Visa Launches New Black Card
In case you haven’t heard already, Visa has launched their own Black Card. This card will be made from carbon graphite, sport a $450 annual fee (much lower than centurion), offer a 24hr concierge like the Amex Platinum and Centurion, and has allows access to Travel Lounge Priority Pass.
Visa is saying only 1% of the US Residents will qualify, or about 3 Million people. Obviously showing this card is not nearly as exclusive as the American Express Centurion, especially since it doesn’t have the spend requirement or the high annual fee.
What this card does have going for it, is the appearance of being very high end, while really being a direct competitor to the Platinum card, and carrying the Visa logo. I am sure this card will be a big hit, especially if their concierge service is at least halfway decent.
For more information you can check out their official site Blackcard.com
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Comments
lame is when you hit the 250k mark requirement for amex, then they re-evaluate your card, cancel it for no reason because of their fault. thats lame.
waiting 2 years and finally ready to get it.
There are no “requirements” other than agreeing to pay the $450 fee, and having a good fico score.
This is nothing close to, resembling, or anything near an Amex Centurion (black) card. Not even close, except for how it looks.
It’s trying to compete with Amex Platinum, and MC World Elite - and seeing how many people will pay them the fee so they can make money.
Amex Platinum provides better features and services, as well as more benefits. But Barclays (Delaware) is trying to get people who are willing to pay $450 for a metallic card, without the usual fringe benefits (i.e. people who try to make an impression, rather than to actually get anything useful).
If you want to show off, then get this card (until 3 million people get it, and then it will not be a novelty anymore). If you want to get anything for your $450, then get an Amex Platinum and get free insurance, better concierge, roadside assistance, free airport lounge access, purchase protection, etc etc etc.
Alternatively, get a regular Visa card and spray paint it black - and save your $450. In fact, you will get better features and service with a Visa Signature card (which costs nothing) and just paint it black.
Or get a MC World or World Elite card in a black color.
Correction - the fee is $495 (not 450) - which makes it more expensive than Amex Platinum (probably to offset the cost of producing a carbon-graphite card)
Does anyone else think that the most absurd aspect of this card is that it says “BLACK CARD” in bold letters?
This is competition to the Centurion like “pimped out” Chrysler 300s are competition to a Bentley, but perhaps with even less intrinsic value and more crassness.
Yep, I agree with you Arbitageur! I wonder if the real cards will indeed say “BLACK CARD” on them like the sample one does.
Great analogy by the way!
Eddie
Hando: Do you have any evidence that the Platinum concierge is better or are you just saying that?
I have no idea what the Visa Black Card Concierge is like, I’m just curious on what grounds you are making such a strong assertion.
Getting the “BLACK CARD” from Visa is like
getting a Lexus, its not quiet a Mercedes Benz.
Getting the “BLACK CARD” from Visa is like
getting a Coach accessory, its not a Louis Vuitton.
This is not a Status Symbol by any means, just a knock
off of the American Express Centurion Card - Black Card
until i qualify for a REAL black card!Ed:
Although nobody has evidence of the Visa Black concierge (as it hasn’t even been started yet), common logic dictates that it will not be any better than Amex Platinum.
Amex Platinum uses Circles as their outsourced concierge service, and it is the same company as is used for Amex Centurion. They are reputable, and any number of people can attest to their track record.
World Elite Mastercard uses Virtuoso as their outsourced concierge service. Nothing bad about them, but Circles is bigger and may have more resources at their disposal.
Visa doesn’t have a specified company as yet (publicly) for the Black, but their existing concierge for such cards as Merrill (which also gives 24 hour concierge) is less than stellar.
I have Visa, MC, and Amex, and have tried their various services and wasn’t very impressed at all with the Visa concierge. I even tried (a while back) to ask the same request from Visa and Amex’s concierge to see what would happen. Visa never called me back (I had to call them 4 times, and speak eventually to a manager after 2 days) and they never ended up fulfilling my request, as they “couldn’t find anything”.
Same question to Amex, they got back to me very quickly with the (successful) result, and even apologized that it took a few hours.
Another shady aspect of the Visa Black’s expected VIP-service is their own advertisements for the new card.
If you note, their “benefits” include such hillarious things like:
1. “membership fee of $495″ (how exactly is a membership fee considered a benefit?) I couldn’t help grinning.
