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The Black Card , The Centurion Card …which ever name you use, it’s still the the most exclusive and elusive credit card in the world. I am seeing it more often than I used to, maybe it’s the circle I travel in, maybe it’s people are making more money, or possibly American Express is just inviting more card members than in years past (although American Express will not disclose how many members actually have Black Cards).
I see this remarkably heavy VIP card in restaurants, hotels and nightclubs all around the world, which is all very normal…but the other day I saw a lady use her Black Card to purchase a $2.00 espresso at Starbuck’s.
Hmmmm….so I have the Platinum Card (which I love , I know weird to love a credit card, but I do have strong emotional feelings toward my little platinum piece of plastic), and I’m wondering, what does it take to get a Centurion Card Invite? Do I need to be a Academy Award winning actress, maybe a politician with a very wealthy wife or a business mogul buying twenty-five thousand dollar dinners each week? Is getting a Black Card Invite harder than getting into A Small World ?
There is a lot of gossip about what it takes to get this card. I wanted to hear it directly from the source, so I contacted American Express directly. Here’s what they’re willing to disclose:
#1: The Centurion Card is Invite Only . There’s no online application and no, your friend that works for American Express probably can’t get you in. They have criteria (which they won’t completely discuss) but it definitely includes high spending. I asked them if the number was $250,000 a year and it was neither confirmed nor denied. But it was stated that they look at the card member overall, not just spending habits. Maybe it’s like dating where they just want someone with a great personality and enjoys long walks on a beach (except the beach will probably have to be in Bali if you’re hoping to get the Centurion Card).
#2: There is a one-time initiation fee of $5,000 billed to all new Centurion accounts. It’s kinda like becoming a member of a very private club with great benefits such as access to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, exclusive culinary and cultural events around the world. You also great incredible personalized service superior than any you could imagine and assistance in making your wildest dreams (and most ridiculous requests) come true!
#3: Each year the annual fee is $2,500. Again you’re paying for the benefits people. If you travel around the world, need super specialized service and all the other incredible benefits, it’s a small price to pay! Plus if you can get this card, you’re so loaded that you won’t even feel the hit of $2,500 once a year!
So there it is, The exclusive and elusive Black/Centurion Card. Now, go out spend enough, travel a lot and maybe someday this welcome kit will show up in your mailbox!
If for some reason you can’t qualify for the Black just yet, and you want to learn about the Platinum “love of my life” Card, here’s my Travel Ringer guest blog on the Platinum travel benefits.
Kimberly
80°F Sunny & No Humidity
Next Trip: 
Awesome post! I have been trying to get confirmed details forever. I have a platinum card now and am always asking how to move up in the world. They NEVER acknowledge anything. Now I have a goal of $250,000! Thanks!!!
Darren
Yea just spend 250k in a year, and have had an amex charge card for at least a year, and you can get approved for the black card. This is just in regards to the US. check out http://www.amex-black.com for more info
taken from the amex-black.com:
“Are you happy with the card, if so what are your favorite aspects: Tough question – overall it’s not as good as it used to be. The service and benefits have definitely fallen by the wayside over the last few years. I stay as a member as the benefits I do get the use of (or cover of – Insurance) are worth the £650 annual fee. The Mandarin Oriental benefit alone has made the fee worthwhile in the last 3 years.”
Sums it up for me, it’s annual fee is quite a hefty price, but if you need to show the darkest credit card, then by all means you should. Based on my experience the service level generally is sub par, unless you have an assigned great travel adviser you are pretty stuck. Same goes for their concierge, private airline I can’t comment on since I have no experience.
As sad as it is, I think I strive to get to the point in my life where a Centurion is applicable.
I just got my Platinum and I’m stoked.
Cool article!
Coutts World Card more exclusive – Sorry.
if you think it’s hard to get into asmallworld then you truly do not belong there. It’s way to easy to get it, they add about 400 members a day. hard to believe that it can stay exclusive for a long time…
There’s another site of someone who has one and blogs: http://amex-black.formyself.org
I also know someone who will make you a member of his private equity group and then you get a black card, costs a bit (less than from Amex though), email me for details: icurme at gmail .com
Amex is not a credit card. It is a charge card. It must be paid every month. As a card holder you should know this. Or does daddy take care of it? LOL
Hi Kenton,
American Express SHOULD be paid every month. However, they do allow for certain charges to roll over, like certain travel expenses. If you were a card member, you’d know this. And no, Daddy doesn’t pay it- thank you for asking. I do.
K
Anyone who spends a minimum of $250,000 can get one. Its not by invitation only, whoever said this is truly mistaken. Just spend a little over $20K a month and then request it. However, one should have any amx card for at least a year and your in. Please note that the card is expensive to have but well worth it.
I have had mine for two years and its great….
I actually think the Platinum Card is better, since you don’t have to pay the annual $2,500 + the initial $5,000 membership fee.
As long as you spend $250k, make over $100k, and have a good credit score then you will be eligible for a bc.
Hey Kim,
Cool post about the Centurion Card. I am a centurion card holder myself. I blog about it at http://www.blackcardexperience.com
Anyways, if you travel a lot, the Centurion card is an awesome card. I do have to agree that the platinum card offers 80% of what the Centurion is, so if you don’t want to pay the $7500 hefty upfront fee then the platinum card is perfect.
The centurion card is also more like pocket jewelry. Think of it like having a nice watch. When you wear your watch and show it off at a mcdonalds, chances are no one will recognize it, if you flash it at Neiman Marcus, I am sure someone will appreciate it. Same thing with the Centurion Card.
I actually spend $30-80k per month (between 500k and 1m per year) and still haven’t gotten an invite. Member since 2004, make $3m per year, 845 credit score… someone who works for me that has the centurion card, and still no invite. I’m wondering if anyone has gotten an invite in the second half of this year. I actually called and they said they aren’t sending out any more invites until the end of the year or early next year. Maybe they’re raising the minimum? $250k doesn’t seem like a lot to me.
i have spent over 1 Million this year 750 credit score no invitation i heard they raised the purchasing to 500k but they will wont send out until probably first quarter 12