Amex Black Card

[Shawn]

So I was reading about this guy who got his new Amex Black card and he thinks he's like royalty now. Anyway apparently he paid $5,000 just to get the card and pays $2,500/yr to continue using it. Before I go any further I should say I HATE Amex as a business owner - I refuse to accept them, so maybe I'm biased as a consumer.

But why would you pay someone to be able to use a charge card? Besides the concierge people are there big perks to this card, like money back, flyer miles, etc? And he said there is no limit so he could buy a fighter jet with it - uh no you can't. They even say on their website there is a non public limit based upon the anticipated ability to repay the charges. So someone who makes $100k/yr cant buy something for $200k at one time. So where are the perks?

I use my discover card a lot and last year I got $4000 back as a cash back bonus. So they paid me to use their card - why would I pay someone to use theirs?

< / end rant > :lol2:

[pdisme]

That's interesting; as a business owner I love Amex, well kind of... they charge us a higher rate to process cards which I think is obnoxious but they are much more pro-business when we get chargebacks from customers who try to get out of paying for things they've bought or used by disputing it. With Visa/MC, they immediately take the funds away from us, and then even if we end up winning the dispute, they still charge us a fee for having had a chargeback anyway; Amex doesn't charge you a fee either way. In reality we get so few chargebacks that the higher discount rate is not worth it anyway but business users like to use Amex so we take it.

As far as the black card, it's just a status symbol; I have the platinum which costs me $500/year and also is theoretically unlimited but based on purchase history. I use it because it bumps up some warranties on things and offers other buyer's protections; I don't think you get offered the centurion card until you're spending $200k+/year on your credit card and I don't do that with my personal card. I found the concierge service to be completely useless; anything they quote you is 25% higher than Expedia and it takes me all of five minutes to use Expedia. I'm not making enough money yet that the four minutes I save by using concierge is worth the $200 higher plane ticket price. I've also tried to use it to get a reservation at a hot restaurant in Vegas like they advertise and that didn't work.

The thing that pisses me off more than anything else regarding credit cards though are the Capitol One and Visa commercials for their zero liability bullshit. Why is there zero liability? Because the merchants get completely screwed when fraud occurs. Of course making a TV commercial that says "When you wait five days to cancel your Capitol One card after losing it because you're dumb, don't worry about the $5000 diamond some criminal purchased on it, you're not liable, the merchant will just lose their money, merchandise and we're going to charge them an extra $15 for the pleasure of processing the chargeback." Credit card companies do NOT care about fraud because they profit from it!! That's why no one offers the single-use CC number generators anymore like Amex used to, there's no profit in maintaining a system to let me, the consumer, try to protect the merchants by using a single-use CC, the card companies don't lose anything either way.

[Shawn]

That's interesting; as a business owner I love Amex, well kind of... they charge us a higher rate to process cards which I think is obnoxious but they are much more pro-business when we get chargebacks from customers who try to get out of paying for things they've bought or used by disputing it.


Wow, maybe it depends on your business, but on one of mine they could give a shit about the merchants. I had them a few years ago and number one they listed out business under the wrong category so of course people were thrown when they saw a limo company charge (were not a limo company lol) on their statements and disputed it. We had nothing to say about it. We just received a notice saying a chargeback has been initiated, please send a signed charge card slip indicating the customer approved the sale. Being an internet account, I didn't have that. When I bitched and complained about this, they suggested I pursue legal action against the customers for fraud, but they would do nothing for me and it wasn't the customer's fault, it was Amex for listing us incorrectly. Anyway, yeah I hate em.


I use it because it bumps up some warranties on things and offers other buyer's protections;

My Discover & Citibank offer double manufacturer warranties up to 1yr.


The thing that pisses me off more than anything else regarding credit cards though are the Capitol One and Visa commercials for their zero liability bullshit. Why is there zero liability? Because the merchants get completely screwed when fraud occurs. Of course making a TV commercial that says "When you wait five days to cancel your Capitol One card after losing it because you're dumb, don't worry about the $5000 diamond some criminal purchased on it, you're not liable, the merchant will just lose their money, merchandise and we're going to charge them an extra $15 for the pleasure of processing the chargeback." Credit card companies do NOT care about fraud because they profit from it!! That's why no one offers the single-use CC number generators anymore like Amex used to, there's no profit in maintaining a system to let me, the consumer, try to protect the merchants by using a single-use CC, the card companies don't lose anything either way.

