AmEx Black Card Benefits: Key Perks You Shouldn’t Miss
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With an opening fee notably higher than the average monthly salary, the American Express Centurion Card is the ultimate symbol of prestige. From elite lounge access to impressive travel perks, this invitation-only card is usually carried around by millionaires and has a lot to offer.
So, what are the American Express Black Card benefits? What is the Amex Black Card limit? And how do you become a cardholder? Spoiler: It’s not easy to get, but the benefits might make it worth the effort.
What Are Exclusive Amex Black Card Benefits?
The first and most obvious benefit of an American Express Black Card is status. Yet, it also comes with a long list of far more tangible bonuses.
Complimentary VIP Status
Centurion members automatically earn privileged status at more than 2,000 hotels across the globe. This includes Hilton Honors Diamond, IHG One Rewards Platinum, Club Carlson, and more. With this card, you can look forward to room upgrades, late checkout, free breakfast, and even some unique hotel amenities.
When it comes to airlines, the American Express Centurion Card benefits extend to Delta SkyMiles, British Airways, Air Canada, and more besides. For example, when flying with Delta, cardholders get to enjoy the airline’s Platinum Medallion status. Waived baggage fees, upgrades, and priority boarding are just some of the advantages this status grants.
It’s also common to read about how to use AmEx Platinum airline fee credit when comparing perks between cards.
Elite Lounge Access
But the list of Amex Centurion Card benefits doesn’t stop there. When traveling, cardholders can visit premium airport lounges. Frequent flyers will surely appreciate access to more than 1,700 partner lounges at airports in 140 countries.
What’s more, Amex Centurion cardmembers get free access not only for themselves but also for up to two guests.
24/7 Concierge Service
As the cardholder, you’ll have round-the-clock access to a personal concierge service. Whether it’s planning a vacation, reserving a table at a top restaurant, or buying event tickets, your concierge can handle it all.
The concierge is also ready to help you with various responsibilities. This service enables you to offload tasks, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.
Unlimited Spending Power
There’s no such thing as an American Express Black Card limit — you’re free to shop without worrying about hitting a ceiling. With the Amex Centurion Card, you can buy absolutely everything, even things you can’t buy with other credit cards. We can’t say for sure if it’ll cover the cost of a private jet or yacht, but everything below that is on the table.
Equinox Gym Membership
Those looking to exercise in the UK, US, or Canada can use their AmEx card to access more than 100 premium Equinox gyms. Without the premium card, you have to pay $325 a month for the membership.
Other Perks
As an Amex Black cardholder, you also receive unique benefits such as exclusive membership in a luxury car deal negotiation program, special chef partnerships, premium event seating, international arrival services, purchase and travel protection, extended warranties, and many other lifestyle and travel perks.
Understanding AmEx transfer partners need to know can help cardholders maximize the value of their reward points.
What Are Amex Black Card Requirements?
Only a select few can ever get their hands on an Amex Black Card. There are a large number of eligibility criteria by which American Express decides which customers can receive a card of this level. If you are eligible, you will receive a private invitation to access the Amex Black Card membership.
Do you wonder about the American Express Black card requirements? Let’s say right away: the prerequisites for obtaining the card aren’t publicly listed. Although the list is not clear, we can still guess some of it by taking a look at the current cardholders.
Meanwhile, typical users might focus on how to check AmEx gift card balance rather than elite card eligibility.
First and foremost, we are talking about big money. You must be a wealthy person who spends a lot. Reports suggest that you need to spend at least $350,000 on a personal card and $500,000 on a business card per year. In addition, you’ll also need to have at least one year of history with American Express and a credit score of 800 or higher. Meet these conditions, and you might receive an invite.
Once invited, you’ll have to deal with an initial fee of $10,000 and an annual fee of $5,000. So, despite all the enticing Centurion Card benefits, the cost of card ownership is also quite substantial.
Again, the rating and minimum spending requirements aren't officially confirmed by American Express. Even if you have an excellent reputation and spend hundreds of thousands of dollars yearly, an invitation isn’t guaranteed. In the end, it all depends on the secret formula.
How to Get The Amex Centurion Card
The Amex Black card is invitation-only, but there are ways to increase your odds of receiving an invite. For example, you must definitely meet all of the requirements mentioned above. While it is rumored that you can apply for the Centurion Card without an invitation, the application process is unclear. What is certain is that it does not work the same way as for other credit cards. However, you can still try your luck by requesting a Centurion Black Card invitation online — you just need to have an Amex card.
To increase your chances of getting the card, you should not only make purchases on American Express accounts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars but also spend money primarily on luxury items, journeys, and other VIP lifestyle expenses.
Last but not least, note that there are two options for the Amex Black Card: personal and business. It is also said that being a successful business owner improves your chances of getting an invitation.
What Are American Express Black Card Limitations?
Now that we’ve discussed how to get American Express Black Card invitations, let’s talk about the card’s limits.
The biggest limit is obviously the fact that you need to be invited to get the card, and there is likely no way to apply on your own. Also, any potential cardholder should have an immaculate credit history and be a high spender.
And let’s not forget about the card’s high fees. The $10,000 opening fee and the $5,000 Amex Black Card annual fee are enough to deter the majority of people from considering the card, even if they could theoretically get it.
With such high fees, the card is surprisingly stingy on reward earnings. You earn only 1 Membership Point per dollar, which is worse compared to the AmEx Platinum Card. Also, there is no welcome bonus.
Are There Amex Black Card Alternatives?
The Centurion card is a specialized product, and you can get exclusive travel perks and other benefits with more accessible cards.
AmEx Platinum Card
For example, the American Express Platinum Card offers similar benefits while being far more accessible. The current annual fee is $695, which includes Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold statuses. Also, you can access Centurion Lounges and get various perks as part of the Fine Hotels and Resorts program.
Some compare those benefits with AmEx Platinum travel insurance to see how the coverage stacks up. Others may contrast AmEx Green Card benefits when looking at value propositions across AmEx cards.
AmEx Gold Card
Although it is one status level lower than Platinum, this card still offers a long list of decent perks. It has a $325 annual fee and is ideal for earning rewards across various spending categories. This includes grocery shopping, eating out, and AmEx Travel bookings. The card provides baggage insurance and car rental coverage, but doesn’t offer elite statuses at hotels or access to exclusive lounges.
Conclusion
The Amex Centurion Card is designed for a very exclusive clientele and will pay off for an even narrower audience. Remember that the card’s benefits are available by invitation only, and the steep fees may outweigh the benefits. That said, if you’re seeking status and unrivaled perks, this card definitely has both.
Ultimately, the Centurion Card is a symbol of luxury and exclusivity. If you’re invited and can appreciate its premium benefits, it might just be worth the splurge.
