APR22.49% - 29.49% Variable
- Recommended credit scoreExcellent
- Rewards rate
- 10x points on hotels and rental cars purchased through Chase Travel*
- 5x points on flights purchased through Chase Travel*
- 3x points on dining and other travel purchases
- 1x points on all other purchases
- *After the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
- Benefits
- Points are worth 50% more when you redeem through Chase Travel
- Earn up to $300 in annual statement credits for travel purchases
- Receive up to a $100 statement credit every four years to cover the application fee for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS
The Sapphire Reserve charges a $550 annual fee, and while its perks aren't as impressive as what you'd get with the Platinum Card, it packs a significant punch with its rewards program.
When you're ready to redeem your rewards, you'll get 50% more value if you use them to book travel through Chase. Alternatively, you can transfer your rewards to one of the card issuer's many airline and hotel transfer partners.
The card's other benefits include:
• Complimentary access to Priority Pass airport lounges and Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club
• VIP access to various events through Reserved by Sapphire
• Special amenities and complimentary upgrades with Avis, Hertz, National Car Rental, and Audi On Demand
• Bonus rewards and other perks with various partners, including Lyft, Peloton, DoorDash, and Instacart
Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Annual fee$395
- Welcome offerEarn 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months
- Card type(s)Travel
- Purchase APR19.99% - 29.99% variable
- Recommended credit scoreExcellent
- Rewards rate
- 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 2x miles on all other purchases
- Benefits
- $300 annual credit for travel bookings through Capital One Travel
- 10,000 annual bonus miles (worth $100 in travel spending; starts on your first account anniversary)
- Unlimited access for you and two guests to Capital One Lounges and 1,300+ more lounges through partner networks
If you want some premium benefits but want to keep your annual fee to a minimum, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. The card charges a $395 annual fee and makes it easy to get that value back each year.
When redeeming your rewards, Capital One makes it easy. Simply book directly through Capital One Travel and use miles to pay or use your card to book travel on your own and request a statement credit. You can also transfer your rewards to several airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
This article was edited by Alicia Hahn
Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.