Amex Centurion (black) card advantages — and the right way to get them with out the cardboard

The Centurion Card from American Specific is probably probably the most fascinating piece of anodized titanium on the market, in no small half due to the shroud of secrecy and exclusivity that surrounds it. Except you are invited to use and accepted (extra on how that occurs later), Amex retains a good lid on the quite a few advantages and unique perks accessible to cardmembers.

However we all know sufficient people who find themselves a part of the Centurion “Membership” (together with the unique Factors Man himself, Brian Kelly, who carries the enterprise model) that now we have a reasonably good concept of what this unique card brings to the desk.

In need of any official affirmation, here is one of the best data we have been in a position to spherical up concerning the card. And for those who aren’t invited to use, don’t be concerned — we’ll additionally share different methods to get a number of the card’s top-tier advantages.

The knowledge for the Centurion Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.†

get the Amex Centurion card

First issues first: There are two variations of the Centurion Card† — a enterprise model and a private one. It is probably a lot simpler to get the cardboard as a enterprise proprietor, however both method, it requires racking up vital expenses.

There is not any official requirement for Centurion eligibility, however we’re speaking large bucks.

Amex reportedly extends invites to use for the enterprise card provided that you’ve got spent (and paid off) at the least $450,000 (or $500,000 — we have heard each) throughout all of your Amex accounts in a calendar 12 months. For the private card, the bar is rumored to be set at round $350,000.

Notice that these quantities aren’t formally confirmed, and simply since you spend sufficient and have good standing throughout accounts does not imply you may robotically be invited to use. A part of the exclusivity of the Centurion Card† is that there is a secret system behind who will get invited.

Associated: Now you can request an invitation to the Amex Centurion card

Centurion Card charges and funds

Within the publicly accessible rewards card house, The Platinum Card® from American Specific is taken into account the cream of the crop. However the initiation and annual charges for the Centurion Card† make Amex Platinum’s $695 annual payment (see charges and costs) appear to be kid’s play.

There’s an initiation payment of $10,000, together with an annual payment of $5,000. This implies you are a tab of $15,000 — between the initiation payment and the first-year annual payment — earlier than you’ll be able to even begin utilizing your card.

Associated: Is the Amex Platinum price its annual payment?

Incomes factors on the Centurion Card

The Centurion Card† has some spectacular advantages, but it surely falls flat within the points-earning area. Cardmembers earn only one Membership Rewards level per greenback spent on all purchases.

Different choices for incomes: You will truly get a lot better Membership Rewards incomes potential with the Amex Platinum or the American Specific® Gold Card since each have bonus-earning classes.

And for those who aren’t loyal to Membership Rewards, you may do a lot better incomes 3 Chase Final Rewards factors per greenback spent on journey and eating purchases with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or 2 Capital One miles per greenback spent on all purchases with the Capital One Enterprise X Rewards Credit score Card.

Elite standing with the Centurion Card

Together with being a standing marker itself, the Centurion Card† permits cardmembers to obtain automated elite standing with a number of applications.

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite standing

Take pleasure in room upgrades at check-in and late checkout when accessible, plus a welcome present at taking part properties and a 25% factors bonus in your stays (accessible for Qualifying Charges). Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite standing is a mid-tier resort standing that may be very beneficial.

Different methods to get it: You will get Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite standing robotically with the Amex Platinum (enrollment required), the Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit score Card (now not accessible to new candidates) and the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Specific® Card.

Alternatively, the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit score Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Enterprise® American Specific® Card present quicker paths to elite standing. Or, you can get Gold Elite standing the old-school method by staying 25 qualifying nights at taking part Marriott Bonvoy properties.

The knowledge for the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars om this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Hilton Honors Diamond standing

Get space-available room upgrades, 48-hour room ensures, free premium web (on reservations booked immediately with Hilton), a 100% bonus on all Hilton Honors base factors you earn and the fifth reward night time free. Hilton Honors Diamond standing affords company unimaginable worth and advantages.

Different methods to get it: You will get this standing robotically by holding the Hilton Honors American Specific Aspire Card. Alternatively, you may get it by the tip of the subsequent calendar 12 months by spending $40,000 in a calendar 12 months on the Hilton Honors American Specific Surpass® Card or the Hilton Honors American Specific Enterprise Card.

