American Express Centurion Card: Who Qualifies?

The American Express or Amex Company has been providing top-of-the-line financial products to consumers since the business opened in 1850. Henry Wells, William Fargo and John Warren Butterfield founded the company. Amex is most known for its credit cards although it offers a wide range of financial products to consumers. The American Express Centurion card is a high-end card that the company offers to consumers who meet certain strict criteria. One of the criteria that a person must meet to qualify for a Centurion card is that he or she is a previous holder of an American Express Platinum Card. The company used to call the Centurion card the Black Card because of its black color.

How to Apply for an American Express Centurion Card
No application process exists for the American Express Centurion cards. The company invites people who meet its criteria, and it does not directly disclose the criteria that one must meet to qualify for the card. American Express may issue a Centurion Card to either a person or a business entity. Once a person receives an invitation for the Centurion card, he or she must complete the elite initiation process.

Who Qualifies for the American Express Centurion Card?
To qualify for the American Express Centurion card, a consumer must meet four different standards. First, the person must be a previous Platinum cardholder. Next, the person must meet American Express’s annual income standards. Thirdly, the person must have a substantial net worth. The last qualification is the credit score qualification. A person would have to have a flawless credit score and credit report to qualify for the American Express Centurion card.

Although American Express does not disclose its criteria for the Centurion card, some consumers have shared their knowledge and posted about their experiences. The Centurion card seems to be geared toward persons who have an annual income of at least $1 million. Additionally, a qualified party’s spending habits must be high. For example, a person who spends approximately $250,000 per year may qualify for the Centurion card. American Express does not disclose its net worth requirements, but consumer’s rumor that it may be around $2 million to $16 million. The company states that it chooses its members one a per-case basis. The varied approvals support the company’s statement.

The Benefits of the American Express Centurion Card
Many benefits come with the American Express Centurion card. One benefit that many cardholders appreciate is the card’s texture. The Centurion card is crafted of black titanium, which is a strong and appealing material. Secondly, a Centurion cardholder can receive a complimentary airline ticket for a first-class ticket that he or she purchases at full price. Centurion cardholders can receive one free night at a Mandarin Hotel, as well. Furthermore, Centurion cardholders obtain automatic enrollment to Hertz’s Platinum rental car program and Avis’s President’s Club. Both programs give cardholders access to a fleet of featured business and personal vehicles.

The Down Side to the American Express Centurion Card
The downside to the American Express Centurion card may be in the associated fees and the fact that consumers cannot apply for it without an invitation. Some first-time Centurion cardholders will have to pay an initiation fee of $7,500. The card carries an annual fee of $2,500 as well. Additionally, the card charges a $37 late payment and returned payment fee, but it does not charge cardholders for foreign transactions.

The initiation fee and the annual fee may not seem high for a person who meets the qualifying criteria. Additionally, some of the card’s benefits are large, and they may be equal to a large portion of the annual fee. For example, a traveler can easily spend $2,500 on a plane ticket. The complimentary ticket that a cardholder receives could make up for one year of fees.