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They really offer you the black card? It's got an insanely hefty monthly fee to it.

One huge difference is that pretty much everyone is offered the platinum card. I'm pretty sure I have one, and I'm poor.

Sorry for the non-answer answer, but in terms of the differences, I think money and features differences are so astronomical that it might be better to talk to a banking specialist about the difference and which one would be better for you.
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Holy Hefty Fee for the Black Card!

The platinum card offers: Membership Rewards First at 1x to 4x points per dollar, no pre-set spending limit, impressive travel insurance, free upgrades in Starwood hotels, the Platinum card concierge, The First Collection of luxury goods, free roadside assistance, travel assistance, club access for all major airlines and an event ticket protection plan. (1) Annual Fee $450

The Centurion Card: Coolness and vanity factor, prestige, it's not plastic but metal. (It has a Snopes page!) Entry into Membership Rewards Ascent at 1.5x to 4.5x per dollar spent, Centurion Awards which past awards included space tourism, personal tailoring in Hong Kong, and luxury cruises. The concierge will work to handle all the implications of lost items during travel including replacing cell phones, all other credit cards and US State documents. At home, the concierge the call for a plumber, security, electrician or locksmith. The card also offers travel insurance including medical for all international travel, trip delay, trip cancellation and many other travel insurance related items. It also offers exclusive ticketing, events, services and reservations for those times that Ticketmaster just won't do. In the US, American Express often offers free gifts to card members. Annual Fee: $2,500.

It comes down to this: if you are a jet-setter with people to impress, the Black might be a good choice due to the opportunities gained through it. If you like to sit around answering Mahalo Answers questions in your jammies, Platinum will be just fine.
Source(s):
PLATINUM
http://www201.americanexpress.com/getthecard/learn-about/Platinum-Card
CENTURION:
https://www.icenturion.americanexpress.com/prospect/cent/australia/FrontSer...
http://www.blackcardsource.com/

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The American Express Black Card:

It's more than just the color of the card, yet the color certainly symbolizes something special. In my opinion, and I believe it's a fact that one word can describe the difference between the two cards. This one word is "status," yet there is more to it beyond being a status symbol. It really has some extraordinary features, and the exclusivity that the card provides, besides the fact that it's an invitation only card!

The Black Card is like the black belt on Mahalo, whereas, you have to earn you way up the ranks to deem this card yours. I call it the "trophy card," as you're not just carrying around a plastic credit card, it's basically a firmer card, it's a trophy, a sign of success, for you, the card holder to say, "I've made it!" You're likely a high roller, multi-millionaire/billionaire, and a big spender who carries the quintessential American Express Black Card.

According to Forbes Magazine, "Almost as useful is a little black card, weighing less than an ounce, that lets billionaires do just about anything. Cardholders must be invited to apply for the Centurion Card from American Express (nyse: AXP - news - people ), and the company won't say how many cardholders there are or how they are chosen." Also, it's not just for the frugal person who is wealthy, they have to be a big spender as well! According to Desiree Fish an American Express spokeswoman who was quoted, "They must have an annual spend-level of $250,000 to be considered."

The Black Card which is a tad bit thicker than your average credit card is made out of anodized titanium (instead of plastic like other cards) was formerly known as the Centurion Card was an elite card, the card that only the very wealthy were issued at one time, and still remains a card of status, yet it has become more popular since its original inception.

I heard rumors that the card was only originally issued to people who were considered rich and famous. For instance, comedian and television star Jerry Seinfeld was the first recipient of the Centurion card. Seinfeld had previously served as a spokesman for American Express in commercial advertising as well. Other famous people who are known carriers of this card include Tiger Woods, Ellen Degeneres, Robert Deniro, Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki, Kanye West, Britney Spears, and Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.

So, not everyone was able to get the Centurion Card at first. It was the card for people who had near perfect credit scores, the super wealthy, and the card had unlimited spending power! That was a myth, the card does have a limit, yet people have been able to purchase Boeing Business Jets on it!

Feature wise, the Black Card allowed people in the United States to:

1. Dedicated concierge and travel agent
2. Complimentary companion airline tickets on international flights with purchase of full fair ticket (selected airlines)
3. Personal Shoppers at high end retailers (ie. Escada, Gucci, Neiman Marcus, etc.)
4. Entry access to airport clubs
5. First class flight upgrades
6. Membership in Sony's Cierge personal shopping program
7. Membership to various elite clubs
8. One free night at a hotel with a paid night during the same stay at the Mandarin Oriental once a year (NYC hotel not included)
9. Privileges at Ritz-Carlton, Leading Hotels of the World, and Amanresorts
10. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold

Not mentioned in the above features is that the card is thicker than other cards, which has made it harder to insert in some card readers such as gas station pumps and vending machines.

Also note the fee for the Black Card is certainly on the pricier side, yet if you are offered this card, it's likely because the credit card company has a belief you can afford it. They are not offering this card to first time American Express card holders, as this is not an entry level card. As of 2007, the annual fee in the United States was $2,500, with a one-time $5,000 initiation fee for the first year.

The Platinum Card:

As you can see from above, the Platinum Card offers less rich, and less exclusive features from its more esoteric Black Card. Also, the Platinum Card ways less and is not as thick. Materialistically speaking, the Platinum Card is just a silver color, and it's made out of the same material that most all credit cards are made out of, so it's indeed plastic.

There are certainly a lot of features and benefits with the American Express Platinum, as well, yet they are not as glamorous or exclusive as the Black Card. It's my belief that some of the features that you would find on the Platinum Card are not found on the Black Card, simply because they cater to different consumer echelon, the utmost elite. Odds are you would not find these people renting a car, as they would most likely prefer to have a chauffeured car service when they are traveling, so that is the reason I believe you will not find some of the exact same features on the Platinum Card. Although the Platinum Card may seem more plentiful in features, it has more quantity over quality features. Then again, this is always perceived quality, as some people may prefer Starwood Hotel Properties over the Ritz Carlton, yet those who want to have the fullest of amenities and luxury would always prefer the Ritz Carlton.

It also seems like the

Here is the low down on the features:

1. Access to airport lounges: American Airlines Admiral Club, Continental Airlines Presidents Club, Delta Crown Room Club, and Northwest Airlines WorldClubs
2. Up to 4 complementary companion airfare tickets a year
3. One complementary business/first class international ticket a year
4. Access to book cruises, private jets, yachts, and villas
5. Hotel Upgrades
6. Access to Platinum card concierge
7. Access to invitation only events
8. Roadside Assistance program
9. Starwood Preferred Guest Gold status
10. Membership rewards program
11. Car Rental Insurance and Car upgrades and special status with Hertz, Avis, & National
12. No pre-set spending limit

The Platinum Card has a $450 annual fee opposed to the hefty fee that you find on the Black Card.

There you have it, the differences between the two cards! If you have the need, desire, or spending power to shell out the $7,500 for this card that can buy any material thing or service accepting American Express for purchase that you can possibly imagine, then why not go for it!?
Source(s):
http://www.blackcardsource.com/american-express-platinum-card/
http://www.blackcardsource.com/known-cardholders/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centurion_Card
http://www.snopes.com/business/bank/blackcard.asp
http://www.forbes.com/2006/09/21/travel-photos_life_re_cx_sb_06rich400_0921...

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I don't know if anyone mentioned this yet, but there is a 1 million dollar per year spending "Minimum" with a black card. You have to prove you have assets in excess of 100 million to get the card. And usually, they call you.

If you can't spend a million per year for fun, then you can't have the card. Period.
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