You can now request an invite to the Amex Centurion card
The American Express Centurion card (available in both personal and business versions) is one of the mosts exclusive credit cards on the market, available by invitation-only to Amex's biggest spenders. There are no clear guidelines on what it takes to earn an invitation, though multiple reports suggest that you need to spend at least $250,000 a year across all of your Amex cards in order to be considered.
One Mile At A Time is reporting that it's now possible for certain cardholders to request an invitation directly on the Amex Centurion webpage, centurion.com.
If you click on the link at the bottom that says "Interested in Centurion Membership? Click Here" you'll be directed to a form that asks you to input the information from one of your Amex credit cards.
Submitting the form won't get you an instant decision, but rather if you're eligible, Amex will reach out to begin the application and initiation process.
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Amex Centurion card
The Amex Centurion card has always been a very interesting and expensive value proposition. New cardmembers need to pay a $10,000 initiation fee and a $5,000 annual fee, making this one of the most expensive credit cards out there.
If you manage to get invited, this also isn't a card you'll want to put much, if any spending on, as it only earns 1 Membership Reward point per dollar spent, with a 50% bonus for purchases over $5,000.
So how does Amex justify such hefty fees, including a total of at least $15,000 in the first year alone? It all comes down to the soft perks of the Centurion card, which is sure to forever change the way you travel. Centurion cardholders enjoy Delta Platinum Medallion, Hilton Diamond and Marriott Gold status.
One of the biggest perks of Centurion membership, in addition to access to exclusive lifestyle events and some very expensive surprise gifts, is the personal concierge who can help arrange all of your travel, restaurant reservations and more. It's hard to put a value on an individual, but TPG loves his concierge enough to keep renewing his Amex Business Centurion card year after year.
The concierge was able to help evacuate TPG from Bali when a volcano eruption closed the airport. The concierge arranged a combination of vans, ferries and planes, at a time when thousands of other travelers were trying to get off the island. This is in addition to more "normal" functions like arranging tours and excursions and helping you score reservations at exclusive restaurants.
The information for the Amex 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.
Further Reading: The inside scoop on the Amex Centurion (black) card
Bottom line
For most people, the Centurion card is a hard-to-justify expense, even if you're one of the lucky few who gets invited to apply. There's been no indication that Amex is at all loosening the eligibility requirements for the card, but it's still interesting to see them making a very secretive product slightly more visible to the public.
(Featured photo by The Points Guy)
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.