The American Express Centurion Card, made of plastic and anodized titanium, may be the most coveted credit card ever. This is because it has an air of mystery and exclusivity about it. You must receive an invitation to join, and only current members are privy to the rules. As a result, the benefits, fees, and many special privileges available to American Express Black Card members remain a mystery. Regardless, the issuer also accepts and wants things to stay a secret. Such a remark, without a doubt, increases one’s curiosity. Read on to learn about the benefits of being an American Express Black Card holder.
Overview
The American Express “black” card, referred to as the Centurion card, is a luxury card from American Express. It is so prestigious that you must be asked to use it. It requires a private invitation from American Express; you cannot merely apply for it and assume that your application will be accepted.
Although the criteria for receiving a black card invitation have not been made public, rumors suggest that you must be a high earner who has used and paid off between $350,000 and $500,000 across all of your American Express accounts in a calendar year.
Additionally, there is a $10,000 initial cost and a $5,000 annual fee once you have been granted access to the card. It makes premium credit cards with high annual fees, like the Platinum Card ($695 annual charge) and the Amex Business Platinum Card ($695 annual cost), seem incredibly affordable.
What Does It Mean if You Have a Black American Express Card?
An invitation is required in order to obtain this particular type of credit card, which is designed specifically for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). Basically, you can imagine it as a private membership-only club. This indicates that you cannot just submit an application to join. It is simple to recognize due to its characteristic black color and the American Express Centurion logo on the front of the card. Many also refer to this prestigious card as the Centurion Card.
How Do You Get an American Express Black Card?
The American Express Black Card is a privilege that is not open to all consumers. As such, you need the invitation to obtain this particular type of credit card. It is a card designed specifically for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). You can imagine it as a private membership-only club. This indicates that you cannot just apply to join.
Is It Hard to Get the American Express Black Card?
The Centurion® Card from American Express is the Amex card that is the most difficult to obtain. This American Express card (Black Card), which one can only receive through invitation, is notoriously difficult to obtain. This, nevertheless, is because it is said that potential candidates are expected to have an annual income of at least one million dollars.
Who Qualifies for Black Cards?
In most cases, the only people who are likely to get an invitation to become black cardholders by a card issuer are their most loyal clients. This generally includes subscribers who spend at least one hundred thousand dollars annually.
Are Black Cards Worth It?
The Mastercard® Black CardTM is the finest option for high-earning customers who want a luxury credit card and have credit scores of 720 to 850. As a result, this card may be the best bet for people who desire a credit card that gives them bragging rights since it can do exactly that. It’s a heavy metal black card, after all.
On the other hand, when it comes to racking up reward points, the Mastercard Black Card is not the best option. The card’s base rewards rate of one point for every dollar spent is pitiful and does not come close to offsetting the $495 annual fee ($195 for each Authorized User added to the account). The card is not worth getting if you want to earn rewards.
American Express Black Card Benefits
The Amex Centurion card is more than just a prestige symbol; it has several fantastic features and benefits. Some of these are generally exclusive and are unavailable on other cards, such as;
#1. Hotel elite status
Four major hotel chains, Marriott, Hilton, Intercontinental Hotels Group, and Relais & Châteaux, allow you to secure elite status by using a black card. Benefits of an American Express Black Card from hotel elite status include free breakfast, late checkouts, resort and spa credits, and upgraded rooms.
Status with Hilton and Marriott is available with the Platinum Card and Amex Business Platinum Card. However, it is not with IHG or Relais & Châteaux.
#2. Membership in Equinox
Several additional benefits were added to the Centurion card in late 2019, along with the news that Amex would be increasing the annual fee. The Equinox Destination Access Membership, which entitles Centurion cardholders to use any of the more than 100 Equinox gyms in the US, UK, and Canada, is among the most beneficial new perks. If you enjoy the high-end fitness club chain, this membership is extremely valuable at $300 per month plus a $500 entrance charge.
Unsurprisingly, neither the Platinum Card nor the Amex Business Platinum Card offers a comparable bonus.
#3. Complimentary Delta Elite Status.
The Points Guy claims that the black card also grants Delta Platinum Medallion elite status to cardholders. This feature is exclusive to this credit card, and it comes with benefits like free upgrades and bonus miles.
#4. Access to Airport Lounges
Nothing is more comforting than knowing that while traveling. This is the case, especially if you have a lengthy stopover; you have access to a pleasant airport lounge. With the Amex Black Card, you can enter more than 1,400 airport lounges for free. This includes Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass airport lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs when flying with Delta. On the cozy chairs, you may unwind while enjoying some delectable food and beverages.
The Centurion cardholder’s access to airport lounges is nearly comparable to that of the Platinum Card and Amex Business Platinum Card.
#5. Up to $1,000 in Saks Fifth Avenue Credits Each Year
The Centurion Card boasts an even more robust version of this benefit than the Platinum Card. This already provides up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits annually.
Additionally, Centurion cardholders receive four credits of up to $250 each per quarter of the year, totaling up to $1,000 in credits for Saks purchases. Cardholders just need to use their Centurion card to make a qualifying Saks transaction to receive a statement credit up to the quarterly and annual limits.
Suppose you want to make a statement or wow your non-Centurion-holding pals as a bonus. Saks stores will open their doors to Centurion cardholders after regular business hours.
