Better known as the Black Card, you'll need a personal invitation from AmEx to apply, and if approved, you'll be on the hook for a one-time $10,000 initiation fee on top of a $5,000 annual fee. Terms apply.

The "Black Card," officially known as the American Express Centurion Card, is an invitation-only charge card reserved for the world's wealthiest and highest-spending individuals. There is no public application process; to get on the radar for an invitation in 2026, you generally need to be an existing Amex Platinum cardholder with a verified annual spend of at least $250,000 to $500,000 (some sources suggest up to $1 million for the business version). Beyond high spending, Amex looks for individuals with a flawless credit history and significant net worth. Once invited, you must pay a one-time initiation fee of $10,000 and an annual fee of $5,000. In exchange, the card offers "concierge" services that can perform near-miraculous tasks—like closing a luxury store for your private shopping or securing sold-out front-row tickets—as well as automatic top-tier status at hotels and airlines. It remains the ultimate "stealth" status symbol, as it is made of heavy, anodized titanium and rarely advertised.