What is a Black Card and How Do You Get One in Canada?

Looking for a new credit card? Want to know that all of your purchases will always go through, no matter the cost? Fancy a card with an air of mystery and bling? Chances are you want a Black Card.

Black Cards are uber-exclusive status symbol credit or charge cards that come with exclusive perks. Think think 24/7 concierge, no purchase is too big type perks. Although there’s usually some disagreement on which specific cards fall under the Black Card umbrella, it’s known that these cards are expensive and relatively tough to get.

One of the most famous is the American Express Centurion Black Card. It is by invitation-only and rumoured to require an interview before your final approval. Like we said, these cards are exclusive. However, some cards are easier than others to apply for. You may just need a moderately high income and respectable credit score.

All about the Centurion Black Card

Unfortunately, if you’ve got your eye on the Centurion Black Card, you’ll need to buckle up for a wild ride. While no one knows the exact qualifications for an invitation, it’s rumoured that you’ll need to spend over $500,000/year on an American Express Platinum Card.

Moreover, you’ll also need to have a significant annual income and net worth. Of course, since this is all speculation, you may receive an invite after spending a lower amount on your American Express cards. On the other hand, you might spend over $1 million/year for a decade and still come up short.

Centurion Black Card perks

While it’s extremely difficult to land a Centurion Black Card, the charge card nevertheless comes with an impressive list of perks. While exact benefits vary from account to account since rewards are generally based on your consumer profile, you can expect extensive concierge services, flight upgrades, complementary flight companion tickets, hotel upgrades, invitation-only events, luxury car rentals, and more. Even better, the Centurion Black Card doesn’t actually have a credit limit,though you may have to call ahead before authorising multi-million dollar charges. The card itself is also a status symbol and comes with major bragging rights.

Excited? If you’d like to get your hands on a Centurion Black Card, you’re not alone. However, since it’s so difficult to qualify for an invitation, you may be better off by applying for cards that have similar benefits but are slightly less exclusive. In some cases, the Centurion Black Card alternatives may even provide you with better valuation—or pave your way towards the highly coveted card.

Best Black Card alternatives for Canadians

While all of the cards below are much easier to get your hands on than the American Express Centurion Black Card since you can apply to them directly rather than waiting for an invitation, they still have substantial requirements. If you’d like to view and compare additional credit cards, check out our credit card comparison tool.

American Express Platinum Card

Annual fee: $699 CAD
Additional card fee (per card): $175 CAD/year

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If you’re set on earning a Centurion Black Card invitation, the Platinum Card is the first step to success. It’s rumoured that American Express chooses its latest Centurion Club inductees based on Platinum Card spending. Plus, you’ll still get loads of impressive perks.

While the American Express Platinum Card doesn’t have an income requirement (like all American Express credit cards), the steep annual fee still ensures that it remains uber exclusive. The cost is worth it. As a cardholder, you’ll qualify for lots of impressive rebates and valuable rewards.

Perks

• Flexible spending limit that adjusts based on prior purchases and payment history
• Access to American Express’s 24/7 Platinum Concierge service for transportation, securing tickets to exclusive events, making reservations, sourcing difficult-to-find items, and more
• $200 travel credit each year
• $100 NEXUS application/renewal rebate, available once every four years.NEXUS passes last for five years
• Emergency travel medical insurance, up to $5,000,000 
• Trip cancellation insurance, up to $2,500 per person and $5,000 per trip
• Trip interruption insurance (covering non-refundable unused portion of travel arrangements), up to $2,500 per person or $6,000 per trip
• Flight and baggage delay insurance, up to $1,000
• Hotel burglary and lost or stolen baggage insurance, up to $1,000
• Hotel benefits (at participating hotels): late checkout, complimentary breakfast, fast-tracked progress through hotel loyalty programs
• Priority Security Lane access, complimentary valet service, and 15% discount on parking at Pearson International Airport
• Access to event tickets reserved for American Express cardholders
• Purchase protection (in case of damage or theft) and extended warranty for most retail purchases
• 3 points per dollar spent on dining and food delivery purchases, 2 points per dollar spent on travel, 1 point per dollar spent on everything else