I agree, that's bullshit. I hope someday a big company that gets taken for something like that sues the credit card industry for fraud themselves.

[Shawn]

As far as the black card, it's just a status symbol

Yes that makes sense, he's definitely a poser :biggerGrin:

[Minch00]

I've never seen the Centurion card in person, but I can almost promise the person I meet who does will be a douche about it.


Also, no limit Dave? No wonder you freaked when you thought you lost your wallet :lol2:

[pdisme]

I wouldn't have been liable though. :lol2: Yeah they base it on your spending habits, although I think they're fairly generous about it because I don't tend to spend more than one or two grand/month (excluding months where I'm buying all this bullshit for my car) and once I charged $30k on it out of the blue and it was approved.

[Minch00]

I wouldn't have been liable though. :lol2: Yeah they base it on your spending habits, although I think they're fairly generous about it because I don't tend to spend more than one or two grand/month (excluding months where I'm buying all this bullshit for my car) and once I charged $30k on it out of the blue and it was approved.

I can't even think of something that would cost 30k and I put it on a credit card. That would require a loan with a co-signer :lol2:

[zzzzdoc]

Bought a 930 Turbo once with an Amex Card when the dealer pissed me off. They just asked questions on the phone for about 10 minutes (yeah, you try to remember where you ate Chinese Food in St. Louis 3 months ago) then approved it. Tried to pay for the new windows on the house using it, but they balked. Would have been a nice chunk of miles (which you basically can't redeem these days anyway.)

Haven't carried an AMEX card in about 16 years. At that time, too many places didn't take it. That's no longer true, but I didn't see the need for it.

[pdisme]

I forgot to mention another thing that pisses me off; rewards cards. What most people don't realize is that visa/mc charges the MERCHANT a higher rate for card processing when a rewards card is used, and we have no way to refuse them! So next time you use your rewards card to buy something and you're getting some miles or points, don't thank your wonderful credit card issuer, thank the merchant you just bought something from because they're the one actually paying for the reward, it costs the card issuer nothing to give you those perks. :banghead: That whole industry is a piece of shit.

[zzzzdoc]

When United came out of bankruptcy, their balance sheets showed only one profitable part - their credit card frequent flyer program. The airlines make millions and millions on these. They charge the credit card companies 1-2 cents per mile, this gets passed on to the merchants, and they make it impossible to redeem the miles. It's pure profit.

[Infamous]

I have an Amex Platinum and I never have a problem with the concierge. I was in LA a couple of weeks ago and decided to drive to Vegas and they got me a penthouse suite in the Venetian for 500 for the night. The room was rediculous. It had a gym, sauna and home theatre room all inside the suite. I have used them to plenty of times and they never failed me once so far.

[pdisme]

Holy shit, I'll try that, $500/night for that a the Venetian is fantastic; the room would be so nice it might keep me from losing $1000/night gambling. :lol2:

[PhxDiablo]

I tried to buy my Diablo on my Amex and the dealer said sure, just tack on 5% to the price. I didn't do it.

[SweetDaddyDelicious]

Think the black, titanium, centurion card (whatever they are calling it now) is basically just a status thing. Heard the requirement is 300k a year for 3 years to be invited to pay $5K a year to have one. The only perk that seems to stand out is the complimentary companion airfare when you book a ticket, which you can get on your Platinum card with $400 annual fee.

I too refuse to accept AMEX in my business and have had the pleasure of hurting two black card weilding peoples egos.

But find them to the best in customer service in personal use of the cards I have.

[pdisme]

I tried to buy my Diablo on my Amex and the dealer said sure, just tack on 5% to the price. I didn't do it.

You should have got them to put that quote in writing; it's a violation of the merchant agreement to add a surcharge for paying by credit card so you would have had them in a bad place. :)

[jrfootin]

I have a Black AMEX. I don't pay any annual fee! Those are for the people that "want" a black card for the status of haveing one. When you really get to the point that AMEX thinks you should have one, they give it to you for free!!