You may also obtain this standing by reaching 30 stays or 60 nights at eligible Hilton properties in a calendar 12 months.

The knowledge for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite standing

You will additionally get precedence check-in, complimentary room upgrades, a welcome amenity, early check-in, assured room availability and a 60% bonus on base factors earned throughout your IHG stays with IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite standing.

Different methods to get it: You will get this standing robotically as a cardholder of the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit score Card, the IHG One Rewards Premier Enterprise Credit score Card or the United Membership℠ Infinite Card. Alternatively, you’ll be able to earn this standing by staying 40 certified nights at eligible IHG properties in a calendar 12 months.

Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion standing

Get complimentary upgrades, precedence waitlisting, 9 miles per greenback spent, precedence check-in and boarding and extra. Platinum Medallion standing could be very beneficial and wanted by Delta loyalists.

Different methods to get it: The Centurion Card† is the one card that robotically offers you this standing. Nonetheless, you’ll be able to fast-track your path to SkyMiles standing for those who maintain the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Specific Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Specific Card.

Hertz Platinum standing

Get upgrades on the time of rental, courtesy pickup and supply of the automobile to pick out personal airplane terminals, first precedence for automobile availability at taking part places and complimentary baby seats and ski racks.

Different methods to get it: You will get Hertz President’s Circle standing, which has many of the identical advantages, as an Amex Platinum cardholder. Phrases apply. You may also get it by finishing 15 Hertz leases or spending $3,000 with Hertz in a calendar 12 months.

*Enrollment within the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Program is required.

Avis President’s Membership standing

Take pleasure in a assured automobile with a reservation, complimentary double upgrades, the bottom relevant charges on home reservations and expedited service at most places.

Different methods to get it: You will get Avis President’s Membership standing robotically by holding the United Membership Infinite Card. Alternatively, you may obtain this standing for those who earn 100,000 American Airways Loyalty Factors or are a United Premier Platinum, Premier 1K or World Companies member. You will additionally earn this standing organically with 20 leases or $6,000 in spending in a calendar 12 months.

Centurion Card assertion credit

Clear Plus membership

Cardmembers obtain an annual assertion credit score for as much as $369 to cowl a Clear Plus membership for them and as much as three members of the family. Clear makes use of biometric authentication to hurry you thru safety and deposit you proper on the entrance of the road, and it is at the moment accessible at greater than 65 airports, stadiums and different venues.

Different methods to get it: The extra member of the family protection is exclusive to the Centurion Card†. Nonetheless, the Amex Platinum and the American Specific® Inexperienced Card each include assertion credit of as much as $199 for Clear Plus memberships (enrollment required, topic to auto-renewal). Phrases apply.

The knowledge for the Amex Inexperienced Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Saks Fifth Avenue credit

Cardmembers obtain as much as $1,000 yearly in credit for Saks Fifth Avenue purchases, distributed as quarterly credit of $250.

Different methods to get it: This particular credit score is exclusive to the Centurion Card†. Nonetheless, Amex Platinum cardmembers obtain as much as $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credit per calendar 12 months, distributed as two as much as $50 credit in the course of the calendar 12 months from Jan. to June and July to Dec.

Equinox All-Entry membership

Cardmembers obtain as much as $3,600 in credit yearly for an Equinox All-Entry membership.

Different methods to get it: Once more, this particular credit score is exclusive to the Centurion Card†, however Amex Platinum cardmembers obtain as much as $300 in Equinox credit per calendar 12 months for eligible membership purchases (topic to auto-renewal; enrollment required).

Centurion Card perks and entry

Amex Advantageous Resorts + Resorts

Along with the Centurion Resort Program, cardmembers can leverage Amex Advantageous Resorts + Resorts to get pleasure from a number of on-property advantages, akin to room upgrades when accessible, each day breakfast for 2 and a novel property amenity, when paying with an eligible card.

Different methods to get it: Amex Platinum cardmembers also can entry this program.

Centurion concierge

One of the beneficial “delicate perks” of getting the Amex Centurion† is the private concierge who is obtainable to assist with many duties.

