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American Express is well-known for its premium card products and benefits, with many thinking the brand is just for those interested in luxury and travel. But did you know that Amex has many tiers or levels of cards? The bank offers many basic card options, including no-annual-fee cash-back cards, in addition to cards that are loaded with high-end benefits.
And whatâs more surprising is that more premium isnât always better when it comes to Amex cards. For some people, it makes the most sense to choose the card that earns more rewards instead of getting the best travel benefits.
In this guide, weâll walk you through each level of Amex cards, from the most popular travel rewards cards to airline and hotel co-branded options.
American Express offers a wide range of credit cards to suit different needs and lifestyles From cash back rewards to travel perks, Amex has something for everyone But when it comes to premium cards, which Amex offering reigns supreme? Let’s explore the levels of American Express cards and find out which one sits at the top.
Overview of Amex Card Levels
Amex organizes its cards into tiers ranging from basic, no-fee cards to ultra-exclusive offerings packed with luxury benefits. Here is a quick overview of the main Amex card levels
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Entry-level – No annual fee cards like Blue Cash Everyday and Delta SkyMiles Blue
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Mid-tier – Cards with modest annual fees around $100-150 like Green and Gold
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Premium – Cards with annual fees of $250-500 like Platinum and Delta Reserve
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Ultra-premium – Very exclusive cards with fees over $500 like Centurion and Delta Reserve Private Jets
While the highest tier cards have the biggest price tags, increased annual fees usually come with more valuable rewards and benefits. But more isn’t always better, so make sure to choose a card that aligns with your spending habits and needs.
The Different Types of Amex Cards
Before diving into the highest level cards, let’s go through the main categories of Amex cards:
Travel Rewards Cards
Amex travel cards allow you to earn Membership Rewards points to redeem for flights, hotels, and more. Popular options include:
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Green Card – 3x points on travel and dining
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Gold Card – 4x points at restaurants and groceries
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Platinum Card – 5x points on flights and hotels
These cards also come with travel benefits like lounge access, hotel elite status, and statement credits.
Cash Back Cards
Amex cash back cards provide statement credits instead of points:
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Blue Cash Everyday – 3% back at US supermarkets
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Blue Cash Preferred – 6% back at US supermarkets
Airline and Hotel Cards
Co-branded airline and hotel cards include:
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Delta SkyMiles cards
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Hilton Honors cards
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Marriott Bonvoy cards
These provide benefits with the associated brand such as free checked bags, elite status, and annual free night certificates.
Business Cards
Amex offers business versions of many of its popular cards like Business Gold, Business Platinum, and Delta SkyMiles Business cards.
The Highest Level Amex Cards
Now let’s look at the top tier or highest level Amex cards:
1. Centurion Card
Without a doubt, the Centurion Card, widely known as the Amex Black Card, sits at the pinnacle of Amex cards. The invite-only Centurion is a true luxury status symbol for the ultra-wealthy.
cardholders enjoy unlimited access to Centurion airport lounges, Elite travel benefits with major programs like Delta and Hilton, and exclusive privileges like personal shoppers. There’s a one-time $10,000 initiation fee and $5,000 annual fee.
Given the extreme exclusivity, for most people, the Centurion Card is a virtually unattainable holy grail. Unless you regularly spend millions a year or have very high net worth, getting an invite is highly unlikely. But it’s still fun to dream!
2. The Platinum Card
For us regular folks, the Platinum Card reigns as the highest readily attainable American Express card. With a $695 annual fee, the Platinum card brings an array of high-end benefits.
You’ll enjoy Global Lounge Collection access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide, up to $240 in annual digital entertainment credits, up to $200 in annual airline fee credits, Uber Cash benefits, Fine Hotels & Resorts privileges, and more.
The Platinum also earns a stellar 5x points on flights and hotels booked through Amex Travel. If you want the most luxurious travel experience possible, the Amex Platinum Card should be at the top of your list.
3. Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Frequent Delta flyers should also consider the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, which carries a $550 annual fee.
The SkyMiles Reserve grants Delta Sky Club lounge access when traveling on a Delta flight, plus a complimentary annual guest pass. You also get a first class companion ticket each year, free checked bags, and 20% back on Delta in-flight purchases.
With the ability to earn up to 15,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) to put you on the path to Delta elite status, this card is a no-brainer for loyal Delta customers.
4. The Business Platinum Card
On the business side, the Business Platinum Card stands tall as Amex’s premium offering for companies. With the same $695 annual fee as the personal Platinum, it packs a suite of business perks.
You’ll enjoy up to $400 in Dell statement credits, airport lounge access, hotel elite status, Uber savings, and more. Business Platinum also allows you to earn 1.5x points on all purchases over $5,000.
If you want a true business class experience while traveling, Business Platinum is the way to go.
5. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card
For devoted Marriott customers, the aptly named Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card is the top choice. The $650 annual fee is steep, but you’ll enjoy serious Marriott benefits.
Each year you get a free night certificate valid at properties up to 50,000 points along with automatic Marriott Platinum Elite status. That gives you room upgrades, lounge access, late checkout, and more at Marriott hotels.
Other perks include up to $300 in statement credits at Marriott hotels annually and 15 elite night credits each year. If Marriott is your go-to hotel chain, this card easily delivers over $650 in annual value.
Choosing the Best High-Level Amex Card for You
When considering one of Amex’s premium cards, make sure to evaluate if the annual fee will be justified by the rewards you earn and benefits you’ll use.
For instance, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve only makes sense if you fly Delta frequently throughout the year. And hotel co-branded cards like Marriott Brilliant are ideal for loyal guests who stay regularly at that brand.
Ideally, your card usage should align with the bonus categories and perks. But if not, a more basic Amex card with a lower annual fee may be better.
Also keep in mind that having multiple premium Amex cards can provide huge benefits. Many loyalists hold the Platinum for travel perks plus a Delta or hotel co-branded card for those brands.
Just be sure you can justify the total annual fees based on your expected card spending and usage each year.
The Takeaway on Amex Card Levels
While the Centurion Card may be forever out of reach for us commoners, the Platinum and other premium Amex offerings still provide exceptional rewards and benefits.
Yet premium cards aren’t right for everyone. Be sure to realistically assess your spending habits and travel preferences before applying.
But if you frequently stay at Marriott or Hilton hotels, fly Delta, and spend heavily on travel, a high-level Amex card could provide tremendous ongoing value. Just be ready for the hefty annual fee, and make sure you can maximize the card’s perks.
So while the elusive Centurion Card technically holds the crown for the highest Amex offering, the Platinum, Delta Reserve, and other premium cards still occupy the upper echelon of cards accessible to the general public. Any of these can take your rewards earning and travel experiences to new heights!
OverviewSCROLL FOR MORE
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Card Family |
Cards |
Best For |
| Ultra-premium |
Travel rewards |
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Delta loyalists |
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Marriott loyalists |
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Hilton loyalists |
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| Premium |
Travel rewards |
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Delta loyalists |
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Marriott loyalists |
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| Mid-market |
* |
Travel rewards |
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Cash-back |
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Delta loyalists |
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Marriott Bonvoy American Express® Card** |
Marriott loyalists |
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Hilton loyalists |
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| Entry-level |
Cash-back |
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Delta loyalists |
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Hilton loyalists |
*The information regarding the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. ** No longer open to new applicants
Currently, there are 4 Amex card levels in the travel rewards category. These cards are ordered from the most premium level at the top to less premium towards the bottom:
The Centurion card, informally known as the âAmex Black card,â happens to be Amexâs most premium card. This invite-only product requires cardholders to have a longstanding history with Amex and a large amount of yearly spending to even be considered for the card.
The next level down is the Amex Gold card. With a annual fee (rates & fees), the Amex Gold card is actually one of the best cards for everyday spending because it earns 4x points at restaurants worldwide, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., (up to $50,000 per year). It also earns 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year) plus 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines and with AmexTravel.com. The card also offers monthly dining credits (enrollment required) and Uber Cash credits for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders when you add your Amex Gold card to the app, as well as basic travel insurance.
Lastly, thereâs the Amex Green card, which is the entry-level Amex card in this family. For a much more pared-down annual fee (rates & fees), it earns 3x points at restaurants worldwide (including takeout and delivery in the U.S.) and 3x points on transit and travel. Cardholders also get an annual CLEAR Plus statement credit.
Just like Amex has a few different levels of cards in the travel rewards category, it also has a few options for those who are focused on earning cash-back. These cards include:
The Amex Blue Cash Preferred card is considered to be more premium than the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card.
With the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card, youâll earn up to 6% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year) and on select U.S. streaming services, as well as 3% cash-back at U.S. gas stations and on transit. With a (rates & fees), the card also has monthly statement credits for The Disney Bundle (enrollment required).
Meanwhile, the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card has a annual fee (rates & fees) and comes with the ability to earn 3% cash-back at U.S. supermarkets, on U.S. online retail purchases, and at U.S. gas stations (each category up to $6,000 per year). There are also monthly statement credits for The Disney Bundle and Home Chef (enrollment required).
Amex offers 4 distinct card levels for Delta co-branded credit cards with all varying levels of annual fees. These include:
All of the cards offer a 20% statement credit on Delta inflight purchases. All cards other than the Delta Blue card offer a complimentary checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights (for the cardholder and up to 8 additional travel companions on the same reservation) as well as 15% off on all future Delta award bookings.
At a annual fee (rates & fees), the Delta Reserve card is the ultra-premium Delta card and comes with perks such as an annual main cabin companion certificate, complimentary access to Delta Sky Club access and Centurion Lounges when you book with the card and fly with Delta same-day.
Meanwhile, the Delta Platinum card is the premium Delta card option with a annual fee (rates & fees). The card offers an annual companion certificate and a special rate to access Delta Sky Clubs.
The Delta Gold card with a annual fee and offers a Delta flight credit of up to $200 for future travel when you spend $10,000 in a calendar year (rates & fees).
Lastly, the Delta Blue card is the most basic option with a annual fee (rates & fees).
Currently, there are 3 distinct card levels for Amexâs Marriott Bonvoy co-branded cards. They are ordered below from most premium to less premium:
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card â Ultra-premium
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card â Premium
- Marriott Bonvoy card (no longer open for new applications)
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card is considered an ultra-premium card as it comes with a annual fee (rates & fees) and offers unique benefits like complimentary Platinum Elite status, an annual Free Night Award valid for up to 85,000 points, 25 Elite Night Credits per year, and more.
With the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card, youâll get complimentary Gold Elite status, an annual Free Night Award Certificate valid for up to 50,000 points, 15 Elite Night Credits per year, and more. This card comes with a annual fee (rates & fees).
Lastly, although the Marriott Bonvoy card is no longer open to new applicants, itâs still the lowest-tier Marriott Bonvoy co-branded Amex card. It gets complimentary Silver Elite status, an annual Free Night Award Certificate valid for up to 35,000 points, and 15 Elite Night Credits per year.
The levels of Hilton Honors credit cards are below, with the most premium at the top:
The next level down would be the Hilton Surpass card, which offers complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status and a Free Night Award after you spend $15,000 in a calendar year. This card comes with a annual fee (rates & fees).
Lastly, the entry-level option is the Hilton Honors card, offering complimentary Hilton Honors Silver status with a annual fee (rates & fees).
Each family of Amex cards has its own set of levels. And in relation to the travel rewards cards that earn Membership Rewards points, the pecking order is the Centurion card, Amex Platinum card, Amex Gold card, and Amex Green card.
Meanwhile, with cash-back cards, the Amex Blue Cash Preferred card is at a higher level compared to the Amex Blue Cash Everyday card.
With Delta, weâre looking at the Delta Reserve card being the top product, followed by the Delta Platinum card, Delta Gold card, and Delta Blue card.
On the Marriott Bonvoy side of things, there are 3 options: the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card, Marriott Bonvoy Bevy card, and Marriott Bonvoy card (no longer open for new applications).
Lastly, Hilton Honors has 3 tiers of co-branded cards: the Hilton Aspire card, Hilton Surpass card, and Hilton Honors card.
All in all, each of these cards could potentially offer tons of value to the right cardholder.
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FAQ
What is the highest level of American Express card?
The highest-level American Express card is the Centurion® Card, also known as the “Black Card”. It’s an exclusive charge card that requires an invitation for eligibility.
Is Amex Platinum for millionaires?
What is the highest rated Amex card?
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express: Best for Households & families.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best for Luxury travel perks.
- American Express® Gold Card: Best for Travel rewards on everyday spending.
What is the most elite Amex card?
The Centurion® Card from American Express is one of the world’s most elite cards because it requires an invitation to apply and is very prestigious to own. You reportedly need to earn at least $1 million per year and spend at least $350,000 annually on Amex cards just to be eligible.