Quick Links
The shadowy American Express Centurion (also known as the "AmEx black card") has long been considered an emblem of high standing.
Reserved for the ultra-wealthy, the AmEx black card has many benefits beyond those presented through other primary bank cards, which further complements the cardholder enjoy.
American Express charge cards (together with AmEx's Centurion) have no pre-set spending limit, enabling cardholders to buy vehicles, private jets, and even mansions with a swipe.
A commonplace false impression holds that the American Express black card has "no spending limit."
While the declare is not accurate, AmEx Centurion's loss of pre-set spending prohibit allows cardholders to make use of their accounts for massive purchases.
One of the many questions surrounding the American Express black card involves its non-public and business versions, and how they vary from one any other.
Some of the most popular benefits for both variations come with perks like travel benefits and around-the-clock concierge services and products, and unboxing movies for AmEx's Centurion are steadily virally common:
With an array of benefits and exclusive options, it’s no marvel the AmEx black card is related to celebrities and folks with a excessive internet worth.
Let's check out the coveted AmEx black card – including who has it, find out how to get one, the way it got here to be, and the extensive benefits that come with its hefty fees and spending requirements.
History Of The AmEx Black Card
In the overdue Nineteen Eighties, American Express initiated a "trial run" for the AmEx Centurion. It spanned 4 years, and involved an extremely limited group of American Express cardholders (less than a thousand international).
In 1987, American Express' black card used to be put aside through American Express in favor of its then-new Platinum card, which introduced a an identical slate of benefits to cardholders.
The modern-day American Express Centurion used to be presented in 1999, specifically focused to AmEx's wealthiest shoppers.
According to CNBC, the American Express black card's instant recognition led different banking institutions to expand their own competing credit card products to appeal to high rollers:
The credit card maximum associated with the phrase “black card” is the Centurion® Card from American Express, or the “Amex Black Card.” It used to be released in 1999 and created one of these buzz that different card issuers wanted to create their own deluxe credit cards to reward their highest-spending consumers.
Who Can Get The Black Card?
American Express has been notoriously tight-lipped with recognize to acquiring an AmEx Centurion (or black card), however tidbits of information have emerged since the mysterious card began appearing in 1999.
Finance-focused outlet Forbes published an updated review of AmEx's black card in October 2023.
Forbes' evaluation integrated a succinct abstract of the American Express Centurion, with the preliminary caveat that anybody studying the evaluate was not going to meet the card's requirements:
If you're studying a overview of the Centurion® Card from American Express, it’s probably now not for you.
First of all, you'll’t follow for the card: you need to protected an invitation. The distinctive characteristics of the Centurion Card, both in prices and rewards, do not invite comparison.
However, in case you’re in the select staff that may get this card, the price/benefit analysis would possibly just work for your want.
How To Get An AmEx Black Card
Forbes repeated a common declare, that American Express cardholders "can't apply for the card" and "need to secure an invitation" to acquire the AmEx black card.
In May 2020, credit card information website online The Points Guy reported that AmEx started accepting applications for the American Express black card, and instructed readers to seek advice from Centurion.com to apply.
In that article, reputed AmEx black card necessities seemed in the first paragraph.
As The Points Guy indicated, those benchmarks were in accordance with anecdotes and guesses; AmEx keeps an charisma around its black card, and doesn't confirm requirements brazenly:
The American Express Centurion card (to be had in each non-public and industry versions) is one of the [maximum] exclusive bank cards on the marketplace, available by invitation-only to Amex's biggest spenders.
There aren't any transparent guidelines on what it takes to earn an invitation, although a couple of studies counsel that you need to spend no less than $250,000 a year throughout all your Amex playing cards with the intention to be regarded as .
Information gleaned from AmEx black cardholders recommended invitations have been prolonged when their annual spending on all other American Express accounts exceeded 1 / 4 of a million dollars in a calendar yr.
