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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Amex Centurion (black) card benefits — and how to get them without the card
Emily Thompson specializes in beginner content as a credit cards editor. She taps into her prior experience as a high school English teacher to help others demystify credit scores and unlock experiences that credit card rewards can make possible.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
January 8, 2025 • 14 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
The Centurion Card is an invitation-only product known for its exclusivity, high initiation and annual fees, and unique luxury benefits.
Eligibility is rumored to require exceptionally high annual spending, with no official published criteria for invitation.
Cardholders receive automatic elite status with multiple hotel, airline and car rental loyalty programs, along with statement credits for services like airport security and fitness memberships.
Perks include a dedicated concierge, premium lounge access, exclusive event invitations and enhanced travel protections.
What to consider
Initiation and annual fees are among the highest in the industry, with a substantial upfront cost required before use.
Many of the card's benefits, such as hotel status and lounge access, can be obtained through other premium products at lower cost.
Some perks, like automatic top-tier airline status and access to exclusive venues, are unique and not widely available elsewhere.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of which luxury perks are exclusive to this card versus those accessible through other premium options.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
The Centurion Card from American Express is perhaps the most desirable piece of anodized titanium out there, in no small part because of the shroud of secrecy and exclusivity that surrounds it. Unless you’re invited to apply and accepted (more on how that happens later), Amex keeps a tight lid on the numerous benefits and exclusive perks available to cardmembers.
But we know enough people who are part of the Centurion “Club” (including the original Points Guy himself, Brian Kelly, who carries the business version) that we have a pretty good idea of what this exclusive card brings to the table.
Short of any official confirmation, here’s the best information we’ve been able to round up about the card. And if you aren’t invited to apply, don’t worry — we’ll also share other ways to get some of the card’s top-tier benefits.
The information for the Centurion Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.†
How to get the Amex Centurion card
First things first: There are two versions of the Centurion Card† — a business version and a personal one. It’s potentially much easier to get the card as a business owner, but either way, it requires racking up significant charges.
There’s no official requirement for Centurion eligibility, but we’re talking big bucks.
Amex reportedly extends invitations to apply for the business card only if you’ve spent (and paid off) at least $450,000 (or $500,000 — we’ve heard both) across all your Amex accounts in a calendar year. For the personal card, the bar is rumored to be set at around $350,000.
Note that these amounts aren’t officially confirmed, and just because you spend enough and have good standing across accounts doesn’t mean you’ll automatically be invited to apply. Part of the exclusivity of the Centurion Card† is that there’s a secret formula behind who gets invited.
In the publicly available rewards card space, The Platinum Card® from American Express is considered the cream of the crop. But the initiation and annual fees for the Centurion Card† make Amex Platinum’s $895 annual fee (see ) look like child’s play.
There’s an initiation fee of $10,000, along with an annual fee of $5,000. This means you’re looking at a tab of $15,000 — between the initiation fee and the first-year annual fee — before you can even start using your card.
The Centurion Card† has some impressive benefits, but it falls flat in the points-earning arena. Cardmembers earn just one Membership Rewards point per dollar spent on all purchases.
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Other options for earning: You’ll actually get much better Membership Rewards earning potential with the Amex Platinum or the American Express® Gold Card since both have bonus-earning categories.
Along with being a status marker itself, the Centurion Card† allows cardmembers to receive automatic elite status with several programs.
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
Enjoy room upgrades at check-in and late checkout when available, plus a welcome gift at participating properties and a 25% points bonus on your stays (available for Qualifying Rates). Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status is a mid-tier hotel status that can be very valuable.
The information for the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details om this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Hilton Honors Diamond status
Get space-available room upgrades, 48-hour room guarantees, free premium internet (on reservations booked directly with Hilton), a 100% bonus on all Hilton Honors base points you earn and the fifth reward night free. Hilton Honors Diamond status offers guests incredible value and benefits.
SAMMY TODD DYESS/WALDORF ASTORIA PARK CITY/FACEBOOK
You can also achieve this status by reaching 30 stays or 60 nights at eligible Hilton properties in a calendar year.
IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status
You’ll also get priority check-in, complimentary room upgrades, a welcome amenity, early check-in, guaranteed room availability and a 60% bonus on base points earned during your IHG stays with IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status.
IHG HOTELS & RESORTS
Other ways to get it: You’ll get this status automatically as a cardholder of the IHG One Rewards Business Credit Card (see ) or the United Club℠ Card (see ) . Alternatively, you can earn this status by staying 40 qualified nights at eligible IHG properties in a calendar year.
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion status
Get complimentary upgrades, priority waitlisting, 9 miles per dollar spent, priority check-in and boarding and more. Platinum Medallion status is very valuable and sought after by Delta loyalists.
Get upgrades at the time of rental, courtesy pickup and delivery of the car to select private plane terminals, first priority for car availability at participating locations and complimentary child seats and ski racks.
Other ways to get it: You’ll get Hertz President’s Circle status, which has most of the same benefits, as an Amex Platinum cardholder. Terms apply. You can also get it by completing 15 Hertz rentals or spending $3,000 with Hertz in a calendar year.
