American Express Black Card (Centurion) – Requirements, Fees, Benefits, Credit Limit, and How to Get Invited [2025 Guide]

The American Express Black Card (Centurion): A deep-dive for 2025. What it is, who gets it, requirements, fees, benefits, points, comparisons, and whether it’s the “most powerful” card in the world

Executive summary (TL;DR)

• The American Express Centurion Card—commonly called the “Amex Black Card”—is an invitation-only, ultra-premium charge card issued by American Express. It carries very high fees (initiation and annual) and bespoke concierge and lifestyle services.

• Officially disclosed U.S. fees (as of the latest Card Member Agreement) are an Initiation Fee of $10,000 and an Annual Fee of $5,000 (plus additional-card fees if applicable). Those figures are in Amex’s published Card Member Agreement.

• The Centurion is invitation-only and Amex does not publish a simple, public checklist for getting invited. Invitations depend on a combination of factors (relationship with Amex, spend patterns, assets under management, credit quality and other private criteria). Public reporting and industry coverage outline typical thresholds (very high annual spend and premium travel behavior), but Amex keeps exact rules private.

• The card’s value to a consumer is almost entirely in its experiential and concierge benefits (personalized travel arrangements, elite travel/hotel status, access to exclusive events, high-value retail credits such as Saks, Equinox credits, premium airline/hotel benefits), plus prestige. These benefits — combined with personal concierge — are the main justification for the steep fees.

• If your question is “what’s the most powerful credit card,” the answer depends on the definition of powerful: raw credit access, acceptance, rewards value, or prestige. The Centurion is the most exclusive and carries some of the highest direct cash costs, but value-per-dollar depends on usage and benefit extraction compared with other premium cards (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, etc.). Industry reporting shows premium players are increasing fees and benefits as competition intensifies.

1) What is the Amex Centurion (Black) Card?

The Centurion Card from American Express is the issuer’s flagship invitation-only charge card aimed at the ultra-affluent. Launched in its current form in 1999 as a successor to a rare black card concept, Centurion is often referenced in media and pop culture as the ultimate “status” card. It’s made of titanium, issued in a distinct black finish, and provides highly personalized service and perks beyond what consumer premium cards offer. The card is a charge card (historically meaning you must pay full balance each month, though modern features include pay-over-time options) and is not a simple mass-market product; Amex extends invitations selectively. Wikipedia

2) Requirements & invitation process — what we know

Official position: American Express does not publish a public set of qualification rules for Centurion invitations. The card is invitation-only. That means the only guaranteed route is being invited by Amex. However, industry reporting, public leaks, and card-community data points create a pragmatic map of how invitations typically happen:

• High spend on Amex cards (often reported in hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually) on a gateway card (often the Platinum or other Amex charge/credit accounts). Historically, amounts frequently cited were $250k–$1M+ annual spend, but these are reports, not guarantees. Card communities and media have given ranges; Amex itself keeps criteria private. Wikipedia
• Strong banking relationship and assets — not just spend but overall banking/wealth management relationship with Amex-affiliated banks or wealth competitors can influence invites. Wikipedia
• Excellent credit history and clean payment record with Amex (and typically high net worth).
• Lifestyle profile — frequent international travel, use of concierge/hospitality services, luxury retail and hospitality spend.
• Other opaque factors (region, local Amex program strategy, and dealer relationship).

Bottom line: You can try to attract an invitation by ramping substantial spend on Amex cards, holding a Platinum card (as a gateway), maintaining clean payment behavior, and building a relationship with Amex. But there is no publicly disclosed points-based ladder like applying for a normal consumer card. Wikipedia

3) Fees and card mechanics (official numbers)

The official U.S. Card Member Agreement (June 2025) reports:

• Initiation Fee: $10,000 (one-time). American Express
• Annual Fee: $5,000. American Express
• Additional Centurion Cards: $5,000 annually for each additional Centurion Card (limit of two additional cards listed in the agreement). American Express

