American Express Centurion: The Black Card
96
Available Only To A Select Few
For those of you that are wondering, my name is not Cheung Chun Keung and that is not my hand holding that Amex Black Card...But I kind of wish that the card did belong to me and that my name is Cheung Chun Keung! Why? Because this card can buy a person's SOUL if you wanted it to. Just kidding. What would one do with a person's soul anyway, Satan?
And for those who are wondering what this card is, I'll explain it to you, as I have only had two encounters with it my entire life: It's the most exclusive card this side of the solar system. But more on that later. Some swear that this ridiculously elite card has no set spending limit. From what I've read, among some of the toys people buy with its purchasing power are Boeing Jets.
In the beginning of 2006, American Express replaced all plastic Centurion cards with anodized titanium cards, exacerbating the fact that their cards are truly unique in every which way. Back in the early 1980's, rumors circulated about a "black credit card" in our midst. So, in 1999, American Express decided to use this to their advantage and so created a Black Card of their own and so gave it only to a select few. Please take a look:
- Upfront cost for your first American Express Centurion card is $5,000
- As of 2007, the annual fee to keep the Black Card as of 2007 is between $2,500 to $5,000
- The annual fee for each additional card is $1,500
There are only two kinds of Amex Black Cards, by the way: Personal and Business. In either case, in terms of upholding your responsibilities as a member, you're required to spend AT LEAST $250,000 within a 12 month period. Those are the rules! Gosh, you could buy a Detroit suburb nowadays with that much lettuce Pam Grundy! One Amex Black Card member that i read about confessed that he had to pay $9,000 in upfront costs his first month, but then argued that it was worth it. When giving his additional card to his 16 year-old daughter (whom he made promise to not flash around so as to avoid theft) and to not "go crazy" with it, she then proceeds to buy a Mercedes for herself anyway, which made her proud papa mildly upset over the entire ordeal. "Ha! Kids!"
From what I researched and from what I know, in order to get this Plutocrat Charge Card, you need to be invited. to join: "Don't call us, we'll call you," seems to come to mind in this instance. The term, "Invitation Only" is the mantra here. Pictured below is what a "American Express Centurion Invitation" package looks like:
Please click to enlarge
From the Grapevine
One of my finds tells the story of a little rich kid that was researching a school project involving the Dead Sea. After a pleading to his parents, they dutifully made several phone calls which equated to his getting a couple of handfuls of sand from the Dead Sea via Black Card! The sand was shipped overnight and junior got his Dead Sea sand for his project. He got an "A" for his little project in case you're wondering.
In another story, one man was so interested in the pony that Kevin Costner rode on during the shooting of the movie "Dances With Wolves," that he made a few calls and so was able to obtain the same pony for his collection. Talk about your everyday movie buff.
American Express Centurion Amenities
Neil Patel, who was able to acquire a American Express Centurion Business card (in which was privileged to having and so did not have to pay neither the upfront costs, nor the annual fees) certainly enjoys his Black Card amenities. While living in a suburb when needing a tailored suit, he called up the Centurion concierge service to inquire about getting a suit as he desperately needed one for a business trip. Not only was the concierge able to get him a suit, she sent a tailor to his home and had the Gucci suit from Beverly Hills shipped to him. Here is just a short list of some of the other amenities an Amex Black Card entitles you:
- Personalized Service: Provides members with a personal concierge and a travel concierge to help you at any time. The personal concierge will aid you in shopping and fine dining while the travel concierge will book you a flight, a hotel room and a rental car. You can also extend your concierge service to your friends and relatives as well.
- Air Travel: While flying Delta, US Airways, Virgin Atlantic and Northwest, using your Amex Black card entitles you to elite status in which will bump you up to first class at no extra charge. Up to four times a year, you can bring a friend or family member with you at no extra charge and in addition, if you purchase round-trip airfare, you can bring back a companion on your return trip at no extra charge
- Lodging: Much like air travel, members will enjoy a host of privileges when using Amex' approved hotels, such as a free gift voucher to shop inside the hotel's shops upon arrival, free suite upgrades, free breakfast, free spa treatments, and a free lunch. Aside from the hundreds of domestic hotels Amex also provides privileges in over 550 international hotels and resorts, including the Ritz-Carlton, the Mandarin Oriental, Oriental Express Hotels, Aman Resorts, Peninsula Hotels and Centurion Villas.
- Cruises and Land Vacations: If ever you want to take a cruise on a yacht, Amex will happily help you by giving you a $500 credit towards your meals and in addition, on trips of 6-days or longer, they'll credit you another $500 towards your entire bill. Keep in mind too that your concierge will bargain hunt for the best available deals as well.