*Enrollment in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required.
DAVID PAUL MORRIS/BLOOMBERG/GETTY IMAGES
Avis President’s Club status
Enjoy a guaranteed car with a reservation, complimentary double upgrades, the lowest applicable rates on domestic reservations and expedited service at most locations.
Cardmembers receive an annual statement credit for up to $369 to cover a Clear Plus membership for them and up to three family members. Clear uses biometric authentication to speed you through security and deposit you right at the front of the line, and it’s currently available at more than 65 airports, stadiums and other venues.
Other ways to get it: The additional family member coverage is unique to the Centurion Card†. However, the Amex Platinum comes with up to $219 in statement credits for Clear+ memberships (enrollment required, subject to auto-renewal).
Equinox All-Access membership
Cardmembers receive up to $3,600 in credits annually for an Equinox All-Access membership.
EQUINOX/FACEBOOK
Other ways to get it: Again, this specific credit is unique to the Centurion Card†, but Amex Platinum cardmembers receive up to $300 in Equinox credits per calendar year for eligible membership purchases (subject to auto-renewal; enrollment required).
Centurion Card perks and access
Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts
In addition to the Centurion Hotel Program, cardmembers can leverage Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts to enjoy several on-property benefits, such as room upgrades when available, daily breakfast for two and a unique property amenity, when paying with an eligible card.
AMANJENA/FACEBOOK
Other ways to get it: Amex Platinum cardmembers can also access this program.
Centurion concierge
One of the most valuable “soft perks” of having the Amex Centurion† is the personal concierge who is available to help with many tasks.
Here’s what Brian Kelly has to say about Ray, his personal Centurion concierge:
I’d guess that Ray saves me more than $20,000 a year. From knowing my preferred seat on a plane based on the layout of the cabin to advising hotels of my arrival and departure time, Ray is a jack of all trades. He’s arranged a tour in Beijing for me and my parents to visit the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall of China. He’s gotten me theater tickets, great concert seats (front row for Celine Dion) and hard-to-get restaurant reservations. Ray even takes on particularly cumbersome tasks, like locating my headphones when I lost them 10,000 miles from home.
Brian also praises the concierge for helping him leave Bali, Indonesia, during the eruption of Mount Agung, as well as providing excellent service for rebooking travel during the coronavirus pandemic.
FLY VIEW PRODUCTIONS/GETTY IMAGES
Other ways to get it: While not quite as extensive as the Centurion concierge, premium Amex cardholders can access an American Express Concierge for assistance purchasing event tickets, making reservations, booking travel and fulfilling shopping requests. This perk is available on the Amex Platinum, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card.
Centurion International Arrival Services
When you travel in business or first class on international flights, you’ll be greeted by a personal guide who will expedite you through customs and immigration. When possible, Centurion can coordinate ground transportation as well, and baggage porters are available for a fee. These services are available for you and up to eight travel companions on eligible flights and at over 30 international airports.
Other ways to get it: Amex Platinum cardmembers also receive complimentary access to Amex’s Global Lounge Collection but with stricter guest privileges.
Centurion Haus
Centurion† cardmembers have exclusive access to the Centurion Haus lounge, a speak-easy venue hidden behind a shop in the Raffles Singapore arcade.
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
Those who have the card and know the lounge’s location can gain access by walking into the right hat shop and pushing a specific display panel. The hat shop wall then opens to reveal the entrance to this members-only lounge, where Centurion cardmembers can relax in their choice of elegant seating and order from a menu of sophisticated food and beverage options.
PS Membership
Centurion† cardmembers get an annual membership to PS (formerly The Private Suite), which has locations currently open at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and another set to open soon at Miami International Airport (MIA). These private airport suites let you feel like a true celebrity when departing or arriving at one of their airport locations.
BENJI STAWSKI/THE POINTS GUY
The normal membership cost is $4,850, but you’ll still need to pay an additional $3,550 each time you use the service.
Travel and shopping protections
Centurion† cardmembers enjoy the highest level of travel and shopping protections American Express has to offer, including protection against trip delay and cancellation* and baggage delays** as well as extended warranty** and purchase protection.**
Other ways to get it: Amex Platinum cardmembers also receive the full range of Amex protections, but similar protections can be found on multiple cards in Amex’s portfolio.
*Eligibility and benefit level vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
**Eligibility and benefit level vary by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for details. Policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
Exclusive offers and events
Centurion† cardmembers also receive special access to dining opportunities and special events, including preferred reservations at top restaurants and access to private wine tours. They also receive the top tier of exclusive VIP access to entertainment.
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Bottom line
For businesses and individuals lucky enough to get invited to apply, the exclusivity and the cushy lifestyle exclusives make this card quite enticing. But even if you don’t have the opportunity to add the coveted Centurion Card† to your wallet, you can get many of the same perks for a much lower annual fee with the Amex Platinum. Regardless of your path to luxury credit card perks, the cards in your wallet can be a key to the good life.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, please click .
