Luxury cards with the same benefits as the Amex Centurion (that you actually qualify for!)
Luxury cards with the same benefits as the Amex Centurion (that you actually qualify for!).
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If you're a frequent traveler and like to take advantage of great perks and benefits, the American Express Centurion Card is probably on your radar. It's no exaggeration to say the Black Card from Amex is the most exclusive credit card on the market — and most people are not eligible.
Luckily, you don't need a Black Card (or its astronomical price) to score premium access and great savings on your future travel.
First things first: Most people aren't going to qualify for the ultra-exclusive, invite-only Amex Black Card.
Amex doesn't disclose the criteria (like annual spending) it considers before offering an invitation to apply for the Centurion Card, but there is plenty of speculation online. Some reports say you'll need to spend between $250,000 and $1 million per year across your American Express card accounts.
Even if you can score an invite, the Black Card still has some pretty high barriers to entry in the form of fees . There is both an initiation fee of $10,000 after you sign up and an ongoing annual fee of $5,000.
Unlike most premium rewards credit cards , the Amex Centurion Card doesn't have a big welcome bonus. It's also lacking in bonus rewards; you'll get just 1 point per dollar on every purchase. Instead, the card's real value comes from its ample benefits.
Those include automatic elite status with several travel loyalty programs, Amex Global Lounge Collection access, VIP airport arrival and departure services, and 24/7 concierge service. In addition to travel benefits , you'll get access to exclusive experiences and perks for Centurion members, credits for purchases with SoulCycle, an Equinox membership, and much more.
But to get valuable perks like these, you don't necessarily need to be a Centurion cardholder. Plenty of the top premium credit cards today offer luxury travel benefits and exclusive perks for cardholders — no invite necessary.
Welcome bonus offer: One of the best perks of opening a new credit card with a high annual fee is the subsequently high welcome bonus . You can score hundreds or even thousands of dollars in value when you earn a welcome bonus with these cards. In exchange, you'll likely need to spend a significant amount of money on your card within the first few months of account opening — so make sure the spending threshold is within your budget before you apply. And remember to look at all the other card details too: A welcome bonus can add amazing first-year value, but it won't increase your return in the long run.
Rewards rate: With most premium rewards cards, you'll earn the most bonus points or miles on travel spending . Search for bonus rewards that best fit how you like to travel — if you have a preferred airline, for example, you probably want a card that earns airline miles or allows you to transfer your points to the airline's loyalty program. You may also get boosted rewards on some non-travel purchases, like dining, which can be a great way to increase your earnings no matter where you are.
Benefits: Most premium credit cards are flush with great benefits — which can sometimes be even more valuable than the potential rewards. These might include airport lounge access, upgrades and discounts on select hotel bookings, complimentary access to events and experiences for cardholders, rental car perks, concierge services, and more. Evaluate all of your benefits before you choose a premium travel rewards card to find the one that can best help you recoup your annual fee cost year after year.
Annual credits: On top of benefits, annual credits are a great way to offset the high annual fees you'll pay for premium rewards cards. Credits might cover airline incidental fees, fees for airport security programs like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry , general travel purchases, purchases with partner retailers, and more. Look for a card that offers credits on things you already purchase and have in your budget to get the best value.
Travel and purchase protections: Travel and purchase protections may not be the most exciting perks of a luxury rewards card, but they can be some of the most valuable. These include purchase protection and extended warranty against damage or theft, as well as travel insurance protections in case of unexpected trip cancellations, delays, lost luggage, and more.
Elite status: Both general travel cards and co-branded airline or hotel cards may offer complimentary elite status with certain travel brands. Take advantage of these status benefits to boost your rewards earnings when you book a flight or a stay, get priority boarding or early check-in privileges, and access more conveniences to make your travel less of a hassle.
Read more: The complete list of credit card perks that reset each calendar year
These are our picks for the best premium rewards credit cards available now.
Keep in mind, even if they're not invite-only, you'll still need to meet some criteria to qualify for these cards. Make sure you have a solid credit history and excellent credit score before you apply for the best chances of being approved .
