Also known as the Black Card, the Centurion Card from American Express is one of the most elite credit cards available today. Not only do you need an invitation to open an account, but you need to pay a $10,000 initiation fee and a $5,000 annual fee for it. All information about The Centurion Card has been collected independently by CardRatings.
Why would anyone pay so much for a credit card? Quite frankly, some do because of the card’s elite status. It is considered the most exclusive card on the market and having it in your wallet can certainly give you a sense of prestige.
However, the Centurion Card from American Express also comes with a bevy of benefits that make it valuable, especially for frequent travelers. The company keeps a tight wrap on the specific benefits offered, but according to reports from members, they include elite status in a variety of loyalty programs, a number of insurance services and access to a personal concierge service.
While these are all great perks, you don’t need to pay $15,000 to get them. Instead, you can find many of the same benefits on other, less expensive credit cards.
Keep reading to learn how to snag elite credit card perks without waiting for an invitation or paying the high price of the Amex Black Card.
But first, here are answers to some common questions about the Centurion Card from American Express.
How to get the Amex Black Card?
The Amex Black Card is available by invitation only. Normally, American Express would extend an offer to existing members who spend a significant amount on their current accounts – we’re talking six-figure spenders here.
More recently, American Express has made it possible to request an invitation. You can visit the Centurion website and request membership. To do so, you’ll have to provide your current American Express card number and security code.
Of course, submitting a request is no guarantee you’ll get an invite either.
Can you add someone to your Black Card?
Like most credit cards, you can add authorized users to your Amex Black Card. However, doing so will reportedly cost you $5,000 per user. Amex Black Card authorized users should have the same benefits as the primary cardholder.
Can authorized users get into Centurion Lounges?
The Centurion Network includes 40 locations worldwide that provide a comfortable lounge space for airline travelers to enjoy before their departure. Access to these lounges is one perk of being a Centurion member.
While the Centurion Network website doesn’t specifically address access by American Express authorized users, typically, those named on an eligible credit card account – including Amex Black Cards – get lounge access if it’s a card perk.
Can I bring my family into Centurion Lounges?
Right now, the Centurion Network allows Centurion members to enter a lounge with two guests or their immediate family for no additional charge. Additional guests are subject to a $50 day-pass charge.
However, on February 1, 2023, the guest policy at Centurion Lounges will change. Lounges will charge $50 per adult guest and $30 for children ages 2 to 17, with proof of age required. Children age 2 and younger will continue to have free access to lounges so long as their parents can provide proof of age or a “lap infant” boarding pass for the child.
How to get elite hotel perks without a Centurion Card from American Express
The Centurion Card from American Express reportedly gives its members the following hotel elite statuses:
- IHG Platinum Elite
- Hilton Honors Diamond
- Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Having elite status means having access to perks such as free upgrades, earlier check-in, later check-out, guaranteed rooms, service and food credits and so much more. But multiple credit cards out there – some that carry no annual fee – also offer cardholders some of the same benefits.
Here are some of your options:
IHG Platinum Elite: If you want IHG Platinum Elite status, you can get it for free for the first year using the CardName. It has a AnnualFees annual fee. New cardholders can also earn 140,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Hilton Honors Diamond: With a AnnualFees annual fee, the CardName discontinued (All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by Cardratings) isn’t the cheapest credit card on the market, but it is significantly more affordable than the Amex Black Card. With it, you’ll get complimentary Hilton Honors Diamond status, weekend night rewards, statement credits and bonus points for travel spending. American Express is a CardRatings advertiser. See Rates and Fees
Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite: The CardName discontinued provides complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. It also comes with a AnnualFees annual fee, but card perks include up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 a month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide (benefit is offered each year you renew your card), 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status each year, up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your card, complimentary airport lounge access through Priority Pass Select, and more. Enrollment may be required for select benefits; See Rates and Fees.
If you want to get elite status at two hotel brands with a single card, try CardNamediscontinued. It comes with Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status. It has a AnnualFees annual fee, but that is offset by perks such as the opportunity for up to a $200 hotel credit (conditions apply), $200 airline credit for incidental fees with a pre-selected airline, up to $200 in Uber savings and $199 CLEAR® Plus credit. Terms Apply. Enrollment may be required for select benefits; See Rates and Fees.
How to get elite travel perks without a Centurion Card from American Express
The travel perks that come with an Amex Black Card are varied and reportedly include:
- Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program
- Access to the Global Lounge Collection of airport lounges
- Elite status in Hertz and Avis car rental loyalty programs
- Free, unlimited Wi-Fi access through the Boingo American Express® Preferred Plan
- Centurion Concierge service
- Access to exclusive dining, concerts and events
These are all valuable perks, but you can get similar benefits – at a lower price – with CardName.
As mentioned before, The Platinum Card has a AnnualFees annual fee, but it isn’t hard to cover that cost if you use the many statement credits that come with the card. Plus, Platinum cardholders get access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program as well as the same lounge access as Centurion members.
If you want an even cheaper card that provides luxury travel benefits, try the CardName. It has a AnnualFees annual fee but comes with a $300 annual travel credit, 24/7 access to customer service specialists, complimentary airport lounge access and benefits through The Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection.
The CardName will also give you many elite travel benefits for a AnnualFees annual fee. These include a $100 annual air credit, VIP airport lounge access, 24/7 concierge services, airport meet and assist service and more.
Another option to consider is the CardNamediscontinued. It gives cardholders a $300 annual travel credit, complimentary airport lounge status, credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and more. The cost? Just AnnualFees a year.
How to get elite shopping perks without a Centurion Card from American Express
Buy something with your Centurion Card from American Express that gets lost, stolen or damaged within 90 days of your purchase, and get up to $10,000 per incident, with a $50,000-per-year cap, on eligible claims. That benefit, by the way, is also available with the CardName.
What’s more, a variety of credit cards offer some form of price protection, which means that you can be refunded the difference should an item you purchased on the card drop in price within a certain time frame. The perk basically extends a retailer’s price adjustment period to 60 or even 90 days. Be sure to check your card agreement for details.
Think you’ll miss out on VIP event invites? Concierge services? Travel services? Think again! You can also get access to those benefits when you use CardName or the CardName.
Plus, there are many other cards that offer other shopping benefits. For example, you could get the CardName, which has an annual fee of just AnnualFees, and for a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening. Plus, earn 10 points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com; 3 points per $1 spent on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations; and 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. The card also comes with a $100 annual hotel saving benefit off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.Citi is a CardRatings advertiser.
The bottom line is this: It may feel cool to get a secret invitation to a specially made titanium credit card with amazing benefits, but that may not be a good enough reason to spend $15k to get the Centurion Card from American Express. Isn’t it just as cool to pocket that astronomical annual fee and find another credit card that works just as well for your lifestyle while offering some sweet, high-end perks at a much lower annual cost?
All information about The Centurion Card has been collected independently by CardRatings.
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