2. “free priority pass for worldwide lounge access”. Priority Pass is a third-party company that has agreements with a limited number of other lounges in the USA (not available in all airports) and slightly better international coverage). On further research, it appears that this is the “entry level” of the Priority Pass card, which does not entitle you to free access to any lounge - you must pay for each use and entry = $27 every time (per person - so you and a guest pay $54 each time you use a lounge).
As a contrast, AMEX Cent gives you that Priority Pass card, but at the “highest level” of membership which means no charges to use any lounges.
Such an “entry level” card (offered by Visa) is obtainable for free through many other credit cards, and if you purchased it yourself (with no discount at all) it costs $99 at the most.
Also - Amex Platinum will give you direct lounge access to any and all AA, NW, DL and CO lounges for free, plus guests (also for free) in every airport in the USA.
3. “reward points for travel” with no explanation what usage the points will have, and how many points are needed for what type of restricted ticket with which airlines. Visa’s other reward schemes are all limited to 2 or 3 airlines and must be booked at the lowest class directly from Visa’s representatives (not the airline).
Amex has membership rewards, which enables you to choose either flights or miles directly with roughly 20 different airlines…
4. “limited to 1% of US residents”. Seriously? Not just citizens; not people over 18, just all “residents”. That’s well over 300million people, which means that they will issue more than 3 million primary cards.
As 24.6% of US “residents” are under 18, and cannot have their own credit card.
Many of the remaining 200 million are not heads of households or have their own card - it can be students who have a supplemental card from their parents, or spouses who are supplemental, or retired people, or people who cannot get a credit card or have bad credit, those who don’t believe in plastic and use cash, etc etc.
The number of americans over 18 and who have their own primary “regular” visa credit cards is well below 100 million. far below. Not “how many credit cards do americans have?” but “how many americans have any type of visa card which is a credit card (not debit) and on which they are the primary card holder?”
Maybe 50m? So Visa Black will issue 3m primary Black cards? That’s 5% or 7% (or more) of their customers? Isn’t Amex Platinum more selective?
Final thought. Visa Black will aim to have 3 million accounts (primary card holders). Each of those will have supplemental cards for spouse, kids, etc. So how many cards do they want to flood the market with - 5m? 10m?
Ask youself what magical concierge company will give “VIP service” to 5 or 10 million clients. It’s not logistically possible. You have to be just a number for them, and they need to get you off the phone as quickly as possible, so they can take the other calls that have been on hold for 20 minutes…
Between $495 for a puffed up Visa card and $450 for an Amex Platinum with actual added benefits and service - It’s not to difficult to determine that:
* If you want a good card, and the service, benefits and treatment that comes with it - get an Amex Platinum or Centurion.
* If you want to get a card that will possibly make an impression on someone else (until there are 10 million of them) but not have anything behind the facade to back up the fees - get a Visa Black. Or get a new $500 suit that will get you compliments. Or a piece of jewelry. Or a handbag.
This card really is a joke, someone that received it says it feels like plastic! Haha, so not even are the benefits lame, but someone just posted full hands on photos on this site: http://www.the-blackcard.com/visa-black-card-carbon-graphite-seems-more-like-plastic/
I agree 1% requirement is odd, I called and asked to clarify what the 1% means, and they said “credit” and other private factors??? Should ask the person that got it, maybe they uh, have a credit score over 600!
Just got mine…not terribly impressed, in fact - the stamping of the #’s appears to show the “plastic” in the card, this doesn’t seem carbon graphite to me and yes - I have dealt with those materials so I know what they feel like. Will wait to see how good the concierge etc is, in the meantime maybe this will hold me over till I can qualify for the centurion LOL. FWIW, currently a Plat. AE holder.
Most of the haters are the ones who cant get it just like Amex Black. Lets see how it pans out. The privelage of this card seems to be the haves and have nots. Not so much the benefits but who has one and who does not. Come on today all people care about is having something others dont have. You think Barclays is dumb enough to give this card to everybody. Its only advantage is its hard as hell to get. Otherwise they are sunk. Does anybody have one what are the requirements to get it? Only way we find out is when people apply and give feedback.
Not sure who you are referring to as “Haters who can’t get it like Amex Black”.
I do have Amex Black (both of them), Signature, World MC, and any other card I made reference to in my comments - hence my comparison was from first hand information, contrary to what you imply.
Regarding the “requirements to get it” - you can check yourself, if you prefer, but there are none. As long as you have a good credit score (i.e. can get a mortgage today) and no delinquencies on your history, Barclays will give you a card if you agree to pay them $495 for it.
Ten cents says if you have 700 credit and no bankruptcies, you will get your approval online in less time than it takes to read this.
