Requirements and Benefits of the AMEX Black Card
In the previous post we covered how the Black card came into existence. Now that the background is covered, here are some of the requirements to obtain a card and the benefits it offers.
Requirements:
1) Charge $250,000 or more a year to AMEX
2) Be invited by AMEX or ask to join
3) Pay the $5,000 initiation fee
4) Pay the $2,500 (US) annual Fee
Benefits:
1) Very high spending limit. Each card has a different limit and the limit is based on the income of the individual. The most expensive purchase known to date on a black card, is that of a $30M private jet.
2) 24hr personal concierge. They can make reservations, plan weddings, or score tickets.
3) Private shopping services at the finest retailers. It is known that Tiffany’s offers up private shopping for Black Card customers.
4) Invitations for special events, such as a round of golf with Tiger Woods.
5) Complimentary companion airline tickets on international flights.
6) Access to Airport Clubs.
7) Free hotel stays.
8 ) Subscription to Black Ink magazine.
9) International emergency health care .
These are the benefits received from being in the elite circle of about 17,000 people.
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Comments
I haven’t heard of that one persay, but there is an AMEX Red in the Uk which has cash back go to charity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Express_Red
I am a centurion card holder. Today I called them and cancelled my card becuase to be frank, its the poorest customer service I have experienced.
Well over 75% of the time, customer service fail to return calls. In the past two weeks I called to RSVP to a centurion event (after hours) to be told that a day team member would call me the next day. No call back.
I called the travel insurance team, which was answered by a voice message service. It said to expect a call back within 48 hours. 1 week later no call.
I called to find the best possible suite in Uppsala, Sweden for my wedding. They say it will take two weeks to get back to me. One month later, heard nothing.
This is after months and months of continual terrible service. The executive customer service manager offered to reduce my annual fee by $1000 dollars (here in Australia its $4300 per year). I advised that my other consumer credit card had similar features, but far better service.
I am now in contact with Kenneth Chenault’s office. I refuse to pay $3300 for a chunk of titanium which is attached to horrendous service.
The only thing it has been good for is getting access to any nightclub VIP area. But even that has now started to decline. Many clubs will give you VIP list, but you must still pay to get in and doesnt give you Access All Areas.
The card is all about mystery, but more stories of reality will surface. You should not aspire to this card. You wont get the ego boost you think you will… most decent shops have seen the card before, the rest have no idea what it is and dont really care. It doesnt get you access to the good airline lounges either. Most people with this card will already have better lounge access.
The centurion events they organise are way overpriced and available through other consumer channels at cheaper prices.
The notion that they will make anything happen is complete rubbish. I asked them to coordinate travel for a group of friends to my wedding in Sweden (25 people). They said they could only help with the primary card holders travel.
The hype is unwarranted people.
Don’t forget the 1 year tenure requirement. You can spend 250k in your first month with Amex, but you won’t get the card.
Wow, I am really surprised to hear that. I would have to say the exact opposite.Amex has gone above and beyond what I would expect from any company and the centurion is better than any other card I have had. Maybe it just sucks in your country.
Amex is a finance company, nothing more.
The only things it has over the other banks is that it issues charge cards and controls all elements,from card issue and credit control to network access and processing whereas Mastercard and Visa just operate the network.
I’ve found that Amex has the same lousy service you mentioned. They pride themselves on all this service, but mostly they don’t get back to you w/in a reasonable timeframe.
quick question… what if somebody had poor credit but had millions and issued a cashier’s check to American Express for $250k because they wanted a BLACK AMEX Centurion Card, do you think they’ll give him one??
I was the person who put the 30M on my Blackcard. The card has been great for me and they always look out for me.
I am curious as to what exactly you bought 30m on your black card. As a holder for several years and pilot I think you are not the one who made this purchase. If you are the N number would make it beliveable
Just received a Black Amex Titanium Black card today - it was plastic in the UK - couriered in a black box with a purple ribbbon inside - very nicely packaged and a letter that half way down said - and by the way - the fee is increasing to just over 3 times what it used to be….errr….I rang up and told the Amex rep I’ll be switching. How about a downgrade sir? Nope - switching - a downgrade - means you still get my full cashflow going through your accounts with none of the benefits for me..so now I will take my business elsewhere… damn cheak.
All Hype, customer service is horrible. If you really need a card to boost your ego then by all means get this but basically any where you would use this do not care what color the card is but if you need to impress friends or family then get the card.
To: Admin. or Anyone who can Help:
I have some questions regarding applying for the Black Card:
I have been a member with Amex since 2004, and i currently have a Platinum Card. I have 790 FICO score, 1% debit on all cards, and never delayed any payments. My credit history is 9 Years. Average spending for the last 4 years $120,000.
1) As we all know that one of the requirements is to spend $250,000 within a Year. Does this mean one Year from the date of applying ex. if i apply today they will begin counting from the 10-8-2008 till 10-8-2009 or I have to wait till end of this year and then they will count all 2009?
2) Will they count the spending of the additional cards under my account or only my card spending?
3) Since 2004 till date i didnt spend 250,000 in One year, if i spend this money now and reach to 250,000, will i be considered or i have to be spending such amount (250,000) for couple of years to qualify.?
4) I am currently working in London, so i have changed my address from US to UK. Will this affect me in getting my Card being my address is outside the US.?
Thanks
I think we need some more restrictions on credit card companies but I don’t know that you can outlaw charging for payments over the phone. A lot of these companies are using a third party service to handle the ACH payment, like BillMatrix. They charge the company a fee which is then passed on to the consumer. Are they going to make postage free as well, it already costs you 42 cents to mail your payment in…
People need to stop worrying so much about the damn status of a piece of plastic and more about the value. The service is horrible, the cost of the card is outrageous. Enough said. Who’s going to see your card anyway? are you going to flash it around and expect people to be in awe? Most people dont know it meaning and of the others that do, most could care less.
I’d much rather have the Visa Infinite or World Elite Mastercard. Chase once offered me that for a $395 annual fee on an existing Chase Freedom Plus World Mastercard account, but $400 just to have a black-colored card hardly seems worth it. If it fell to $50, then that’s more reasonable.
I HAVE JUST RECIEVED MY TITANIUM BLACK CARD ITS GREAT WENT TO A BAR PRESENTED TO THE BAR STAFF IWAS GIVEN FIRST CLASS TREATMENT . A LADY WAS SITTING NEXT TO ME WAS IMPRESSED WITH IT .
What ever happened to paying cash??? Is that not the ultimate sign of success? Why would you buy something expensive and not desire to hand a cashiers sheck or a pile of Benjamins?? I really think that society has their heads up their as$es. If you have the type of required to have this card, you mostlikely already have the means and contacts available to you to excede what is offered yet you allow the amex to control you looking for status…..sad
I’ve got my platinum card 10 yrs ago when I was 22. My credit score is over 800, I am a huge spender, but come on!!! Why the hell I would spend 250000 a year on just me??? Thats why I cant get black one…
It’s pretty shameful that a bunch of adults are discussing what impresses someone as far as $$$$ go.
Personally, if I ever have to pay with any one of my cards I make sure no one is watching cuz to me it means I don’t have real money to pay with!!
If it’s about showing off do it with Cashola. AS far as I’m concerned, you pull out your card to pay for a tab of champagne and pretty girls mounting up to $20,000, that card could be your mothers.
If you wanna be a big man, have the benjamins ready to play. Thats when every one backs the fuck up.
Ppl dont have balls anymore…
very sad
What is the difference between a metal and plastic black card?
I’ve heard of a Ruby amex card that is higher then a black card is this true?