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The American Express Business Centurion Card is well known as one of the most expensive and exclusive credit cards in the world. In addition to some excellent travel benefits and access to the top-notch Centurion Concierge service, card members have no pre-set spending limit.
As you might imagine, when you have a credit card used primarily by ultra-high-net-worth individuals and with no spending limit, there have been some massive purchases on American Express Business Centurion Cards through the years. Here are some of the most extreme examples.
Nine-figure artwork purchase
The largest purchase ever made on a American Express Business Centurion Card was reportedly a $170 million painting, bought by Chinese billionaire Liu Yiqian Liu. And the 2015 purchase wasn't the first massive art purchase Liu made with the card. He previously purchased a $36 million antique tea cup from the Ming Dynasty on the card.
Even though the American Express Business Centurion Card only earns one Membership Rewards point per $1 on standard purchases and 1.5 points per $1 for purchases over $5,000, this means that the art purchase alone earned Liu about $2.6 million in redemption value toward travel, or potentially even more value if the points were transferred to some of Amex's partner airlines. And traveling for free for life is exactly what Liu told the New York Times that he and his wife planned to do with his points.
Mansions, jets, and cars
To be sure, most people who spend millions of dollars with their American Express Business Centurion Card don't broadcast it, so there is a definite lack of specific, confirmed reports, although they almost certainly have happened.
For example, one report claimed that the American Express Business Centurion Card was used to purchase a $54 million private jet. Other reports have claimed card members have bought yachts, exotic cars, and even houses with their cards.
American Express hasn't directly confirmed any of these (including the well-documented art purchases discussed earlier), due to privacy concerns. But an Amex spokesperson did confirm to the Guardian that large purchases like these are certainly possible, saying, "It is based on our relationship with that individual card member and these decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, based on our knowledge of their spending patterns."
You don't need the American Express Business Centurion to have no spending limit
While the American Express Business Centurion Card is well known for not having a pre-set spending limit, many people don't realize that several of American Express' card products also don't have one. So, theoretically, you don't need a American Express Business Centurion Card to buy a $2 million Bugatti -- you could make the purchase on any of the following cards:
Or, if you're a small business owner, all of these have a business version as well.
However, the key word is pre-set. Just because there is no pre-set spending limit like most cards have doesn't mean that I could walk into a Ferrari dealership with my Amex Platinum card and walk out with a new car. My spending patterns with Amex wouldn't come close to justifying that. But if you're looking for a card that has a flexible spending cap that can let you earn points on large purchases, one of these Amex products could be worth a closer look.
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FAQs
Nine-figure artwork purchase
The largest purchase ever made on a American Express Business Centurion Card was reportedly a $170 million painting, bought by Chinese billionaire Liu Yiqian Liu.
How many Amex Black Card holders are there? ›
Experts estimate that there are around 100,000 Amex Centurion cardholders in the world, with only about 20,000 of those being in the United States.
How much do you have to spend to get a black Amex? ›
Annual spending of at least $500,000 to $1 million on your American Express cards -- and potentially double that if you're in a high-cost-of-living area. An affluent spending profile with high spending on luxury goods, restaurants, high-end travel, and similar types of purchases.
What card do billionaires use? ›
What Credit Card Do the Super Rich Use? The super rich use a variety of different credit cards, many of which have strict requirements to obtain, such as invitation only or a high minimum net worth. Such cards include the American Express Centurion (Black Card) and the JP Morgan Chase Reserve.
What is the maximum limit on black Amex? ›
There's no credit limit
The American Express Black Card doesn't have a pre-set spending limit, so cardholders can spend as much as they want every month. But that's only the case if they can afford it. The Centurion® Card from American Express is a charge card, so cardholders can't carry a balance.
What is the most prestigious credit card in the world? ›
What is the most prestigious credit card? One of the world's most prestigious credit cards is the Centurion® Card from American Express*. Though there may be other cards with more elaborate benefits, those cards are kept well under wraps.
Why is the Amex black card so special? ›
Beyond offering elite status with more travel partners, international arrival service, and the top tier of Amex concierge service, the Amex black card stands out from the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum with its selection of wine-related benefits, such as consultations with a wine specialist and wine-buying offers.
Which celebrity has a American Express Black Card? ›
Both Kim Kardashian and Oprah Winfrey reportedly have one, and Jerry Seinfeld broke his out in a recent episode of the Netflix show, “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” In fact, were it not for Seinfeld, the card might not exist. “Do you know why there is a Black Card?” he asks fellow comedian John Mulaney. “Me.”
How exclusive is Amex Black? ›
The American Express Centurion Card, colloquially known as the Black Card, is a charge card issued by American Express. It is reserved for the company's wealthiest clients who meet certain net worth, credit quality, and spending requirements on its gateway card, the Platinum Card.
Can you buy a house with a credit card? ›
You can't purchase a physical real estate property outright with a credit card the way you would when using a credit card to buy lunch or a new television. One reason for this is because a typical consumer credit card likely doesn't offer a credit line large enough to cover the entire home price.
The card likely requires an excellent credit score of 800 or higher. American Express previously allowed existing Amex cardholders to inquire about Centurion membership through a short interest form online. The form is currently unavailable, and there is no indication as to whether it will reappear in the future.
How to spot a fake Centurion Card? ›
The metal card should be in two pieces, the main card and then the insert on the back below the signature panel which is which goes over the embossed section (they hammer through the numbers), you should not be able to see the embossed numbers on the back (if you do, it is a fake card).
What is the #1 credit card to have? ›
The best credit card overall is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it gives 2% cash rewards on all purchases and has a $0 annual fee. For comparison purposes, the average cash rewards card in 2024 gives about 1% back.
How rich should I be to own a black card? ›
Chip Lupo, Credit Card Writer
The American Express Black Card income requirement is reportedly at least $1 million per year. It's rumored that you must also spend and pay off at least $350,000 across your American Express credit cards annually just to get an invitation to apply.
What's higher than a black card? ›
The most prestigious credit card is the invitation-only Centurion® Card from American Express (Amex Black Card), as well as The Platinum Card® from American Express, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card. All three cards require applicants to meet high income and/or spending standards for approval.
How rich do you have to be to own a Black Card? ›
Reports suggest that you need at least $10 million in assets under management with Chase to qualify for an invitation. For the Centurion® Card from American Express, anecdotal evidence says you need to charge six-figures on your other American Express cards annually.
What celebrities have a Black Card? ›
Celebrities Who Reportedly Have Black Cards
- Oprah Winfrey.
- Kanye West.
- Kim Kardashian.
- Lindsay Lohan.
- Beyoncé
- Britney Spears.
- Denzel Washington.
- Jerry Seinfeld.