- Additional Travel Benefits: If your needs ever require a limo, your Amex concierge will make sure that you get one to ride around in and if you prefer to rent a vehicle, Hertz Club Gold and Avis President's Club offers you complimentary discounts and free service upgrades for you. Also, should you wreck your car, yacht, or jet, Amex will cover you up to $1.5 million in liability coverage.
- Retail Shopping: If you love to shop at Escada, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Gucci, you can request a personal assistant to help you to find everything to fulfill your heart's desire. And should you hate long lines, red tape, and hoards of other shoppers, you can request that Amex close down certain stores so you'll be able to peruse them at your leisure.
- Entertainment and Dining: If your looking to gain admission to special events, such as tickets to a Broadway musical or even the Super Bowl, Amex will certainly see to it that your desire be met because you are after all a privileged member through their concierge service. There are over 1,000 restaurants that cater to the stringent demands of Amex who will see to it that you get a table at their fine-dining establishment without the hassle of a reservation.
- Financial Solution Provider: On top of all of these benefits, Amex takes into consideration that their elite members spend a king's ransom running their multiple business and pay much in the form of taxes. If you decide to do a business transaction, they are available to assist you to make sure that everything goes smoothly.
- Branding: Through consistent use of your card and renown that is instantly attached to you, as your name is indeed emblazoned on the front of your anodized titanium card, you create a buzz in your own right by simply using your card to purchase esteemed goods and services. So without knowing so or trying to, you become the face of the American Express Centurion Card.
My Amex Black Card Story
Okay, I did mention that I actually had two instances in which I came across an Amex Black Card, but I'll only mention one of them--the more entertaining one. It happened several years ago when I was working for a rental car company straight out of college. I was wet behind my ears and cold in my feet. I didn't know what the hell I was doing when up at the counter and on a computer system which program could have easily been in Greek due it being so new and awkward to me. I remember that it was a Saturday and it was only myself and my manager in the entire office. Our college intern was out that day.
I was told through my manager that a man was coming in whose Lamborghini was being towed away simply because he found a "bubble" in the tire. Sure, it doesn't sound that serious, this bubble, but such issues, if not taken cared of pose as a serious problem, namely a blow out and a cataclysmic wipe-out sure to follow. Except my manager didn't say Lamborghini, as he referred to the Italian marvel as being a "Lambo," which costs more than some people's houses. I've never before even heard of someone owning a "Lambo" back then. When this man walked in (let's just call him Lambo), he was wearing a Hawaiian shirt and canvas shorts and didn't look much like anything. He said hello to me and handed me his driver's license and credit card (I don't have to tell you which). Holy shit. I've never before seen this card in all my life. When I turned around and looked at my manager, he walked on over to see what was wrong. When he saw what I was looking at, he too was quieted. It was so quiet in our office that you could've heard a mouse fart.
"Is there something wrong?" Lambo asked. Both of us shook our heads and proceeded with conducting the transaction. My hand must have been shaking because I dropped the heavy card on the counter, which crashed like a iron skillet--clang! I think that I was sweating too. When I finished the transaction, I went to swipe the card which I didn't think for some stupid reason, wouldn't work. I was surprised when it did go through.
"Probably won't decline, huh?" I joked with Lambo. He gave me a shit-eating grin and winked at me.
"That card is a Black Hole, my friend," Lambo said.
He was right. He could have bought every single car in my lot and have enough to payback my student loans...Easily. When I asked him if he wanted to purchase additional protection for his rental car he laughed at me.
Life certainly was good.
Cheesy, but entertaining song...
The New American Express Zync Card
- American Express Zync
American Express Zync is a new charge card from American Express. Offering a variety of "Packs," individuals can build their own unique American Express Zync card to match their lifestyle. In addition, American Express Zync is also a great card for t
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It is a different world and one I will never inhabit (don't want to) but it would be nice to have the choices such security offers. I would choose to live as I do without worry.
The Black Card reminds me of a very old movie called "The Million Pound Note". If you ever get a chance...give it a view.
Thanks for the Hub. Frightening.
Okay, I need me something like that. :)
Oh how the other half do live! I would have got my kid to use sand from our beach - how was the teacher going to know the difference anyway! Interesting though - I have never heard of this card being just an ordinary mortal.
Oh, wow, S***!!! What is that magical card? I think only Billionaires have access to this one? You made me luagh about the horse and the suit... Very nice hub dohn.
