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- The Amex Centurion "black" has an initiation fee of $10,000 and an annual fee of $5,000.
- It's also invite-only; you can't apply without permission from Amex.
- The card offers some incredible benefits, like complimentary elite status across four hotel chains and with Delta, airport arrival services, and access to a concierge.
- While some of these perks are exclusive to the Amex black card, you can enjoy many of them with The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.
Also known as the Centurion card, the American Express "black" card is in a different league than other premium credit cards. It's so prestigious that you have to be invited to use it, and only big spenders are eligible. Various celebrities are known to carry it as well, so it's no wonder the card has become an object of fascination for those of us who haven't been tapped to apply.
Amex black card requirements
You can't just apply for it and expect to get approved; you have to receive a private invitation from American Express.
While the requirements for getting an invite for the black card aren't officially published, rumor has it that you have to be a high earner who has spent and paid off between $350,000 and $500,000 across all of your American Express accounts in a calendar year.
And once you're approved for the card, there's a $10,000 initiation fee, and a $5,000 annual fee. It makes premium credit cards like the Amex Platinum Card ($695 annual fee) and the Amex Business Platinum Card ($695) look downright affordable.
We're focused here on the rewards and perks that come with each card. These cards won't be worth it if you're paying interest or late fees. When using a credit card, it's important to pay your balance in full each month, make payments on time, and only spend what you can afford to pay.
Benefits of the Amex Centurion black card
The Amex Centurion card isn't just a status symbol; it has some great perks, including some unique benefits like complimentary Delta elite status that you won't find on other cards.
Hotel elite status
With a black card, you can lock in hotel elite status at four major hotel chains: Marriott, Hilton, Intercontinental Hotels Group, and Relais & Châteaux. Hotel elite status gets you sweet benefits like room upgrades, late checkouts, resort and spa credits, and free breakfast.
The Amex Platinum Card and Amex Business Platinum Card offer status with Hilton and Marriott**, but not with IHG and Relais & Châteaux.
Delta elite status
According to The Points Guy, the black card also offers cardholders Platinum Medallion elite status with Delta. You can't get this benefit with any other credit card, and it offers you perks like complimentary upgrades and bonus miles.
Airport lounge access
There's nothing better than knowing you have access to a comfortable airport lounge while you're traveling, especially if you have a long layover. The Amex black card gets you free access to more than 1,400 airport lounges around the world, including Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs when you're flying Delta, and Priority Pass airport lounges**. You can sit back and relax on the comfortable chairs while indulging in some good food and drinks.
The airport lounge access you get as a Centurion cardholder is virtually identical to the lounge access you get with the Amex Platinum Card and Amex Business Platinum Card.
Equinox membership
The Centurion card added several new perks in late 2019, along with the announcement that Amex would be raising the annual fee. One of the most valuable new benefits is Equinox Destination Access Membership, which lets Centurion cardholders use any of the 100-plus Equinox gym locations in the US, UK, and Canada. This membership costs $300 per month plus a $500 initiation fee, so it's quite valuable if you're a fan of the high-end fitness club chain.
Unsurprisingly, there's no comparable benefit on the Amex Platinum Card and Amex Business Platinum Card cards**.
Up to $1,000 per year in Saks Fifth Avenue credits
The Amex Platinum Card offers up to $100 in credits for Saks Fifth Avenue per year**, so it's only fitting that the Centurion card has an even better version of this perk.
Centurion cardholders also get up to $1,000 in credits for Saks purchases — divided into four credits of up to $250 per quarter of the year. To get the credit, cardholders just have to make an eligible Saks purchase with their Centurion card, and they'll be reimbursed up to the quarterly and annual limit in the form of a statement credit.
As a bonus, Saks stores will open their doors to Centurion cardholders outside of normal business hours — a pretty extravagant perk for those who want to make a power move or impress their non-Centurion-holding friends.
CLEAR® Plus membership
CLEAR® Plus is an expedited security membership (an alternative to TSA PreCheck), and you can use it at more than 30 airports and more than 20 sports and concert venues in the US.
The recently revamped American Express® Green Card offers a statement credit for up to $189 toward CLEAR® Plus membership, which costs $189. With the Amex Centurion card, you can also get a statement credit for the full cost of membership when you use your card to buy it. Plus, you can get statement credits to cover adding up to three family members.
24/7 concierge service
An Amex black card gets you your own personal concierge whenever you'd like one. You can count on the round-the-clock concierge service to help you make travel plans or reservations at exclusive restaurants. This service can also get you tickets to just about any event and/or purchase gifts on your behalf.
Once again, the Amex Platinum Card and Amex Business Platinum Card also offer concierge services. However, Centurion cardmembers are definitely the top priority for Amex concierge, and they get the best access to restaurant reservations and more.
International arrival service
If you travel abroad often, you'll love the black card's international arrival service. As long as you fly business or first class via American Express Travel, you'll be assigned to your own personal guide who will make the immigration and customs process a breeze. This isn't a benefit you can replicate with any other Amex card.
Another exclusive airport perk: Centurion cardholders get complimentary membership to The Private Suite at LAX, a private VIP terminal. But there's a big catch: You have to pay each time you use it — and it costs up to $3,000.
No spending limit
There are no preset spending limits with the Amex black card, so you can easily buy big-ticket items that you may not necessarily be able to pay for with other credit cards. Keep in mind, however, that you must pay off your balances in full every month.
Other lifestyle perks
Beyond offering elite status with more travel partners, international arrival service, and the top tier of Amex concierge service, the Amex black card stands out from the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum with its selection of wine-related benefits, such as consultations with a wine specialist and wine-buying offers.
Black cardholders also get several shopping perks, including special offers and VIP benefits with Net-a-Porter.
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The Amex Platinum offers many of the same perks
If you don't get an invite for the American Express black card, don't fret. Many of the benefits it offers are available on the Amex Platinum, which has a $695 fee. You'll get no preset spending limits, hotel elite status, complimentary access to airport lounges, and concierge services.
Keep in mind, no preset spending limit means your spending limit is flexible. Unlike a traditional card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment, and credit history. Read our Amex Platinum card review for more details.
If you're a business user, the Amex Business Platinum Card is worth a look. It offers most of these benefits as well, and has a $695 annual fee. Read our Amex Business Platinum review to learn more.
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Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.
**Enrollment required.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.