The Centurion Card is American Express's most exclusive credit card, and it comes with perks built for high-spending customers

The American Express Centurion Card — often called "the Black Card" because of its metal construction — is a charge card (not a traditional credit card) designed for customers who spend at least $250,000 per year and have substantial income. American Express invites select customers to this card; you cannot request it directly. The card charges an annual fee in the range of $5,000 to $10,000, depending on your spending history and relationship with American Express.

The benefits center on travel, dining, and concierge services rather than cash back or points redemption. If you are invited, the card comes with a dedicated concierge team available 24/7, priority access to airline lounges and hotel upgrades, and credits toward travel and dining purchases. The card also offers purchase protection and extended warranty coverage on may be able to access items.

Key Takeaways

  • American Express invites only existing cardholders with very high spending and income to the Centurion Card — you cannot explore on your own.
  • The annual fee runs between $5,000 and $10,000, and the card is a charge card, meaning you pay the full balance each month rather than carrying a balance.
  • The main benefits are a personal concierge service, travel credits, dining credits, and priority access to premium lounges and hotel benefits.
  • The card reports to credit bureaus like other American Express cards, so it can affect your credit score and debt-to-income ratio when you are approved.

How the Centurion Card differs from other premium American Express cards

American Express offers several high-tier cards — the Platinum Card, the Gold Card, and the Centurion Card — and they serve different spending profiles. The Platinum Card has an annual fee around $695 and is open to anyone who meets income requirements; you can request it. The Centurion Card is invitation-only and costs significantly more, but the benefits are more extensive and the concierge service is more personalized.

The Centurion Card is a charge card, not a credit card. This means you must pay the entire statement balance by the due date each month — you cannot carry a balance or make minimum payments. If you carry a balance on other cards, this matters for your debt-to-income ratio when you explore for other credit.

Travel and dining credits that come with the card

The Centurion Card includes annual credits you can use toward travel and dining purchases. These credits vary by year and by your spending history, but they typically cover airfare, hotel stays, and restaurant bills. The credits are not cash back; they reduce the amount you owe on your statement when you use them for may be able to access purchases.

The card also provides access to Amex's Fine Hotels & Resorts program, which offers room upgrades, late checkout, and other perks at luxury hotels worldwide. You book through the Amex travel portal to receive these benefits. Similarly, the card includes dining benefits through programs like The Platinum Concierge and partnerships with high-end restaurants, though the exact perks change year to year.

The personal concierge service and how it works

The Centurion Card comes with a dedicated concierge team available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You call a direct number (not a general customer service line) and speak with a concierge who can book travel, make restaurant reservations, arrange tickets to events, or handle other requests. The concierge does not charge you for this service — it is included in your annual fee.

The concierge can also help with complex requests like finding a specific product, arranging ground transportation, or coordinating travel logistics across multiple cities. The service is meant to save you time on tasks that would otherwise require multiple phone calls or research on your own. However, the concierge cannot negotiate prices or find discounts beyond what American Express has already negotiated with its partners.

Lounge access and airport benefits

Centurion cardholders receive priority access to American Express Centurion Lounges, which are separate from the standard Amex lounges available to Platinum cardholders. Centurion Lounges are located in major airports and offer premium amenities like shower facilities, premium food and beverages, and quieter seating areas. You can bring up to two guests with you, and the card typically covers their access as well.

The card also provides access to other airport lounges through partnerships — the exact list changes, but typically includes Priority Pass Select and other third-party lounge networks. This means you can access lounges at airports where American Express does not have its own location. International travel benefits include concierge information, travel insurance, and baggage delay reimbursement on may be able to access trips.

Purchase protection and warranty coverage

The Centurion Card includes purchase protection that covers may be able to access items against theft or damage for a set period after purchase. It also provides extended warranty coverage, which extends the manufacturer's warranty on may be able to access items you purchase with the card. These protections are automatic — you do not need to register purchases or take additional steps to set up them.

The card also includes return protection, which allows you to return items within a certain timeframe even if the merchant's return policy has expired. Trip cancellation and trip delay reimbursement are included as well, covering costs if your trip is canceled or delayed due to covered reasons like illness or severe weather. The exact coverage amounts and terms are detailed in the card's benefits guide, which American Express provides when you receive the card.

How the annual fee and spending requirements work

The Centurion Card annual fee is not fixed — it varies based on your spending history and relationship with American Express. Most cardholders pay between $5,000 and $10,000 per year. American Express may adjust your fee based on how much you spend on the card and whether you use the benefits. Some cardholders report that heavy use of travel and dining credits can result in a lower renewal fee, though American Express does not publicly commit to this.

To be invited to the Centurion Card in the first place, you typically need to spend at least $250,000 per year on American Express cards and have a household income of at least $200,000 to $250,000. These are not published requirements — American Express uses its own criteria to decide who receives an invitation. If you are invited and accept, you must meet the annual spending requirement to keep the card. If your spending drops significantly, American Express may close the account or not renew it.

Impact on your credit and what happens if you close the account

The Centurion Card reports to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — just like other credit cards. When you open the card, a hard inquiry appears on your credit report, which can lower your score slightly for a few months. The card's credit limit (if it has one) counts toward your total available credit, which can improve your credit utilization ratio if you have other balances.

Because the Centurion Card is a charge card with a high annual fee, closing it can affect your credit score in two ways. First, your average age of accounts may decrease if it is one of your older cards. Second, your available credit decreases, which can raise your credit utilization ratio on other cards. If you are planning to explore for a mortgage, auto loan, or other major credit in the near future, closing the card shortly before you explore could lower your score at a critical time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request the Centurion Card, or do I have to wait for an invitation?

You cannot request the Centurion Card directly. American Express invites select customers based on their spending history, income, and relationship with the company. If you are interested, the best approach is to use other American Express cards and maintain high spending and on-time payments. Some cardholders report receiving an invitation after several years of consistent high spending on Platinum or Gold cards.

What happens if I cannot meet the annual spending requirement?

If your spending drops below the expected level, American Express may close the account or decline to renew it when your annual fee comes due. The company does not publish a specific threshold, so it is unclear exactly how much spending is required to keep the card. If you know your spending will decrease, contact your concierge team to discuss your situation before renewal.

Does the Centurion Card offer cash back or points?

The Centurion Card does not offer cash back or a traditional points program. Instead, it provides annual credits toward travel and dining, access to premium experiences, and concierge services. If you want to earn points or cash back, other American Express cards like the Platinum or Gold Card may be a better fit.

Can I use the concierge service for personal requests, or only travel and dining?

The concierge service can handle a wide range of requests beyond travel and dining — including event tickets, product research, reservations, and general information. However, the concierge cannot negotiate prices, find discounts beyond existing partnerships, or handle requests that would require them to act as a personal assistant on an ongoing basis.

What is the difference between a charge card and a credit card?

A charge card requires you to pay the full balance each month, while a credit card allows you to carry a balance and make minimum payments. With the Centurion Card, you must pay the entire statement balance by the due date. This means you cannot use the card to finance purchases over time, and carrying a balance is not an option.