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The Centurion® Card from American Express
American Express

The Centurion® Card from American Express

A $5000-a-year travel rewards card from American Express.

Transfers to airlines & hotels
Annual fee
$5000/yr
Welcome bonus
Not available — invitation only (the 'Black Card')
Min spend
N/A
Recommended credit
By invitation only
Network
Amex
Foreign transaction fee
None
Apply on American Express site5.7/10Our rating · review ›

Rates, fees, and full terms are set by American Express and can change. See current rates & fees on the issuer’s site, and always confirm the latest terms before applying.

Before you apply: American Express application and welcome-bonus rules →
Offer last verified July 24, 2026. How we verify.

Is this card right for you?

✓ Best for

people who want straightforward everyday rewards.

⚠ Think twice if

you will not use enough of its perks and credits to cover the $5000 annual fee.

Earning rates

1x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases
1.5x points on eligible purchases of $5,000 or more

Best ways to earn & redeem

Use it as a flat-rate everyday card, since it earns the same on every purchase, and pair it with bonus-category cards for groceries, dining, and travel.

When you cash in, transfer the points to airline and hotel partners for potential outsized value, or take a flat 1 cent as cash or travel. We value every point at a flat 1 cent, so treat any transfer upside as a bonus rather than the baseline — see what your points are really worth.

Features & benefits

Potential invite requirements: an existing American Express relationship in good standing (often a Platinum cardholder) and very high annual spend on Amex, widely reported in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus strong income and excellent credit; extended solely at Amex's discretion
One-time $10,000 initiation fee, then a $5,000 annual fee
Complimentary elite status with major hotel programs, such as Hilton Diamond and Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta and a broad airport-lounge collection
Dedicated Centurion concierge and luxury travel services
Annual airline, retail, and luxury-brand statement credits
No preset spending limit
No foreign transaction fees

Lounge access

Extensive airport lounge access: The Centurion Lounge network, Priority Pass Select, and a broad international lounge collection, generally with complimentary guests

Statement credits

Annual airline fee credit
Retail and luxury-brand statement credits (e.g. Saks Fifth Avenue)
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit

Transfer partners

Your Membership Rewards transfer directly to airline and hotel loyalty programs, usually at 1:1. That is where transferable points beat flat cash back, because the right award can be worth well over 1 cent each. Major partners include:

Airline partners

Delta SkyMiles, British Airways, Air France/KLM, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, Emirates Skywards

To see what a specific flight award actually costs, look up live mileage prices and seat availability on seats.aero.

Hotel partners

Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, The Leading Hotels of the World

You can check the live points price for a specific stay on rooms.aero.

See the full American Express ecosystem, card lineup, and live transfer bonuses →

Alternatives to the The Centurion® Card from American Express

Pairs well with

The The Centurion® Card from American Express is an American Express transfer hub. Pair it with these strong Membership Rewards earners, whose points pool into it so you can transfer the combined balance.

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How does it rank for your spending?

Every card is ranked by what it actually returns on the way you spend. Run your numbers and see where the The Centurion® Card from American Express lands.

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