BlackCardSource Gets A Black Card
That’s right, I bit the bullet, broke down, and I got a black card about 4 weeks ago. I called it an early birthday present to myself. I had been going back and forth on getting it for several months after I qualified, and I finally decided to get one. Being what some people might call “cheap” it was tough for me to part with the $5,000 initiation fee and the $2,500 annual fee, but I did it. So far I have been really happy with it, but more on that in another post.
The Process For Calling In
When I decided that I wanted to get one, I called the number on the back of my platinum card and told the concierge I would like to speak to someone about upgrading to Centurion. They transfered me to a really nice representative who helped me apply. He clearly explained to me that the requirements were to have been an Amex member for at least a year, spend AND pay off 250K or more in the last 12 months, then asked me if I understood was I sure that I wanted to apply. I of course said that I understood and wanted to apply. The whole process took about 5 minutes, they said I met the criteria and then said congratulations (like I was part of a new fraternity). That was it.
About 3 days later the UPS man delivered my welcome package and card.
I eagerly tore into the box and found a nice welcome letter, my benefits information, some forms to fill out, and my new black card, all enclosed in a very nice “Nice to have you with us” box.
First impressions are that it is extremely well packaged, as it should be, the card is obviously made from metal, but it wasn’t as heavy as I expected. I am not sure if I expected it to be like a brick or what, but it is heavy enough to notice that it isn’t a regular card, but not heavy enough to be cumbersome. It is not flexible at all.
So far I have been very happy with it, while it most certainly seems to make a scene every where I go. My friends have given me a hard time about getting it, but so far it seems like a good decision. I will post more on my initial thoughts a little later, as well as using it on a few trips since I got it to NYC, Las Vegas, and San Francisco. But hopefully I will have a lot more good content in store for you all.
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Comments
Are there corporate Black Cards?? I am a partner in a corporation and would love to upgrade from my platinum one. Sorry if this is a dumb question
It’s like going to the Grand Canyon. You drive 6 hours from LA in anticipation of a wonderous view, etc. Remember the movie “Vacation” with Steve Martin? They get to the Grand Canyon and… “Ok…that was nice.” Getting the Centurion card is just like that, once you get it. That’s it…the novelty wears off and now you’re stuck with a $2500 bill annually and no significant rewards/satisfaction… Believe me, I have both Business and Personal Centurion, before they instituted the $5000 initiation fee. I’ve cancelled the Business because it has virtually ZERO advantage over the Personal. So far, in this economy one Centurion card is enough…nuff said.
How Great that you got the Centurion card. You will love the benefits and the service. I work for Centurion Travel and know of all the wonderful things comming you way! Don’t forget to fill out all your paper work and send it back in. Especially for car rentals and priority pass. Have fun!!
Aston (and Admin, correct me if I’m wrong) there are no Corporate Black Cards, only Business Black Cards…
There are no Corporate Centurion cards, only OPEN Centurion (which is a small business one)…highest Corporate is a Platinum
I hope it makes you happy. But if your reason for forking out the $5000 initiation fee and $2500 a year is the attention it brings I suggest you stay in the USA. If you visit Europe you’ll find that we’ve never heard of it and that many businesses won’t take Amex of any colo(u)r because the merchant fees are too high.
I’m quite happy with my free credit cards (including a useless Amex) but I’m sure your conspicuous wealth makes all who you encounter realize that you are a better person. Enjoy.
Congrats! I guess if you run a website devoted to Centurion card, it’s part of your job description to carry one in your pocket 
Keep up your great work!
It is hard to stomach at first (especially the $5,000 initiation fee plus the first year’s membership means you are immediately billed $7,500 upon receipt of the card).
Once you get past the first sticker shock - you realize that for the right uses, it can be worth the continued $2,500 per year. If you take advantage of the airline and hotel elite cards - you will save several hundred each time you travel, by booking the lowest fares and getting upgraded flights, rooms, free breakfasts and other amenities.
It is more hard to justify the fee if you never travel, since the difference in treatment by the concierge (over platinum) probably does not warrant $2500 a year, and definitely not $7500 for the first year.
Also, don’t have two of them. I had both the Personal Centurion and also the Business Centurion, and finally cancelled the Business Card last year.
There is no benefit to having both, unless you want to use Regus (which you can do for 100 bucks anyway) and there are no “freebies” from the marketing department with the Business Card.
