It’s not feasible to do an apples-to-apples comparison of the Centurion Card to other cards, as it caters to such a small segment of the market and offers unique benefits. That said, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer a slice of what the Centurion does for a fraction of the annual fee.
Centurion® Card from American Express* vs. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express costs $695 per year (terms apply, see rates & fees), which seems like a bargain when compared to the Centurion’s $5,000. Some benefits, such as airport lounge access (albeit without the Centurion’s skip-the-line privileges) and hotel and car rental statuses, are similar with both cards. However, the Centurion’s included statuses are top-tier and include Hilton Diamond, Delta Executive Platinum and Hertz Platinum, which the Business Platinum does not.
But the American Express Business Platinum earns significantly higher rewards of 5 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel, 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
When it comes time to redeem, the transfer partners for the two cards are identical. The Centurion Business Card does offer a higher pay-with-points rebate on eligible flight bookings at 50% versus the Platinum Business Card’s 35%. Another point in the Centurion Card’s favor: the rebate applies to any flight on any airline, not just business and first class, and not just for a designated airline.
Centurion® Card from American Express* vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Some of the Amex Black Card benefits are also available on The Platinum Card® from American Express, but for a much lower fee of $695 (terms apply, see rates & fees). Like the Business Platinum, the personal card earns 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. Unlike the business version of the card, it lacks the airfare points rebate, which could add up for those who use it strategically.
Instead, the Amex Platinum piles on the consumer benefits, although at a junior level from its Centurion cousin. The Platinum card offers up to $100 annually to Saks Fifth Avenue—vs. $1,000 with the Centurion—and a rebate on Equinox Gym memberships (enrollment required) vs. the full membership offered by the Centurion card. The Platinum card also includes some credits not offered by the Black card, such as Uber Cash credits and statement credits toward Walmart+ memberships.
Choosing between the Amex Platinum or Amex Black cards likely has more to do with your lifestyle than the earning or redemption rates.
Centurion® Card from American Express* vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
If you’re new to travel credit cards and the Amex Black Card is an aspirational goal for you, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can be a good starter card on your path to bigger and better rewards and perks. The card offers 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
You’ll also earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. With a $95 annual fee, the card doesn’t offer a lot of perks, but you will get up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays booked through Chase. The card also offers 25% more value when you use points to book travel through Chase Travel℠ and also allows you to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners.
Find The Best American Express Credit Cards Of 2024
All information about Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor
FAQs
And a Centurion Card invitation isn't something AmEx hands out lightly. While AmEx services over 100 million cardholders, there are estimates that AmEx only has 100,000 Centurion cardholders worldwide.
Is Centurion Black Card worth it? ›
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.
How hard is it to get black Amex? ›
Annual spending of at least $500,000 to $1 million on your American Express cards -- and potentially double that if you're in a high-cost-of-living area. An affluent spending profile with high spending on luxury goods, restaurants, high-end travel, and similar types of purchases.
What is the hardest American Express card to get approved for? ›
Why it's one of the hardest credit cards to get: The hardest credit card to get is the American Express Centurion Card. Known simply as the “Black Card,” you need an invitation to get Amex Centurion.
What is the average income of a centurion card holder? ›
The black card and how to get one
Needless to say, this requires a very high level of income. According to one report, Centurion cardholders had an average annual household income of about $1.3 million and had a net worth of about $16 million. And once you qualify, the card is quite expensive.
What is the most prestigious credit card? ›
What is the most prestigious credit card? One of the world's most prestigious credit cards is the Centurion® Card from American Express*. Though there may be other cards with more elaborate benefits, those cards are kept well under wraps.
Is having a black card a big deal? ›
Even though black cards are a sign of wealth, they require a large financial investment. The discriminating person needs to ask themselves if such special benefits — like personalized concierge service and first-rate travel advantages — truly justify the cost.
What card do billionaires use? ›
What Credit Card Do the Super Rich Use? The super rich use a variety of different credit cards, many of which have strict requirements to obtain, such as invitation only or a high minimum net worth. Such cards include the American Express Centurion (Black Card) and the JP Morgan Chase Reserve.
Is the Black Card prestigious? ›
With high entry requirements and high fees, black credit cards have a well-earned reputation for exclusivity. Though card specifics, like invitations, are hard to come by, it's likely that aside from bragging rights, you'll be better served by a premium rewards credit card instead.
What salary do you need for a black AmEx? ›
The American Express Black Card income requirement is reportedly at least $1 million per year. It's rumored that you must also spend and pay off at least $350,000 across your American Express credit cards annually just to get an invitation to apply.
There's no credit limit
The American Express Black Card doesn't have a pre-set spending limit, so cardholders can spend as much as they want every month. But that's only the case if they can afford it. The Centurion® Card from American Express is a charge card, so cardholders can't carry a balance.
Who owns an Amex black card? ›
The American Express Centurion Card, colloquially known as the Black Card, is a charge card issued by American Express. It is reserved for the company's wealthiest clients who meet certain net worth, credit quality, and spending requirements on its gateway card, the Platinum Card.
Is American Express more prestigious than Visa? ›
American Express and Visa are both major credit card networks, but they're certainly not the same. Using an American Express card, or Amex card, can imply a certain level of prestige and exclusivity. Amex cards often earn big rewards and, in some cases, come with ultra-high annual fees.
What is the most impressive American Express card? ›
The most prestigious American Express card is the Centurion® Card from American Express. You need an invitation to get it and an income of at least $250,000 a year to merit consideration, according to online reports.
Which Amex gives the highest credit limit? ›
The Platinum Card from American Express offers the highest credit limit to applicants. It's important to note that American Express does not explicitly list either a minimum or maximum credit limit when outlining card details.
Who owns Centurion Black Card? ›
The American Express Centurion Card, colloquially known as the Black Card, is a charge card issued by American Express. It is reserved for the company's wealthiest clients who meet certain net worth, credit quality, and spending requirements on its gateway card, the Platinum Card.
How many black numbered cards are there? ›
26 red and 26 black cards are present in a deck of 52 cards, with 13 spades(black), 13 clubs(black) and 13 hearts(red), 13 diamonds(red)
Does Centurion Black Card have a limit? ›
There's no credit limit
The American Express Black Card doesn't have a pre-set spending limit, so cardholders can spend as much as they want every month. But that's only the case if they can afford it. The Centurion® Card from American Express is a charge card, so cardholders can't carry a balance.
Can a person have 2 black cards? ›
The probability of selecting two black cards in a deck of card is around 0.245.
