The American Express Black Card is an invitation-only charge credit card offered by American Express to platinum cardholders who meet the eligibility criteria. Besides membership rewards, the card provides lucrative benefits in lifestyle, travel, shopping, and service. Let’s understand what benefits eligible users can expect from the American Express Black Card and how to get the black card.
Benefits of the American Express Black Card
Dining
- The American Express Black Card allows you to reserve spots at a local hotspot or a world-famous location. Experts have local knowledge worldwide. You can contact Centurion Concierge on 800 1 225 225 or (+966) 11 407 1999 from outside the region to book.
- Centurion members can reserve tables and receive special advantages at acclaimed restaurants worldwide.
Concerts, Shows & Events
- Centurion members enjoy a range of exclusive event invitations, including shopping nights, access to high-profile events and after-parties, exciting high-performance events, private dining experiences, and more.
- During the public on-sale period for several events, you can buy tickets from a set of seats reserved exclusively for American Express Black Card holders.
Shopping
Users can enjoy free international shipping on all purchases from Matchesfashion.com, a contemporary luxury shopping hub catering to both men and women.
Membership Rewards
- Get one membership rewards point for every dollar charged digitally to an enrolled American Express Black Card.
- You can transfer points to travel, hotel, or retail loyalty programs, and use points to pay at online retailers. Additionally, you can pay yearly subscriptions for basic and supplementary cards, or fund charities like DSCA.
- Interest, costs including yearly membership fees and default fees, balance transfers, cash advances, and pre-paid card payments, as well as traveller’s cheque purchases with American Express and foreign exchange transactions, are exempt from earning Membership Rewards points.
Travel
- American Express Black Card offers exclusive treatment for Centurion members at select luxury hotels and resorts worldwide.
- The card offers an exceptional experience at more than 900 hand-selected, iconic properties in the best destinations across the globe.
- The American Express Black Card Lounge Collection offers you more features compared to any other card. It benefits users with over 1,000 airport lounges across 12 countries and more. Users can enjoy a high level of luxury experience at The Centurion Lounge, an International American Express lounge, the Delta Sky Club, or a Priority Pass lounge.
- The Boingo American Express Preferred Plan offers free unlimited Wi-Fi access at more than a million Boingo Hotspots across the world.
- Preferential costs are availed with the purchase of First, Business, Premium Economy, or Economy tickets with partnered airlines.
- Charter a jet for business travelers or leisure plans
- Get free membership in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards Presidents Circle and Avis President’s Club loyalty programs.
- Users can avail cruise and tour packages with this American Express Black Card.
Centurion Protection
Whenever you need any medical assistance, you can make American Express your first port of call all day. You can manage the account online through the AMEX KSA App.
Fees
- Initiation fee: Rs. 7,00,000 + GST
- Joining fee: Rs 2,75,000 + GST
- Annual fee: Rs 2,75,000 + GST
How to Get the American Express Black Card?
If you are eligible for the American Express Black Card, the card issuer will invite you to apply. Although there is a way to request consideration, there is no official process to use for checking the American Express Black Card application status. However, other credit cards allow users to apply for them. However, several reports online recommend some protocols that could be followed:
- Have an outstanding credit score of 800 or more
- Maintain a record of at least a year with American Express
- Spend a minimum of $500,000 annually on your American Express Black Card
- Make frequent and full American Express Black Card bill payments
Alternative to the American Express Black Card
The American Express Black Card offers access to Hilton and Marriott, but not IHG. The other cards, such as the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card, do not come with free elite access, but they offer unique benefits that speed up the progress towards earning status.
American Express Black Card holders also receive up to $1,000 in credits for Saks purchases. They are divided into four credits, each worth up to $250 per quarter of the year. To receive the credit, cardholders must make an eligible Saks purchase with their Centurion card, and they will be reimbursed up to the quarterly and yearly limits in statement credit.
Additionally, Saks stores will welcome Centurion cardholders outside of daily business hours, which is an extra benefit for those who wish to make a special purchase or appeal to non-Centurion-holding friends.
The Platinum Card from American Express
This is the most prominent alternative to the American Express Black Card. Cardholders gain access to Centurion Lounges, enjoy elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy, and receive various travel and lifestyle benefits. Users can also enjoy access to the Amex concierge service and the Fine Hotels & Resorts program. The yearly fee is $695.
American Express Business Platinum Card
This card is exclusively for business owners, and this version of the Platinum card offers multiple benefits, including travel benefits, lounge access, hotel status, and concierge services. It offers better rewards on specific business purchases and up to $400 in yearly Dell statement credits. Similar to the personal version, it has a $695 annual fee.
American Express Gold Card
Although Platinum or Centurion offers additional benefits over a Gold Card, the latter is still a great mid-tier option. It offers strong rewards on dining and groceries, along with access to Amex Offers and Membership Rewards points. It does not include lounge access or hotel elite status, but charges low fees, which makes it a great deal for those who wish to attain value without the ultra-premium benefits.
Summary
Overall, the American Express Black Card is not just a credit card but a status symbol. It is an invitation-only which comes with no predefined spending limit but allows several benefits like 24/7 concierge service, best hotel and airline status, lounge access and so on.
Also Read:
American Express Gold Charge Card: Tips for Managing Finances
