American Express Centurion Card review 2024: You probably can’t get it

The American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) is the bespoke card for those with a net worth in the top 1%. But simply being wealthy isn’t enough — you need an invitation to apply. Those admitted to the “Black Card” club get perks and white-glove service unlike what is offered on any other card around.

American Express Centurion Card basics

• Annual fee: A $10,000 one-time “initiation” fee and a $5,000 annual fee.
• Authorized user annual fee: Each additional Centurion card costs $5,000. There’s a limit of two Centurion authorized user cards per account. Additional Amex Platinum cards will run $175 for the first three, then $175 per additional card after that. You can get additional American Express® Gold Cards through your Centurion account for $0.
• Welcome bonus: None.
• Rewards: 1 point per $1 on eligible purchases, 1.5 points per dollar for eligible purchases over $5,000 (on The Business Centurion® Card from American Express * The information for the The Business Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply).
• APR: As a card with no preset spending limit, the balance on the Centurion card must be paid in full each billing cycle. However, you may be allowed to carry a balance on some purchases via the Pay Over Time feature. The Pay Over Time feature will be subject to an interest rate on those purchases of the prime rate plus 12.74%.
• No foreign transaction fees: Take the American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. with you on your international travels.
• Recommended credit score: This likely goes without saying, but this card is only for those with their finances in tip-top shape.
• Other benefits: This list is long (see below) but includes a personal Centurion concierge, airport lounge access, VIP expedited arrival services for first-class and business-class passengers at select international airports and a variety of elite status benefits.

Amex Centurion review

There’s no doubt that the American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a status symbol. Pulling out the exclusive and elusive Black Card is right up there with having your own plane, owning a pet white tiger or making it rain hundreds at the club. But although wealth is certainly an indirect prerequisite to scoring a Centurion card, that’s not all it takes to snag one.

Part of the mystique around the Centurion card, which comes in both consumer and business versions, is that Amex is tight-lipped about the criteria to qualify for an invite. The details that are known are relatively thin. Only existing cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express can request an invitation to apply for the card and, of those that do, only the biggest of the big spenders will be deemed eligible. Reports vary wildly as to what, if any, magic amount of spending will unlock the gates to Centurion ownership — but it’s likely to be at least several hundred thousand dollars per year.

So, what makes this card so great anyway? “It offers the highest level of personalized service and exceptional experiences to our Members,” said an American Express Centurion spokesperson in an email to USA TODAY Blueprint.

The cost to own this card is pretty exceptional, too. There’s a $10,000 one-time “initiation” fee and a $5,000 annual fee. However in exchange for these princely sums, you’ll receive a long list of benefits, discounts and services that can far exceed the cost of ownership.

Pros

• The cachet of owning a hard-to-get card: One of the main benefits of this card is the status it confers on those who pull it out when it’s time to pay. Amex cultivates this mystique by revealing little about how it selects cardholders for an invitation to apply.
• Thousands of dollars in value in elite statuses and discounts: Centurion cardholders get automatic elite status with a wide variety of loyalty programs, delivering loads of benefits.
• Top-notch dedicated concierge service: Centurion’s concierge staff is legendary for its white-glove service, and stories abound online of over-the-top requests cardholders have asked their dedicated concierges to fulfill. 

Cons

• Exorbitant fees: The fees start with a sky-high initiation fee and annual fee, though the benefits the card confers may make these fees well worth it for some cardholders.
• Out of reach even for most high earners: Because the card is open only to current Amex Platinum cardholders who have received a personal invitation to apply, and is likely limited to those who are already spending exorbitant amounts on their Platinum card, the Centurion card is accessible only to a select few.
• Low rewards: Though anyone who spends enough on their card to qualify for the American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is likely earning a slew of rewards just through sheer spending, the earning rate offered on this card pales in comparison to some of the best rewards cards on the market.

American Express Centurion Card rewards

The American Express Centurion Card earns 1 point per $1 on eligible purchases. Rewards can be redeemed for travel booked through Amex Travel. Airfare will receive a 50% rebate when booked with points this way if you have The Business Centurion® Card from American Express * The information for the The Business Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . 

Other redemption options include transferring rewards to an Amex travel transfer partner, redeeming for a statement credit, gift cards or using points to make purchases with eligible partners like Ticketmaster and Amazon, although this last option typically yields less than a penny per point and is generally not recommended.

Since the American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is available only to those who spend well above average, we will estimate $500,000 in annual spending on this card. That would mean 500,000 Membership Rewards® points earned per year, worth about $5,000 if redeemed to book or upgrade flights through Amex Travel.

SPENDING CATEGORY	SPENDING AMOUNT	POINTS PER DOLLAR	POINTS EARNED
Eligible purchases	$500,000	1 point per $1 spent	500,000 points
TOTAL	$500,000		500,000 Membership Rewards points

See MoreSee Less

While a return worth roughly $5,000 in travel a year may seem paltry for that high of a spend, consider that the main point of the Centurion card isn’t the rewards rate but the pride of ownership, along with elite statuses and valuable card perks worth thousands of dollars.

For The Business Centurion® Card from American Express * The information for the The Business Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , the rewards potential is higher after factoring in the elevated rate on eligible purchases over $5,000. For the sake of this example, we’ll assume someone using the business Centurion spends $250,000 per year on purchases under $5,000 each and $250,000 on big-ticket purchases of $5,000 or more. 

The $250,000 in purchases of $4,999 or less would earn 250,000 Membership Rewards®. The other $250,000 in purchases of $5,000 or greater would earn 375,000 Membership Rewards for a total of 625,000 Membership Rewards points. That would be worth about $6,250 if used to book or upgrade flights through Amex Travel.

American Express Centurion Card APR

The American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is a card with no preset spending limit, and the balance must be paid in full each billing cycle, so there is no APR. However, those who choose to use the card’s Pay Over Time feature will be subject to an interest rate on those purchases of the prime rate plus 12.74%. Terms apply.

American Express Centurion Card perks

The benefits and perks that come with this card could fill a megayacht. These include loads of benefits geared toward frequent travelers, including travel credits, airline and hotel elite status and more. Here are some of the top perks on the American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : 

• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit: Get the application fee reimbursed for either TSA PreCheck (every 4.5 years) or Global Entry (every 4 years), plus an annual statement credit for a CLEAR® Plus membership.
• Airport lounge access: Includes access to Centurion Lounges, the International American Express Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Delta Sky Club lounges when traveling on Delta flights, Airspace Lounges, Escape Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges.
• Airfare rebate: A 50% discount on Membership Rewards redemptions (only with The Business Centurion® Card from American Express * The information for the The Business Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. ) for paid airfare when booked through Centurion or Amex Travel. 
• Centurion International Arrival services: Access to VIP expedited arrival services at select international airports on first class and business class tickets bought with the Centurion Amex and with award tickets when you pay for your taxes and fees with the card.
• Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion® status: This status grants unlimited complimentary upgrades, waived same-day change fees for bags and tickets, priority boarding, priority waitlist, preferred rate on a CLEAR Plus membership and your selection of one Choice Benefit. Choice Benefits include a $300 Delta travel voucher, 30,000 bonus miles, four regional upgrade certificates or gifting Silver Medallion status to two members.
• Elite hotel status: Receive Hilton Honors Diamond status, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status, IHG Platinum Elite status and MeliaRewards Platinum status. These status levels all offer free internet access, room upgrades when available and bonus points for eligible stays — among other perks. 
• Select hotel credits and upgrades: Stays booked through the Fine Hotels + Resorts® program will get upgrades when available.
• Auto rental status: Elite status in rental car programs, including Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle Status and Avis President’s Club Status. Enrollment required.
• Shopping benefits: The consumer card offers perks including the Centurion Shopping Program, up to $1,000 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credits, InCircle rewards, the Mr. Porter and Net-A-Porter shopping service and a complimentary Equinox Destination Access Membership potentially worth upwards of $2,000 per year.
• Travel and purchase protections: A full suite of insurances including auto rental coverage¹, delayed or missed trip protection², emergency medical and travel accident insurance³, extended warranty coverage⁴ and lost baggage coverage⁴.
• No foreign transaction fees: Take the Centurion card with you on your international travels.

American Express Centurion Card drawbacks

• Sky-high initiation fee and ongoing annual fee.
• You cannot apply for the card without an invitation.
• Below-average rewards rate.

Other premium credit cards to consider

The American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. is in a class of its own, but since it’s unattainable for most, here are some other credit card options to consider if you’re interested in a swank card with plush perks that you can apply for without waiting for an invite.

