We’re all familiar with the incredibly exclusive ‘black card.’ Unless you’ve been completely out of the loop, you’re aware that American Express’s black card is specifically designed for the ultra-wealthy and high-spending individuals.
Officially named the Centurion® Card by American Express, it’s frequently used by prominent celebrities and business magnates.
You’ve likely also heard that possessing this card comes with an exorbitant price tag. However, if you happen to be a substantial spender who values exclusivity and top-tier customer service, it might be a suitable choice for you.
But, even if you’re determined to obtain the Centurion card, how can you actually get your hands on it? It turns out that by meeting a few, albeit incredibly ambitious, criteria, you can potentially secure an invitation to join the Centurion card club. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to achieve that. But first, let’s delve into the details of this extraordinarily costly card.
Benefits of Card:
Centurion Concierge:
One of the renowned advantages provided by the Centurion card is its exclusive Centurion concierge service, akin to having your personal concierge for various needs.
When you utilize the Centurion concierge, you’ll be assigned a dedicated point of contact accessible around the clock. What sets this service apart is its versatility – it extends beyond travel-related inquiries. Whether you’re seeking reservations at fully-booked restaurants, assistance in tracking down elusive holiday gifts, last-minute travel arrangements, or premium seats at in-demand live events, your Centurion concierge is there to cater to your requests.
Airline Elite Status:
Owning the Centurion card comes with a significant perk – the complimentary Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion status, valued at approximately $3,000 annually!
This Platinum status unlocks a range of advantages, including limitless complimentary upgrades, exemptions from various fees like baggage charges and same-day fees, preferential earning rates when booking paid flights, and eligibility for Choice Benefits, which encompass regional upgrades, additional SkyMiles, and other appealing privileges.
Hotel Elite Status:
One of the standout perks associated with the Centurion card is the inclusion of complimentary elite status at select hotel chains, including:
– Marriott Bonvoy (Gold Elite)
– Hilton Honors (Diamond)
– IHG One Rewards (Platinum Elite)
Car Rental Benefits :
The Centurion card stands out as an exceptional choice for car rental insurance coverage, particularly when you opt out of the collision damage waiver. This offering includes coverage for lost or stolen vehicles.
Additionally, you’ll benefit from 24/7 premium roadside assistance, which grants you up to four complimentary services each year.
Another incredibly useful perk is your access to the Centurion Auto Program, renowned for its exclusive deals and discounts on premium car purchases, preferred pricing for luxury rentals, and access to exceptional driving experiences like on-track events and off-road excursions.
Furthermore, the Centurion card provides you with elite status in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle and Avis President’s Club programs.
Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle comes with a host of privileges, such as:
– Up to a 20% discount on standard car rentals
– A guaranteed one-car class upgrade, up to a maximum of a full-size vehicle
– A complimentary 4-hour grace period when returning the car before incurring an extra day’s charge
– No fees for one-way domestic rentals within the country
– Guaranteed car availability, as well as complimentary child seats and ski racks (subject to availability)
On the other hand, Avis President’s Club is an exclusive, invitation-only elite status that entitles you to the following benefits:
– Guaranteed single upgrades for mid-sized cars on 3-day rentals between Thursday at 12 p.m. and Monday at 12 p.m.
– Double upgrades on weekends, subject to availability (excluding vans, luxury and prestige cars, select series, and rentals exceeding 14 days)
– Complimentary additional driver
– Highest priority on waitlists
– Guaranteed car availability for reservations made at least 48 hours in advance (applicable to car groups A to E).
Cruise Credits:
Another convenient advantage of the Centurion card is the opportunity to receive credits ranging from $100 to $500 per stateroom when booking cruises through Amex Travel, provided your reservation spans 5 nights or more. Additionally, you’ll earn an extra Membership Rewards point for every dollar spent on these bookings.
