The Centurion® Card from American Express, better known as the "Black Card," is the most expensive card on our radar. But to even be eligible to pay the Centurion Card's annual fee, you'll need to be invited. There's no set criteria for an invitation, but many reliable sources say you'll need at least $250,000 in spending on other American Express cards to be considered.
Assuming that you do get an invitation, the card comes with a staggering $5,000 annual fee. And if this isn't enough, you'll also have to pay a one-time $10,000 initiation fee to get the card. Want another card for your spouse? There's an additional $5,000 annual fee for each authorized user, with a limit of two authorized user cards per account.
What do you get for this four-figure annual fee?
To be fair, American Express is notoriously silent when it comes to the details of the Centurion Card. Much of what is publicly known about the card and its benefits comes from secondary sources. For a full explanation of the card's benefits, check out our full review of the business version of the card, which is nearly identical to the personal version. But, without further ado, here are some of the major perks of the card:
Featured offer: save money while you pay off debt with one of these top-rated balance transfer credit cards
- Airport lounge access: Centurion members get into several different airport lounge networks for free, including the namesake ultra-high-end Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and more. Terms apply; enrollment may be required.
- Elite status: The Centurion Card gets members complimentary Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion Status, Hilton Honors Diamond status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, IHG Platinum Elite status, and more. Terms apply; enrollment required.
- Centurion Concierge service: According to many Centurion Card holders, this is the big x-factor. While many high-end credit cards have their own concierge services, the Centurion Concierge is reportedly at an entirely different level. The Centurion Concierge is notorious for fulfilling extreme requests for cardholders. Terms apply.
One thing you don't get is a great rewards program. The Centurion Card generally earns 1 Membership Rewards point per $1 of spending, which is a rather low rewards rate even compared with some of the no annual fee cards on our radar. You also don't get a welcome bonus, which is somewhat of a surprise since with most cards, higher annual fees come with more enticing welcome offers.
Could the fee ever be worth it?
The Centurion Card does offer some valuable perks. While you can't even buy access to the Centurion Lounges, an individual Delta Sky Club membership costs $695 per year all by itself. Elite status definitely has value, particularly on airlines. Estimates by travel website The Points Guy value Delta Platinum Medallion status at $3,420, assuming you're a frequent Delta traveler.
The Centurion Concierge service is the big question mark, as we don't fully know what it can and cannot do for cardholders. But it's fair to say that a service that can get you tables at impossible-to-reserve restaurants, find you tickets for sold-out shows, and more can certainly be worth something.
It's also worth mentioning that the The Platinum Card® from American Express, which has a much more palatable $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), offers many of the same benefits. The The Platinum Card® from American Express has the same airport lounge access as well as elite status at Marriott, as well as its own concierge service, and for a fraction of the cost. Terms apply.
The bottom line is that while the Centurion Card provides value to its cardholders, it's not likely to justify the $5,000 annual fee for many people. In most cases, the card is likely to be more of a status symbol than a valuable financial tool, and there are many other high-end credit cards (like the Platinum) that can easily justify their annual fees for the right customers.
Alert: our top-rated cash back card now has 0% intro APR until 2025
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a lengthy 0% intro APR period, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee! Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.
FAQs
It comes with some excellent benefits, especially for travel, but it can be hard to justify the cost of the card. For many people, the Black Card is more of a status symbol than a valuable financial product.
Why is the Amex black card so special? ›
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.
Why does American Express have such a high annual fee? ›
The main reason why Amex cards are so expensive is that many American Express credit cards offer generous rewards rates and high-end perks, which warrant steep annual fees.
How much is the annual fee for an Amex black card? ›
The Centurion Card from American Express offers white-glove service to a select, chosen few. Better known as the Black Card, you'll need a personal invitation from AmEx to apply, and if approved, you'll be on the hook for a one-time $10,000 initiation fee on top of a $5,000 annual fee. Terms apply.
How many Amex black card holders are there? ›
Experts estimate that there are around 100,000 Amex Centurion cardholders in the world, with only about 20,000 of those being in the United States.
What card do billionaires use? ›
One of the world's most prestigious credit cards is the Centurion® Card from American Express*.
How hard is it to get a black Amex? ›
American Express decides who to invite, and there aren't any firm rules on what it takes to get invited. Conventional wisdom has long been that you need to spend at least $250,000 to $500,000 per year on your American Express cards to have a chance.
Can you negotiate Amex annual fee? ›
If you're on the fence about whether it's worth continuing to pay the fee, you can call and ask Amex to waive or lower it. You might not be successful at having the fee waived, but American Express is known to offer generous retention bonuses instead.
How do I avoid paying American Express annual fee? ›
Start with a retention call by calling your card's customer service line. The number can usually be found on the back of your card or on your monthly statement. Politely explain that you would like to have your annual fee waived.
Can you cancel Amex to avoid annual fee? ›
(3) If you cancel the Card, we will refund the annual fee if you notify us of your intention to do so within 30 days of the date of the statement on which the annual fee appears. For cancellations after this 30-day period, the annual fee is non-refundable.
The American Express Black Card income requirement is reportedly at least $1 million per year. It's rumored that you must also spend and pay off at least $350,000 across your American Express credit cards annually just to get an invitation to apply.
Is the black Amex worth it? ›
The Amex Centurion card isn't right for anyone who has a more modest budget when it comes to spending on their credit card. It also isn't right for someone who rarely travels as the bulk of the benefits (outside of the pride of ownership) are travel-related.
What is the Black Card limit? ›
The Centurion® Card from American Express is a charge card with no set credit limit.
What is the most expensive credit card? ›
The most expensive credit card is the Centurion® Card from American Express (also called the Amex “Black Card”), because it has an initiation fee of up to $10,000 and a $5000 annual fee.
What is the monthly limit on the Amex Black Card? ›
There's no credit limit
The American Express Black Card doesn't have a pre-set spending limit, so cardholders can spend as much as they want every month. But that's only the case if they can afford it. The Centurion® Card from American Express is a charge card, so cardholders can't carry a balance.
Can you buy a house with a credit card? ›
Although it may be possible to buy an inexpensive house with a credit card, you won't be able to do the same with a down payment on a mortgage loan. That's because the primary purpose behind a down payment is to demonstrate your investment in the home to your lender.
How rich do you have to be to have an Amex Black Card? ›
What are the black card income requirements? The American Express Black Card income requirement is reportedly at least $1 million per year.
What is the Amex black limit? ›
There's no credit limit
The American Express Black Card doesn't have a pre-set spending limit, so cardholders can spend as much as they want every month. But that's only the case if they can afford it. The Centurion® Card from American Express is a charge card, so cardholders can't carry a balance.
Why do rich people have Amex cards? ›
The allure lies in premium benefits, ranging from airport privileges to everyday perks like Walmart Plus memberships or Uber cash. The key is to position the Amex card as not just a financial tool but a lifestyle enabler. This resonates with individuals who seek added value in every transaction they make.
What is the most exclusive Amex card? ›
The American Express Centurion Card, colloquially known as the Black Card, is a charge card issued by American Express. It is reserved for the company's wealthiest clients who meet certain net worth, credit quality, and spending requirements on its gateway card, the Platinum Card.