As for your comment “you think Barclays is dumb enough to give this card to everybody”: No - they are very smart to try and give this card to up to 3 million people, at $495 each. That is a serious amount of fees that will make them disproportionately profitable to their small sized USA-operation in Delaware.
When they get their first 200,000 cards issued, they net $100m just from annual fees. What other Visa card from a very small bank can say that?
They hope and pray that it is only perceived to be exclusive (as 3million accounts is a huge target to try and obtain), because unless they issue large amounts of these cards, they will not make the money they planned.
Visa Stratus failed because there were not enough people willing to pay $1000 for what they were offering, to turn a profit.
Those people who say “Its only advantage is its hard as hell to get” (sic) are hopefully the ones who will pay $495 to feel “hard as hell”. You confirm that their marketing pitch is working somewhat.
For $495, the benefits are very sparse, and many free Visa and MC cards have those benefits and more (Merrill+ offers a personal concierge, free upgrades, hotel co-benefits, luxury partners, lounges, and a black-colored card, etc - all for no annual fee at all).
Again, this card is no way pitched at the clientele of the Amex Centurion, it is aimed at the Gold and Platinum Amex crowd. To many of those people, it is simply a better use of their money to pay $450 and hold an Amex Platinum.
The real customers of this card will initailly be the people (as I mentioned) who would spend $500 for the feeling or third-party impressions, like a handbag or a suit.
Finally, to reiterate, not everyone is a “hater who cant get it just like Amex Black”. Make your own choices (like I choose to do paying in Amex 2,500 for my fees).
I received it. It’s far less than the 7500$ initial + 2500$ fee per year of the Centurion, and obviously the benefits are appropriate for such a decrease in the membership fees. I can’t justify 7500 and 2500 a month after that for a Centurion, but I can justify 450 for a Plat and 495 for this black card from visa. Gives me some flexibility, insurances etc.. but with Visa (not everyone takes Amex ya know).
I agree it is plastic, I don’t know what they’re talking about, it’s clearly plastic… not sure but I don’t care. I get travel insurance, rental insurance, priority pass (which I can get 99$ waived and upgrade to the prestige cheaper if I want to which I may do).
If I don’t like it after a year I’ll just cancel it.
Honestly, to everone who is hating on it, if you’re hating on it you don’t have a Centurion either.. lol.. these cards aren’t even on the same level, you *can’t* compare the two, not even close. The poster above was right, the people who are hating on it can’t qualify for one, never mind a real centurion.
I meant per year not per month, mistake in my post.
Like I said it offers similar insurances like the plat, except with visa.
Worldwide travel accident insurance
baggage delay insurance
auto rental insurance
trip interruption/cancelation insurance
Purchase security - pay out $500 up to 90 days from purchase of items that are stolen or broken
Warranty extension just like Plat.
All these great benefits but with Visa and as revolving credit.
+ priority pass entry level membership.
Why not?
I’ll give it a shot…
A quote taken from ‘Jerry’: “Honestly, to everone who is hating on it, if you’re hating on it you don’t have a Centurion either.. lol..”
Jerry, I don’t think your statement is entirely true. ‘Hando’ mentioned he has an AMEX Centurion card… in fact, according to him he has 2. And he is probably one of the folks you would consider “hating on” the Visa Black card.
Furthermore, let’s all remember something guys, AMEX has always been the more premium card company over Visa and MC. Period. It used to be AMEX, Carte Blanche and Diners Club were the welthiest/ most exclusive of all credit card brands. Nowadays, it’s pretty much just AMEX; Diners is obsolete in the USA and Carte Blanche (other than the Diners Club Carte Blance edition card) is no longer in existence.
So, from those facts that I’ve stated, I’d say comparing the Centurion card to the new Visa black card is like comparing a Lexus LS460 full-size sedan to the new Hyundai Genesis… The Genesis is a new, innovative luxury-oriented car that you will not see in every driveway BUT at the end of the day it’s still the Hyundai brand. No need to say more. (I’m not hating on Hyundai, for any enthusiasts out there, just making a comprehendable comparison.)
Regards,
Eddie
I’m sure that Visa is not concerned about any comparisons to the Centurion card, because at the end of the day it’s just another way for them to earn money through transaction fees from a market segment that belongs to AmEx.
Eddie C.
Did you not read my comments:
“these cards aren’t even on the same level, you *can’t* compare the two, not even close.”
