Since this is a hypothetical discussion, what if the 'stranger' only wanted a Centurion card in order to get the airline / hotel status and other perks (priority pass, Avis/Hertz, etc.) but didn't care about actually having the black card to wave around.

Would there be any danger to the Cent. cardholder in establishing an account for that person, but retaining the actual card in his possession, i.e. not giving the actual card to the stranger, and only setting up the account so the person could get the elite status?

Not that I would do this personally, but again within the hypothetical discussion. I agree with others that it would be far to risky to issue a card to a stranger as one would be responsible for any charges on the account. But if there was no risk in not actually letting the card out of one's possession, I'm thinking there would be some takers just to have the elite status.

Of course, as a minimum I would think that the Cent. card holder would want his own fee covered as the payment for doing this, so it would cost the 'stranger' $5,000 per year ($2,500 for his Cent. account and $2,500 to cover the main card holders).