The Centurion Card is American Express's most expensive card, with a $5,000 annual fee and a $10,000 initiation fee that you pay once when you first get it
American Express does not publicly market the Centurion Card — often called the Black Card because of its metal construction. You cannot walk into a website and request one. Instead, American Express invites existing cardholders to explore, usually after they have spent a certain amount on other Amex cards and maintained a relationship with the company for years. The card exists for people who spend heavily on travel, dining, and luxury goods and want concierge services and perks built into their card rather than paying for them separately.
The cost structure is straightforward but steep. You pay $10,000 once when you first receive the card. Then you pay $5,000 every year after that. In return, you get a concierge service available 24/7, travel credits, dining benefits, and other perks. Whether those perks offset the cost depends entirely on how you spend money and what services you would otherwise pay for out of pocket.
Key Takeaways
- The Centurion Card costs $10,000 to obtain and $5,000 per year, making it the most expensive consumer credit card in the United States.
- American Express invites cardholders to explore based on spending history and account tenure, not through a public process process.
- The card includes a concierge service, travel credits, dining benefits, and other perks that may or may not offset the annual fee depending on your spending patterns.
- The card reports to credit bureaus like any other card, but the high annual fee and spending requirements mean it is designed for people with substantial income and existing wealth.
How you actually get invited to explore
American Express identifies Centurion Card candidates from its existing customer base. The company looks at cardholders who have spent significant amounts on other Amex products — typically six figures or more per year — and who have maintained accounts in good standing for several years. There is no published spending threshold, and different customers may receive invitations based on different criteria.
If you receive an invitation, it comes by mail or through your Amex online account. You then contact American Express to complete the process. The company will review your income, credit history, and account activity before approving or declining. Even with an invitation, approval is not automatic.
Some people have reported receiving invitations after spending $250,000 or more annually on Amex cards over multiple years. Others report invitations at lower spending levels. The exact formula is not public, and American Express does not disclose it.
What the annual fees actually cover
The $5,000 annual fee includes several services and credits. The most valuable is typically the concierge service, which handles restaurant reservations, travel bookings, event tickets, and other arrangements. You call a dedicated phone number and speak to a person who works on your behalf — not an automated system. This service alone would cost hundreds or thousands per year if you hired a personal assistant or used premium concierge services separately.
The card also includes travel credits. American Express provides up to $200 per year in airline fee credits and up to $200 per year in hotel credits, though the exact terms and participating merchants change. There is also a dining credit of up to $200 per year at participating restaurants. These credits reduce the effective annual cost if you use them, but they require that you spend money at specific merchants.
Additional benefits include airport lounge access, travel insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty coverage. These are common on other premium cards as well, but the Centurion Card bundles them with the concierge service, which is the distinguishing feature.
The spending requirement and how rewards work
There is no published minimum spending requirement to keep the card open, unlike some other premium cards. However, American Express does monitor account activity. If you stop using the card or fall behind on payments, the company may close the account or decline to renew it when the annual fee comes due.
The card earns rewards on purchases: typically 1 point per dollar spent, with higher earning rates on certain categories like travel and dining. Points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or cash back. The earning rate is not exceptional compared to other premium cards, so the rewards themselves are not the main draw — the concierge service and perks are.
Because the annual fee is so high, you need to use the card regularly and take advantage of the credits and concierge service to make the cost worthwhile. A person who spends $100,000 per year on the card and uses the travel and dining credits might find the fee justified. A person who spends $20,000 per year and ignores the credits will almost certainly lose money.
How the Centurion Card affects your credit and finances
The card reports to the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — just like any other credit card. On-time payments help your credit score, and late payments hurt it. The card's credit limit is typically very high, which can lower your credit utilization ratio and help your score, but only if you keep your balance low relative to the limit.
The high annual fee means you need substantial income to justify the card. Most cardholders have annual household income of $200,000 or more. If your income is lower, the fee will consume a larger portion of your discretionary spending and make the card harder to justify financially.
The card does not offer special tax treatment or financial planning services. It is a spending and rewards card, not an investment or wealth management tool. If you are looking for help with retirement planning, tax strategy, or asset management, you would need to work with a financial advisor separately.
Comparing the Centurion Card to other premium cards
Several other cards compete for wealthy cardholders' attention. The Chase Sapphire Reserve costs $550 per year and includes travel credits, concierge service, and lounge access. The Citi Prestige costs $495 per year and offers similar benefits. The Capital One Venture X costs $395 per year. All three are significantly cheaper than the Centurion Card and offer overlapping benefits.
The main difference is the concierge service. The Centurion Card's concierge is dedicated and available 24/7 with no call queues. Other cards offer concierge services, but they may have wait times or limitations. If you value that level of service and can afford the cost, the Centurion Card may be worth it. If you are price-sensitive or do not use concierge services, a cheaper card will likely serve you better.
The Centurion Card also carries significant prestige and status. The metal card itself is recognizable, and the brand carries weight in certain circles. If that matters to you, it is worth factoring into the decision. If it does not, focus on the concrete benefits and whether they offset the cost.
What happens if you stop using the card or want to cancel
You can cancel the Centurion Card at any time by contacting American Express. There is no penalty for cancellation, but you lose access to all benefits when ready. If you have already paid the annual fee for the year, American Express does not refund it.
If you do not use the card for an extended period, American Express may close the account without your permission. The company monitors for inactivity and may decide the account is not worth maintaining. If this happens, it will show on your credit report as a closed account, which can affect your credit score slightly.
Some cardholders cancel and reapply years later after receiving another invitation. There is no rule against this, but American Express will review your process as if you were a new applicant. Your previous history with the card may help, but it is not automatic approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just explore for the Centurion Card online?
No. American Express only invites existing customers to explore. There is no public process process. You must receive an invitation from Amex based on your spending and account history with the company.
What is the minimum income needed to get approved?
American Express does not publish income requirements. Most cardholders report household income of $200,000 or more, but the company evaluates each process individually based on income, credit history, and account activity.
Do the travel and dining credits actually cover the annual fee?
The credits can offset part of the fee if you use them, but they typically total $600 per year at maximum. The $5,000 annual fee means you need to value the concierge service and other benefits at $4,400 or more to break even financially.
Will the Centurion Card hurt my credit score?
Opening the card will cause a small, temporary dip in your score due to the hard inquiry. Over time, the card can help your score if you pay on time and keep your balance low, because it adds to your available credit and payment history.
What if I get the card and decide I do not want it after a few months?
You can cancel anytime with no penalty, but you will not get a refund on the annual fee you already paid. If you are unsure about the value, it is worth using the card for several months to test whether the concierge service and credits justify the cost before deciding to keep it.