It was even less clear which criteria American Express evaluated for those making use of via Centurion.com versus those invited to accept a black card.
A CNBC article updated in May 2023 examined AmEx black card necessities.
An unnamed representative for American Express disputed the "invitation only" rumor, saying that American Express individuals "have always been able to request consideration" for a black card:
The Centurion Card, or the “Amex Black Card,” remains to be invite-only, however in past due 2021, the Amex Centurion web page began permitting current Amex cardholders who are excited by Centurion club to request consideration by filling out a short on-line shape.
An Amex spokesperson told CNBC Select that potential Centurion participants have all the time been ready to request consideration for a club to Centurion, but it surely normally has been treated over the phone and extra just lately, a digital feature has been added.
However, The Points Guy noted applicants would not receive an "instant decision" (as was once the case with most American Express merchandise, including the AmEx Platinum, which carries a $695 annual charge as of 2023):
Submitting the form would possibly not get you an rapid decision, however fairly if you're eligible, Amex will succeed in out to start the application and initiation process.
Credit card vlogger Ask Sebby coated Centurion requirements in a video:
AmEx Black Card Fees: Initiation Fee, And The AmEx Centurion Annual Fee
Discussions about the American Express black card continuously fascinated by how the intriguing rate card can also be obtained, and how AmEx elected to ask or settle for new cardholders.
One facet of the AmEx Centurion frequently lost sight of pertained to the exorbitant annual charges associated with the black card. Users allegedly received main perks, however they came at a cost.
CNBC's profile said that as of 2023, AmEx's black card would set first 12 months participants again $15,000 in total (or four % of the annual spending threshold required to qualify for the Centurion):
The cardmember settlement does state a hefty $10,000 initiation charge while you open the card and a $5,000 annual fee ... That’s at least $15,000 in charges the first year, without taking into account including authorized users, which value an additional $2,500 in keeping with 12 months for added Centurion cards (up to two).
As such, a new user with two authorized users may just expect to pay $20,000 in fees in their first yr, just to carry a black AmEx. The same user would spend $7,500 each 12 months to stay their American Express Centurion.
Who Has An AmEx Black Card?
The AmEx black card is extensively associated with celebrities and different high-net-worth people who meet its inflexible criteria.
CNBC reported that despite being an American Express product, mavens estimate that Eighty % of AmEx black playing cards are issued to customers out of doors the United States:
Experts estimate that there are round 100,000 Amex Centurion cardholders in the world, with solely about 20,000 of those being in the United States.
Credit card score web page WalletHub suggests a plethora of celebs and influential figures akin to Beyoncé, Oprah, and Kanye West all hang a black AmEx. Notable purported cardholders include:
Beyoncé
Beyoncé is widely known for her gripping vocals and broad vary of talents as an entertainer.
She first entered the public area as the lead singer of the crew Destiny’s Child, and in the end moved on to a solo occupation.
With the maximum Grammy Awards earned as a female artist, Beyoncé has a internet value of $500 million.
Oprah
Oprah is understood for her common communicate display, which ran for 25 years. She sooner or later introduced her cable channel, OWN, and participated in different winning industry ventures.
With a web price of $2.Eight billion, Oprah has a wholesome actual estate portfolio which contains properties in Hawaii, Nashville, and California.
Kanye West
Musician and entrepreneur Kanye West is certainly one of the best-selling artists round the globe, and has sold greater than One hundred sixty million records.
The Grammy Award winner's wealth contains actual estate, the worth of his track catalog, and a five p.c stake in Kim Kardashian’s logo Skims.
Previously a billionaire, Kanye West's web price was more recently estimated at around $400 million.
Kim Kardashian
Entrepreneur and reality TV megastar Kim Kardashian is well known for her hit fact display Keeping Up With The Kardashians, in addition to her attractiveness, perfume, and shapewear traces.
