The American Express Centurion Card, known informally as the Black Card, is an invitation-only
charge card issued by American Express to platinum card holders after they meet certain
criteria.
There are two different issues of the Centurion Card, personal and business.
History American Express introduced the Centurion
Card in 1999 to cater to a more affluent customer segment.
The card was initially available only to selected users of the company's Platinum Card.
To become a Centurion cardholder, one must meet American Express' eligibility criteria.
Cardholders are required to pay an annual fee, and in some countries also an initiation
fee In addition to a variety of exclusive benefits, the card itself is made of anodized
titanium with the information and numbers stamped into the metal.
American Express created the card line amid rumors and urban legends in the 1980s that
it produced an ultra-exclusive black card for elite users who could purchase anything
with it.
Availability and fees The Centurion Card is invitation-only after
an appropriate net worth, credit and spending criteria are met.
American Express does not publicly disclose the requirements necessary for getting a card
except that the cardholder has a substantial net worth and they are a former platinum card
holder.
For reference, the average Centurion cardholder has $16.3 million in assets and an annual
household income of $1.3 million.
Benefits The card, available for personal and business
use, offers services such as a dedicated concierge and travel agent; complimentary companion
airline tickets on international flights on selected airlines with the purchase of a full-fare
ticket; personal shoppers at retailers such as Gucci, Escada, and Saks Fifth Avenue; access
to airport clubs; first-class flight upgrades; membership in Sony's Cierge personal shopping
program and dozens of other elite club memberships.
Hotel benefits include one free night, when at least one paid night is booked during the
same stay, in every Mandarin Oriental hotel worldwide once a year, and privileges at hotel
chains like Ritz-Carlton, Leading Hotels of the World, and Amanresorts.
All of the benefits mentioned above are for United States-issued cards.
American Express Centurion Cards issued in other countries may include different benefits.
The card has recently added new amenities, including access into the Gulfstream Aerospace
Private Flyers Club, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold, as well as US Airways Platinum
Preferred and Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion status.
In 2007, The card also features complimentary enrollment
in Hertz Rent-A-Car #1 Club Gold and the Avis Rent-A-Car President's Club.
Initially it came with an extensive travel insurance all year round no matter how the
trip was paid for but since 2012 this insurance is limited to trips which are paid with the
card only.
The titanium-crafted "Centurion" card was first issued as an upgrade for all plastic
U.S. "Centurion" cards in the first half of 2006, with the titanium version being rolled
out to certain other countries as well.
Some Centurion customers have purchased automobiles using the card or made purchases exceeding
€1 million.
The card has no preset limit in theory.
In practice the authorization is decided upon past payment and spending patterns; the largest
purchase ever made on one was $36 million for a rare porcelain chicken cup by Liu Qiqian.
Many retailers object to the high commission charges on large purchases and prefer to offer
a cash discount.
The card is used for refueling superyachts and private aircraft where the bills can frequently
exceed $100,000.
Former benefits Several original Centurion program benefits
have been discontinued, including: Continental Airlines benefits ceased in October
2011 Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum elite benefits
downgraded to Gold Hyatt Diamond Elite benefits removed
American Airlines Admirals Club benefits ceased March 21, 2014
Publications Since the inception of the card, members have
received a copy of Departures, which is also sent to all Platinum Card cardholders.
However, in 2004, American Express Centurion members in the US began receiving an exclusive
"no name" magazine, which was not available by any other means.
Starting with the Spring 2007 edition, this magazine was officially titled Black Ink.
The magazine is available only to individual Centurion cardholders, not to the business-edition
customers.
European, Asian, and Australian Centurion members receive quarterly the Centurion magazine,
published by Journal International GmbH.
In June 2011, the Centurion magazine website was launched, offering daily updates for Centurion
Card members.
According to Journal International, the average age of a Centurion reader from Europe or the
Middle East is 49 years.
Ninety-four percent of primary cardholders are male and they have an average of 3.3 properties.
Their average household income is €653,000 and their average total net worth is €4.5million.
They have an average disposable monthly income of €8,800.
Centurion has been published since 2001 and has a circulation in Europe and the Middle
East of 44,100, in Asia of 13,900, and in Australia of 6,000.
Elite cards The Centurion Card is part of an elite credit
card segment created for a very small and exclusive range of clients around the world.
Other such cards include: HSBC Premier World Card
Palladium Card Top 5 Elite cards
References
External links American Express Centurion Website
2010 travel benefits