Welcome Brandon, and hope you get your money’s worth !
i want one for the airline status! but dont spend that much a year lolBy the way, could you indulge us a bit and be a little more specific about your work? What type of internet marketing? Do you work at home?
Congrats on the card! Enjoy!
Sure I Can. I do a lot of advertising on sites like Facebook, Myspace, Yahoo, and MSN. I do display advertising mostly, very little search/pay per click now.
I do lead generation and affiliate marketing for all types of stuff from health & beauty to credit cards. No ringtones or anything like that.
Have a question: I have seen the black card with the “bar” on the left, top and right in both gold and silver. Is there one or two different designs? Could I choose?
Thanks!
Congrats, Brandon! I look forward to your reviews and experiences. I have had lots of great experiences, but also plenty of pathetic ones… overall, since I’ve already forked it over and travel usually once or twice a month, $2,500/yr. is almost worth it.
Colin: I’ll sell you a spot 
Congratulations! I only spend ~$50K a year on my personal AmEx Plat so I have a ways to go. Someday I’ll join you!
congrats on your decision. I have been reading your blog for a while and am glad you were able to obtain this money savings device. Keep up the great info on the site.
Hi! I’m writing from Italy, so please excuse me for my english. Anyway, I was planing to get an AMEX but, as someone stated in the above comments, there’s no particular advantage in using an AMEX here in Europe. I’m really upset about this, but, for the moment, only big bussinesses (like supermarkets or hotel chains) do accept AMEX.
Do you have any information about AMEX market share in Europe? And on Centurion market share?
Hey… I get this question all the time… “why is the card so heavy?” does anyone have a funny or a honest answer that they can use?
Brandon, I am well over the spending threshold and have yet to call to get an upgrade to the centurion. What type of squestions do they ask?
David,
You just call the number on the back of your platinum card, and ask to speak to someone about upgrading to centurion. The first thing they will do is calculate your spending, if you make the cut they will then ask you some basic security questions, read you a disclaimer regarding card fees, and mail you your card. The whole process takes maybe ten minutes.
Hi There!
I have to say I enjoy reading your blog. I don’t even own a credit card, much less an amex or centurian. Great blog. Cheers
admin, you said you met the criteria to get the card.. what is the criteria, besides having a great credit rating and a platinum card for a year? I’ve heard you have had to at least spend $250,000 a year for at least one year on a previous amex card.. is this true?
So I just called to ask for an updated. My YTD spend is 296k and my previous 12 months is well over 12 months and I was told “Sorry I don’t see an invitation on your account, nor will you get getting one anytime soon.”
I was pretty shocked. I’ve never had a late payment, though they’ve been calling me daily for a while to pay my balance down because I spent 110k last month and even though my bill isn’t due until October 9th, they were hounding me. I told them if anyone called me again I would cancel the card and not pay them on principle. Haven’t been called since. Just paid off my account yesterday and now I’m thinking about canceling. My credit score is a 780 so I know that’s not a problem.
I’m just a little shocked they were so rude.
Rachel:
Not sure if you’re joking, or pranking, or something else.
Your tales of lament are inconsistant with actuality - most noticably your “lack of invitation” to the Cent card. Unless your sole source of information is rap lyrics, you will know that there is no such thing as “being invited” or “invitation”.
It’s a card like any other. You apply and either get approved or not. The only difference is that in the case of Cent, you need to qualify to even apply. The qualifications are history, cards held, and annual 12-month spend (and payment).
And if you mentioned that your “YTD spend is 296k” and you have “pay your balance down because I spent 110k last month” then simple reading would ascertain that you have only 186k towards Cent application - nowhere near the 250k minimum. It needs to be charged, and paid off in full BEFORE it counts toward the minimum requirement.
And if you’re “paying down a balance” (your words) then there is no way that your application will be approved. You cannot carry a balance with Amex and hope to be upgraded to Cent status - by definition your profile would not qualify.
You can only qualify for the amex black card with the charge cards, not with the plum, optima or any of their other regular credit cards. Every month the balance must be paid in full.
Hey, you know what they say, you’re a product of your eviornment. you made a sick site all about the black card and you just suped yourself into getting it. but now you’re officially the black card source. Congrats.
hey i have one doubt sorry if my question is so dumb.why is the card so heavy?.
I have been reading your blog for a while and am glad you were able to obtain this money savings device. Keep up the great info on the site.
CONGRATS!!!! Hahaha! I’m kind of surprised that you hadn’t jumped on it sooner!