I know, I have one!

[gday]

You should have got them to put that quote in writing; it's a violation of the merchant agreement to add a surcharge for paying by credit card so you would have had them in a bad place. :)The dealer/merchant is not obligated to take the credit cards for all transactions. A common vehicle purchase (aka finance/quote) agreement normally spells out payment methods ie "cash". Favourable/discounted terms for cash is not a violation.

-mick

[gday]

which you can get on your Platinum card with $400 annual fee.$450 annual fee.

-mick

PS Been an amex member for 26 years now...

[pdisme]

I've had an amex for about 11, use a platinum now, would need to spend a whole lot more to get baller status like jrfootin. :)

[RAiMA]

I have a Black AMEX. I don't pay any annual fee! Those are for the people that "want" a black card for the status of haveing one. When you really get to the point that AMEX thinks you should have one, they give it to you for free!!

I know, I have one!

$450 annual fee.

-mick

PS Been an amex member for 26 years now...

I wonder if you can just call and ask them to waive their annual fee. Just say you have too many credit cards or something and you need to cancel one :p

[gday]

I wonder if you can just call and ask them to waive their annual fee. Just say you have too many credit cards or something and you need to cancel one :pThat stunt works once. Then they are happy to upgrade you to amex green.

-mick

[AgentTripleX]

I have a Lamborghini client who had 9 million Amex points. For 8 million points you get to lease a Gallardo for a year. All they asked was he take a picture with the car and Amex card and email it to them. That's baller status in my book.

[Peter2]

I have a Lamborghini client who had 9 million Amex points. For 8 million points you get to lease a Gallardo for a year. All they asked was he take a picture with the car and Amex card and email it to them. That's baller status in my book.

I used to get more than 10 million points / year on my Amex. I would never spend the points on a Gallardo lease, but I have been flying first and business class all over the world for free for many years, and I have bought lots and lots of clothes at Saks fifth ave with my points. :)

[Mikey]

I used to get more than 10 million points / year on my Amex. I would never spend the points on a Gallardo lease, but I have been flying first and business class all over the world for free for many years, and I have bought lots and lots of clothes at Saks fifth ave with my points. :)

10 mil a year! do you use it for all your business purchases as well?

[Peter2]

10 mil a year! do you use it for all your business purchases as well?

Yes. I don't usually spend $10 million a year
on personal expenses. :lol2:

[Mikey]

thought so :P

[pdisme]

Yes. I don't usually spend $10 million a year
on personal expenses. :lol2:

Only MC Hammer does that; well did until he ran out of money. :)

I've got about 2 mil built up on my biz Amex, need to spend it on something.

[Mikey]

Only MC Hammer does that; well did until he ran out of money. :)


and Mike S minus the running out of money part :D

[Matt]

and Mike S minus the running out of money part :D

for now :lol2:

btw, dave, i'd be more than willing to help you spend those 2mill points :lol2::lol2:

[AgentTripleX]

Yes. I don't usually spend $10 million a year
on personal expenses. :lol2:

If you want to change that, let me know. I have experience running people's lives. :p

[antinym]

That's why no one offers the single-use CC number generators anymore like Amex used to, there's no profit in maintaining a system to let me, the consumer, try to protect the merchants by using a single-use CC, the card companies don't lose anything either way.

I have a citibank card that I can do one time use CC numbers with. I find it very helpful for doing those free trials that require a credit card and you to cancel after 30 days.

[pdisme]

I have a citibank card that I can do one time use CC numbers with. I find it very helpful for doing those free trials that require a credit card and you to cancel after 30 days.

Are you serious? Do they still offer that? I used to use amex simply because they offered one time use numbers; I feel I owe it to merchants to use numbers that can never be used to rip off any other merchant after I've been taken by stolen card scammers. I may actually get a citibank card if I can use one time use numbers again, Amex stopped the program with some cheesy letter about oh, you don't need those because you're not liable anyway. I wrote them a letter back and said I know I don't need them, the industry as a whole needs them and merchants who are getting ripped off need them, so now you're telling me that you don't care about merchants being defrauded; why should I continue accepting your card?