#6. A Clear® Membership
You can use CLEAR®, an expedited security membership (a substitute for TSA PreCheck). This can come at more than 30 airports and 20 sports and entertainment venues across the US.
A statement credit of up to $189 is available on the freshly updated American Express® Green Card toward the $189 annual CLEAR® membership fee. When you use your Amex Centurion card to purchase a membership, you can also receive a statement credit for the full cost of the subscription. Additionally, you can receive bill credits to pay for up to three additional family members.
#7. No cap on spending
With the Amex black card, there are no specific spending caps. So you may easily purchase expensive products that you might not always be able to pay for with other credit cards. However, remember that you must settle all outstanding bills each month.
#8. International Arrival Service
You’ll adore the black card’s international arrival service if you frequently go overseas. If you book your flight via American Express Travel in business or first class, you’ll receive a personal guide who will make the immigration and customs process smooth. On the other hand, you cannot get a similar reward from any other Amex card.
Another exclusive airport benefit is free membership to The Private Suite at LAX, a VIP terminal, for Centurion cardholders. However, there is a significant catch: You must pay each time you use it, and it can cost up to $3,000 for each use.
#9. 24-Hour Concierge Assistance Service
You can always have a personal concierge with an Amex black card. You may rely on the 24-hour concierge service to assist you in booking reservations at upscale restaurants or making travel arrangements. Additionally, this business may acquire tickets to almost any event and/or make gift purchases on your behalf.
Again, the concierge services are available with the Platinum Card and Amex Business Platinum Card. However, Centurion cardholders receive the finest access to restaurant reservations and other services from the Amex concierge and are unquestionably given precedence.
How Much Does a Black Card Cost?
There are some expensive credit cards available. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express has an annual cost of $695, and The Chase Sapphire Reserve has a yearly fee of $550. The charges levied by the Amex Black Card, however, are incomparable.
There are conflicting reports regarding how much the Centurion card costs. For instance, Business Insider cites the initial price as $7,500, while Forbes reports the card has a $10,000 initiation fee and $5,000 annual fees.
In any case, this card caters to a particular segment of the consumer market.
Is a Black Card Rich?
The “black credit card” is a catch-all term for the most exclusive credit cards. These cards are generally offered to the wealthiest people with the greatest income. They come with enviable bonuses and credit limits that can be infinite dollars. Banks offer them to consumers with high incomes and large spending capacities.
What Are the Cons of a Black Card?
Although the American Express Black Card is one with numerous benefits, it also comes with some drawbacks, among which are;
- High annual fee
- Low reward points rate
- No bonus offer
Can You Buy Anything With a Black Card?
Before Kanye West popularized the term “African American Express,” it was merely an urban legend. It’s a sign of one’s social standing. It enables you to purchase anything in the entire world (except for class).
What Is the Highest American Express Card?
The Centurion card, commonly referred to as the “black card,” is the most prestigious American Express credit card type.
How Much Do You Have to Make to Get Amex’s Black Card?
There aren’t any specific income restrictions. However, you’ll probably need to be someone who puts a lot of money through their American Express cards. You may be able to get the Centurion card from American Express if your annual expenditure falls between $250,000 and $500,000 across all of your available Amex cards.
What Is the Rarest American Express Card?
The American Express Centurion Card, also referred to as the “Amex Black Card,” is the most prestigious credit card in the world. It is generally issued by American Express.
Due to the minimal availability of the Centurion card, American Express will not disclose any additional information regarding the card or discuss the application process for obtaining one.
What Is the Hardest Credit Card to Get?
The credit card that is the hardest to get is the Centurion® Card from American Express. This American Express card( the Black Card) is notoriously difficult to obtain because you can only get it through an invitation from American Express. This is because potential applicants must have an annual income of at least one million dollars. This is why it is, without a doubt, the hardest to get.
How Many People Have Amex’s Black Cards?
20,000 Black Cardholders
In the United States, there are around 20,000 people who have a Black card. This credit card has no pre-set spending limits. Cardholders are generally granted special access based on an invitation-only policy.
The American Express Centurion Black Card is a premium card unavailable to most individuals. The card is still the key to accessing some of the most significant advantages in the world for the very few elites who have access to it.
What’s the Credit Limit on a Black Card?
Customers of credit cards usually get the privilege of receiving a relatively large initial credit limit. This is based on the assumption that cardholders have significantly higher incomes or, at the very least, the ability to repay the balances on their cards.
Conclusion
In all likelihood, the vast majority of us will never be able to judge for ourselves whether or not the Centurion Card is “worth it” due to the mysterious and stringent prerequisites for obtaining one. Still, for organizations and individuals lucky enough to get an invitation to apply, the exclusivity and the plush lifestyle exclusives make this card highly appealing.
The American Express Black Card distinguishes itself from the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum with its selection of wine-related benefits. These also include consultations with a wine specialist and wine-buying offers, in addition to offering elite status with more travel partners, international arrival service, and the top tier of Amex concierge service.
Additionally, black cardholders enjoy several shopping bonuses, such as exclusive discounts and VIP treatment at Net-a-Porter.
American Express Black Card Benefits FAQs
What does the black card from American Express do?
Holders of the American Express black card receive exclusive benefits and privileges, such as elite statuses at prestigious hotels and airlines, as well as access to vehicle rental services.
How do I contact an American Express concierge?
Call the number on the back of your card to speak with a concierge. Concierge service is unavailable with all Amex cards; thus, check your card agreement before contacting.
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