I clearly stated that these cards are not even comparable to the Centurion. The centurion is the superior card, with a 7500$ entrance fee and 2500$ a year after that fee.
In anycase I called up Priority Pass and asked to upgrade my free entry level priority pass to the prestige and they did it pro-rated so now I have priority pass (and I’ll be traveling a lot) and my plat AMEX with lounge access.
It’s nice having a VISA (since not everyone accepts amex) that has similar assurance/insurance features as the Plat Amex..
That’s what I’m trying to get at, even though I try to explain this fact Eddie you just go off on “IT’S NOT A CENTURION OMG”
Get over yourself man.. now I have the relative equivilent of an Amex Plat but with Visa… I can more than afford it and now I have the flexibility of Amex or Visa.
I win.
LoL, you win? Wow, I didn’t know this was a contest. And how old are we, 8? :o/
Seriously, Jerry, I think you’re getting a little too schizo here… When making my comparison(s) I was clearly speaking to ALL the readers on here, not exclusively to you.
Be Well,
Eddie :o)
I think you answered my question. If it came with the highest level of Priority Pass membership, I was going to spring for the $495. If it is the $99 special, forget it. That was the only membership “benefit” that I could see with the card..
So I post comments with explanations, reasonable statements and information supporting my reasons. You just post an attack calling me schizo.
I see… Clearly you make the better argument here.
Still waiting to see what the requirements are out there. I think there 1% number is meant to show its rare not that they are going to issue 3 million cards. Its no amex black but it still looks like a rare high end card to have if you ask me. I dont think any plain jane can get it our there who marketing ploy is out the window.
Anybody body who has one what are you getting approved with?
I think barclays has a winner on there hands if it is as rare as they say and hard to get It stands out if you ask me.
My range was from 725-765.
Hardly 1% if you ask me if I could get it. Those aren’t bad scores, but are they really that rare that it’s only 1% of the population? God I hope not…
I hope Visa gets sued for this one. I believe American Express owns the trademark to the name “Black Card”. In the Centurion cardholder agreement they through the words “Black Card” and “Centurion” around alot. What was visa thinking? They said only 1% of US resident will qualify… They should say only 1% of US residents would want it. Visa’s customer service sucks. I will just stick with my Platinum AMEX. I can call the number on the back of the card and say “Representative” and just like that I’m speaking with a actual breathing person LOL. I dont to sound like I’m putting the Visa Black down, but i think Visa needs to build up a stronger reputation before releasing such an elite card. dont they have a white card out? Does anyone know the benefits it offers? I wonder if they will trade in their white cards for black ones LOL
Considering AMEX treats their customers like shxt (including black cardholders), and the concierge might as well be the customer service line at wal-mart, I’d say that the VISA black has a good shot of being a better card than the AMEX black.
If you want real prestige, get a card issued from a bank in Dubai or a Barclay’s card. Morgan Stanly and Citigroup also have their own “elite” cards.
As far as a functional credit card, it falls short.
Perhaps as a status symbol it makes the grade, but AMEX is crap in general.
OMG what kind of people would pay $500 to pretend to have a black card? This is not even a knock-off. If you buy a knock-off Armani suit, you’d probably get away with it. But if you pay with this ‘Black Card’, you’ll get laughed at.
The Visa “Black Card” is a total sham. For $495/yr, you get the following:
A card available “only” to the first 3,000,000 people to apply. This is not even a Visa Signature card. It is a Visa Platinum Plus card. You only need a good credit score, not an excellent credit score to qualify. Your annual income must only be $15,000. Their much touted concierge service is VIPdesk. This concierge servce is standard issue on many fee-free MasterCard and Visa Cards. What does this say about the “luxury gifts” they claim they will give out? Let’s just say I don’t see Judith Ripka or Ralph Lauren in your future.
To add insult to injury, the carbon graphite material is just as flexible as any other plastic credit card.
Since you already have an AMEX Plat, you could just get the “Black Card Kit” that includes a black colored sticker to turn your Platinum Card black.
BOTTOM LINE: Please don’t give your money to scam artists trying to capitalize on the mystique of the real Black Card. I wonder how long until we see “Visa Black Card”/”Black Card Kit” infomercials on TV late at night?
PS - If you want a good Visa card, get the Merrill+ card. It has lots of perks, uses a respected concierge service (Circles), and has no annual fee.
Hey Jerry, what is the Visa Black Card’s credit limit? (thought you would know since you have one)
Thanks,
Ryan.