[Peter2]

If you want to change that, let me know. I have experience running people's lives. :p

I think I'll pass. Thanks for the offer though. :)

[pdisme]

Go Amex, coming through for the merchant again today:

Status: Closed in merchant's favor

Had a customer who decided not using their service should be the equivalent of actually canceling it, Amex agreed with us that the customer signing terms of service that said cancellations must be made in writing actually meant they must be made in writing.

If it had been Visa/MC, they would have taken our money to begin with, then given it back two months later at the end of the dispute while they make interest off of it in the mean time and they'd have charged us a partial chargeback fee just for the fun of us winning the dispute.

[Shawn]

Wow congrats. I'm shocked though, in my experience Amex is extremely PRO customer and could care less about merchants.

[Jay]

I sure hope nobody here has a CC through those rotten piece of shit duschebags at Bank of America!

[pdisme]

Got all my checking at BofA, their bill pay is second to none and free. No cards.

[Stryke]

I have the Centurion (black Amex) and find that not only does it pay for itself several times over in benefits, but since I entertain clients weekly it does help alot when I need things quickly and have no time or patience to spend on doing it myself. Are they perfect? Definitely not. They were much better in the past and have been diluted a bit recently but since they just initiated the new fees I'm hoping many will drop them and they will be back up to par.

[andreas]

Look what showed up at my door the other day:gives:

[jrfootin]

congradulations! Welcome to the club!

[Matt]

thats seriously how they send you the black card!? :lol2:

[pdisme]

thats seriously how they send you the black card!? :lol2:

I believe the card itself is printed on a titanium plate too instead of 'cheap' plastic like us bourgeoisie have. :lol2:

Funny thing, saw a guy pay for a single beer for a girl today at the beach on a Centurion; can we say trying to get in the panties? :grinning-smiley-003

[Matt]

I believe the card itself is printed on a titanium plate too instead of 'cheap' plastic like us bourgeoisie have. :lol2:

Funny thing, saw a guy pay for a single beer for a girl today at the beach on a Centurion; can we say trying to get in the panties? :grinning-smiley-003

:lol2: I'm sure he was trying to get in the panties, but that being said, i've never seen you use anything but the platinum. are you trying to get in MY pants dave?

[pdisme]

:lol2: I'm sure he was trying to get in the panties, but that being said, i've never seen you use anything but the platinum. are you trying to get in MY pants dave?

Regardless of your depraved fantasies, no, it's just the only card I have. :icon_oak:

[Matt]

Regardless of your depraved fantasies, no, it's just the only card I have. :icon_oak:

exactly, so maybe the guy that paid for a beer with the centurian only owns one card as well...

:owned:

[SweetDaddyDelicious]

So they quit doing the black velvet box in favor the leather portfolio now on the centurion?

I'm not sure if the black and titanium are the same cards, but both exist.

[gday]

I'm not sure if the black and titanium are the same cards, but both exist.Sort of a neat story. The "black" card started as an urban legend. American Express released the "centurion" card basically in response to the urban legend. Thus the Centurion is black. It was initially plastic like their other cards but about a year ago, they started making the Centurion card out of anodised titanium.

-mick

[YellowMurci]

I have had my Black Centurion for about six years now - they still get me for the fee every year like clockwork... never eally use and of the additionla services that they offer - just have it to say - i have it...

[PhxDiablo]

Apparently they don't have very bright folks working there as they screwed up my card. I called them and told them that my first name should be "MJ" (as opposed to Michael).

When I got the new card it said my first name is "M Jaheal" -- I figure thats Arabic so now I can big-pimp like a sheik.:headbang:

[Peter2]

When I got the new card it said my first name is "M Jaheal"

:lol2: :lol2:

[pdisme]

When I got the new card it said my first name is "M Jaheal" -- I figure thats Arabic so now I can big-pimp like a sheik.:headbang:

Don't be so sure, they could have pulled a Justin Timberlake on you and that name could mean Ice Skating in Arabic. :lol2:

http://www.hanzismatter.com/timberlake_alphadog_liubing.jpg

[jrfootin]

I have had my Black Centurion for about six years now - they still get me for the fee every year like clockwork... never eally use and of the additionla services that they offer - just have it to say - i have it...



I have an AMEX black card and never pay an annual fee!!!! Your getting screwed!

