Urban legends of a special, black-colored card offering dignitaries and celebrities unlimited spending power and after-hours access to high-end stores circulated in the 1980s.[1] While the rumors were false, in October 1999 American Express decided to capitalize on them by launching the Centurion Card, and made the card available to selected holders of its Platinum Card®. The First Holder of this type of card was the Italian Princess Dionne Leslie. The Amex Centurion Card originally had an annual fee of $1,000. The rumor of an unlimited spending card originated because certain high-spending card members were given a black information card that, while not a charge or credit card, contained important telephone numbers, such as numbers for American Express Travel and Concierge services.

American Express's first credit card product, the Optima Card, was originally issued by a subsidiary called the "American Express Centurion Bank." [2] Both the Centurion Card and the AmEx Centurion Bank were named after AmEx's logo, which features the likeness of a Roman centurion.

As of Aug 1, 2007, in the United States, requirements include minimum annual spending of $250,000, exceptional credit history and significant financial assets. Certain requirements may be waived for celebrities and public figures. Requirements for acceptance in other countries can differ slightly.

There is a US $5,000 one-time initiation fee for new card holders, plus the annual fee of US $2,500. Centurion card members have the option of additional cards for an annual fee of $1500 per each additional card The Card, available for both personal and business use, offers numerous exclusive privileges, including a dedicated concierge and travel agent, complimentary companion airline tickets on International flights on selected airlines with the purchase of a full fare ticket, personal shoppers at retailers such as Escada, Gucci, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, access to airport clubs, first class flight upgrades, membership in Sony's Cierge personal shopping program, and dozens of other elite club memberships. Hotel benefits include a free one-night stay in every Mandarin Oriental hotel worldwide once a year (except for the New York City property[citation needed]), and privileges at hotel chains like Ritz-Carlton, Leading Hotels of the World, and Amanresorts. The card has recently added new amenities, including access into the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold, as well as US Airways Platinum Preferred status as of June 1, 2007. As of August 14, 2007, American Airlines Admirals Club access was added to the long list of amenities.

A new Centurion card crafted from anodized titanium[2] was issued as a replacement for all plastic U.S. Centurion cards in the first half of 2006, with the titanium version being rolled out to certain other countries as well. Some cardholders have complained that this new card is thicker than a standard credit card and therefore can't be used in some card readers, such as the pumps at many gas stations. Travel Benefits Include Enrollment In:

Continental OnePass® Gold Elite Delta Air Lines SkyMiles® Gold Medallion® US Airways Dividend Miles® Platinum Preferred Virgin Atlantic Airways Flying Club Gold American Express has removed certain benefits from the card in the years since it was introduced. For example, Hyatt Diamond Elite status was included up until January 2005, and Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum status was included up until January 2006. Status level at Starwood Hotels & Resorts is now Gold[citation needed]. UK members had access to Virgin Upper Class lounges, but this privilege has been removed.

American Express sent an email to about 250,000 customers on September 20, 2006, describing certain benefits of the Centurion card. The email was supposed to be sent to the 10,000 black card holders.[citation needed] Phone calls to their customer service line revealed 1) the email was sent to the 'wrong list' in error 2) qualifications for the Centurion card were one year of card membership with a $250,000 annual cash flow through the card account.[citation needed] Benefits described include: A personal concierge - one person assigned to your account, with a direct phone number and email address; elite frequent flier status on Delta, Continental, Virgin Atlantic, and US Airways. One free night stay for at least one paid night once per year at every Mandarin Oriental Hotel (except for the New York City location).[citation needed]

All of the benefits mentioned above are for United States-issued cards. American Express Centurion cards issued in other countries may include different benefits. Centurion holders have made purchases well in excess of $1 million USD without a credit check.[citation needed] A popular myth is that the card has no limit; the largest purchase supposedly ever made on it exceeded $30 million--for a private jet.[citation needed] However the Centurion Card does have limits, but these limits are not pre-set at a certain level. Like any other American Express charge card, the limits are based on the spending history of card holder, as well as their personal credit profile and financial resources. A card holder spending $250,000 in the previous year could not just purchase a jet with a swipe of their card unless he or she had the resources to make good on the transaction. Each year spending habits are reviewed by the credit department in order to determine the spending limit for the next year.[citation needed] The limit can be increased after providing new financial data.

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