Black American Express Card. True Baller Status.
There’s been several rumors going around that the “black amex card” doesn’t truly exist. The actual rumors have been going on for decades (since the 80’s.) The truth is - the card does in fact exist. Amex saw opportunity and took the “black card” idea and ran with it during October, 1999. I did a little digging for the actual facts on this notorius credit card and here’s what I found:
requirements
Despite its status as the world’s most elite credit card, Centurion’s requirements are basic enough. To qualify you must have:
- A one-year tenure and $250,000 annual cash flow on any American Express card
- A U.S. billing address
- An exceptional credit history
The annual fee is $2,500, and although the card is generally by invitation only, any Amex cardholder who believes he qualifies can request that his account be reviewed for eligibility.
benefits
The following are only a fraction of the diverse and extraordinary benefits the Centurion cardholder enjoys.
Personal
In a stern rebuke of touch-tone voice recordings, Amex assigns a personal concierge with an e-mail address and a direct phone number to each cardholder. Tales of concierges doing backflips to hook up impossible dinner reservations and nonexistent show tickets flood internet forums.If the Centurion cardholder is enrolled in the Credit Card Registry program and loses his wallet, Amex will arrange for all of his credit cards to be invalidated and for new cards to be issued in their place — with a single phone call.Finally, in the Emergency Assistance Program, if a member is more than 100 miles from home, Amex gives medical, legal and financial assistance 24/7. It will replace lost passports or misplaced prescriptions, arrange for an air ambulance from anywhere on the planet, monitor medical treatment, and cover inoculations.
Retail
The Centurion cardholder enjoys private access to a number of high-end retailers — including Bergdorf, Bulgari, Gucci, Harvey Nichols, Neiman Marcus, and Saks Fifth Avenue — where he can request the assistance of a personal shopper. If he happens to lose or damage an item or two, purchases on the card are protected against such tragedies up to $50,000 a year. If that weren’t enough, the Buyers Assurance Plan extends the terms of the original manufacturer’s warranty by three years, regardless of warranty length. This perk lends itself to the possibility that, on a lifetime warranty, a cardholder may enjoy coverage through his first three years in the afterlife. They say those are the hardest.
Hotels
The Centurion cardholder’s memberships in FHR (Fine Hotels and Resorts) and SLH (Small Luxury Hotels) give him access to 530 hotels worldwide and entitle him to free room upgrades, late check-out, a domestic staff eager to satisfy his every excess, and a complimentary continental breakfast for two.
If the cardholder books two nights at any participating Mandarin Oriental hotel (excluding the NYC property), he enjoys the second night free. The benefits are similar to the FHR program, except that the domestic staff is reduced to a butler’s help in the packing and unpacking process.
Travel
Arguably, it’s in this area that Centurion earns its keep. In addition to membership in Hertz #1 Gold Club and Avis President’s Club, some of the many benefits include:
- A personal travel consultant
- First class flight upgrades (when available)
- Membership in the International Airlines Program, allowing one complimentary ticket on transatlantic flights with the purchase of one first class or business ticket
- Access to 450 airport lounges in 80 countries via Priority Pass (Amex waives the $399 fee)
- Membership in the Private Jet Services Program, wherein the cardholder can either buy flight time on a private jet or assume fractional jet ownership with a half-dozen elite private jet carriers
- Up to $700 stateroom shipboard credit on selected cruises
- Membership in Space Adventures, a space tourism company, including privileged invitations to various space-related events. Additionally, the cardholder receives an annual credit toward the payment of a suborbital flight reservation. Yes, you read that right.
Travel insurance
Benefits include:
- Flight: As much as $3.5 million for death and dismemberment
- Baggage: Carry-ons up to $2000, checked baggage up to $1000
- Travel Delay Protection: If a cardholder’s flight is delayed beyond certain specified times, Amex allows him $250 for hotels, cabs and other expenses
- Delayed Checked Bag Program: If a member makes it to his destination but his bag is delayed for more than three hours, Amex allows him up to $500 for whatever he needs. Please double-check before ordering the in-room porno.
Other
Finally, the Centurion cardholder benefits from membership in the Premium Vital Component Program, which offers complimentary transplants on all major organs. Just kidding.
once you go black…
The notion of unlimited spending alone puts the Centurion at the apex of the credit card industry. It’s difficult to envision how competitors might top it. Miraculous healing abilities, lifetime transactional immunity, Human Soul purchasing power?
Nonetheless, internet forums and message boards reveal the birth of a new urban legend among Centurion cardholders, one born less of enigmatic fascination and more of insecurity. The legend alleges the shadowy existence of the secretive, ultra-ultra-exclusive “Crystal” card, which is said to be mightier and more discriminating than the Centurion.
American Express refutes this. Phew.
Doesn’t it seem like New Yorkers are always bitchin’ about having to fork out ridiculous amounts of cash for regular day-to-day living? According to CNN’s stats they do have a good reason to; NY topped out the US list (ranking at #13 in the world.) Shouldn’t they be healthier? After all, it can’t be easy spending 7 bucks on a pack of cigarettes. Even the necessities like milk and bread are pricey, generally a gallon of milk costs $2.82 in the city.
