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The American Express Business Centurion Card is well known as one of the most expensive and exclusive credit cards in the world. In addition to some excellent travel benefits and access to the top-notch Centurion Concierge service, card members have no pre-set spending limit.
As you might imagine, when you have a credit card used primarily by ultra-high-net-worth individuals and with no spending limit, there have been some massive purchases on American Express Business Centurion Cards through the years. Here are some of the most extreme examples.
Nine-figure artwork purchase
The largest purchase ever made on a American Express Business Centurion Card was reportedly a $170 million painting, bought by Chinese billionaire Liu Yiqian Liu. And the 2015 purchase wasn't the first massive art purchase Liu made with the card. He previously purchased a $36 million antique tea cup from the Ming Dynasty on the card.
Even though the American Express Business Centurion Card only earns one Membership Rewards point per $1 on standard purchases and 1.5 points per $1 for purchases over $5,000, this means that the art purchase alone earned Liu about $2.6 million in redemption value toward travel, or potentially even more value if the points were transferred to some of Amex's partner airlines. And traveling for free for life is exactly what Liu told the New York Times that he and his wife planned to do with his points.
Mansions, jets, and cars
To be sure, most people who spend millions of dollars with their American Express Business Centurion Card don't broadcast it, so there is a definite lack of specific, confirmed reports, although they almost certainly have happened.
For example, one report claimed that the American Express Business Centurion Card was used to purchase a $54 million private jet. Other reports have claimed card members have bought yachts, exotic cars, and even houses with their cards.
American Express hasn't directly confirmed any of these (including the well-documented art purchases discussed earlier), due to privacy concerns. But an Amex spokesperson did confirm to the Guardian that large purchases like these are certainly possible, saying, "It is based on our relationship with that individual card member and these decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, based on our knowledge of their spending patterns."
You don't need the American Express Business Centurion to have no spending limit
While the American Express Business Centurion Card is well known for not having a pre-set spending limit, many people don't realize that several of American Express' card products also don't have one. So, theoretically, you don't need a American Express Business Centurion Card to buy a $2 million Bugatti -- you could make the purchase on any of the following cards:
Or, if you're a small business owner, all of these have a business version as well.
However, the key word is pre-set. Just because there is no pre-set spending limit like most cards have doesn't mean that I could walk into a Ferrari dealership with my Amex Platinum card and walk out with a new car. My spending patterns with Amex wouldn't come close to justifying that. But if you're looking for a card that has a flexible spending cap that can let you earn points on large purchases, one of these Amex products could be worth a closer look.
FAQs
For example, one report claimed that the American Express Business Centurion Card was used to purchase a $54 million private jet. Other reports have claimed card members have bought yachts, exotic cars, and even houses with their cards.
How many people own AmEx Black Card? ›
While AmEx services over 100 million cardholders, there are estimates that AmEx only has 100,000 Centurion cardholders worldwide.
Which celebrity has AmEx Black Card? ›
Jerry Seinfeld claimed to be the first person to receive a Centurion Card, after contacting the company's president about the rumored existence of the black card.
What is the average income for American Express black card? ›
The American Express Black Card income requirement is reportedly at least $1 million per year. It's rumored that you must also spend and pay off at least $350,000 across your American Express credit cards annually just to get an invitation to apply.
What is so special about a black AmEx? ›
If you are fortunate enough to have received an invite to apply, the card offers high-level luxury benefits including top-tier hotel statuses, Delta Air Lines Medallion status, Centurion hotel perks and credits and discounts for high-end experiences like private airport lounge access and Equinox All-Access membership.
What is the rarest credit card in the world? ›
One of the world's most prestigious credit cards is the Centurion® Card from American Express*. Though there may be other cards with more elaborate benefits, those cards are kept well under wraps.
What is the maximum limit on Amex Black? ›
No spending limit
There are no preset spending limits with the Amex Black Card, so you can easily buy big-ticket items that you may not necessarily be able to pay for with other credit cards. Keep in mind, however, that you must pay off your balances in full every month.
How rich do you have to be to have an Amex Black Card? ›
Amex Black Card Requirements
Have a history of at least one year with American Express. Spend $500,000 or more per year on your Amex credit cards (some reports say you need to spend upwards of a million dollars every year)
What is the most exclusive AmEx card? ›
1. American Express Centurion Card
- The American Express Centurion Card is the most exclusive credit card in the world and is commonly known as the “Amex Black Card.” ...
- The Centurion card is so exclusive that American Express won't release the card's full details or say how one can become a cardholder.
There's no credit limit
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 that's only the case if they can afford it. The Centurion® Card from American Express is a charge card, so cardholders can't carry a balance.
Black card spending requirements
Reports suggest that you need at least $10 million in assets under management with Chase to qualify for an invitation. For the Centurion® Card from American Express, anecdotal evidence says you need to charge six-figures on your other American Express cards annually.
What is the minimum spending for American Express black card? ›
There's no official requirement for Centurion eligibility, but we're talking big bucks. Amex reportedly extends invitations to apply for the business card only if you've spent (and paid off) at least $450,000 (or $500,000 — we've heard both) across all your Amex accounts in a calendar year.
What is the rich person card for American Express? ›
The Amex Centurion Card offers a lot of value, but its eye-watering fees make it clear that its biggest benefit is prestige. If you're invited to apply and you accept, the card issuer charges a $10,000 initiation fee to become a Centurion member. On top of that, the card charges a $5,000 annual fee.
How many Amex Black Card holders are there? ›
Experts estimate that there are around 100,000 Amex Centurion cardholders in the world, with only about 20,000 of those being in the United States.
Which color Amex is best? ›
The American Express® Green Card stands out as the card with the highest rewards on most travel purchases. The American Express® Gold Card is superior for foodie rewards: It offers generous bonus points on both restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets.
Is American Express a status symbol? ›
An Amex card is a new Gen-Z status symbol. Just hop on TikTok, and you'll see plenty of examples. College students flashing their Amex.
Who owns an Amex black card? ›
The most famous black card is the Amex Black Card, officially called the Centurion® Card from American Express, which is an expensive, invitation-only card for people with extremely high incomes.
How prestigious is the Black Card? ›
With high entry requirements and high fees, black credit cards have a well-earned reputation for exclusivity. Though card specifics, like invitations, are hard to come by, it's likely that aside from bragging rights, you'll be better served by a premium travel rewards credit card or another luxury credit card instead.
How many people own Amex Platinum? ›
Amex has about 70 million proprietary cards in circulation, of which 70% are fee-bearing cards. Platinum and gold make up less than 10% of that, Nash estimated.
