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If you're a high roller with a taste for the finer things in life, you might already know about the prestigious—and somewhat mysterious—American Express Black Card, officially called the Centurion Card.
Are you looking for the ultimate status symbol of the 21st Century? Well, nothing signals money, mystery and, well, money, like an American Express Black Card, officially called the Centurion Card. If you think you've got the stuff (money), read this page to find out how to get an American Express Black Card. By flashing that American Express Centurion Card, you are sure to make an impression.
Getting a Centurion Card isn't easy, even if your lifestyle places you comfortably above what most people would consider middle-class. Read on to find out all about the Centurion Card, including both what perks come with a Black Card and how you can go about getting your hands on one.
Step 1: Learn about the AmEx Black Card
According to Snopes.com, the AmEx Black Card began as an urban myth: specifically, as a rumor that American Express provided a secret "black card" to the elite and powerful. "It wasn't true, but we decided to capitalize on the idea anyway," said AmEx Europe director Doug Smith.c Thus, the company released the Centurion Card in 1999. Here is some general information about the card:
- It's a charge card. Your balance, however large, needs to be paid back at the end of each month.
- It comes with a variety of services and perks that are unusual for a credit card.
- It's officially called the Centurion Card.c
- It's black.
- Though you don't have to be a tycoon or head of state to get one, you do need to have access to a good deal of money.
- It's American Express's most exclusive card and was once only available by personal invitation from American Express.c
Step 2: Determine if You Qualify for an AmEX Black Card
In the good old days of usury and loan-sharking, the only collateral you'd need for a loan might be your fingers, or your life itself. Things are more complicated in the 21st Century: you sometimes need a salary and marginally decent credit history just to get a card with a spending limit of $7,000. So, what kinds of qualifications will you need for a Centurion Card?
1. High Credit Rating
If your life circumstances or sense of responsibility have caused blemishes on your recent credit history, this card may be out of your reach.c At least until you fix your credit rating, anyway.
2. Have a Platinum Card
You need to already hold an American Express Platinum if you want to apply for a Centurion.
4. Significant Assets
These might include, oh, say, a house, or savings that exceed your current credit card spending limit. A company or an island might help as well.
1. High Credit Rating
If your life circumstances or sense of responsibility have caused blemishes on your recent credit history, this card may be out of your reach.c At least until you fix your credit rating, anyway.
2. Have a Platinum Card
You need to already hold an American Express Platinum if you want to apply for a Centurion.
3. Extravagant Spending Habits
Your Platinum account will have to demonstrate a $250,000 annual spending rate. Again, that's a quarter of a million dollars, each year, charged to your account.c
Your Platinum account will have to demonstrate a $250,000 annual spending rate. Again, that's a quarter of a million dollars, each year, charged to your account.c
4. Significant Assets
These might include, oh, say, a house, or savings that exceed your current credit card spending limit. A company or an island might help as well.
Step 3: Establish if You Can Afford the American Express Black Card
Let's imagine that there were no minimum requirements for a Centurion Card. Any old Tom, Dick or Harry (with amazing credit) could just call up American Express and get themselves a hot new status symbol. To maintain the exclusivity, American Express levies some pretty hefty service fees for those who hold a Black Card:
- For the privilege of opening a Centurion account, you will pay a one-time fee of $5,000.
- To keep your account, you'll pay an annual fee of $2,500.c
But if you don't do these things, you will be paying thousands of dollars per year strictly for the benefit of being able to impress your friends and/or rivals (which may be worth the cost in and of itself, depending on who you are).
Step 4: Learn the AmEX Black Card Perks
Spending Limit
Tickets
For the benefit of Centurion holders, American Express reserves tickets at major sporting events and concerts.c
Private Jet
Travel
Participating Companies
Companies that offer some or all of these perks to Centurion Card holders include—but are hardly limited to—the following:c
The spending limit is based on your assets and credit history. It is not unlimited, as has been rumored. However, it is likely to be very high. Advanced warning may be required for extremely large purchases.c
Tickets
For the benefit of Centurion holders, American Express reserves tickets at major sporting events and concerts.c
Private Jet
The card gives you the option of partial ownership in a private jet.c You will also earn membership for private jet services.