I do not think that I will be getting one of these anytime soon...good hub though
Never saw one and don't ever expect to, those type of people don't live in my world.
Interesting information though, who knew?
Very well written. I don't get it, though, if someone is rich enough to afford this card, why do they even need it??
Wow! If only my parents gave me that card : ). I probably spent somewhere around $400 last year. I guess I don't qualify. Anyways, thanks for the informative hub. I had never heard of this before.
Well...how the other 1% lives. It got me tho, dohn121. The story grabbed me. But, you know, I don't envy those people...much.
Nice information provided...
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thnaks for this nice info
Thank you for the interesting information. Like Catherine, I am a mere mortal and had never heard of the Centurion. (And like you, I clip coupons, recycle cans and bottles, etc.) But, it sure is fun to imagine how I would spend $250K in a year. Allowing ourselves to fantasize, I think, encourages us in our goals (debt-free!). Ever seen Brewster's Millions?
Money=power
I hope to get one of these someday :D
Your writing makes me inspired dohn, thank for you..
Informative hub....
Thank you!
Bro.. good topic here that you have written.
The black card looks REAaaaaaaLLy good. Some people are just lucky, hahaaaa...
Membership has it's privileges!
ohhh ahhhhhh!
i hadn't seen one before... thanks!
what I would need to do get that kind of card... ah wishful thinking...
Great hub, I didn't know it existed either. One day I'll see one. Excellent read.
American Express paid it's CEO 48 million in 2008, then they turned around and took 3.5 Billion in tax money. Is that the kind of company you want to do business with?
This reminds me of the movie It Could Happen to You. After the female lead wins the lottery she immediately receives an offer for a credit card line with $100,000 of credit.
Hi, Dohn! I've read several of your hubs by now, and like I commented previously, I really like your style, as well as your topics of choice. But this one really struck a chord with me, and prompted me to do some further research into the topic of the "haves vs. the have nots". What I found was that the income gap is even greater between the "haves and the have mores", so that being a mere millionaire only earns a place in the upper middle class, as opposed to belonging to the upper class of society. I think it was JP Getty who was quoted as saying "if you can count your millions, then you're not a billionaire". Another point to consider, as us ordinary working stiffs (or those of us who are fortunate enough to call ourselves that) entertain our "champagne wishes and caviar dreams", or fantasize over what we'd do if we won the lotto, look at how many people have managed to ruin their lives or the lives of their loved ones simply because they cannot handle such a cash windfall. All money does is give you more options, and more often than not, only makes you more of what you already are.
But that doesn't stop me from wanting more of it anyway. Like the song says "you've got to have a dream, if you don't have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true".
Oh btw I linked this in my blog hope you don't mind
I figured those that spent more than others had different kinds of accounts with banks and got different treatment.
I am semi-interested. But feel like staying away from even thinking about it for some reason.
I have only seen one of these cards before. It was a business card for a very famous rock band. I had no idea what it was at the time.
How cool is that thing? I'd love using that card at stores to see the reactions I would get, nice hub.
I always enjoy your writing and this story about the black card, was no exception.
I had a discussion with friends about 30 years ago, where I wondered how anyone could spend 1 million dollars in one week. (It was the premise of a movie.) They looked at me and immediately said that they would buy a yacht, which would have never occurred to me.
They then followed up by saying, "The rich think differently than you and I."
This is still true.
We'll all have to join the free masons or something for a card like that man..then again I want to go to heaven too ...LOL
not sure if both a can be had, needs more research LOLOLOL!:D
Great hub dohn121!
This was an enjoyable read
Didn't know such a thing existed!
Hallo, I just wonder how much should I spend on my Amex Green to get invited to Amex Gold? This year i´ve spend about 1000 euro on Amex. Does any one knows that? The previous years i´ve used mostly my Visa BMW card.
Dohn121. Thank you for your answer. I guess for Gold and Platina you wont be invited, you just need to apply for. 500k USD 8312k EUR) is actuall possible. if you buy and resale couple of houses you got it. During the crisis it wont be easy, but still. But, Green card has its limit on 2.500 Euro, so its not possible at all. hahaha))) Thanks!
nice but out of my league
Heard of one. Met the guy who had it in Vegas. He promoted records for a living. His mere presence scared the hell out of me. And I DON'T want to know what all those skinny models were doing running up and down the stairs in the suite he rented. I suspect it had something to do with a white powdery substance
Ha ha and I THOUGHT I was doing good waayyy back when I received my Platinum invitation! Now, I have a new target! lol Thanks for the temptation! (Seriously, not!)
hi DOHN< if you ever got that card---I call it (YOU CAN BUY ME LAMBO, but cant buy me LOVE), please make a hint, i will ask a Bugatti Veyron car for women from you, whew, ONE DAY, who knows!
A good read, first time to hear about this card, hmmmmmmmmmm....did you have a calling card of that MAN!!
good day Dohn and hope Elis team will win and steelers on monday!
I guess if your only going to carry one card, thats it. Im afraid im not yet ready for the black card, maybe next year or the year after that.
Very good hub, I'd love to get my hands on one of those cards but it looks like I wont see it in this life time.lol.
Imagine to spend that much money in a year...it would take a life time for me to pay it back!
I loved this hub. I too had only two encounters with the card. Both were when I was working at Nordstroms, with the first I didn't know what it was, and was suitably not impressed until the man said that he could buy a plane with it, that got my attention. However still not impressed. The rappers sing about having black cards, so I guess that's who can afford them. But spending like that they won't have it long. Unless they're the Sean Combs, (P. Diddy), or that Carter guy, (Jay-Z). Anyway very good hub. dohn121.
That is good to know! At least I would say..good for Cheung Chun Keung. Nice to know a rich Chinese! Thanks for the hub,
dohn121.
I worked for American Express, you did well. All charge cards have no limits, not just the black card.
We also had a separate department that handled the black cards. Totally exclusive! Separate staff, separate everything. AMEX is a great company to work for, they really treat their staff great and, I loved the services they gave their customers.
Well, that's your problem, you HAVE to see yourself spending that much money! I know I will one day. Say it, believe it, and it will come true. I truly, finally believe that only your mind limits you! Dream and dream big. Have no doubts in your mind. :)
Those things are not only heavier than the average card (made of metal, not plastic), they are just a silly and expensive status symbol. There used to be this club in my neighborhood that closed down called "the black card club." And, as cheesy as it sounds they only let black card members in. Of course, the only women that would go in there were digging for gold. The place lasted no more than six months. As it turns out, black card members don't tip that well. Strange, right?
I had the Amex Platinum Card top as far as I know without invite from black. Only reason I got it was because I got stranded in Airport and after that got that card so I cold get into airline club rooms. I don't travel enough but it had a conceirge and jet rental etc. Cost $300-$400 but I haven't had in a couple years don't travel enough and work for a company that gives me a W2
I think this look ugly, i prefer chrome one, that is much great looking
You have done a good job with your research - I happen to know that all the above is true because someone very close to me has one. And what’s crazy is that the minute a clerk or service person sees it in her hand, it’s like she became someone different. She is usually in jeans and no makeup and it’s hilarious to watch their jaw drop and suddenly start falling all over themselves trying to help.
I’m wondering though, why above someone said it’s “frightning”. I’m not wealthy, but I’m around the rich often because of where I live (Beverly HIlls) and I don’t envy them, I respect them. The people I’m close to are kind, giving, a lot of fun; and charitable.
I came back here to see if it looked like you read what I said and I'm pleased that you did. I wanted to say in the first post that the person I mentioned who enjoys showing her Black Card is my daughter who is in the entertainment industry. Several of her friends are people you probably have heard of. The reason I didn't say that is because I feared it would sound like bragging and I'm not like that. I firmly believe - as does my daughter and her close friends - that it's not the money, but a person's character, that determines his or her value. And I can tell that you, Dohn, have an excellent character. Your kindness is demonstrated in each paragraph you write. Good luck in your literary success; you deserve it.
Now that I've been dreaming the dream for so long, I expect (without expectation of course) that my dream will come true any day now, so thanks a bunch for all this useful information. LOL. I'll keep you posted on progress ;) Rated useful and funny.
All credit cards are Black, just of different shades. It is time for the consumer to see the "light" and get out of the black whole and the red of debt
What I don't understand is that all the services offered are either already offered to big spenders or aren't worth the $5k. Seems to me that this card is all image.
I held one and swiped it in our credit machine at work the other day. I wanted it to say my name...Very nice!
Wow this hub certainly made for a good read. I wonder how many people hold this card?
Princesswithapen
What a fantastic hub! Although you did forget one attribute of the black card: it deflects missiles too! And renders REPO men both mute and paralyzed.

















































Randy Behavior Level 2 Commenter 2 years ago
I got my black envelope and invitation to the "Black Card" today. Put it straight in the trash. Why the hell did they pick me? Maybe it was a different "Black Card."