Other important contractual features in that agreement: foreign transaction fee = none; cash advance fees and APR clauses (Centurion is a charge/Pay-Over-Time product with variable APR structures if you use Pay-Over-Time features). The Card Member Agreement also discloses cash advance limits and other operational details. These contract numbers are the single most authoritative source for fees and many financial terms. American Express

What about credit limits?
The Centurion is usually described as no preset spending limit or no preset credit limit, typical for charge-type products. However, Amex can and does set internal approval thresholds for transactions, and the Card Member Agreement describes Pay Over Time limits and minimum payment calculations. “No preset limit” does not mean unlimited without checks; transactions are subject to merchant/Amex approvals and internal risk controls. Community reporting echoes this: the card behaves like a high-limit charge card, not an unrestricted credit line. WikipediaAmerican Express

4) Key benefits and how they work (the Centurion value proposition)

The Centurion’s economics are not about raw points-per-dollar (it is not typically the industry leader for pure accrual rates). Its primary value is experience and access. Here are the categories that make Centurion valuable to people who can (and will) extract the value:

Concierge and bespoke services

• Centurion Concierge — personalized, often 24/7 service that will arrange private jets, luxury travel logistics, bespoke event access, rare restaurant reservations, sourcing rare goods, one-off experiences, and crisis support while traveling.
• This concierge is the single most cited perk by elite cardholders for non-quantifiable value. Many wealthy consumers value time saved and bespoke access more than points. The Points GuyBusiness Insider

Travel and airport benefits

• Amex Centurion Lounges access (in addition to other premium lounge networks depending on flight/airline).
• Delta and other airline status — Centurion card membership historically includes elevated airline status perks or targeted status matching for certain carriers; the exact airline partnership benefits vary over time and are periodically refreshed. Business Insider

Hotel and hospitality benefits

• Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts premium benefits (room upgrades, daily breakfast, late check-out, property credits) often come with Centurion—sometimes enhanced beyond Platinum level. The Points Guy

Retail and lifestyle credits

• Saks Fifth Avenue credits (Centurion often has more generous Saks credits than Platinum). Business Insider and card coverage document Saks credits and other retail privileges for Centurion members. Business Insider
• Equinox (gym) credits — some Centurion packages include very high-value Equinox credits (reporting shows up to thousands annually for certain memberships). The Points Guy

Events, experiences, and private-access

• Early and private access to ticketed events, private shopping hours, and special experiences with brands and entertainers. Often these are curated for Centurion members.

Additional high-value perks

• Personalized travel support (private airport transfer, VIP immigration assistance) and dedicated Amex Centurion desk at many global locations.
• Sometimes bespoke financial services or a white-glove liaison to Amex’s private banking affiliates.

Important: Perks are dynamic. Amex updates its benefits periodically (and often), so membership benefits can evolve. Always check current Centurion communications or your Centurion representative for the most current, personalized list.

(Reporting sources: Business Insider and The Points Guy for detailed benefit rundowns). Business InsiderThe Points Guy

5) Points, earning, and redemption on Centurion

Centurion participates in American Express Membership Rewards (MR) ecosystem. However:

• Earning rates: Centurion does not usually offer industry-leading flat multipliers across all categories the way some specialized travel cards do. The card is more about bespoke services and targeted credits than maximizing every day spend. Earnings and category multipliers can vary, and specific details are sometimes shared privately with Centurion members. The Points Guy
• Redemption: Since Centurion accumulates MR points, those points are redeemable/transferrable within the Amex MR partner network (airlines, hotels, etc.)—subject to normal MR rules. MR transfer value depends heavily on your transfer partner and redemption strategy.

Bottom line: If your agenda is raw points maximization, Centurion is rarely the most efficient card per dollar for many categories. But the card’s other benefits (credits, concierge, elite status, private access) can far exceed the marginal value of extra MR points for high-value users.

Read this also: Best 5-Star Hotels in Times Square (Where Celebrities Really Stay in NYC)

6) Elite status and travel relationships

Centurion is often bundled with or helps unlock elevated status with airlines and hotels (sometimes via status matching or automatic privileges). Examples often reported include:

• Airline perks (e.g., elevated status with Delta — historical reporting shows Centurion can confer high-level SkyMiles privileges; specifics vary over time). Business Insider
• Hotel status: enhanced relationships with major chains (Hilton, Marriott, etc.) via Fine Hotels & Resorts or curated partnerships which can deliver suite upgrades, late checkout, and breakfast benefits.

