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.
Advertiser disclosure
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.
Reviews
5 Reasons I Decided to Get The Amex Centurion Card
Since launching TPG in 2010, founder Brian Kelly has expanded the team to include a distinguished editorial staff and an extensive network of freelancer contacts from around the globe. Today, TPG reaches 11 million unique monthly visitors and more than 3 million followers across social media platforms and has offices in New York City, Charlotte and the U.K.
April 21, 2016 • 7 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 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.
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.
Related stories
Quick summary
The article discusses the author's decision to accept an invitation for an exclusive, invitation-only business card with a significant initiation and ongoing cost.
A key motivation was the lack of reliable public information about the card's perks and benefits, prompting the author to provide firsthand insights for readers.
The card offers unique perks such as dedicated concierge service and elite airline status, which the author found valuable in practice, especially for travel flexibility and savings.
Content creation and business expense considerations also influenced the author's choice, as the card supports unique editorial content and can be expensed as a business cost.
What to consider
Some offers and details mentioned in the article may no longer be available.
Elite airline status benefits, such as waived award ticket change fees and bonus miles, can provide substantial value for frequent travelers.
The card's true value lies in its perks and service rather than rewards points or sign-up bonuses.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed, firsthand perspective on the practical benefits and limitations of one of the most exclusive business cards available.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you saw last Friday's video, you probably know by now that I accepted an invitation to get a Business Centurion "Black Card" from American Express. Off the bat, it sounds insane that I would pay $10,000 ($7,500 initiation and $2,500 annual fee) for a credit card with no sign-up bonus. Especially considering I run a site called "The Points Guy," I understand why many of you were scratching your heads, but hear me out. Here are the key reasons why I bit the bullet and got the card:
Disclaimer: This is not a post explaining why you should get the Centurion Card (if offered). It's simply the reasoning behind why I decided to take the plunge in my unique circumstances.
1. There Is A Lack Of Quality Information About The Card
As an invitation-only card, there isn't much publicly known about it. American Express refuses to comment publicly and while there are internet forums that discuss the card, the information isn't verified and per the internet, there are a lot of trolls who don't have the card, but post as if they do.
The Platinum bonus I got with my most recent flight.
Much of the information that was known about the card before wasn't even entirely accurate — and some of those who don't have the card seem to have some inaccurate information about it as well. In a post on my friend Gary's blog, it was stated with certitude that the card was useless; that you "don't really get Delta Platinum status because you don't get bonus miles for flights." However, as a cardholder who recently flew Delta with my comped Centurion status, I can confirm that the Platinum bonus was credited.
On a $301 flight, Delta would have only awarded me 1,505 miles for the flight since I had no status before, but because of my Centurion card I got an additional 1,227 miles. Sure that's worth about $14.72 in value per my most recent valuations, but the value increases, especially if you're buying international business-class fares, which contrary to many frugal bloggers' beliefs, people do. And you don't need to use your Centurion card to get the Platinum benefit — you can still use a Premier Rewards Gold to book a $5,000 DeltaOne ticket and get 45,000 SkyMiles total versus 25,000 as a non-elite, plus you'll earn 15,000 Amex points since you're getting 3x with PRG.
Flying on Delta with my complimentary Platinum status makes it even better.
I've already saved a ton of money rebooking award tickets that I had booked at the mid-tier for an upcoming trip to Ghana for PeaceJam. Delta released a ton of 70,000-mile one-way tickets on our day of travel, so I rebooked our group on the nonstop JFK-ACC flight, which saves us time and money. It would have cost me $150 per person to re-ticket at the lower rate, but thanks to my new Platinum status, it was free. I'm sure I'll take advantage of this many more times, saving me $150 every time I change or redeposit an award ticket.
The Delta Platinum status is far from worthless if you know how to maximize it (like all things miles and points).
2. Content
As a blog in a very competitive field, TPG needs to create unique content that sets it apart from others. As The Points Guy and watching the site and our staff grow from 2010 when I first started, my main goal has always been to help readers by creating unique content, which has worked since we just hit 2.7 million monthly unique visitors — more than almost every other travel and credit card comparison website.
To keep growing you need to be different. Many of our competitors cannot get the Centurion Card, so when I was invited, I jumped at the opportunity as a chance to let you, our readers, know about something that's probably out of reach for the average person, but still entertaining to read about nonetheless. Just wait until you see what I'm tasking my dedicated Centurion concierge to do!
I've fully enjoyed taking advantage of the Centurion concierge service.
3. Putting the Perks to the Test
The Centurion Card is not about points — it's about perks and service. One of the most exciting perks, to me, is the dedicated concierge service. Each Centurion cardholder is given access to the dedicated Amex Centurion concierge service. So far, the service has been everything I expected and more — in the instances where I've needed to contact the concierge, I've been impressed with the service and the outcomes the concierge has been able to report back to me with.
Each Centurion cardholder isn't given a dedicated concierge, instead, you just call in and get the first available representative. But, I've used the same concierge multiple times and now his direct line and email are the first I turn to when I need concierge service. I haven't written a post on this service yet because I'm still testing out the perks and what they can do, so stay tuned.
4. Business Expense
Without going into too much detail, since I run a credit card website and I got this card to write about, this is a business expense for me so the actual cost is nowhere near the full amount. So while $10,000 might seem like an insane amount of money for a person to spend, being able to expense most of that cost was more reason for me to sign up for the card.
I'm a big fan of Centurion Lounges, which is complimentary with my Centurion Card.
5. I Think Centurion is on the Up and Up
Amex, as a company, is going through some interesting changes right now. If you look at recent Amex news, there hasn't been much reason to get excited. Last year, it was announced that Costco was dropping Amex in favor of Visa — a huge loss for Amex, given the popularity of Costco. There have also been rumors that SPG is dropping Amex as its issuer.
Because of these recent downfalls, I can see Amex ramping up luxury consumer benefits like they've done with Centurion Lounges, which are one of my favorite lounges when I'm at the airport (you'll also get access with the Amex Platinum card). With all the luxury benefits of the card, and the possibility of Amex adding additional perks, I think for that reason alone the card could be worth the $2,500 annual fee.
Bottom Line
Only time will tell, but the main reason I got the card isn't so I can stroke my ego and use it to buy my coffee. In fact, I use my my Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or Amex Everyday Preferred Credit Card from American Express for most of my regular purchases. This post is not meant to confirm that the cost is worth it, but instead to explain a little further how I justified the cost to get it.
Stay tuned!
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.
