Centurion Card
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The Centurion Card, popularly known as the Black Card, is a charge card issued by American Express. The Centurion Card provides access to a range of exclusive privileges.[citation needed] To become a card holder, one is required to pay an annual fee and meet other criteria. 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.
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[edit] History
Urban legends of a special, black-colored card offering dignitaries and celebrities unlimited spending power and after-hours access to high-end stores circulated since the 1980s.[1]. The rumor of an unlimited spending card originated because certain high-spending card members were given a black information card that, while not a charge or credit card, contained important telephone numbers, such as numbers for American Express Travel and Concierge services. While the rumors were false, American Express decided to capitalize on them in October 1999 by launching the Centurion Card, available to selected holders of its Platinum Card. The Amex Centurion Card originally had an annual fee of $1,000, however it has since been increased to $2,500. American Express' first credit card product, the Optima Card, was originally issued by a subsidiary called the "American Express Centurion Bank." [1] Both the Centurion Card and the AmEx Centurion Bank were named after AmEx's logo, which features the likeness of a Roman centurion.
American Express had stopped issuing new Centurion Cards in the United Kingdom but is believed to be changing to the titanium version in Autumn 2008. The introduction was originally delayed because the chip security device in UK cards was not entirely compatible but this problem has now been overcome.[citation needed]
[edit] Availability and cost
As of Aug 1, 2007, in the United States, stated requirements to become a card holder included minimum annual spending of $250,000, exceptional credit history and significant financial assets. However, the requirements could be waived for celebrities and public figures. Requirements for acceptance in other countries can differ slightly. There is a US $5,000 one-time initiation fee for new primary card holders, plus the annual fee of US $2,500, for a total of $7,500 due within the first billing cycle after obtaining the card.
In the UK, there was no minimum annual spend although it is reported that spending £3,000 a month was standard.
Centurion card members in the U.S. have the option of additional cards for an annual fee of $1,500 per each additional Centurion card (one-time US $5,000 initiation fee waived for additional Centurion cards), $175 per each additional Platinum card or $45 per each additional Gold card linked to the primary Centurion account holder.[citation needed]
The International Euro (IEC) or Dollar (IDC) Centurion cards (managed by Amex UK, see www.americanexpress.com/iec ) offers a portfolio of up to 22 cards included in the annual fee :
- a Centurion card in titanium, for the main cardholder
- an additional Centurion card in black plastic for the main cardholder (with the mention A.C embossed after the name)
- a supplementary Centurion card in black plastic for a family member
- up to 19 supplementary cards in Green, Gold or Platinum for family members
| Country | Annual Fee | Equivalent to |
|---|---|---|
| United States | US$ 2,500 + One-time joining fee of US$ 5,000 |
US$ 2,500 +US$ 5,000 |
| United Kingdom | £650 | US$ 1,275 |
| France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden |
€ 2,000 | US$ 3,000 |
| Germany | € 1,000 | US$ 1,518 |
| Switzerland | CHF 2,000 | US$ 1,921 |
| Australia | AU$ 4,300 | US$ 3,660 |
| Japan | ¥ 367,500 | US$ 3,400 |
| Hong Kong | HK$ 19,800 + One-time joining fee of HK$ 23,800 |
US$ 2,547 +US$ 3,061 |
| Singapore | SG$ 5,000 | US$ 3,260 |
| Mexico | About 27,000 pesos | US$ 2,500 |
| International Dollar Currency Card (Europe, issued by Amex UK) |
US$ 2,800 | |
| International Euro Currency Card (Europe, issued by Amex UK) |
€ 2,800 | US$ 4,200 |
| Israel | US$ 2,000 | US$ 2,000 |
| Russia | 85000 Rubles | US$ 3,000 |
[edit] Features and benefits
The card, available for both personal and business use, offers numerous exclusive privileges including a dedicated concierge and travel agent, complimentary companion airline tickets on international flights on selected airlines with the purchase of a full fare ticket, personal shoppers at retailers such as Escada, Gucci, and Neiman Marcus, access to airport clubs, first class flight upgrades, membership in Sony's Cierge personal shopping program, and dozens of other elite club memberships. Hotel benefits include one free night when at least one paid night is booked during the same stay in every Mandarin Oriental hotel worldwide once a year (except for the New York City property[citation needed]), one free night at one LXR Luxury Resorts hotel (EXPIRED), once per year, and privileges at hotel chains like Ritz-Carlton, Leading Hotels of the World, and Amanresorts. All of the benefits mentioned above are for United States-issued cards. American Express Centurion cards issued in other countries may include different benefits. The card has recently added new amenities, including access into the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold, as well as US Airways Platinum Preferred status as of June 1, 2007. As of August 14, 2007, American Airlines Admirals Club access was added to the long list of amenities.[citation needed]
A new Centurion card crafted from anodized titanium was issued as a replacement for all plastic U.S. Centurion cards in the first half of 2006, with the titanium version being rolled out to certain other countries as well. This new card is slightly thicker than a standard credit card, and some customers have complained that it therefore can't be used in some card readers, such as the pumps at many gas stations. Additionally, the titanium alloy black centurion card sets off some, but not all, airport metal detectors. Setting off airport metal detectors makes the card quite a nuisance to carry through some airports. Customers have asked amex to bring back a supplemental plastic version for carrying on trips.