[cantwait2]

how are you working that jrfootin? Nice work :)

[pdisme]

how are you working that jrfootin? Nice work :)

He actually has an Amex Centenarian card and they just haven't caught that his age is wrong yet.

[YellowMurci]

I wonder how he is doing it too.... please tell us

[Matt]

I wonder how he is doing it too.... please tell us

buy a lot of shit on black card, make amex happy, make fees go bye bye, maybe? :lol2:

[Stryke]

I buy ALOT on my card and still pay the fees so please share the secret...LOL

[pdisme]

Here's how he does it:

http://www.zug.com/credit/student/index04.html

[Peter2]

buy a lot of shit on black card, make amex happy, make fees go bye bye, maybe? :lol2:

I spent over $10millon/year and still pay the annual fee.

[pdisme]

Maybe they only waive it for personal use?

[Stryke]

I was told they don't waive it for anyone, for any reason. Who knows, don't really care. :)

[PhxDiablo]

Maybe they only waive it for personal use?

Or spend $50 million a year like JRFootin

[pdisme]

Or spend $50 million a year like JRFootin

He's ballin' out of control! :lol2: I know where he lives though, gonna go steal his card and then I'll have one too! :grinning-smiley-003

[YellowMurci]

Personally I think he is full shit - i know everyone wanted to say it - so i did

[jrfootin]

It's top secret, I could tell you guys, but then I would have to kill you.

You can ask Dave (pdisme) he knows I'm not full of shit.

[pdisme]

You always have cash, I don't believe you either! :)

[jrfootin]

you say me pay for lunch @ Sebring with it last time we were there with Larry & Chris. I think you even made a comment about it & I showed it to you!

[YellowMurci]

You always have cash, I don't believe you either! :)

hahahahahhahahaha!!!! You asked for it!!!!!!!!!!!!

:lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

[trax]

Apart from the first year, I've never managed to get them to give it to me free, but certainly here in the UK you can pay the "fee" using Amex points - and not that many

[MrTheKid]

personally, i consider myself grateful and humble. Self made and flashy w/ cars and watches but not cocky. so when i recieved a centurion card i began to use it,

I felt awkward using it b/c cashier's often made/make a big deal about it.
For a while i didn't use it. Now i only use it to buy watches, w/ familiar stores or for vacations....
My two pennies.

[artherd]

If you want to change that, let me know. I have experience running people's lives. :p

LOL I read "running" as something else on the first pass!

[Matt]

If you fly enough, i'm sure the flight upgrades alone would pay for itself. but like it or not, the black card IS a status symbol.

[Lexusondubs]

I've got about 2 mil built up on my biz Amex, need to spend it on something. wow must be nice :notw:

[eshaun]

black card is old news... :lol2:

http://news.agendainc.com/wp-content/duba0308.jpg

The launch of a diamond-studded credit card was perhaps an inevitable development of ‘luxury creep’ into all aspects of culture, and is another example of the new business model for the banking industry (see ‘Banks become consumer-focused asset managers‘) but it carries a kind of post-modern appeal; the credit card as status symbol has become credit card as luxury object in itself…

“The card is handcrafted and only nine cards are produced in a day. The manufacture involves 36 processes from metal casting to diamond setting by a jeweller.”

Currently only available in Dubai, and strictly by invitation only for “a privileged few”…

“More than the income level, we look at prospective card holders as people who must possess the right criteria in terms of social standing and profile. People who meet these attributes are then invited to enjoy the benefits of our Royale card.” — (Via Business 24/7)

[Bklyn295]

Card looks like shit

[eshaun]

good source of info for card holders... http://www.amex-black.com/

[Shawn]

you're a spamming little bitch ain't ya

[BenNU]

you're a spamming little bitch ain't ya
Other than that being annoying as hell...... you buying the wife an 8K handbag from an online spammer?

[pdisme]

LOL, the spam post was deleted, he's not talking about you eshaun. :lol2:

[Shawn]

LOL, the spam post was deleted, he's not talking about you eshaun. :lol2:

haha yeah sorry I was talking to the spammer who made like 30 spam posts here..not you:lol2: :lol2:

[pdisme]

Speaking of black card though, you guys see the visa black card commercial? It's 'exclusive' but they're advertising for it on TV. :lol2:

https://www.blackcard.com/

The Black Card is not for everyone. In fact,
it is limited to only 1% of U.S. residents to ensure the highest caliber of personal service is provided to every Cardmember.