These status benefits can be especially valuable to those who fly frequently and extract upgrades and additional services. But they’re conditional on program rules and partner cooperation; they change in time and by partnership.

7) Who owns Centurion cards in the U.S.? (publicly known holders & cardholder profile)

American Express does not publish a list of Centurion members. However, public figures and media reports often list celebrities and business leaders associated with Centurion-style cards (e.g., celebrities who’ve mentioned or been portrayed with the card). Wikipedia and press articles have historically mentioned a range of public figures known to have been associated with Centurion or similar ultra-premium cards — but note: public claims are sporadic and often unverifiable because membership is private. Wikipedia

Typical profile of U.S. Centurion cardholders (public & anecdotal):

• Ultra-high net worth individuals or business owners with multi-hundred-thousand to multi-million annual Amex spends.
• Frequent international travelers and people for whom time, access and concierge services have outsized value.
• People with complex travel/asset needs who want a white-glove service relationship with their issuer.

Public names sometimes cited in media should be treated cautiously; Amex doesn’t release an authoritative roster.

Read this also: Best Visa Travel Money Cards in the USA (2025 Guide): Where to Buy, Top Options, and Fees Explained

8) How to get the Amex Platinum 175k offer (and why you asked)

You specifically asked: “How to get 175k Amex Platinum offer?”

• American Express periodically makes elevated welcome offers for The Platinum Card — sometimes public, sometimes targeted. In 2025, elevated offers showing as much as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after meeting a specific spending requirement (e.g., $8,000 in the first 6 months) have been published in industry reporting. However, offers are variable, subject to eligibility (you may or may not be targeted), and Amex may limit offers if you’ve had that card or similar offers in the recent past. Use the official Amex application flow, the Amex pre-qualification tool, or the Amex “card match” tools from reputable third-party sites to see if a targeted elevated offer is available to you. UpgradedPoints.comAskSebby

Practical steps:

1. Use Amex’s pre-qualification tool on their site (no hard pull) to see if an elevated offer shows. AskSebby
2. Look for targeted emails or affiliate links from travel sites (some offers are campaign-specific). Beware of scams; only use reputable sources.
3. Confirm the terms (required minimum spend and time window) before applying. Elevated offers often have higher spend thresholds (e.g., $6k–$8k in 3–6 months). UpgradedPoints.com

Note: Welcome offers change frequently; don’t assume the same public offer will appear again. Always verify on Amex’s official pages or trusted card-news sources before applying.

9) Is the Centurion the “most powerful credit card in the world”?

That depends on how you define “powerful.” A few possible definitions:

• Most exclusive / highest status? Yes — Centurion is among the most exclusive consumer cards by invitation, high fees, and bespoke services; it may be the “most elite” in terms of prestige. Wikipedia
• Highest credit line / purchasing power? Not necessarily. “No preset spending limit” does not equal unlimited purchasing power. Issuers enforce approvals and risk limits at point of sale. The J.P. Morgan Reserve (JPM) and other private bank cards (and private banking) may provide bespoke credit arrangements beyond conventional consumer cards. American ExpressWikipedia
• Best rewards or best ROI? No — raw rewards/per-dollar vary. Many high-value travel or cash-back cards provide better returns for specific spend strategies. The Centurion is about access/service more than pure rewards efficiency. The Points Guy

Conclusion: Centurion may be the most exclusive and “powerful” in a social/status and bespoke-service sense; it is not unambiguously the most powerful in purely financial terms (credit limit, best rewards, or universal utility). The “most powerful card” depends on the user’s priorities.

Read this also: 5 Reasons the Amex Platinum Is Still the Most Luxurious Credit Card in America

10) Comparison table — Centurion vs Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve

Below is a concise comparison (fees and headline perks). This table covers high-level differences and should be combined with your personal evaluation of how much you will use the perks.