Travel
- Automatic Upgrades: At many hotels/resorts and certain major airlines and cruise lines, a Centurion will get you automatic upgrades—from coach to first class, for example, or from a regular room to a luxury suite.
- Free one-night stays, under certain conditions, at certain hotels and resorts.
- $500 toward food and expenses if you take a cruise or rent a yacht.c
Other benefits include automatic enrollment in airmiles programs, free meals, gift certificates in hotel gift shops, spa treatments, free companion flights and a subscription to Black Inc. magazine, the only magazine published solely for those who have a Black Card.c
Participating Companies
Companies that offer some or all of these perks to Centurion Card holders include—but are hardly limited to—the following:c
- Delta Air Lines
- Northwest Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- US Airways
- Hilton
- Ritz-Carlton
- Mandarin Oriental Hotels
- Westin Hotels
Step 5: Learn Black Card Services
Personal Concierge
Your personal concierge, available by phone, will help you to make reservations and other dining arrangements, shop for you and even provide personal reminders (such as birthdays and appointments).c
Your full-service travel agent will book flights, hotels, cabs, rentals, limos, helicopters and hovercraft.
Translator
AmEx's crack team of international speakers will make arrangements for you in non-English speaking countries, even Tonga.
Financial Assistant
Need to buy or sell a small corporation or two? AmEx will provide "free" assistance with the rigamarole of financial transactions, as well as help to keep track of your assets.c
Your personal concierge, available by phone, will help you to make reservations and other dining arrangements, shop for you and even provide personal reminders (such as birthdays and appointments).c
Your full-service travel agent will book flights, hotels, cabs, rentals, limos, helicopters and hovercraft.
Translator
AmEx's crack team of international speakers will make arrangements for you in non-English speaking countries, even Tonga.
Financial Assistant
Need to buy or sell a small corporation or two? AmEx will provide "free" assistance with the rigamarole of financial transactions, as well as help to keep track of your assets.c
How to Get a Black Card
You don't have to be wealthy to hold a Centurion Card, but it helps. If you manage a business—and can use your card to process major expenses, including payroll—you'll have an automatic route to Centurion-hood that doesn't require you to be independently wealthy.c In any case, here's the basic game plan, regardless of your situation:
Get an American Express Platinum Card
Even if you've spent $250,000 on your ordinary Visa or MasterCard, you won't qualify—you need to go platinum before you go black.
Spend like There's No Tomorrow
That's right, the goal here is to rack up (and pay off) $250,000 worth of debt, in one year, on your Platinum Card. Some bright ideas to help you hit that limit might include:
- Making every conceivable major and minor purchase with your Platinum.
- Telling your employer you'd be glad to use your card for work expenses (provided that you'll be reimbursed).
- If you're out to dinner with friends, pay for the whole meal.
- Use your card to pay bills whenever possible, including insurance and utilities.
- If you want to be really unconventional, use your card to donate to charity.c
- Make lots of impulse buys, particularly for jewelry, couture T-shirtsc and designer appliances.c Spend, spend, spend!
Your Platinum may only allow you to spend $10,000 per month, which falls far short of your goal. There are at least two ways to get around this:
If you've got the desire and the means, and you're also an avid luxury traveler, then good luck. It's time to get cranking on some high-level expenditures with your Platinum Card!
- Pay off your account several times mid-month in order to free up your limit.
- Overpay your bill at the end of each month. For example, if your limit is $10,000, send a check that exceeds your current debt by more than $13,000. American Express can credit your account for the extra money and effectively give you a new limit of $23,000 for the month.c
Mind Your Credit Rating
- Pay off your balance on-time and don't exceed your limit (not to be confused with overpaying your limit).
Apply for a Centurion Card
Until 2006, the Centurion Card was only available by invitation. But now, you can simply call the American Express Platinum customer service number (1-800-263-1616) and ask for an application.c
If you've got the desire and the means, and you're also an avid luxury traveler, then good luck. It's time to get cranking on some high-level expenditures with your Platinum Card!
Disclaimer
The content of this page is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial advice.
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
Card is for those who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. -
Fact:
You must have had a Platinum American Express card for at least one year to apply. -
Fact:
You must have charged a minimum of $250,000 on your Platinum Card as a minimum requirement. -
Fact:
Balances must be paid off each month. -
Fact:
Also known as the Centurion Card.
