Sander left a comment on Citi Chairman Card. So I gathered some information about the American Express Centurion Card. Let’s learn something about the most mysterious card in the world. The Centurion Card is so exclusive that you can’t find any details of it on the American Express website.

This card was launched in October 1999, which was available to selected holders of its Platinum Card. It was said the first holder of this card is Italian Princess Dionne Leslie. At that time, the annual fee was $1,000. However, in 2007, in the United States, the requirements include minimum annual spending of $250,000. Also there is a $5,000 one-time invitation fee for new card holders, plus the $2,500 annual fee.
This famous Black American Express card was initially made by plastics. From 2006, a new centurion card crafted from anodized titanium was issued to replace all of the plastic cards. So there is no plastic Centurion Card now.
Card Benefits:
Gold Status for Delta, Continental and US Airways and Gold Elite Status with Virgin Atlantic Airways
Cardholders can also access Continental’s Presidents Lounge, Delta Crown Room Club and NorthWest Airlines World Club when you are flying on their airlines. You also get access to Priority Pass Lounges regardless of which airlines you fly. Priority Pass has over 450 airport lounges worldwide.

Elite Hotel Status
The elite status available to centurion members has been the latest controversy among cardholders. When the centurion card was first marketed, cardholders automatically qualified as Diamond (Elite) status for Hyatt, Gold Status (mid-tier) for Hilton HHonors program, Platinum status for Starwood Preferred Guest Program, and also elite status for Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts. The perk that was coveted by centurion members was the Platinum Status of the Starwood Preferred Guest program. That was because Starwood has probably the best hotel frequent guest program with no blackout dates and suite upgrades for platinum members. Centurion cardholders often sited the room upgrades from Starwood Hotels essentially cover the cost of the card. Starwood also allows members to transfer points into airmiles at very favorable terms.

Fine Resorts and Hotel Program
Centurion has over 550 hotel partners around the world. When you make reservations through centurion travel service, you will receive room upgrades at check-in when available, continental breakfast for two, guaranteed 4pm late checkout and complimentary amenities depending on the hotel property.
But the most important benefit under this program comes from the Mandarin Oriental and Ritz Carlton. When you book a room at the Ritz Carlton, you will get a room upgrade at the time of your reservations and you will also get a $50 spending credit. For any reservations at the Mandarin Oriental, you will get a room upgrade upon reservation and also another room upgrade at check-in (that’s 2 upgrades). You will also receive from centurion a “Buy One Get One Free Night” coupon for each and every Mandarin Oriental Properties (except Mandarin NY). If you are a business man, and want to save a lot of money on it. This card is a good deal.

Baggage Insurance
If you book your travel tickets using your centurion card, you have up to $1,250 in baggage insurance for your carry-on luggage and $500 in checked-in luggage in addition to the insurance provided by the carrier.

Centurion and Departure Magazines
Since the inception of the card, members have received a copy of Departures magazine, which is also sent to all Platinum cardholders. However, in 2004, American Express Centurion members began to receive an exclusive “no name” magazine which was not available by any other means. Starting with the spring 2007 edition, this magazine has been officially entitled “Black Ink.” arture magazine, which is a magazine on luxury lifestyle.

Other by Invitation Only Events
As a centurion card member, you will be getting lots of mails and invitations to exclusive events.

Who have this card?
There are about 10,000 card holders worldwide (rumor?), including Paris Hilton, Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan……….
The famous black card has also appeared on the TV shows:

In season 1 of the ABC show Traveler, Tyler Fog’s father tells his son to use the black card given to him for emergencies to withdraw as much money as possible from an ATM to run for authorities.

In season 2 of the Fox show The O.C., Julie Cooper-Nicol mentions she is going to pay for a pony with her real estate baron husband’s Black Card.

In the Discovery Channel Show Build It Bigger in the episode about racing boats, after a jet engine is destroyed, John Haggin is asked how they will pay for the new part. After pulling out his wallet, he reaches in and pulls out a Balck Card, displaying it to camera.

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