RelatedKim Kardashian's SKIMS, NBA Announce Massive Multi-Year Partnership
Kardashian's SKIMS will be the professional underwear spouse of the NBA, WNBA, and USA Basketball.A large amount of her wealth comes from her shapewear business, SKIMS, which has boosted her internet price to around $1.7 billion.
Denzel Washington
Actor, director, and producer Denzel Washington is ultimate identified for his outstanding performances in Training Day, Fences, and Flight, amongst many others.
With a career spanning 4 decades, this AmEx black cardholder has earned a Tony Award and two Oscars.
Most of his wealth comes from widespread motion pictures that paid him $12 million each. Denzel has a net value of $280 million.
Mark Cuban
Dallas Mavericks team proprietor, trade tycoon, and celebrity investor Mark Cuban is preferrred recognized for being one in all the “sharks” on the hit display Shark Tank.
The billionaire is the founder of a number of companies, including Broadcast.com (which was once offered to Yahoo) and Cost Plus Drugs.
Back in 2011, Mark Cuban’s black card was declined after he tried to purchase an expensive bottle of champagne to rejoice a up to date crew win.
Luckily, Cuban experienced a handy guide a rough answer – it used to be a small glitch, which passed off because his new card needed to be "registered and authorized."
In any tournament, Cuban most probably does not concern about the security of his AmEx black card.
Britney Spears
With well known songs like "Oops, I Did It Again" and "Toxic," Britney Spears is thought of as "one of the most successful solo acts in pop music."
She’s no stranger to laborious paintings, as she has been in the entertainment trade since she was a kid. Spears made her initial debut at the tender age of ten, on Star Search.
When Britney launched her first album Baby One More Time in 1999, she skyrocketed into considered one of the greatest stars in the international. She has a web value estimated around $60 million.
AmEx Black Card Benefits
You've read up on the American Express black card's celebrity clientele and its sky-high charges ... so, what do AmEx Centurion contributors get in trade for the $10,000 initiation price and its $5,000 annual rate?
The AmEx black card gives myriad, unsurpassed benefits which cater particularly to the life of the prosperous and its jet-setting coterie. From custom-tailored concierge services and extreme commute perks to exclusive get entry to to reviews around the international, the black card exceeds expectancies of simply providing credit.
American Express' a lot vaunted concierge services and products for cardmembers is one in every of the most expansive benefits, dealing with requests from cardholders for various needs:
But the AmEx black card universe accommodates further benefits, ones which make it one in all the most extremely sought-after playing cards in the world.
Access To Airport Lounges
AmEx black cardholders have go back and forth perks that the moderate flyer can only dream about.
The American Express black card supplies free get admission to to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, catering to travelers visiting each nook of the globe.
With this receive advantages, black cardholders get VIP treatment, which includes scrumptious, complimentary, and high-end meals and drinks as they wait on their flights in luxe and comfortable lounges (away from noisy terminals).
Saks Fifth Avenue Credits
Cardholders are eligible to obtain up to $1,000 in step with yr in credits for spending at the high-end department store Saks Fifth Avenue.
AmEx divided this quantity into four credit, totaling $250 consistent with quarter. In addition to statement credits, black card participants also have get admission to to Saks outdoor of standard business hours.
Around-The-Clock Concierge Services
With the AmEx black card, customers have access to their own concierge carrier at any time, as mentioned above.
This comprehensive concierge carrier operates like a private assistant, and products and services include (but are not restricted to):
- Making reservations at high-end restaurants,
- Assisting with growing shuttle itineraries,
- Locating tickets to sold out concerts and events, and,
- Sending flora
The AmEx black card (or American Express Centurion) is a lot more than a credit card, it's a image of economic standing and luck. This exclusive card is held by means of a handful of celebrities and influential figures, drawn via the product's exclusive (and expensive) benefits.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTEq6CcoJWowW%2BvzqZmmqWVrXqjuMCcomabkaexbq7Ep5yfoaSofA%3D%3D