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American Express Black Card

by diggo
5 replies
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Just wondering if anyone here has achieved the Amex Centurion "black card"? If so, is it worth having? What sort of benefits do you get out of it?

The black card seems easily achievable for us marketers (particularly PPC users) to reach the minimum $250k p.a spending limit.. due to our adspend.
  • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
    I think the black card is more an ego trip than anything else, I would not consider it a major achievement except that you are a big spender. The fees for the first year is US$5000 and $2500 thereafter depending on the country. As far as I know, you have to spend $250,000 p.a. on your existing platinum card in order to quality. This may prove impossible in the first place as the credit limit on your platinum card may not allow it.

    I did once got an invite for a platinum charge card on the basis of my PPC spending. Initially, I thought this was appealing because I did not have to give up my gold amex card. But then, I found out that the annual fee was $750. I then looked at the offers and privileges closely and felt that it was totally unsuitable for me. The only thing that was useful was free travel insurance.

    But I cannot afford to, or will not even if I can

    1. Fly first class or business class
    2. Stay in 5 star hotels costing $500 or more per night
    3. Dine in Michelin Star restaurants at $250 per head
    4. Dress myself from head to toe in Prada
    5. Buy $1000 dresses for my wife
    6. Buy $200 sneakers for my young children
    7. Buy a $5000 set of Louis Vuitton luggages
    8. Get a $5000 Lalique vase for my mantlepiece

    Besides the persons serving me will laugh their heads off once they know where I live and what car I drive.

    In any case, I don't like showing off and therefore this card is far too rich for me.


    Derek
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    • Profile picture of the author diggo
      Originally Posted by derekwong28 View Post

      I think the black card is more an ego trip than anything else, I would not consider it a major achievement except that you are a big spender. The fees for the first year is US$5000 and $2500 thereafter depending on the country. As far as I know, you have to spend $250,000 p.a. on your existing platinum card in order to quality. This may prove impossible in the first place as the credit limit on your platinum card may not allow it.

      I did once got an invite for a platinum charge card on the basis of my PPC spending. Initially, I thought this was appealing because I did not have to give up my gold amex card. But then, I found out that the annual fee was $750. I then looked at the offers and privileges closely and felt that it was totally unsuitable for me. The only thing that was useful was free travel insurance.

      But I cannot afford to, or will not even if I can

      1. Fly first class or business class
      2. Stay in 5 star hotels costing $500 or more per night
      3. Dine in Michelin Star restaurants at $250 per head
      4. Dress myself from head to toe in Prada
      5. Buy $1000 dresses for my wife
      6. Buy $200 sneakers for my young children
      7. Buy a $5000 set of Louis Vuitton luggages
      8. Get a $5000 Lalique vase for my mantlepiece

      Besides the persons serving me will laugh their heads off once they know where I live and what car I drive.

      In any case, I don't like showing off and therefore this card is far too rich for me.


      Derek
      Thanks for the response Derek! I lost track of this thread after I posted it.

      It does seem easily achievable for most of us using PPC. $250k can be racked up in no time. In fact last financial year I was just shy of $200k, without even knowing what I was doing for the most part :p But you're right, even though we spend that much, it does not mean we are made of money and willing to spend big on those 8 items.

      That being said, I do like the exclusivity of the card and actually wouldn't mind paying the annual fee just for that purpose. Call me crazy if you want! Thanks again for the insight
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    HEY, warran buffett doesn't live in a fancy area or drive a fancy car.

    Last I knew, amex cards have no preset limit. ONE of my cards has a limit, but that is due to a charge that was plaaced there without my knowledge, etc... The other cards I have have NO limit. The largest charge ever put onto an amex, as I recall, was in the hundreds of MILLIONS of dollars! A prince bought a jet! I don't know if amex would be as generous with me, but they should at least allow into the hundreds of thousands.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author derekwong28
      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      HEY, warran buffett doesn't live in a fancy area or drive a fancy car.
      You know, this is not how people see things in Hong Kong and much of Asia. If you use a fancy card to pay a small bill, you will be regarded as a cheapskate. In any case, most shops and restaurants do not accept Amex cards anyway.

      Most people don't know that there are two types of Amex cards: a credit card and a charge card. It is the charge card that is much more prestigious than the credit card and that has no pre-set credit limit. However, I doubt it would run into hundreds of thousands for most users. They can certainly decline a charge on the spot.

      I mainly use my Amex gold credit card for Internet purchases that include PPC and domain purchases. The reason is that I get 1-2% rebate per transaction. However, this rebate is not available with either the platinum credit card or charge card. Therefore, I am reluctant to give up this card.

      The problem with the platinum charge card is the $750 annual fee. There is free travel insurance and also the use of first class lounges at airports. But I cannot contemplate bringing my children into those lounges. As far as the other privileges are concerned. They involve very expensive hotels, restaurants and shops that I have no intention of going to. Therefore there is no way I can get that $750 worth.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Well, even their CHARGE(AKA Travel and entertainment) cards now work much like credit cards. They COULD have a notification if a charge is over a set amount, and haveer the register say "call for approval". They HAVE been known to do that. But they can't automatically decline, as that would be a CREDIT LIMIT! MOST companies have a SET credit limit and a certain variable margin you can go over, which I'm sure starts at ZERO. If you place a charge that goes over those, you are automatically declined.

    Steve
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