It’s not feasible to do an apples-to-apples comparison of the Centurion Card to other cards, as it caters to such a small segment of the market and offers unique benefits. That said, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and The Platinum Card® from American Express offer a slice of what the Centurion does for a fraction of the annual fee.
Centurion® Card from American Express* vs. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express costs $695 per year (terms apply, see rates & fees), which seems like a bargain when compared to the Centurion’s $5,000. Some benefits, such as airport lounge access (albeit without the Centurion’s skip-the-line privileges) and hotel and car rental statuses, are similar with both cards. However, the Centurion’s included statuses are top-tier and include Hilton Diamond, Delta Executive Platinum and Hertz Platinum, which the Business Platinum does not.
But the American Express Business Platinum earns significantly higher rewards of 5 Membership Rewards® points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels through American Express Travel, 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
When it comes time to redeem, the transfer partners for the two cards are identical. The Centurion Business Card does offer a higher pay-with-points rebate on eligible flight bookings at 50% versus the Platinum Business Card’s 35%. Another point in the Centurion Card’s favor: the rebate applies to any flight on any airline, not just business and first class, and not just for a designated airline.
Centurion® Card from American Express* vs. The Platinum Card® from American Express
Some of the Amex Black Card benefits are also available on The Platinum Card® from American Express, but for a much lower fee of $695 (terms apply, see rates & fees). Like the Business Platinum, the personal card earns 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 per calendar year, 5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and 1 point per dollar on other eligible purchases. Unlike the business version of the card, it lacks the airfare points rebate, which could add up for those who use it strategically.
Instead, the Amex Platinum piles on the consumer benefits, although at a junior level from its Centurion cousin. The Platinum card offers up to $100 annually to Saks Fifth Avenue—vs. $1,000 with the Centurion—and a rebate on Equinox Gym memberships (enrollment required) vs. the full membership offered by the Centurion card. The Platinum card also includes some credits not offered by the Black card, such as Uber Cash credits and statement credits toward Walmart+ memberships.
Choosing between the Amex Platinum or Amex Black cards likely has more to do with your lifestyle than the earning or redemption rates.
Centurion® Card from American Express* vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
If you’re new to travel credit cards and the Amex Black Card is an aspirational goal for you, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card can be a good starter card on your path to bigger and better rewards and perks. The card offers 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
You’ll also earn 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Walmart, Target and wholesale clubs), 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. With a $95 annual fee, the card doesn’t offer a lot of perks, but you will get up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays booked through Chase. The card also offers 25% more value when you use points to book travel through Chase Travel℠ and also allows you to transfer rewards to airline and hotel partners.
Find The Best American Express Credit Cards Of 2024
Learn More
All information about Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor
