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The American Express® Green Card is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently and not reviewed for accuracy or provided by the credit card issuer. Some items may be out of date.
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
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.
What card do billionaires use? ›
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.
What is the spending limit on American Express Black Card? ›
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.
What is so special about a black Amex? ›
If you are fortunate enough to have received an invite to apply, the card offers high-level luxury benefits including top-tier hotel statuses, Delta Air Lines Medallion status, Centurion hotel perks and credits and discounts for high-end experiences like private airport lounge access and Equinox All-Access membership.
How rich do you have to be to have an Amex Black Card? ›
You need an invite from American Express to open the American Express Centurion Card. There are no hard-and-fast rules on who gets invited, but it reportedly takes at least $500,000 to $1 million in annual spending.
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 many people own the Black Card? ›
But we have it on good authority that celebrities including Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Jerry Seinfeld, who reportedly received the first-ever Black Card, all carry it. Collectively there are thought to be fewer than 20,000 AmEx Centurion cardholders around the world.
What credit card does Oprah use? ›
American Express Centurion Black Card
This credit card is only offered to a select number of customers. Famous people rumored to have this card include Oprah, Beyoncé and Jerry Seinfeld, according to CondeNast Traveler.
The best credit card overall is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it gives 2% cash rewards on purchases and has a $0 annual fee. For comparison purposes, the average cash rewards card in 2024 gives about 1% back. Cardholders can also earn an initial bonus of $200 cash rewards after spending $500...
What is better 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.
Can you buy a car with a credit card? ›
Whether or not you can purchase a vehicle with a credit card will depend on the dealer and the policies they have in place for certain transactions. Many dealers refuse credit card transactions or limit the dollar amount of such transactions due to the hefty transaction fees that often accompany them.
How to get an unlimited black card? ›
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 are the perks of a black card? ›
Black card benefits
- Access to more than 1,200 Global Lounge Collection VIP airport lounges.
- Fine Hotels and Resorts program benefits.
- Complimentary elite status with Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG. ...
- Global Dining Collection access.
- Crafted travel experiences through Centurion Travel Services.
If you have a Consumer or Business Green, Gold or Platinum Card, your Card does not have a credit limit. Instead, your Card has no preset spending limit unless you have been previously notified otherwise. No preset spending limit means the spending limit is flexible.
What is the largest single credit card transaction? ›
What is the biggest amount ever charged to a credit card? Hold your horses. $170 Mn - Yes one transaction. A billionaire bought a painting worth that much on his American Express card.
What is the hardest American Express card to get? ›
Centurion® Card from American Express
A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive. Why it's one of the hardest credit cards to get: The hardest credit card to get is the American Express Centurion Card. Known simply as the “Black Card,” you need an invitation to get Amex Centurion.
