Comparison
The Centurion® Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express: choose the best!
American Express has two great options for travel cards. The Centurion® Card from American Express is the top ultra-exclusive black card. On the other hand, one of the most reliable credit cards is The Platinum Card® from American Express. This article is a full review comparing both travel credit cards by Amex!
Advertisement
All information about The Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by The Mad Capitalist.
Advertisement
The Centurion® Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express: learn the best option for you
At American Express you can choose between The Centurion® Card or The Platinum Card®. Whichever you choose, you’ll have an amazing travel credit card in your hands.
One of the best credit card brands in the market, American Express has a lot to offer. In the matter of travel credit cards, it has two excellent options for exigent customers.
The major difference between them is the costs. To be a Centurion member you’ll pay thousands of dollars in the initiation and annual fee. Also, you need an invitation to have one.
The American Express Platinum can be more accessible in comparison with the Centurion card. You will also have travel facilities and excellent benefits.
To choose between The Centurion® Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Mad Capitalist brought you the major factors of both for comparison. Stay for reading it entirely, it’s good info.
How to apply for The Centurion Card
Do you have what it takes to ask for The Centurion® Card from American Express? Here is the step-by-step to make your requisition. Keep reading!
How to apply for The Platinum Card
It is simple to apply for The Platinum Card® from American Express. If you love getting benefits and traveling the world, apply now for it.
The Centurion® Card from American Express | The Platinum Card® from American Express | |
Sign-up bonus | Membership Rewards® Points – variable to each client *Terms Apply. | 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. *Terms Apply. |
Annual Fee | $5,000 + Initiation fee $10,000 | $695. Rates & Fees. |
Rewards | 1X Membership Rewards® Points for each dollar spent on eligible purchases | 5x points on flights you book directly through airlines or American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year); 5x points on prepaid hotels (valid for those you book through AmexTravel.com); 1x point on any other eligible purchase. |
Other perks | – Platinum and Diamond Elite Status at the best hotels – Delta Skymiles Platinum Medallion status – CLEAR and Equinox memberships – and much more. | – $200 in credit for airline incidental fees – $300 credits at Equinox – Gold Elite Status at the Marriot Bonvoy and Hilton – Room upgrades and late check-out in thousand of places – and much more. |
APR | Prime Rate + 21.99% (variable) | See Pay Over Time APR. |
American Express Centurion
This card screams “luxury” in all of its features. The grandfather of the “black cards” is a symbol of high status.
Only the ultrarich have access to the Centurion membership. It is not possible to apply for it without an invitation. However, you can ask to be considered for an invite at the American Express Centurion website.
American Express doesn’t expose exactly what are the requirements. We can set some parameters from users’ reports, but this leads to uncertain numbers.
Before asking for the invitation, check if you fit the requirements:
- Excellent credit score
- A responsible credit history with American Express. The Centurion can’t be your first credit card.
- At least $250,000 to $450,000 spent with your Amex credit cards for at least one year.
After fitting these requirements, you have to afford it. The annual fee is $5,000.
If the annual fee seems too much, you should see the initiation fee: $10,000. This is not a card for everyone, only a few can pay for it.
On the other hand, this card will give you a lot of exclusive benefits. These are some of them:
Advertisement
Benefits
- 24/7 Concierge program to assist you with everything you need during your trips.
- Personal shoppers at Saks Fifth Avenue and other high-class stores and brands.
- First-class upgrades in flights and boarding preferences.
- Membership Reward Points program, easy to redeem and never expire.
- Platinum and Diamond Elite Status in the best hotels worldwide.
Disadvantages
- Expensive annual fee
- No cashback program
- Heavy initiation fee
Advertisement
American Express Platinum
It has two options, the Personal and the Business card. Here we will cover the personal card features.
The benefits are similar to the ones offered by the Centurion. However, they won’t have the same status.
The Platinum can be your first Amex credit card if you fill the requirements. You can apply through the American Express website in just a few minutes.
With excellent reliability, it is unlike that it won’t be accepted in any part of the world. To apply for it you’ll need a credit score above 720 and to prove a steady source of income of at least $50,000 a year.
The benefits are directed to travel experiences and luxury purchases. See if you can take the best of these benefits:
Benefits
- Membership Reward Points that go from 1x to 5x the amount spent.
- Access to airport lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
- Gold Elite Status in the best hotels
- 24/7 Concierge Program.
- American Express Preferred Seating: get the best seats at entertainment events.
- Thousand of dollars worth in other perks and discount offers.
- No preset spending limit and no foreign transaction fees.
Disadvantages
- The annual fee is high – $695 per year.
- It will be harder for a less experienced credit card holder to convert the benefits without expending more than they would usually do.
The Centurion® Card or The Platinum Card® from American Express: choose the best.
The Centurion® Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express have similar features. However, the Centurion credit card is way beyond the ruler of credit cards.
The Platinum credit card is a viable option for more people. It has a great number of benefits and a more accessible annual fee. All of this with the Elite Status of a bon vivant.
The Centurion, however, is so exclusive that is hard to deny the invitation when you receive one. It is up to the invited Amex cardholder to weigh the cost and the benefits.
If none of these credit cards pleases you, we can recommend a third option. Check the review of the Discover it® Secured card!
Application for the Discover it® Secured card
Discover it® Secured card offers more than just benefits. It will help you rebuild your financial life with a healthy credit score. We'll tell you how to apply for it!
Trending Topics
Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card review
Looking for a no hidden fees, cash-back credit card? Check out this Petal 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa Credit Card review. Read on!
Keep ReadingBreathwrk App review: A Breath of Fresh Air at the palm of your hands
Have you been looking for a fresh and new way to improve your breathing? Look no further than this Breathwork app review.
Keep ReadingApply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card in a Flash
Here is the quickest way to apply for the Hilton Honors American Express Card - earn up to 7 points on purchases with $0 annual fee! Read on!
Keep ReadingYou may also like
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): see if you qualify
Learn more about the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program and how to apply if you or a loved one needs assistance.
Keep ReadingCan You Pay Your Mortgage on a Credit Card?
Do you want to know if you can pay your mortgage on a credit card? Find the answer to this question, risks and benefits. Read on!
Keep ReadingWhat to do if I didn’t get my Stimulus Check? [2023]
Here are some tips on what to do if you're one of the millions of Americans who haven't received their stimulus check yet. Read on!
Keep Reading