American Express Centurion Card vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees) is no slouch in the upscale card department. For an annual fee of $695, you’ll get a long list of benefits and credits that can benefit those willing to pay the price. For starters, you’ll earn 5 Membership Rewards® points per $1 for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. 

Other perks and credits include the same extensive lounge access as the American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , plus an annual up to $200 hotel statement credit when booking through Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay), an annual up to $200 airline incidental fee statement credit, an annual up to $200 in Uber Cash, Gold status in both Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy hotel chains, premium car rental status and several other vendor credits as well as a long list of travel and purchase protections. Enrollment is required for many of these benefits. It may not be as hard to get as the Centurion card, but it comes with several of the same perks. 

our partner

Ad

Blueprint receives compensation from our partners for featured offers, which impacts how and where the placement is displayed.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Partner Offer

BLUEPRINT RATING

Our ratings are based on specific use cases for each card. We compared this card to others in the same category and developed our rankings based on this criteria, along with our editorial input. Note that although we chose this card as the best in its category, the right card for you will depend on your own financial circumstances.

Rates & fees / Terms apply

Rates & fees / Terms apply

Apply Now

On American Express’s secure website

BLUEPRINT RATING

Our ratings are based on specific use cases for each card. We compared this card to others in the same category and developed our rankings based on this criteria, along with our editorial input. Note that although we chose this card as the best in its category, the right card for you will depend on your own financial circumstances.

Welcome bonus

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Earn 80,000 points

Annual fee

$695

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit score

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

(700 – 749) Good, Excellent

Earn 5 Membership Rewards® Points per $1 on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and on flights booked directly with airlines or AMEX travel. The airline benefit is limited to the first $500K in purchases per calendar year. Earn 1 point for every $1 spent on other eligible purchases.

Editor’s take

Pros

• Over $1,500 in travel and entertainment credits can offset the annual fee.
• Comprehensive lounge access benefit.
• Generous travel and purchase protections.

Cons

• High annual fee and spending requirements.
• Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule limits welcome bonus eligibility.
• Annual statement credits have limited use.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is packed with unparalleled luxury travel perks. Cardmembers have access to a wide range of airport lounges, mid-tier hotel elite status and a comprehensive set of travel protections.

Card details

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 year period for TSA PreCheck® application fee for a 5-year plan only (through a TSA PreCheck® official enrollment provider), when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

American Express Centurion Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

This $550-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a rich rewards structure of 5 points per $1 on flights and 10 points per $1 on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel℠ after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3 points per $1 on other travel and dining and 1 point per $1 on other purchases. Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel℠. The annual fee on this card is much less than that on the American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .

Plus, the card comes with an up to $300 annual reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year, Priority Pass lounge access (enrollment required) and a generous array of travel and purchase protections.

American Express Centurion Card vs. Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card * The information for the Alliant Cashback Visa® Signature Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

If you just want to earn generous and simple cash back on your spending, and don’t need all the extras that are available with the American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , consider the Alliant Cashback Visa. This no-annual-fee card packs a big punch, earning 2.5% cash back on up to $10,000 spent each billing cycle with qualifying accounts and all other purchases earn 1.5%. 

To qualify for this rewards rate, however, you’ll need to: join the credit union, open an account, opt in to receive electronic statements, maintain an average daily balance of at least $1,000 and have at least one qualifying direct deposit per calendar month. Still, for a simple and generous rewards rate that beats most flat-rate cards on the market, it could be worth the hoops you have to jump through.

The American Express Centurion Card is right for you if:

• You fit the target demographic. If you’re already an Amex Platinum cardholder and you spend heavily on that card, the Centurion card might be the next logical upgrade.
• You seek to impress. You have reasons for wanting to wow others with the card you pull out of your wallet. In that case, it would be hard to find a more impressive payment method than the Centurion card.
• You prefer luxe perks to rewards. If you’re willing to forgo earning loads of points in order to carry a card with cachet and plenty of perks, the Centurion card may be a fit.

If this describes you, then owning an American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. may well be worth the cost of the initiation and the annual fee. Just keep in mind that the biggest “if” with this card will likely be if you can score an invite.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

^{For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.}

^{¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.}

^{²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.}

^{³Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.}

^{⁴Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.}