Black Amex - The American Express Centurion Experience

American Express Centurion Card Cost and Benefits - Black Amex Personal

What it normally takes and costs to get a black card:
1. $250,0000 in spending within the past 1 year with Amex
2. $5,000 initiation fee (up-front)
3. $2,500 annual fee (up-front)

Here is a basic rundown of the benefits you got:

• US Airways Platinum status
• Continental Gold status
• Delta Gold status (works on Northwest as well)
• Priority pass for airport lounge access for a wide variety of lounges - see http://www.prioritypass.com/
• Airport Club Access Program
  Wait for your flights in the comfort of a private airport club. Business Centurion members, as well as
  up to two of their traveling companions, can enjoy complimentary access to participating American
  Airlines Admirals Club®, Continental Airlines Presidents Club® , Delta Crown Room Club® , and
  Northwest Airlines WorldClubs® locations worldwide when traveling with the respective airline that is
  operating the flight.
• Avis President’s club
• Hertz Gold
• Starwood Gold
• Hilton Gold
• International Airline Program - Receive a complimentary overseas companion ticket on one of 18 participating airlines when you purchase a qualifying full-fare First-Class or Business-Class ticket through Centurion Travel Service.
• An assigned personal concierge (very handy, I use this often)
• an assigned travel counselor (travel agent with Centurion Travel Service), or an assigned team of agents that usually know what they are doing (but not always)
• Fine Hotels & Resorts -Make your travel experience extraordinary when you book a Fine Hotels & Resorts reservation through your personal Travel Counselor at Centurion Travel Service. Receive special amenities and comforts when staying at any of our more than 550 hotel and resort partners around the world. You’ll receive a room upgrade at check-in when available, continental breakfast for two each day, guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout, and an additional amenity unique to each participating property. Plus, with Centurion Hotel Privileges, you are entitled to complimentary stays, room upgrades and many more benefits that are reserved exclusively for you at participating Mandarin Oriental, Ritz-Carlton, and Orient Express hotels.
• Buyer’s Assurance Plan - When you purchase a covered item and pay for it entirely with your Business Centurion account, the Buyer’s Assurance Plan extends the terms of the original manufacturer’s warranty on eligible items for a period of time equal to the original manufacturer’s warranty, up to three additional years, on warranties of five years or less that are eligible in the United States.

Here’s a LINK to info on all the Business Centurion benefits, which are almost identical to the personal card, except you don’t get the Regus access benefit but you do, occasionally, get a gift being a member of Personal Centurion.

The main benefits that are worth it to me:

• the flight status upgrades (I get free first class upgrades 90% of the time or greater, almost 100% on US Airways)
• The assigned concierge
• The FHR benefits, if you stay in nice hotels, this is totally worth it. Plus a good promotion comes along like the free stay at the Wynn Encore plus some resort credits that is an incredible benefit.
• The Buyer’s Assurance program has come in handy once, covered an electronics item fairly easily and I got a replacement quickly.