Centurion® Card from American Express Review

Known as one of the most difficult American Express cards to get, the Centurion® Card from American Express is a high-end card that’s shrouded in secrecy, comes with luxury travel perks and gives you status that only a card of this caliber can. With both a hefty initiation fee plus an annual fee, this card isn’t in many wallets. Exact requirements to be invited to apply for the Centurion® Card from American Express are unknown, but it’s believed that you must be spending (and paying off) upwards of $350,000 a year on a current American Express card.

Also referred to as a “Black Card”, this is one of the hardest cards to get. Not only do you need an income that can support the fees and spending requirements, but also a desire or need to spend that much. Through its many travel benefits including lounge access at airports, elevated status with certain airlines and hotel perks, travel aficionados will definitely get more out of this card than those who seldom travel.

Getting the Centurion® Card from American Express isn’t as easy as just applying — you have to be invited to apply. Those who are current American Express customers with a high level of spending might have a chance of receiving an invitation for this elite card.

However, you don’t have to sit around and wait for an invitation to arrive. If this is a card that you would like in your wallet, you’re a high spender and you’re already a loyal American Express member, you can request an invite. Note that there’s no guarantee that you’ll receive an invite, and you’ll likely only know when that envelope shows up in your mailbox.

How to request an invitation for the Centurion® Card from American Express

1. Open up the Centurion® website.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “Interested in Centurion® Membership? Click Here.”
3. Fill out the form with your first and last names, plus your card number for your current American Express credit card as well as the 4-digit security code.
4. Click the “Submit” button.
5. Wait patiently for an account manager at American Express to reach out to you if you meet the qualifications.

• Everyday benefits

  These time-saving benefits are also included with American Express Platinum Card^® and can be used on a daily basis.

  American Express® App: Manage your account from anywhere, at any time. Check on your account, discover new offers, redeem your Amex Membership Rewards® Points, and even freeze your card from anywhere.

  24/7 Dedicated concierge service: Whether you need a last-minute flight booked while you pack your bags or flowers sent to a friend, a team of dedicated concierge professionals is standing by 24/7 to assist you. Unlike with American Express Platinum Card^®, you will have access to the same concierge rather than a different one each time you call with a request.

• Earning membership rewards

  You can use your card at home and abroad to earn rewards on every purchase — however, compared to other American Express cards, like American Express Platinum Card^®, you’ll earn rewards at a meager pace: only 1 point per $1 spent on eligible purchases including dining, theater tickets, flights and hotels.

  You can redeem these points for gift cards, eligible charges to your Centurion® Card from American Express, travel bookings and more.

• Dining and entertainment

  Crafted Journeys: Make your trip extra special with a tour or experience that’s just for you. You work with a local expert to make initial plans and then they manage the rest of the details.

  Global Dining Collection: Take the guesswork out of deciding where to eat with a list of recommended restaurants. Additionally you’ll have access to special reserved tables at these restaurants.

• Travel benefits

  You’ll have access to some of the best travel benefits in the business, including lounge access through The Global Lounge Collection. Note that several other Amex cards can get you these same benefits, including American Express Platinum Card^®.

  The Global Lounge Collection
  Enjoy access to more than 1,400 VIP lounges in 140 countries thanks to networks and partners that include:

  • The Centurion® Lounge
  • The International American Express Lounges
  • Priority Pass™ (must enroll in the program)
  • Delta Sky Club® on Delta flights
  • Airspace Lounge
  • Escape Lounges
  • Plaza Premium Lounges

  No foreign transaction fee
  Keep more of your money when shopping abroad since there are no foreign transaction fees with the Centurion® Card from American Express.

• Hotel benefits

  The Centurion® Card from American Express has the edge over cards like American Express Platinum Card^® on luxury hotel benefits. The Centurion® Card from American Express offers perks like room upgrades and early check-in (when available) plus late checkout and a hotel credit with every stay at a participating hotel, whereas American Express Platinum Card^® just offers one annual hotel credit.

  Exclusive benefits at more than 1,200 Fine Hotels and Resorts

  When you book your stay with your Centurion® Card from American Express you have access to the following benefits:

  • Check-in at noon, when available
  • Room upgrade upon arrival, if available
  • Daily breakfast for two
  • Guaranteed late checkout at 4 p.m.
  • $100 hotel credit

  Additional upgrades and hotel credits at 8 iconic brands
  Centurion members receive room upgrades at the time of booking plus a hotel credit of up to $200 when you stay at one of these eight properties:

  • Aman
  • Belmond
  • Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
  • The Oetker Collection
  • The Peninsula Hotels
  • Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
  • St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
  • Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

  The Hotel Collection
  When you stay at any of the more than 600 properties that are part of The Hotel Collection, enjoy complimentary room upgrades and $100 hotel credit.

• Initial fee $10,000

  The Centurion® Card from American Express is unique in that it has a one-time initiation fee of $10,000. This is in addition to the annual fee. In order to get the card, you’ll need to pay both fees.

• Annual membership fee of $5,000

  Steep annual fees are common among luxury credit cards, but the $5,000 annual fee for the Centurion® Card from American Express ranks among the highest.

• Additional cardholder fee of $5,000

  You may choose to get additional cards for your spouse or partner for a $5,000 fee. There is a limit of two cards per account holder. There is no annual fee for the first additional card, but subsequent cards have an annual fee of $1,500.

• Must pay card off each month

  The Centurion® Card from American Express is a charge card, meaning you need to pay off your balance in full every month. Should you want to not pay off the full amount of a specific purchase, you can opt in to Pay Over Time and spread out your payments over several months with interest.

American Express Platinum Card^®

If you want a luxury card that offers many of the same perks, a generous welcome offer, rewards earning opportunity and is more accessible, consider the American Express Platinum Card^®. The annual fee of $895 seems like a bargain compared to the Centurion® Card from American Express, plus it includes more than $1,000 in credits that can cover that cost easily.

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Terms apply. Enjoy access to the Global Lounge Collection, The Hotel Collection, and elite status with several hotels and car rental agencies.

Having this, or another card from American Express, is a good way to become a customer of the company. Over time, and with an excellent payment history, you may work your way up to getting an invite to apply for the Centurion® Card from American Express.

Since the credits, rewards program and benefits highly revolve around travel, this card is best for someone who travels frequently. Those who aren’t on the road much will get more value from a cash back rewards credit card.

Are you among the relatively small number of people who might qualify for this card and it applies to you? If so, or if you believe your spending level is continually increasing, continuing to use your current American Express credit card is probably a solid plan for you.

Not a current American Express customer but want this card? Start with a lower-tier card from American Express to build up your purchase history with the company.

And if you’re not spending multiple six-figures annually, then another premium card is probably a better choice. Try a cash back credit card or a rewards credit card to earn rewards on your daily purchases without the hard-to-reach requirements of the Centurion® Card from American Express.