Read more about the American Express Platinum Card

HSBC World Elite Mastercard

Annual fee: $149 CAD
Additional card fee (per card): $50 CAD/year
Required income: $80,000 personal/$150,000 household incom/$400,000 in liquid assets managed by a Canadian financial institution

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If you’re always travelling and are looking for a great deal that doesn’t require a huge upfront fee, the HSBC World Elite Mastercard might be your best bet. The card offers up to 3% of travel expenses back in rewards that you’ll only be able to put back into travel. It also has a much lower annual fee than the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card. Since you won’t get a companion pass (unlike the Aeroplan Reserve Card), this card is for someone who travels alone or plans trips in advance. Ultimately though, the HSBC World Elite Mastercard is still a great option for budget-conscious travellers that love a good deal.

Perks

• $100 annual travel voucher to improve your existing travel experience
• Access to 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
• Discounts on certain hotels booked through Expedia or Agoda
• No currency conversion fees
• 31-day emergency travel insurance coverage for yourself and your spouse, up to $1,000,000 per person
• Baggage damage or loss insurance, up to $750 per person (and $500 per item); baggage delay insurance to cover necessities, up to $200 
• Trip cancellation insurance, up to $2,000 per person and $5,000 per trip
• Earn 6 points per dollar spent on travel, 3 points per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases (3% and 1.5% reward, respectively)

Read our review of the HSBC World Elite Mastercard

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

Annual fee: $139 CAD
Additional card fee (per card): first card free, subsequent cards $50 CAD/year
Required income: $60,000 personal/$100,000 household income/$250,000 in liquid assets

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Of course, you can start with a powerful card with other perks. Big fan of the movies? The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card gives you with travel-related perks such as hotel discounts and lounge access. You also earn Scene+ points which give you more flexibility with your spending. Not travelling for a while? Redeem your points at a Cineplex theatre or a partnered restaurant.

While regular Scene+ points expire, any points earned with the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card remain active for two years after you close the account.

As a cardholder, you’ll also have access to the Visa Infinite Concierge service, allowing you to secure difficult reservations and delegate any unpleasant tasks—or pretend that you’re uber rich.

Perks

• 24/7 access to Visa Infinite Concierge
• No currency conversion fees
• Discounts at Visa Infinite partnered hotels, plus complimentary upgrades if available
• Discounts on Avis car rentals (5-25% off), plus complimentary upgrades when available
• 6 visits per year to premium travel lounges
• Use Scene+ points to cover travel costs
• Emergency travel medical insurance, up to $2,000,000 per person
• Trip cancellation insurance, up to $1,500 per person and $10,000 per trip; trip interruption insurance, up to $2,500 per person and $10,000 per trip
• Flight delay insurance, up to $500 per person
• Baggage delay insurance, up to $1,000 
• Travel burglary insurance, up to $1,000
• 90-day theft or loss insurance, plus extended warranty (double the original warranty, up to one year) on almost all retail purchases, up to $60,000 per account (lifetime)
• Scene+ points earned through the card expire 24 months after you close the card
• Earn 2 Scene+ points per dollar spent on all grocery, dining, entertainment, and transit purchases, earn 1 Scene+ point per dollar on all other purchases

Read more about the Scotibank Passport Visa Infinite Card

BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card

Annual fee: $120 CAD
Additional card fee (per card): $50 CAD
Required income: $60,000 personal/$100,000 household income/$15,000 spent on credit cards (total) in the past year

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If you tend to spend more locally but still enjoy the occasional trip, you might want to look into the BMO Eclipse Visa Infinite Privilege Card. You’ll earn 5x the points on food, gas, and transit-related purchases, it’s easy to rack up lots of rewards. Plus, you’ll have access to the Visa Infinite Concierge for those difficult tasks and will save big on Visa Infinite-partnered hotels. Vacation just got a lot cheaper; day-to-day purchases just got a lot more rewarding.

