Amex Black Card Limit and Exclusive Benefits Explained

The American Express Centurion Card, also known as the Amex Black Card, is an exclusive credit card offered to a select group of individuals.

The card has a reported spending limit of $50,000 to $100,000, although this can vary depending on the individual's creditworthiness and financial situation.

To be eligible for the Amex Black Card, you typically need to have an existing American Express Platinum Card and have spent at least $250,000 on the card in the past year.

Additional reading: Black Beans

Getting the Centurion Card from American Express is a challenging process. American Express doesn't publicize its requirements, making it difficult to know exactly what's needed.

Rumor has it that cardholders need to spend several hundred thousand dollars annually on another American Express credit card. This is a significant amount of money, and it's not something that most people can easily achieve.

To be eligible, you're also rumored to need an income of at least $1 million each year. This is a steep requirement, and it's likely that only a small percentage of people will meet it.

If you're a current cardholder, you can request consideration for the card, but there's no guarantee of a formal approval process. This means that even if you meet the rumored requirements, you might not get the card.

Discover more: American Express Platinum Card Requirements

The Centurion Card from American Express comes with a hefty price tag, but it's worth noting that the $15,000 cost includes the initiation fee and annual fee.

The one-time initiation fee is a whopping $10,000.

Cardholders also pay a $5,000 annual fee each year, which is significantly higher than the $695 annual fee for the Platinum Card.

You might be able to get the $5,000 annual fee back if you close your account within 30 days of the closing date of the billing statement in which it was charged.

For more insights, see: Amex Platinum Card Foreign Transaction Fee

The American Express Black Card offers a range of features that make it a highly sought-after credit card.

You can earn 1 point for every dollar you spend, with no foreign transaction fees.

This card has a high spending limit, with some reports suggesting it can be as high as $100,000.

There are two versions of the Centurion Card: the typical cardholder version and the business version, which is offered to employees deemed worthy by the company.

The typical cardholder version is reserved for individuals who meet the company's secret criteria, but we do know that it requires a significant amount of spending on other Amex credit cards, over $25,000.

One of the best-known perks of the Centurion Card is that there is no preset limit or credit limit on spending amount, making it perfect for impulse buying.

The business version of the card, on the other hand, is offered to employees who are deemed worthy by the company, but we don't know much about the specific criteria.

Here are some of the benefits you can expect from the Centurion Card:

The Centurion Card from American Express has a reputation for being one of the most exclusive and rewarding credit cards out there.

American Express doesn't publicize a list of the card's benefits, so many of them are known only to cardholders.

Cardholders have reported receiving exceptional customer service, with some even getting their own personal concierge.

The card is said to offer a range of perks, including access to exclusive events and experiences.

Cardholders have also reported getting preferential treatment when traveling, including upgrades and priority boarding.

The Centurion Card from American Express truly delivers on its promise of world-class service. Its personal concierge is at your beck and call to help with travel and dinner reservations. They can even assist with setting up complex travel arrangements.

Having used this service myself, I can attest to its effectiveness in resolving unexpected issues that arise on trips. The concierge can help get you out of jams when something goes wrong, like a natural disaster.

The American Express Black Card doesn't have a pre-set spending limit, so cardholders can spend as much as they want every month, but only if they can afford it. Whatever they spend must be paid back in full each month.

American Express has a limit on how many total credit cards you can have with the issuer at a given time - a maximum of five credit cards. This includes both personal and business cards.

However, not all American Express cards count toward this limit. Specifically, the following cards are excluded: The Platinum Card, The Business Platinum Card, The American Express Gold Card, The American Express Business Gold Card, and The American Express Green Card.

These cards are considered hybrid cards, meaning the option to finance charges is now more consistently available, even though they were historically known as charge cards.

Here's a list of the cards that don't count toward the five credit card limit:

To get an American Express Black Card, you'll need to be an Amex cardholder for at least a year. This is a minimum requirement, and it's not a guarantee of approval.

You'll also need to have a good spending history with American Express. Estimates suggest that you should charge a minimum of $250,000 per annum, although some reports put this figure as high as $450,000.

To be considered for the Black Card, you'll likely need an excellent credit score. Annual income of at least $1 million is also rumored to be a requirement, although this is not explicitly stated in the requirements.

Here's a summary of the requirements:

To get an invitation to apply for the American Express Black Card, you'll need to be an Amex cardholder for at least a year.

You'll also need to have a good spending habit, as you'll be required to charge a minimum of $250,000 per annum, though some estimates can be as high as $450,000.

Using different Amex cards is also a requirement, as it shows that you're actively using their services.

Here's a breakdown of the requirements in a nutshell:

Keep in mind that these requirements are subject to change, and the actual requirements might be more stringent than what's listed here.

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The American Express card with the highest limit is The Platinum Card from American Express, which has a no preset spending limit. This means the cardholder's purchasing power adapts over time based on factors such as their purchase, payment, and credit history.

Cardholders with high income, low debt, and good credit history can get a high spending power with this card. This is because American Express calculates the cardholder's purchasing power based on how much they spend on the card, their income, any debt they carry, and their overall creditworthiness.

You'll need to have a good credit history to get approved for the American Express Platinum card, which is just one of the requirements to get an invitation to apply for the card. To be clear, this is just the bare minimum needed to get started.

The American Express Platinum card is a great option for those who can afford to pay their balance in full each month, as it won't give you a specific credit limit once you're approved for the card.

If you're interested in a luxury card experience without the hefty price tag, there are some more-attainable alternatives worth considering.

The Platinum Card from American Express offers a luxury American Express experience at a far more affordable annual fee. This card is a great option if you want to enjoy the benefits of being a luxury card holder without breaking the bank.

If you care more about travel value than bragging rights, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great choice. This card offers plenty of perks and rewards flexibility, making it a great option for frequent travelers.

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If you're committed to the "Black Card" name at the expense of everything else, the Mastercard Black Card meets the need. However, it's essential to weigh the costs and benefits before making a decision.

Here are some alternative luxury credit cards to consider: