#Centurion card benefits for free#
#Centurion card benefits upgrade#

#Centurion card benefits for free#

To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive payment from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site.

#Centurion card benefits upgrade#

Is it worthy to upgrade to the Centurion Card from Platinum Card if you ever get an invite? Two types of people would do that: savvy flyers who can make use of the 'complimentary' airline/hotel elite status and other valuable travel perks exclusive to the Centurion Card and those super rich who will care less about perks but just want a heavy black card to show off their social status.Įven with increasing fees and diluting benefits over the years, there are still many people out there who fancy a Black Card invite from Amex and would immediately shell out $15K for the 1st year if receiving one.The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. The card is a by-invitation-only product - while Amex never officially specified the qualification requirement for invites, it is believe that you should charge at least $350K~$500K a year to your Amex to qualify. Other Facts: The card is made of titanium and thus much heavier than regular credit cards.In non-US markets, perks can be a little different - for example, complimentary Cathay Pacific Diamond status was offered from 2011 to 2015. Some valuable discontinued perks include complimentary Hyatt Diamond status (top tier), SPG Platinum status (top tier), Continental Airlines Gold status (mid tier), US Airways Platinum (2nd top tier, ended in February 2015), and Virgin Atlantic Gold (mid tier). Later the invitation fee and annual fee were further increased to $10,000 and $5,000, respectively. In 2014, the additional card annual fee was raised from $1,500 to $2,500 and the maximum number of additional Centurion cards was limited to two. In 2012 the initiation fee was further increased to $7,500. Later, Amex raised the annual fee to $2,500, and then added the $5,000 initiation fee. History: In 1999 when Amex introduced the Centurion Card referring to the urban myth of the mysterious 'Amex Black Card', the annual fee was $1,000.(6) One of the biggest reasons for those to hold onto this card is the Centurion Concierge who is said to be able to perform some very difficult tasks on cardholders' behalf. (5) Centurion members receive exclusive 'WOW promotion' offers not available to Platinum members, such as a free night at a luxury hotel, a $500 hotel credit, a $500 gift card for a luxury retailer, etc. (4) Enhanced Platinum Card programs such as Fine Hotels and Resorts, Cruise Privileges, Platinum Destinations Vacations, Platinum Villas, etc.

Complementary Hertz Platinum status with benefits such as delivering your rental car to airport terminals and private car service back to terminal. (3) Complimentary Avis President's Club status which guarantees two level upgrades. (2) Complimentary Hilton Diamond, IHG Rewards Platinum, and Relais & Chateaux Club 5C (the only elite level, normally achieved by 15 nights per year) in addition to Marriott Gold offered by Amex Platinum. While there are many cards to help you to achieve airline elite status quicker, the Centurion is the only one that actually gives out airline elite status. Unique Benefits over Amex Platinum: (1) Complimentary Delta Platinum (2nd top tier) and Virgin Atlantic Gold (mid tier) status.Please check out our Amex Platinum review for details. Benefits shared with Amex Platinum Card: Even though the Centurion is much more expensive than the Platinum Card, many of its benefits are actually shared with its lesser sibling - Airport Club Access Program, unlimited Priority Pass Select membership, annual $200 airline reimbursement, Fine Hotels and Resorts Program, waived foreign transaction fees, just to name a few.Please see our featured review on five major programs that have the transfer feature - Marriott vs. However, Amex Centurion, along with certain other Amex products, is eligible for the transfer feature that allows points to be transferred to frequent flyer miles or frequent guest points. Best Use of Membership Rewards (MR) points: Normally, Amex Membership Rewards points can be redeemed at up to 1 cent per point (cpp) for the following categories: statement credit (0.6 cpp), gift cards (0.7~ 1 cpp ), flights (1 cpp ), other travel (0.7 cpp), shopping with partners at checkout (0.7 cpp ), merchandise through Amex shopping portal (0.5 cpp), etc.99 per ticket booking fee, but it is waived for Centurion Card members. You also earn 1 extra point when booking travel through American Express Travel normally there is a $6.99-$10. Rewards: 1.5x on large purchases over $5,000 each, and 1x everywhere.

Annual Fee: $5,000 for the primary cardholder, $5,000 for an additional Centurion Card (up to two cards), $175 for up to three additional Platinum Cards, $45 for up to five additional Gold Cards.