Anyone have more detail on this? Guess we will find out this week on 8/1. Still $250,000, for now.

In the show pilot, the writers wasted no time on black card references, the son of the heir to family that invented the blender (Tucker Bryant) wrecks his Dad’s Ferrari and is injured. After some emergency care, Tucker needs transport to a hospital, “[Tucker Bryant] The Hamptons heritage no way man, Dad calls it the local cemetery. [Hank Lawson] What would your Dad suggest we do? [Tucker Bryant] Go into my wallet and get the little black card that says American Express on it.” Tucker is then taken by helicopter to Mount Sinai in Manhattan. You can watch the full pilot for Royal Pains on Hulu

AS OF OCTOBER 2009 AMERICAN EXPRESS HAS MADE THE CENTURION CARD INVITATION ONLY, THIS INFORMATION IS NOW INVALID.

Many rumors and poor facts exist on Centurion Card Requirements, but it is really this:

• Have a good credit score and history (necessary for Platinum Card Also)
• Have been an existing American Express Platinum cardholder for a minimum of 1 year
• Spend $250,000 USD on American Express Personal Cards within a rolling 12-month period

Note:

• The Centurion Card as well as the Platinum Card are no longer “invitation only“

The Centurion Card has a credit limit based on personal finance profile (assets, spending habits, etc)

From WSJ: Suppose, for example, on a 3-o’clock-in-the-morning whim, you decided to book a round-the-world trip; American Express would accommodate you with a travel service staffed 24 hours a day. In the market for a red 1965 Ferrari? If you were a black-card holder, American Express would kick tires in the world’s fanciest used-car lots. If you remembered in Singapore that you had left your favorite suit in a Hong Kong penthouse, the company would arrange to fetch it. (full 1988 WSJ Black Card Article Here)

On October 14, 1999, publicly launched the American Express Centurion Card aka The Black Card, see original press release here. Doug Smith, director of American Express Europe said:”There had been rumors going around that we had this ultra-exclusive black card for elite customers… It wasn’t true, but we decided to capitalize on the idea anyway. So far we’ve had a customer buy a Bentley and another charter a jet.”

In 2004 in Europe and 2006 in the US the Centurion Card was switched over to Titanium from Plastic.

In 2006 American Express also raised the eligibility requirement from 150,000 annual spend to 250,000 annual spend.

There have been stories of people:

• Complaining to the FDIC (One Investment Banker in CT)
• Phone calls, letters, and pleas to American Express from Cardmembers that they promise they will “never use it”
• Setup of a website to build support
• Pooling family members and friends together in attempts to reach the spending requirements

There are some that will shrug it off and say $2500 a year, that’s crazy, the fees are too high, I’ll stick with Platinum. An AMEX spokesperson once said, “The card is absolutely not for everyone,” she added “It’s open to a select group for that reason. If you don’t find value in the benefits and services, then it’s probably not right for you.”

That means, “If you have to ask…”

Buddha Bar, in New York’s Meatpacking district 20M in revenue in 2007, and now anticipates $12M. Rosa a waitress at Buddha Bar, details the spending decrease.

It wasn’t uncommon to see someone with a black American Express Co. card ringing up a $30,000 tab, said Tim Gaglio, who helped start the restaurant and bar in 2006.
The black “Centurion” card, billed as “the world’s rarest,” is available by invitation only, according to the company’s Web site.
At the peak, Rosa, 30, said she made $85,000 a year working three days a week.
“You wouldn’t see an empty chair here,” she said, surveying the half-filled lounge last week. As tips fell, Rosa stopped taking frequent trips to Miami, where she ate at the Prime 112 steakhouse on Ocean Drive, and to Puerto Rico, where she stayed at the Palmas del Mar resort.

Who confesses to being “rather excited” when his card arrived in a small velvet pouch wrapped in several layers of black packaging, says: “I immediately set out to do what most credit card users do: I changed my PIN to a combination that I could remember. Or at least I tried to. I found that not only did the titanium card refuse to allow me to do so, but I could no longer use the card.”

Although, this must be specific in the UK, I can’t remember many times that I’ve ever used a credit card to get cash, at least, unless in Las Vegas. One nice perk of the Centurion is that they sign you up to withdraw cash direct from your bank account via ATM, bypassing those ever so limiting daily limits many banks place on ATM withdrawls. We’ve also heard of users nervous to put their cards in the old-style ATM machines that suck in the card, and heard in some cases of credit card readers of this type getting jammed by the Black Card. Titanium isn’t perfect, at least not in the world designed for plastic.

