Here's an old press release about the benefits of the AMEX Centurion card:
http://home3.americanexpress.com/cor...ion_launch.asp
Apparently, you can buy status:
Complimentary upgrades, dedicated check-in, priority boarding and mileage earning at an accelerated rate via complimentary enrollment in the Continental Airlines OnePass Gold Elite Program, Delta Air Lines Gold Medallion program, TWA Aviators Elite 1 program and US Airways Dividend Milesā Preferred Plus.
I don't know if the aforementioned airlines are still participating, and if they are with the same level offer. Obviously the TWA offer is no longer valid.
For more info, do a search on flyertalk under the American Express forum and type in the words "Centurion" or "black card."
I don't know how much is the annual fee. I think it's at least $1,000.