The eligible cruise partners for this offer include:
– Ama Waterways
– Azamara
– Crystal Cruises
– Cunard Line
– Holland America Line
– Norwegian Cruise Line
– Oceania
– Princess Cruises
– Regent
– Royal Caribbean
– Seabourn
– Silversea
– Uniworld
– Windstar
Travel and Lifestyle Perks:
The Centurion card is renowned for its array of benefits, and while we’ve already covered some fantastic ones, there’s more to explore. Here are additional outstanding perks available to you, with some requiring enrollment:
– Access to Centurion International Arrival Services
– A remarkable 50% point rebate through the Pay With Points feature (compared to 35% on The Business Platinum Card® from American Express)
– Up to $200 in credits for airline incidental fees
– Inclusion in the Amex Global Lounge Collection, encompassing Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (with restrictions), and more
– Credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fees
– Annual statement credit for a CLEAR Plus membership for the primary cardholder and up to 3 family members
– Membership to PS LAX at discounted entry rates
– Access to the Amex International Airline Program
– Various travel protections, including baggage insurance and coverage for trip interruption and cancellation
– Complimentary Equinox Destination Access membership
– Up to $250 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits per quarter (up to $1,000 annually)
– Participation in the Centurion Shopping Program, Centurion Dining Program, and Centurion Wine Program
– Exclusive access to event sales and VIP experiences
– Return and purchase protection
– Extended warranty coverage
This list is not exhaustive, but it highlights the wealth of benefits that accompany this card.
Additional Benefits:
The Centurion card’s bonus categories may not be particularly enticing, as cardholders typically prioritize its benefits over rewards optimization. Consequently, the Centurion card operates on the following earning structure:
– You’ll earn 1x Amex Membership Rewards point for every $1 spent.
– Additionally, you can earn an extra 0.5x Amex Membership Rewards points for every $1 spent on purchases exceeding $5,000 (up to a maximum of 1 million additional points per year).
Initiation and Fees:
Presently, the Centurion card entails three distinct fee categories, and it’s important to note that these fees are substantial:
– An initiation fee amounting to $10,000
– An annual fee of $5,000 for the primary cardholder
– An annual fee of $5,000 for each supplementary cardholder (with a maximum allowance of 2 additional cardholders)
How to Get the Centurion Card:
While there isn’t a publicly disclosed, foolproof method for securing an invitation to join the Centurion card club, there are certain “soft” prerequisites that can enhance your likelihood of approval. Here are some fundamental tips to consider:
1. Maintain a Positive Standing as an Existing Amex Cardholder:
– It’s essentially intuitive that being an existing Amex cardholder in good standing is a key requirement for Centurion card eligibility. What this entails is:
– If you have a history of delinquencies and bankruptcies that have led to being blacklisted by Amex, your prospects of attaining the Centurion card are likely dimmed.
– Generally, the minimum history you should have with Amex is one year. So, even if you’re a significant spender on Chase or Capital One cards, establishing a foundation with Amex, such as the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card, is often a crucial first step.
2. Achieve Annual Spending of at Least $250,000 Across Your Amex Cards:
– While Amex doesn’t publicly specify a spending threshold for Centurion card invitations, a reliable guideline is to aim for an annual spending of at least $250,000 across all your Amex cards.
– For instance, if your yearly expenditures amount to $150,000 on your Amex Platinum card and $200,000 on your American Express® Gold Card, your total spending across these two cards would roughly total $350,000.
– It’s important to note that spending $250,000 annually doesn’t guarantee an invitation. The range is rumored to be between $250,000 and $500,000 in annual purchases. Moreover, the spending criteria can vary depending on the specific card product you’re seeking.
– For example, it’s rumored that the Centurion card may require roughly $250,000 to $350,000 in annual spending, while the Business Centurion® Card from American Express is said to necessitate approximately $400,000 to $500,000 in annual spending.
Is It Worth It?
No. The Amex Platinum card does the same thing with a few less bonuses. But if rewards and point accumulation isn’t a concern of yours and you want the status that comes with the Centurion black card, then it might just be worth it for you