“Getting Rich is Glorious”
- Deng Xiaoping

About the Artist:  R. Lloyd Ming
R. Lloyd Ming uses photography, video art, installation and sculpture to ask hard questions about society. He is inspired by artists who use found or readymade objects to create their work and Ming typically also works in this way. Notable influences are Marcel Duchamp, Subodh Gupta, Ai Weiwei, Fred Wilson, Haim Steinbeck, Joseph Cornell, Louise Nevelson and Felix Gonzalez-Torres. Ming is particularly influenced by the work of American artist Robert Rauschenberg. Throughout his career Rauschenberg used objects he found on the street to make sculptures he called combines.

http://www.RLloydMing.com

On October 2, 2007, ThinkTank Holdings LLC (founded by Scott Blum, located in Jackson, Wyoming.) announced a new Patent Pending (filed 2007) Credit Card Venture titled “Next Card“. The concept for “Next Card” was simply for a high-end/luxury credit card made from a special carbon/carbon based material. Concept from inception was that this card would be available to corporations and individuals for an annual fee of $495, it was also anticipated that the card would launch with typical luxury card services such as 24-hour concierge, points and rewards program, as well as other benefits.

After Black Cards and the Black Card Brand (that is, American Express)

Chasing the American Express Black Card brand was no doubt a goal of Scott Blum with this concept. The American Express Centurion Card started out as an urban myth (see history) that American Express ultimately decided to capitalize on October 14, 1999. “There had been rumors going around that we had this ultra-exclusive black card for elite customers,” says Doug Smith, director of American Express Europe. “It wasn’t true, but we decided to capitalize on the idea anyway. So far we’ve had a customer buy a Bentley and another charter a jet.”

Visa after having launched it’s “signature” series of cards in 1999, launched a higher tier of “signature preferred” cards in May of 2007 targeted at customers who spend $50,000 a year or more on their cards (Visa Signature average spend is approximately $27,600 a year). Merchants actually pay 14% more per transaction vs a regular Visa or Signature card.

“The whole purpose of this card is to take share from American Express,” said James McCarthy, Visa senior vice president for consumer-credit products. They may be a ways away, according to a 2007 survey in Europe, Centurion cardholders spend 11.5 times more (see demographics) than the typical American Express card member, and on average have income in excess of 1M a year.

Combine urban myth and Black Card allure with Visa salivating over American Express and Centurion Card premiums and what do you get? The Visa Black Card.

Visa Black Benefits vs American Express Centurion Card Benefits

In our initial comparison of the Visa Black Card and American Express Centurion Card we observed that luxury plastic is no longer, well, plastic (although it sure seems that way); The question still remains how truly exclusive the Visa Black Card is? Time (and our readers) will tell, but as stands, 1% of the population is somewhat “undefined” other than by credit record, and other private information (Barclay’s has yet to clarify what this actually means), while American Express has some hard limits, e.g. you have to spend $250,000 on a Platinum Card to qualify, no getting around that. Outside of exclusivity, luxury credit cards aim to offer “new levels of service” for their “elite clientele“  while providing “unique experiences” and unusual “discounts and amenities“. Below, we’ve put together a detailed comparison chart of the Visa Black Card compared to American Express Centurion Benefits. What stands out most is the automatic membership and hotel/airline elite access gained with the Centurion Card, which is nonexistent on the Visa Black Card; Of course, the Visa Black Card only runs $495 a year, compared to the $2500 a yearfor the Centurion Card. At current it appears the Barclay’s Black Card is sorely lacking in many areas where American Express is not, and the card itself is more comparable to the American Express Platinum Card ($450/year membership).

VISA Black Card vs AMEX Centurion Benefits

*We are not fully aware of all Visa Black Card services offered quite yet, and will update as we learn more as our readers get the card and submit info.

What is the black card?

The black card is a high end credit card available from American Express similar to the Platinum card, however, it has extended special benefits (see the benefits guide).

Did the card start out as a rumor?

Yes, the card began as an urban myth. “It wasn’t true, but we decided to capitalize on the idea anyway,” according to AmEx Europe director Doug Smith, see how-to-guide history section.

Is it true that the card is made out of titanium?

Yes, Initially the card was made out of plastic, in limited areas in Europe in 2004, and wider adoption in 2006 American Express replaced cardholders cards in the US with a titanium version.

Does the titanium version go off in metal detectors at airports?

No, the card does not typically set off airport metal detectors.

Is it true that there is no limit?

No, there is a limit set based on cardholder account history, credit history, and cardholder assets.

When are payments due?

Payments are due at the end of every month like a normal American Express Green, Gold, or Platinum card. It is not a “normal charge card” that allows payment over time.

How do I get one?

In short, if you are not a famous or some sort of icon, you need to have an American Express Platinum Card for 1 year, and spend 250,000 in a rolling 12 month period. See our how to guide for more detail.*****As of October 2009 the Centurion Card is Invitation Only.

What are the fees?

In the US, $5,000 initiation fee, $2,500 annual membership fee, $1,500 per additional card member fee. That means that $7,500 is due in the first billing cycle after first receiving the card.

Can I keep my American Express platinum card for free?

Not in the US currently, if you want to keep your platinum card you will need to pay that membership fee as well, this is waived in certain parts of Europe.

Can I upgrade my platinum card account to centurion card from a Credit Report perspective?

No, you will receive a new card number and entry on your credit report, even though your Platinum card can be upgraded.

Can I keep my credit card number when upgrading from Green to Gold to Platinum?

Yes, you can maintain the same American Express card number when upgrading from Green -> Gold, Gold -> Platinum, or Green -> Platinum.