11) Advantages and disadvantages — who benefits

Advantages (why Centurion can be worth it to the right holder)

• Unrivalled concierge & access: for people who value time and access, this can be worth far more than fees.
• Bespoke travel perks and VIP treatment: faster immigration/airport services, bespoke travel routing, private event access.
• Prestige / social signaling: immediate status in certain social/corporate circles.
• High retail and lifestyle credits (Saks, Equinox) that can offset some cost for those who use them heavily. Business InsiderThe Points Guy

Disadvantages / risks

• Extremely high fees: initiation + annual fees are meaningful even for wealthy individuals; they must be justified by usage. American Express
• Not always best for pure points value: Centurion is not necessarily the best card for arbitrage points strategies or everyday category bonuses. The Points Guy
• Opaque access rules: invitation requirement means you cannot apply directly without being invited; the path to invitation is not fixed. Wikipedia

Who should consider it? People with very high luxury travel spend who will use concierge, premium hotel upgrades, private experiences and high retail credits — and who value the intangible benefits of personalized services and prestige.

Who should not? Those seeking the best points per dollar, occasional travelers, and people who don’t want to commit to very high annual fees.

12) Practical takeaways & “how to approach these cards”

If you’re assessing whether to chase Centurion or an elevated Amex Platinum offer (e.g., a 175k welcome bonus):

1. For most people, start with The Platinum Card — it offers industry-leading travel perks for a fraction of the upfront cost. If you can get a targeted 175k MR welcome bonus and meet the spending responsibly, Platinum often provides enormous first-year value for frequent travelers. UpgradedPoints.comAmerican Express
2. Use the Platinum as a “gateway” — historically, heavy Platinum use and a strong Amex payment record are typical components of the profile Amex considers for Centurion invitations. But remember: invitation criteria are not guaranteed. Wikipedia
3. Do the math — compare your expected benefits (credits, upgrades, concierge time saved) to the $5k/year + $10k initiation (Centurion) first year. The first-year fee is roughly $15k including initiation fee; only proceed if extracted benefits/value exceed that for you. (Chart and table above provide a quick visual.) American Express
4. If your goal is points, maximize targeted welcome offers (like the 175k Platinum) through legal, disclosed channels and follow offer terms. People chase high MR offers for one-time massive travel value — but ensure you can meet the spend without harming finances. UpgradedPoints.com

5 short, high-importance factual references (load-bearing facts)

1. Centurion initiation & annual fees: Official Amex Card Member Agreement shows initiation fee $10,000 and annual fee $5,000 (U.S., June 4, 2025 agreement). American Express
2. Centurion is invitation-only / private criteria: Widely reported in financial press and documented in Amex historical and product descriptions. Amex keeps exact invite criteria private.
3. Centurion perks (Saks credits, concierge, lounge access, Equinox credits): Reported and summarized by mainstream credit-card coverage sources (Business Insider, The Points Guy). These sources describe the real-world perks that create Centurion’s premium value.
4. The Amex Platinum 175k welcome offers: Elevated welcome offers (as high as ~175k MR points with spending thresholds) are publicly reported by card-news sites (offers vary and may be targeted). Verify on the Amex flow. UpgradedPoints.comAskSebby
5. Premium card competition and fee changes: Industry reporting shows other premium cards (e.g., Chase Sapphire Reserve) raising fees and refreshing benefits in 2025 — good context for comparing “value.”

Final verdict (nutshell)

• Centurion (Amex Black) is the best-in-class for bespoke concierge, private access, and status — but its value only pays off for a narrow set of users who will reliably extract meaningfully more than $10–15k/year in tangible and intangible value. The publicly disclosed fees (initiation + annual) make that threshold transparent. American Express
• For almost everyone else seeking premium travel perks, the Amex Platinum or (recently refreshed) Chase Sapphire Reserve provide a far higher marginal return-per-dollar. Use the Platinum if you can capture a high welcome bonus (e.g., the 175k reports), then evaluate whether Centurion is worth pursuing as your travel and lifestyle needs grow.

Read this also: 5 Reasons the Amex Platinum’s $695 Annual Fee Might Actually Be Worth It!