Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » American Express Centurion Black Card Review: 2023 Review
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American Express Centurion Black Card Review: 2023 Review

American Express Black Card is one of the most exclusive cards in the market and is out of reach of the average consumer. The Black Card is for high net worth individuals who are big spenders.
Author: Lorraine Smithills
Lorraine Smithills

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.
Author: Lorraine Smithills
Lorraine Smithills

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.

Review & Fact Check: Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Baruch Mann (Silvermann)

Financial Expert, The Smart Investor CEO

Experience

Baruch Mann (Silvermann) is a financial expert and founder of The Smart Investor. Above all, he is passionate about teaching people how to manage their money and helping millions on their journey to a better financial future.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

In this Review..

American Express Black Card is a highly desirable card that is “invite only,” for big spenders. The estimated spending amounts of the invitees are $250,000 to $500,000 a year on their card. This card is for high net worth individuals who make over $1,000,000 a year and who are big spenders. There are many high-end benefits for card holders. 

If you carry the Centurion® Card from American Express, you're eligible to earn 1.5X Membership Rewards points per dollar on purchases over $5,000 (Up to 1 million additional points per calendar year) plus 1X Membership Rewards points on all eligible purchases.

Many of these benefits are exclusive to card holders and other cards in the market do not have the same or even similar benefits. The value of these perks ranges, but can be worth thousands of dollars. The cardmember agreement does state a hefty $10,000 initiation fee when you open the card and a $5,000 annual fee (See rates and fees).

Editorial Note: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollments may be required for select benefits. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more

American Express Black Card
American express black card review 2019

Rewards Plan

Up to 1.5X membership points per $1

Welcome Bonus

N/A

0% Intro

15 months on purchases

PROS

CONS

APR

N/A

Annual Fee

$5,000

Balance Transfer Fee

N/A

Credit Requirements

Excellent Credit

Benefits

American Express Black Card holders earn 1.5X Membership Rewards points per dollar on purchases over $5,000 (Up to 1 million additional points per calendar year) plus 1X Membership Rewards points on all eligible purchases.

Many of the benefits are not earning points or rewards, but the many perks listed below.

American Express Black Card holders get a surprise gift every year. 

This gift is usually around a $250 value and can vary from high-end items, to exclusive dining experiences, to gift cards.

American Express Black Card holders can have access to over 1,000 of the world’s top restaurants that may be hard to get otherwise. 

American Express pre-reserves tables in advance and card holders can call the Amex concierge service to get a reservation through them.

American Express Black Card members get exclusive access to American Express Centurion Lounges at airports. 

Many Amex Lounges can be crowded and American Express Black Card holders get reserved seating at these lounges.

This may be the most valuable benefit of the American Express Black Card. The Platinum Medallion allows cardholders unlimited first-class upgrades on Delta. 

You can also get upgrades without paying the additional fees. Members also get priority check-in and boarding. This is about a $4,000 value.

American Express Black Card holders are offered private wine tasting tours and exclusive wine buying offers.

 The American Express Black Card also offers an annual complimentary appraisal of up to 100 wines.

More Benefits

American Express Black Card members have a dedicated concierge service that will go to great lengths to meet customers’ need.

The American Express Black Card grants special hotel services for card holders at some of the top hotel chains in the world. 

Card holders enjoy perks such as late check-out, upgraded rooms, and credit at the hotel to spend on amenities such spa services. 

American Express Black Card holders are automatically signed up for the Hilton Honors Diamond status. This a $1,915 value which offers many Hilton perks.

American Express Black Card holders can get upgraded memberships to several of the leading rental car companies. 

This includes Hertz Platinum which guarantees vehicle upgrad

American Express Black Card will reimburse your application fee for TSA Precheck or Global Entry once every four years. 

This cost is usually around $80 to $100.

You receive 50% of membership points back when you redeem points and book travel through American Express Travel or Centurion Travel Services.

Cardholders get up to a $200 annual credit for fees such as checking baggage and in-flight purchases, $3,000 in Baggage Coverage, VIP Events, purchase protection, extended warranties, and travel protections.

Drawbacks

Let’s take a look at the drawbacks of the American Express Centurion card and see if it’s the right one for your wallet or not.

American Express Black Card has an initiation fee of $10,000 just to get the card.

To add an authorized user, American Express Black Card charges an additional annual fee of $2,500.

American Express Black Card has an annual fee of $5,000, the highest in the market

American Express Black Card members must spend about $250,000 or more annually on a current American Express Card.

The only way to apply for American Express Black Card is by invitation.  Card holders must make over $1 million a year and have a high net worth. 

The card is not for available for the general public.

Is the AMEX Centurion Black Card Right for You?

American Express Black Card is one of the most exclusive cards in the market and is out of reach of the average consumer. The Black Card is for high net worth individuals who are big spenders.

The American Express Black Card offers many travel benefits and uses; in fact, you will find that the travel perks are the most extensive in the market. This card is best for high net worth individuals who spend a lot of time traveling. Terms Apply.

The initial and annual fees are steep, and the average card holder can get similar benefits from other cards in the market. American Express Black Card holders should take advantage of all the perks in order for the card to be worth it. 

Many may find the status symbol a sufficient benefit but the card offers hundreds of perks, exclusive offers, and benefits that card holders should explore fully.

* All information about American Express Centurion® Card has been collected independently by The Smart Investor. American Express Centurion® Card is no longer available through The Smart Investor.

Lorraine Smithills

Lorraine Smithills

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.
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Rewards Plan:
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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

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