For example, similar to the Black Card, the Amex Platinum card offers widespread airport lounge access, hotel elite status with Marriott and Hilton, credits towards an Equinox gym membership and more. All three of these cards can save you thousands in annual fees and offer competitive rewards and benefits. If you want a premium card without $15,000 in fees your first year and $5,000 thereafter, consider more mainstream cards with significantly lower annual fees, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695, see rates and fees), American Express® Gold Card ($250, see rates and fees) or the American Express Cash Magnet® Card ($0, see rates and fees). In addition to a high spending limit, Centurion cardholders also get an Equinox Destination Access gym membership, Saks Fifth Avenue shopping credits, invitations to exclusive entertainment events and access to a personal concierge to assist with travel bookings, restaurant reservations and other inquiries. Meanwhile, Delta Platinum Medallion status offers a "Choice Benefit" (such as a $200 Delta travel voucher), waived baggage fees, priority boarding and more.
And Hilton Diamond status offers free continental breakfast for you and a guest, your fifth night free when you book a hotel stay with points and other VIP privileges. For instance, Hilton Diamond status typically requires $12,000 in spending, which cardholders receive complimentary. The value of these perks ranges, but can be worth thousands of dollars. Centurion cardholders receive access to Amex Centurion Lounges, complimentary Delta Platinum Medallion, Marriott Gold and Hilton Diamond status. Each loyalty program offers its own suite of perks that can be worthwhile for Delta, Marriott and Hilton enthusiasts. While the annual fees are mind-boggling, the Amex Centurion Card does offer top-notch benefits that frequent travelers may consider worth the card's steep cost. That's at least $15,000 in fees the first year, without considering adding authorized users, which cost an additional $2,500 per year for additional Centurion cards (up to two). 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).
Of course, you are also expected to have an excellent credit score in order to qualify for a black card. The 2020 Census Household Income Report found the median American household income is $67,521 per year, which makes the Centurion Card's six-figure minimum spending requirement well out of reach for most people. This typically means high spending requirements upwards of six figures or more each year.
While Amex doesn't officially publish the qualifications for the Amex Centurion Card, black cards often require you to have a strong existing relationship with the card issuer.
Experts estimate that there are around 100,000 Amex Centurion cardholders in the world, with only about 20,000 of those being in the United States.