Just received the Visa Black Card package today and took pictures, if the admin from here sends me an email I’ll send him the pictures to put up. My credit line was $50k with $10k for cash advance. Issuer seems to be Barclays.
Sad, sad, sad, that’s all I’ll say. Card is razor-thin and feels like the pretend credit card that comes in a new wallet. Thin enough that it easily falls out of your wallet.
Send me an email and I’ll send the pics of the whole package in high-res. I’ve not seen them elsewhere on the ‘net yet.
Wow. I want to be in the credit card industry. I can’t believe people pay so much for a fancy piece of material in fancy packaging.
I was approved for the Black Card. I applied just because I was curious if it was truly exclusive. I got the card and it seemes like a regular card to me only a little thinner. I decided that the $495 wasn’t worth the “perks” since I can get many of them on cards w no annual fee. When I called to cancel the account the lady on the line said that she can assure me that the “luxuary gifts” are more worth more than the annual fee alone. Does anyone know what these “gifts” are or have they received anything?
Thanks
So…it’s not whether having “Black Card” stamped on it making it pretentious, and it’s not whether Amex has trademarked the name (which I believe the Admin has refuted)
It’s about the name itself, “Black Card.”
Does no one else see the racist connotation here? So, an African American uses this card, is he (or she) then using his (or her) “black card?” Really, Visa? You really didn’t think of this?
I’m sure we’re all mature enough that in common usage our minds won’t go there, but it’s the possibility that makes me question the vetting process of this black card brand name.
If I pulled out “Black Card” Visa anywhere, I would be deeply embarrassed. I pretty sure the person you are giving it to will laugh at you and think that you are trying to be something you are definately not.
Visa Black Card = funny
Seems like the wrong time to launch any “premium” card in this economy. I just cancelled my Amex Platinum and went with the cheapest card I could find that could still get me into airport lounges.
I keep hearing from people who signed up for this card that it’s really flimsy and thin. Also, I’ve heard the perks aren’t as exclusive as originally thought and some can be found on other cards w/ no annual fee… Just what I’ve heard from people so far.
WoW!!! All the back & worth!
The biggest complaint i’ve read from all these posts seems to be the $495 annual fee and how it’s either 1) a scam / rip off or 2) The benefits aren’t worth the fee.
To alot of people, including myself, $495 a year for an annual fee is alot when there are so many other cards out there with comparable benefits for free. Who would pay that? Well isn’t that the same concept as bottled water? Water is free! Is there really such a taste difference between what comes out of the sink and bottled water? Some people say there is. It’s all about our own perception and experience. What benefits one person may not benefit another.
Bickering over social status, what the card is made of, and how it’s copying Amex are very poor arguments & critisms. Where is the substance????
I was thinking about applying for the card. Can anyone who ACTUALLY OWNS the card share their experience whether good or bad?
My 5 year old Corgi just recieved an invitation to apply. Glad to know he is one of the elite 1%. I always thought so, now Visa does too. I couldn’t be more proud.
You are right this card can not compare to the Amex Centurion Card just like the Amex Centurion can not even come close to the Stratus Rewards Card. I have a Centurion Card but am trying to upgrade to a Stratus Rewards card. In my opinion Visa is the way to go but if you want this black card just get a Visa Signature. Same thing. If you want a Elite Visa get the Stratus Rewards. Amex cannot compare, but it is far more elite than the Centurion. I am canceling my centurion as soon as I get Stratus Rewards.
I recently had the black card arrive, which came via Fed Ex. It was an addition to my Amex Platinum. I did not have a Visa and used my check card when AMEX was not accepted. Now I will use this.
Amex Platinum has a better overall package and for those who want a status symbol I would go with the AMEX. The Visa Black Card is just that. A Black Visa card with a nice points/rewards setup. The Amex and Visa will work nicely together for me. I qualify for a amex black but it is not worth the initial and yearly charge for me.
I agree that the stratus rewards is the card to have, but the status symbol will keep the amex in the spotlight. Not to mention the stratus is nearly impossible to get. Amex can be had by anyone with money
Wow. You poor, sad, rich bastards with too much money to burn.
Paying $495 per year just to have some ritzy status symbol credit card?
At least a luxury car gets you from point a to point b and an overpriced handbag will at least carry your belongings. This card just sits in your wallet and provides some added “concierge” services when you need it.
Perhaps the card should be oversized, like, let’s say, perhaps 11″ x 17″ with flashing strobe lights on it, so when insecure, pretentious people whip it out, everyone can’t help but notice it.
Pathetic.
How lame is this? Pathetic…