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American Express truly lives up to its esteemed reputation by offering an array of card options, notably some luxurious ones. In my personal experience, I’ve found their card selection to be vast and tailored to various needs. Among their offerings, it’s definitely worthwhile to consider the highest-tier card from Amex. Securing this card, provided you meet the qualifications, can grant you access to the most lucrative rewards and privileges. The feeling of holding a top-tier card not only enhances one’s travel experience but also offers unmatched benefits in daily transactions. Here are the cards to look out for if you want to get the highest-level card with American Express.
Jump ahead to learn more and see the welcome bonus for the Platinum Card® from American Express
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the issuer’s highest-level travel card from Amex. It also offers the most benefits of any American Express card accepting applications. For many, the Amex Platinum benefits are as good as it gets.
Some of the best cardholder perks include:
- Annual up to $200 airline fee credit
- Global Lounge Collection airport lounge access
- Up to $200 in Uber Cash per year
- Also, up to $240 Digital Entertainment Credit per year
- Plus, up to $155 Walmart Plus membership fee credit
- Earn up to 5x Membership Rewards® on purchases
This benefit-rich metal card is best for travel but is also effective for select lifestyle purchases.
You will need good or excellent credit to be eligible for this product. Additionally, we show you how to see if you’re eligible for a 100,000 or 125,000 Amex Platinum targeted bonus offer with CardMatch™.
The annual fee is $695 for the primary card (See Rates & Fees). To add secondary users, you pay a fee of $195.
Related: How Hard Is It To Get The American Express Platinum Card?
American Express Gold Card
The American Express® Gold Card is the most luxurious American Express card for dining rewards, and you can pair it with the Amex Platinum as it earns Membership Rewards points.
Dining and travel benefits include:
- Up to $120 annual dining credit ($10 monthly with participating restaurants and delivery services)
- Also, up to $120 Uber Cash ($10 monthly for rides and eats)
- Up to $100 experience credit at The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel
- Earn up to 4x points on dining at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1x)
- 3x points on flights booked directly from the airline or on AmexTravel.com
This is a metal card available in its classic gold or rose gold design.
The annual fee is $250, and there is no foreign transaction fee (See Rates and Fees).
Related: American Express Gold Card Review
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Let’s also take a look at the highest-level card from Amex in the business genre. The Business Platinum® Card from American Express is the highest-level business card from Amex. Its travel benefits are similar to the consumer version with an up to $200 airline fee credit, airport lounge benefits, private jet benefits, and hotel elite status.
Some of the Business Platinum Card’s exclusive benefits include:
- 35% Airline Bonus (Up to 1,000,000 points back per year on award flight redemptions)
- Dell Technologies up to $400 statement credit
- Indeed up to $360 statement credit
- Adobe Creative Solutions up to $140 statement credit
- Up to $120 statement credit with U.S. wireless telephone service providers
The annual fee is $695 for the primary card (See Rates & Fees).
Related: The Best American Express Business Cards
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
You may not be surprised that there’s a premium airline card that’s one of the highest-level Amex cards. American Express offers several co-brand travel cards with Delta Air Lines, Hilton Honors, and Marriott Bonvoy which can also be beneficial.
Of these loyalty programs, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the furthest reaching regarding benefits and earning rewards as airline miles tend to be more valuable than hotel points.
Most of the perks are for when you fly on Delta:
- Eligible Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- 20% back on in-flight purchases
- Priority boarding
- Complimentary flight upgrades (after Medallion members)
New Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on their new Card in their first 6 months.
With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
The annual fee is $550 for the primary card (See Rates & Fees).
Blue Cash Preferred from American Express
Can you get a cash-back card as one of the highest-level cards with Amex? Yes! If you prefer cash-back cards, the Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express has the highest earning potential.
- 6% back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%)
- 6% back on select U.S. streaming services
- 3% back on transit
- 3% back at U.S. gas stations
- 1% back on all remaining purchases
Earning up to 6% back at supermarkets makes it one of the best grocery credit cards. Additionally, you can redeem your cash rewards as a statement credit.
Additional annual Blue Cash Preferred cardholder benefits include:
- Up to $84 Disney Bundle Credit ($7 monthly)
- Up to $120 Equinox+ credit ($10 monthly)
The annual fee is $0 for the first 12 months and then $95 per year (See Rates & Fees). However, there is a 2.7% foreign transaction fee.
Related: The Best Cash Back Card Offers in 2023 (Up to 6% Back)
Highest Level Amex Card: The Centurion Card from American Express
The information for The Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Centurion® Card from American Express is the most luxurious card that Amex offers. It’s also called the Amex Black Card. However, you won’t automatically qualify for one of the most exclusive cards until you’re a well-established American Express member and are invited to apply.
There are minimal details about how to qualify for the Centurion Card, but the primary requirement is spending a minimum amount of money on your existing American Express cards.
A general consensus is needing to make at least $250,000 to $350,000 in combined annual spending on personal Amex cards. The Platinum Card® from American Express and the American Express® Gold Card take precedence as they are high-level products.
Business customers can also be eligible for the business version of this card, although the spending requirements appear to be higher. Reports indicate you need at least $400,000 to $500,000 in yearly purchases. Each account is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Benefits
This card is essentially the Amex Platinum on steroids regarding travel and lifestyle benefits.
Featured benefits include:
- Complimentary Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion status
- Centurion Concierge access
- Hotel elite status (Hilton Honors Diamond, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite, IHG Platinum Elite)
- Cruise credits on qualifying bookings
- 50% points back through the Pay With Points benefit
- Equinox Destination Access membership
- Up to $250 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits per quarter
As interest in premium cards for airport lounge access has grown, Centurion cardholders will have an easier time getting into Centurion Lounges and bringing in travel companions in busy times.
This card also has hefty fees including a one-time $10,000 initiation fee plus $5,000 per primary and secondary card.
Summary of the Highest Level Card With Amex
In conclusion, applying for the American Express Platinum Card or American Express Gold is the best way to get the highest level card from this card issuer. However, you can explore the co-brand and cash rewards options too when these rewards programs are easier to utilize.
Related Articles:
- The Best Limited Time Credit Card Offers
- Is It Hard to Get the Amex Gold?
- What Is The Best Card To Use While Traveling?
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the American Express® Gold Card, please click here.
And for rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of The Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express, please click here.
