Officially called the Centurion Card, the American Express Black Card is an elite credit card offered to only certain members by American Express. Generally the card, which is offered by invitation only, is only issued to the very wealthy, including celebrities and top businessmen and women. According to BlackCardSource.com, only about 17,000 cards have been issued.http://www.blackcardsource.com/requirements-and-benefits-of-the-amex-black-card/

The card features a variety of perks, including a very high credit limit, personal concierge services like access to travel agents and personal shoppers, plus a variety of complimentary memberships to clubs for hotel and resorts.http://www.blackcardsource.com/requirements-and-benefits-of-the-amex-black-card/ Additionally, the card is not plastic like other credit cards, but made from aluminum.

While American Express will not disclose the exact requirements to receive the card, calling it "the world’s rarest American Express Card and confers a level of service that can be extended only to selected individuals worldwide," however it's believed that the card comes with a one-time signup fee of $5,000 plus an annual fee of $2,500.http://www.americanexpress.com/lacidc/iccsite/american_express_centurion_card_benefits.shtml Similarly, it's believed that cardholders in the United States must have a very good credit rating, high net worth and minimum card activity of $250,000 annually. Prospective cardholders must also have an American Express platinum card before they will be eligible for a black card.http://www.blackcardsource.com/requirements-and-benefits-of-the-amex-black-card/

Those lucky enough to receive a black card are 94% male and have an average income of above $1 million. They typically spend almost $14,000 each month on shopping and entertainment, with the majority of their expenditures going towards women's clothing. 82% of cardholders use the card as their primary method of payment, using their American Express cards 11.5 times more than the average user. Typically, members have been with American Express for 16 years.http://www.blackcardsource.com/centurion-card-demographics/