Here is what Brian Kelly has to say about Ray, his private Centurion concierge:

I would guess that Ray saves me greater than $20,000 a 12 months. From figuring out my most well-liked seat on a airplane primarily based on the format of the cabin to advising motels of my arrival and departure time, Ray is a jack of all trades. He is organized a tour in Beijing for me and my mother and father to go to the Forbidden Metropolis, Tiananmen Sq. and the Nice Wall of China. He is gotten me theater tickets, nice live performance seats (entrance row for Celine Dion) and hard-to-get restaurant reservations. Ray even takes on significantly cumbersome duties, like finding my headphones once I misplaced them 10,000 miles from house.

Brian additionally praises the concierge for serving to him go away Bali, Indonesia, in the course of the eruption of Mount Agung, in addition to offering wonderful service for rebooking journey in the course of the coronavirus pandemic.

Different methods to get it: Whereas not fairly as in depth because the Centurion concierge, premium Amex cardholders can entry an American Specific Concierge for help buying occasion tickets, making reservations, reserving journey and fulfilling purchasing requests. This perk is obtainable on the Amex Platinum, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Specific Card and the Hilton Honors American Specific Aspire Card.

The knowledge for the Hilton Aspire Amex card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Centurion Worldwide Arrival Companies

If you journey in enterprise or top notch on worldwide flights, you may be greeted by a private information who will expedite you thru customs and immigration. When doable, Centurion can coordinate floor transportation as effectively, and baggage porters can be found for a payment. These providers can be found for you and as much as eight journey companions on eligible flights and at over 30 worldwide airports.

Airport lounge entry

Centurion† cardmembers obtain complimentary entry to Amex’s World Lounge Assortment, which incorporates entry to Centurion Lounges, Precedence Move Choose lounges, Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Lufthansa lounges and different World Lounge Assortment companion lounges. Plus, they obtain complimentary entry for as much as two company — a profit that has been restricted on the Amex Platinum.

Different methods to get it: Amex Platinum cardmembers additionally obtain complimentary entry to Amex’s World Lounge Assortment however with stricter visitor privileges.

Centurion Haus

Centurion† cardmembers have unique entry to the Centurion Haus lounge, a speak-easy venue hidden behind a store within the Raffles Singapore arcade.

Those that have the cardboard and know the lounge’s location can achieve entry by strolling into the proper hat store and pushing a selected show panel. The hat store wall then opens to disclose the doorway to this members-only lounge, the place Centurion cardmembers can chill out of their alternative of chic seating and order from a menu of subtle meals and beverage choices.

PS Membership

Centurion† cardmembers get an annual membership to PS (previously The Personal Suite), which has places at the moment open at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport (LAX) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport (ATL) and one other set to open quickly at Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA). These personal airport suites allow you to really feel like a real superstar when departing or arriving at certainly one of their airport places.

The conventional membership value is $4,850, however you may nonetheless must pay a further $3,550 every time you employ the service.

Journey and purchasing protections

Centurion† cardmembers benefit from the highest degree of journey and purchasing protections American Specific has to supply, together with safety towards journey delay and cancellation* and baggage delays** in addition to prolonged guarantee** and buy safety.**

Different methods to get it: Amex Platinum cardmembers additionally obtain the complete vary of Amex protections, however comparable protections might be discovered on a number of playing cards in Amex’s portfolio.

*Eligibility and profit degree range by card. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance coverage Firm, an AIG Firm.

**Eligibility and profit degree range by card. Phrases, situations and limitations apply. Go to americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for particulars. Insurance policies are underwritten by AMEX Assurance Firm.

Unique affords and occasions

Centurion† cardmembers additionally obtain particular entry to eating alternatives and particular occasions, together with most well-liked reservations at prime eating places and entry to non-public wine excursions. Additionally they obtain the highest tier of unique VIP entry to leisure.

Different methods to get it: Amex Platinum and The Enterprise Platinum Card® from American Specific cardmembers additionally obtain entry to concierge providers, which may safe a desk at most prime eating places. Additionally they have entry to Amex’s unique By Invitation Solely occasions.

Backside line

For companies and people fortunate sufficient to get invited to use, the exclusivity and the comfortable way of life exclusives make this card fairly engaging. However even when you do not have the chance so as to add the coveted Centurion Card† to your pockets, you may get lots of the identical perks for a a lot decrease annual payment with the Amex Platinum. No matter your path to luxurious bank card perks, the playing cards in your pockets generally is a key to the nice life.

For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum, please click on right here.