Why AMEX Centurion Cardholders Don’t Care About Membership Rewards

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American Express offers a wide variety of cards for both personal and business use. You can choose from co-brand cards with partners like Delta or Marriott, or cards that earn Membership Rewards. You also have the option of a credit card or a charge card—though that line is getting blurry. AMEX built its reputation on charge cards, and only later introduced credit cards. In fact, most of the cards you associate with American Express—like the Green Card, Gold Card, Platinum Card, and Centurion Card—started out as charge cards.

Back in the day, when there was only the Green Card, having an American Express card meant you were doing well. Just take it from Pele and Pavarotti.

Initially, owning an American Express card was akin to being part of a select club. The American Express Card became an emblem of the international traveler and top-level executive. Although the Gold Card was launched in 1966, it was only available to “high-spending” customers.

“Our card is a prestige instrument used primarily for travel and entertainment … it is not a ‘shoppers card’,” American Express CEO Howard Clark told shareholders in 1969.

In 1984, an even more exclusive “Platinum” card was introduced. It wasn’t until 1991 that American Express launched the Membership Miles program, which eventually evolved into Membership Rewards.

Then, in 1999, came the ultimate status symbol: the Centurion Card, officially called Centurion® from American Express, but better known as the AMEX Black Card. Depending on who you believe, this card was created after a conversation between Jerry Seinfeld and the president of American Express.

And that status? It hasn’t gone away.

The Ultimate Flex Card

These days, the Centurion Card is less about function and more about flex. Unboxing videos flood YouTube and TikTok, and influencers regularly show off the solid metal card for clout. Some even say it leads to better service, claiming staff take extra care when they see that matte black finish.

That perception has helped the Black Card evolve into something more than a payment method. It’s a symbol. It’s social currency.

But while the vibe of the Black Card may scream prestige, the earnings are straight-up mid. No bonus categories, no flashy multipliers, just one point per dollar, no matter where you swipe.

Still, if you’ve got a Black Card, you probably don’t care how many Membership Rewards points you’re racking up.

It used to be that only AMEX members like Barstool Sports’ David Portnoy could get a Centurion Card. In this clip, he casually flashes a balance of 45 million Membership Rewards points while shopping at Rite Aid.

Points Aren’t the Point

While most of us are out here figuring out which card to use for groceries, gas, dining, or travel, Black Card holders just use their Centurion everywhere. One point per dollar. That’s it.

But once you’ve cracked the million-point mark, you can probably book a Delta One suite without blinking.

And if you’re genuinely trying to optimize Membership Rewards points with the Centurion Card, maybe that $10,000 initiation fee and $5,000 annual fee weren’t the smartest financial move.

Then again, this card was never about the math. It’s about the myth. The flex. The moment of silence when it hits the table.

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