Perks

• 24/7 access to Visa Infinite Concierge
• Discounts at Visa Infinite partnered hotels, plus complimentary upgrades if available
• $50 annual lifestyle credit, valid towards whatever purchase you want (so long as it is greater than $50)
• Up to $1,000 in Mobile Device Insurance in case your phone is stolen or damaged
• Extended warranty (double the original warranty, up to 1 extra year) and security insurance (in case of theft, up to 90 days) for retail purchases
• Travel insurance benefits, including emergency medical travel insurance
• Earn 5 BMO Rewards points per dollar spent on takeout, food delivery, eating out, groceries, gas, and transit purchases, Earn 1 BMO Rewards point per dollar spent on all other purchases
• Earn extra 10% rewards on all purchases if you add a second authorised user to your account

American Express Gold Rewards Card

Annual fee: $250 CAD
Additional card fee (per card): first additional card free, subsequent cards $50 CAD/year

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However, if you struggle to justify the American Express Platinum Card’s $699 fee but interested in its perks? You might want to look into the American Express Gold Rewards Card instead.

While this card understandably doesn’t come with all of the Platinum Card’s features, its $250 price tag is much easier to stomach. It's great if you’re just starting to apply for credit cards with annual fees or only travel a couple of times per year.

Perks

• $100 annual travel credit
• Airport lounge access
• $50 NEXUS application/renewal rebate, available once every four years (NEXUS passes last for five years)
• $100 hotel amenity credit whenever you stay 2+ nights in a row at partnered hotels
• Emergency travel medical insurance, up to $5,000,000
• Trip cancellation insurance, up to $1,500 per person and $3,000 per trip
• Trip interruption insurance (covering non-refundable unused portion of travel arrangements), up to $1,500 per person or $6,000 per trip
• Flight and baggage delay insurance, up to $500
• Hotel burglary and lost or stolen baggage insurance, up to $500
• Access to event tickets reserved for American Express cardholders
• Purchase protection (in case of damage or theft) and extended warranty for most retail purchases
• 2 points per dollar spent on travel (domestic or international) and Canadian gas, grocery, and drugstore purchases, 1 point per dollar spent on everything else

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

Annual fee: $599 CAD
Additional card fee (per card): $199 CAD/year

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If you want to the Centurion Black Card for its impressive travel perks, look into the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card. Though the perks might not quite match those of the legendary invite-only card, they’re still incredibly impressive. The American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card’s annual fee is steep. If you travel a lot, it’s well worth it. The best perk? Spend over $25,000 within a year of receiving the card (a little over $2k/month) and you’ll receive an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass from Air Canada, which will let you purchase an economy ticket for $99-599 CAD, so long as it is for a travel companion, on any Air Canada flight. If you frequently travel with others, this can lead to major long-term savings.

Perks

• If you spend $25,000 within a year, you’ll receive an Annual Worldwide Companion Pass. The Pass allows you to purchase a companion economy ticket for anywhere between $99-599 CAD on all Air Canada flights.
• Access to priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling (if you fly with Air Canada)
• Complimentary access to Pearson International Airport’s  valet service and Priority Security Lane
• Access to 1,200 airport lounges worldwide
• $100 annual travel credit
• $50 NEXUS application/renewal rebate, available once every four years (NEXUS passes last for five years)
• $100 hotel amenity credit whenever you stay 2+ nights at partnered hotels
• Emergency travel medical insurance, up to $5,000,000
• Trip cancellation insurance, up to $1,500 per person and $3,000 per trip
• Trip interruption insurance (covering non-refundable unused portion of travel arrangements), up to $1,500 per person or $6,000 per trip
• Flight and baggage delay insurance, up to $1,000
• Hotel burglary and lost or stolen baggage insurance, up to $1,000
• Purchase protection (in case of damage or theft) and extended warranty for most retail purchases
• Earn 3x Aeroplan points on Air Canada purchases, 2x points on Canadian dining purchases, and 1.25x points on all other purchases

How would you like to earn hundreds of dollars in rewards?

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