Umm, not sure if I'd consider limiting it to 1% of the 225 million people of credit card using age is what you could call exclusive. :lol2:

[Shawn]

Speaking of black card though, you guys see the visa black card commercial? It's 'exclusive' but they're advertising for it on TV. :lol2:

https://www.blackcard.com/



Umm, not sure if I'd consider limiting it to 1% of the 225 million people of credit card using age is what you could call exclusive. :lol2:

Yeah it's a total joke. I think I'll keep my 2% cash back Plum Card:headbang:

Here's a video I found of 'shoemoney' getting his. Not sure if he's become a complete tool or if he's kidding but here it is:lol2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uKUuW7bDOw

[zeeshan66]

i've been seeing their advertisement in the dupont magazines for quite some time now

[cantwait2]

visa black card looks crap...

[motohead]

Use World Points MC, put between 500k - 750k a year on it for business expenses. Works for me.

[GranCruBa]

The single only reason I love my Centurion is that since I travel quite a bit, they offer at some hotels a 24 hour hotel room.

What this means is: did you ever check into a hotel late because of a delayed flight or other reason and you have to check out by 11:00am the next morning even though you don't have to be somewhere until 4:00 ?

If you book your room through the Centurion concierge you have the room for 24 hours. Check in at 10:00 pm you have the room until 10:00 pm the next day. It has saved me a lot of time hanging around an airport waiting for a flight that doesn't take off for 4 hours.

Other than that....I use it just like everyone else and really don't take advantage of the other perks.

[motohead]

Funny, Visa just sent me a pre approval for the VISA Black Card tonight. I spend more in a month sometimes than they require in a year.

[pdisme]

You're pre-approved to pay us $500!

[motohead]

no... it's only $495 silly.

[pdisme]

no... it's only $495 silly.

:fgay: hahaha

[FLNICK26]

:fgay: hahaha

:lol2: :clap:

[zzzzdoc]

What's their yearly requirement?

[pdisme]

That you pay them. :) It's not invite only like amex.

[lovely09]

I don't have the card because it's too expensive for me.The availability and fees annually depends on every country.Requirements and acceptance also vary in every country.

[motohead]

:fgay: hahaha


Listen, I'm not gay.

But my boyfriend is.

[motohead]

What's their yearly requirement?

I think here it's only like $50k. With work I sometimes spend that in a month.

[beckertb]

I saw this thread and I know I am a low post count troll on here but my Merrill Lynch F.A. got me my AMEX black card and ate the annual fees. The only reason I got it was for the airport lounge services. Don't think I'd pony up the $495 for it, though.

Ben

[pdisme]

$495 is platinum Ben, black card is like $5k/year, you big baller!

[Shawn]

I must seem like a hypocrite!! Since I've been spending a lot on my plum card I now have a dedicated account manager and she mentioned another one of her clients loving the centurion card. So long story short I just applied and was approved for the centurion card:D

Yeah so it costs $5k up front and $2500 a year. I'm probably stupid for getting it, but I liked the travel benefits, and other good stuff. I love my plum card, but recently found out the discount now is only 1.5% instead of 2. Centurion only gets 1% though via points. So I gotta figure something out there. Maybe for online stuff use the plum and for "show and tell:D" use the centurion.

The rep also said there is a "stigma" with the card that is not in the benefits package where if you pay with the card at hotels, nice restaurants etc you'll get special treatment. She also said if you want to get into a hotel or restaurant that is booked up to call your dedicated centurion manager and they will get you in the same day. Pretty sweet! Dunno if I'll ever use it though:lol2:

We're going to vegas in November so I'm gonna try out the travel benefits!!!

[pdisme]

I hope you use it man, I'm about to dump my platinum since I never use any of the benefits and don't feel like paying $500/year. Actually my real plan is to call them in November before it comes up for renewal and tell them to cancel, then when they ask why I'll tell them the annual fee sucks and hopefully they'll just let me have it another year for free. :)