History
American Express introduced the Centurion Card in 1999 to cater to a more affluent customer segment. The card was initially only available to select users of the company's Platinum Card. To become a Centurion cardholder, one must meet American Express' eligibility criteria. Cardholders are required to pay an annual fee, and in some countries also an initiation fee. In addition to a variety of exclusive benefits, the card itself is made of anodized titanium with the information and numbers etched in carbon fiber (although the plastic version is still available in some markets). American Express created the card line amid rumors and urban legends in the 1980s that it produced an ultra-exclusive black card for elite users who could purchase anything with it.
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