Should I Get the American Express Centurion Card?
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
TPG reader Ee Chien tweeted at me to ask about a targeted sign-up bonus offer from Amex:
"I got an offer from Amex for 180,000 points after spending $20,000 in 6 months on the Centurion card. There's a $4,000 sign-up fee and $4,000 annual fee. Should I get it?"
The Amex Centurion Card is considered by some to be the pinnacle of the credit card world. Its clandestine benefits and exclusive membership have made it almost legendary. However, just like with any other card, the decision of whether or not to sign up (if you're fortunate enough to be invited) comes down to comparing the cost with the value you expect to get from it.
Looking at the specific offer Ee Chien received, the large sign-up bonus stands out. After meeting the spending requirement (and including that $20,000 in spend), you'd have 200,000 Membership Rewards points, which is worth $3,800 based on my latest monthly valuations. That's a lot, but it doesn't make up for the $8,000 you'll spend on the annual fee and initiation fee. You'd still need to find another $4,200 of value just to break even in your first year.
That's certainly possible; the card offers high-end benefits like Hilton Honors Diamond and Delta Platinum Medallion status, the 24/7 Centurion Concierge and WOW promotions like a free night at a luxury hotel. There's a plethora of other useful benefits (like SPG Gold status, a $200 airline fee credit and more), but many of those are also available on the much more affordable The Platinum Card® from American Express.
Another consideration is the opportunity cost of actually using the Centurion Card to make purchases. Cardholders are expected to maintain a high level of spending ($250,000 annually), but the card doesn't offer bonus categories, so you'll be earning just one point per dollar. You could do worse than earning Membership Rewards points at that rate, but you could certainly do a lot better.
If you're in a position to maximize the Centurion Card benefits, then I think getting it could make sense. I recommend doing some more research and thinking carefully about how likely you are to use them based on your travel and spending patterns. The sign-up bonus is impressive, but it shouldn't be the deciding factor, since it doesn't make up for the high membership fees. Some people also prize the Centurion Card as a status symbol, but you'll have to decide what that's worth to you individually, if anything.
I think the Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express provide better value for most people, and both cards have had targeted sign-up bonuses of 100,000 points or more in the past year. If you're looking for an entry into the Membership Rewards program, holding out for one of those offers is likely a better bet.
Check out these posts for more details on the Centurion Card, Platinum Card, and Membership Rewards:
- The Inside Scoop on the Amex Centurion Card
- Maximizing Benefits with the Amex Platinum Card
- Redeeming Membership Rewards for Maximum Value
- Choosing the Best American Express Card
If you have any other questions, please tweet me @thepointsguy, message me on Facebook or send me an email at info@thepointsguy.com.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees