The original annual fee of the American Express Centurion Card when introduced in 1999 was $1,000.
American Express launched the Centurion Card in October 1999 as an invitation-only charge card for selected Platinum Card members. It was created for an exceptionally affluent group of customers who wanted highly personalized service and access to elite travel benefits. The card became widely known as the “Black Card,” partly because it turned longstanding rumors about an ultra-exclusive American Express card into a real product.
The original $1,000 fee should not be confused with the much higher charges associated with later versions. Over time, American Express increased the annual fee and added a separate initiation fee in some markets, so modern references can show figures such as $5,000 or more. Those are later prices, not the launch-era annual fee.
The Centurion Card was also unusual because it was a charge card rather than a conventional revolving credit card. Its appeal centered on concierge assistance, travel arrangements, upgrades, and access to exclusive services rather than a standard rewards structure.