The American Express Centurion card, nicknamed the “Black Card,” is invitation only. While it’s rumored that only Platinum Amex members would have the credit lines available to push spending to the limits of qualifying, the purported $250,000 a year in purchases and payoffs required can likely come from any qualifying card.

The Centurion Card® from American Express — also known as the Amex Black Card — is one of the most exclusive and secretive credit cards on the market. While American Express doesn’t release most details of the card to the public, its exclusive benefits and reputation as a status symbol make it a sought-after card.

The American Express Black Card is an exclusive credit card product filled to the brim with elite benefits and perfect for showcasing status. Most of us won’t even get a chance to ponder whether we want the card, thanks to mysterious and steep eligibility requirements, but don’t fret.

The American Express Centurion Card, known informally as the Amex Black Card, is an invitation-only charge card issued by American Express. An invitation is extended to Platinum Card holders after they meet certain criteria. The Centurion Card comes in personal, business, and corporate variants.

We’ve all heard of the ultra-exclusive “black card” before. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that Amex’s black card is reserved for the ultra-wealthy and big-spending hotshots. Officially known as the Centurion® Card from American Express, it’s used often by big-name celebrities and business owners.

The initiation and annual fees for the Centurion Card make the annual fees for other top-tier cards such as The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees) and the Citi Prestige ® Card ($695 and $495, respectively, per year) look like child’s play. There’s an initiation fee of $10,000, along with an annual fee of $5,000.