Travel benefits include enrollment in:
- Continental OnePass Gold Elite
- Delta Air Lines SkyMiles Gold Medallion
- US Airways Dividend Miles Platinum Preferred
- Virgin Atlantic Airways Flying Club Gold
American Express has changed certain benefits of the card in the years since it was introduced. For example, Hyatt Diamond Elite status was included up until January 2005, and Starwood Preferred Guest Platinum status was included up until January 2006. Status level at Starwood Hotels & Resorts is now Gold[citation needed]. UK members had access to Virgin Upper Class lounges, but this privilege has been removed.
American Express sent an email to about 250,000 customers on September 20, 2006, describing certain benefits of the Centurion card. The email was supposed to be sent to the 10,000 black card holders.[citation needed] Phone calls to their customer service line revealed 1) the email was sent to the 'wrong list' in error 2) qualifications for the Centurion card were one year of card membership with a $250,000 annual cash flow through the card account.[citation needed]
Additionally, as a token of American Express's appreciation (and in light of the recent membership fee increase), some primary cardholders received a Canon PowerShot SD850 digital camera, beginning in late November/early December 2007. A note from Kenneth Chenault, CEO and Chairman of American Express, was included inside the characteristic black box with a liner captioned "what do you want to capture." Other gifts to cardmembers have included a $2000 Judith Ripka gift card, a $1000 Van Cleef & Arpels gift card (and Reflections of Eternity book), tote bags, Gucci gift card, etc.
[edit] Concierge
The concierge services allows card holders to call or email requests for tickets, dinner reservations, and shopping research. The actual concierge process is handled by a company called Circles and American Express outsources this service to them. Concierge services are also provided to Platinum card holders. Centurion card holders are given access to slightly higher paid concierges who are selected from the top Platinum concierge employees. The concierge services are mostly the same between both types of card holders, however Centurion cardmembers will receive more prompt service and will have access to a Dedicated Concierge. Centurion cardmembers will typically have a higher success rate in more difficult situations due to the prestige of the "black card."[2].
[edit] Publications
Since the inception of the card, members have received a copy of Departures magazine, which is also sent to all Platinum cardholders. However, in 2004, American Express Centurion members began to receive an exclusive "no name" magazine which was not available by any other means. Starting with the Spring 2007 edition, this magazine has been officially titled "Black Ink." The reason given by Ed Ventimiglia, the publisher, was that "now the magazine will be easier to identify when discussing it with like-minded readers."
European, Asian and Australian Centurion members become quarterly the "Centurion magazine", published by Journal International GmbH (Munich, Germany).
[edit] Spending limits
The Centurion Card does have limits, but these limits are not pre-set at a certain level. Like any other American Express charge card, the limits are based on the spending history of card holder, as well as their personal credit profile and financial resources. A card holder spending $250,000 in the previous year could not just purchase a jet with a swipe of his or her card unless he or she had the resources to make good on the transaction.
[edit] In popular culture
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- In Lauren Weisberger's 2005 novel Everyone Worth Knowing, a co-worker of the main character, Bette, pays for dinner with a black card: "There it was, the mythical American Express black card. Available by invitation only to those who charged a minimum of $150,000 per year. I had only just learned about it myself."[3]
- In Kanye West's song "Last Call" he raps: "I went to the mall and I balled too hard/"'Oh my god is that a Black card?'/I turned around and replied 'Why yes/but I prefer the term African American Express."
- In Grand Theft Auto IV, there is a random encounter in East Holland in which a man named Jeff asked Niko to spy on his cheating wife. Though he doesn't have cash to give you for completing this, he offers you his Black Card to take money off.
- In The J. Peterman Company's catalog product "Linen Safari Jacket", John Peterman describes his encounter with an un-named director and the black card: "The rumors were true, then. There really was a black Amex card so exclusive (less than 10,000 issued worldwide) that most people had never even heard of its existence. "
- In Bow Wow's song "Marco Polo" he raps: "Black card, spendin' when I hit the mall"
- In an episode of Law and Order SVU, one high-rolling character was "by the look of his black American Express, very rich".
[edit] Imitators
The Centurion card was the first "Black Card", but other card issuers are attempting to enter this lucrative high-end market. Despite new competition, the Centurion Card can be easily distinguished by its weight due to its titanium make-up; it is the only metal charge card in circulation.
The Coutts Signia Card and Coutts World Card issued by Coutts & Co., bankers to the Queen of Britain and others, is another prestigious card. Unlike the Centurion Card, to get a Coutts card you must first be invited to bank with Coutts, a rare event since the bank has only 90,000 clients throughout the world.
In the UK NatWest bank launched a "Black Card" in 2002, and MasterCard's Signia, which is issued in the United Kingdom by Coutts & Co bank. Morgan Stanley offers the i24card and there is also the Carbon card from Halifax, all designed to provide similar benefits to its wealthy clientèle.
In September 2004, American Express launched the IN:NYC card which is black in color and reads "IN:NYC" across the front. It is not the same as the "Black Card," as it does not have any of the special privileges mentioned in this article, but does provide special rewards at NYC hotspots and with air travel to and from the city. Additionally, in September 2005, American Express released similar cards for Chicago as "IN:CHICAGO" and for Los Angeles as "IN:LA."
The Mastercard Moments website[4] mentions the following card types: Diamond, Black, World and Titanium.
[edit] References
- ^ Snopes.com entry on the Centurion Card
- ^ Circle Employee Comments
- ^ Weisberger, Lauren; Everyone Worth Knowing; Downtown Press, New York, NY, ISBN 0743262330, 80.
- ^ Mastercard Moments Main Page
* Boeing Company (2006). Boeing Business Jet 2 Sales Catalogue. Boeing Company. ISBN 2-13-245564-2
[edit] External links
- Official site - Password protected site.
- Asia Time review of Black
- BBC news review of Black Card
- New:Extreme Cards
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