Can I keep my credit card number when upgrading to Centurion?

No, you will be assigned a new credit card number (notice the typical 37xx sequence).

Is it true the Centurion card can be declined?

Yes. Popular culture has you believe sky is the limit with this card, but just like any other credit card, it can be declined for a number of reasons, including security, non-payment, overages over normal spending habits.

Will I be upgraded when I check into a hotel and just show my card?

Typically not, despite what some may allege. There may be exceptions to the rule, but although the card carries significant status, the benefits come from the programs provided in the membership, see the benefits guide.

What about getting into Clubs, VIP Access and Bottle Service?

The card carries heavy status in the US, usually more so on the west coast in places like LA and Las Vegas, but less so on the east coast in places like NY (see NY Centurion Card Member favorites); This being said, the Centurion Concierge may be able to help you get into places otherwise off-limits, however, don’t expect this experience to be free. Also don’t expect that you will be able to flash you card and get in, you should simply expect that you will get what you pay for, and the card tells Club and Bar owners that you are willing to pay for a lot.

Many have said that American Express is working to generally improve the benefits of being a Centurion Card Member as many of it’s younger clients are seeking this sort of card amenity

What about Restaurants?

Similar to getting into Clubs, VIP Access, you should not expect special attention beyond what the Centurion Concierge can provide. The Centurion Concierge may be able to help you secure a reservation at an exclusive restaurant, have the general manager greet you and your party, but there is nothing particularily extraordinary here.

What are the travel benefits like?

Often claim the best benefit of being a Centurion Card member are it’s travel benefits, most notably the airline and hotel elite status. This is due to the fact that Centurion Card Members receive complimentary and automatic elite membership/status in multiple airline and hotel programs, see the benefits guide for specific detail.

Will I be upgraded to first class?

It is likely that if you travel enough, you will be bumped as a result of having elite status on the airlines (Continental, US Air, Delta, and Virgin). You will also accumulate miles faster as following the typical rules for elite status on airlines.

Can I charter a private jet on my card?

Yes, but be ready to pay that balance in 30 days.

What celebrities have this card?

You can be assured that most celebrities with an American Express would have access to this card if need be, however, you may check our known cardholder page for more info.

Is there a card above the American Express Centurion card?

American Express Centurion card is currently the highest card available from American Express. There are cards issued by other banks under Visa and Mastercard (see alternate cards) that in certain cases require substantially more in assets (Sotheby’s world Mastercard requires 2 Million in assets), however, do not carry the same universal recognition. In second place for recognition and status is likely the “White Visa” or Stratus Rewards Visa.

Where’s the card reference in popular culture?

Check out our “In Culture” section, which aggregates sources on references to the Centurion Card in Media and Entertainment.

Anything questions we are missing or you’d like answered? Please feel free to comment/ask our team.

Frequent Flier Programs

• Continental Airlines Gold
• Delta Airlines Gold
• Virgin Atlantic Airways Gold
• US Airways Platinum

Automatic Baggage Insurance Coverage

• Up to 3,000 loss or damaged carry-on
• Up to 2,000 beyond Common Carrier coverage for checked bags

Card member Annual Travel Benefits

Annual Reward $100 credit to book a cruise or land vacation via Centurion Travel Service.

Car Rental Elite Status

• Avis Preferred
• Hertz Gold

Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance Plan

Automatic coverage for theft or damage on rental vehicles.

Centurion Airport Lounge Program

• American Airlines Admirals Club lounges
• Continental Airlines Presidents Club
• Delta Crown Room Club
• Northwest Airlines WorldClubs
• Priority Pass (access to over 450 airport lounges)
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses

Centurion Cruise Credits

• $500 shipboard credits for cruises booked through Centurion Travel Service (CTS)
• Receive additional upgrades and amenities (cruise partner specific)

Centurion Destinations Vacations

Unique vacation experiences and up to 25,000 Membership Rewards points and amenity valued at $200 when booked through Centurion Travel Service or Centurion Destination Vacations.

Centurion Travel Service

Full service, 24/365 travel agency and concierge specific tailored to Centurion cardholders, see Travel Insights. Benefits of booking through this service include special amenities available to Centurion cardholders only such as: Fine Hotels & Resorts, Centurion Hotel Privileges at 600 properties around the world at Peninsula, Aman, Orient Express, Mandarin Oriental and Ritz-Carlton hotels (special rates, late check out, room upgrades, continental breakfast, hotel amenities), International Airline Program (companion tickets), Centurion Cruise Privileges, Centurion Villas, Exclusive Resorts (25 destinations worldwide), Abercrombie & Kent Villas, Beautiful Places, Four Seasons Residence Clubs, LaCURE, The Mansion at MGM Grand, and Villas of Distinction, Centurion Destination Vacations, The Limousine Program, etc.

Hotel Elite Status

• Hilton Family of Hotels (HHonors Gold)
• InterContinental® Hotels and Resorts (Gold)
• Starwood® Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (SPG)
• Club 5C Relais & Châteaux

The Limousine Program

Access to Limousine service partners, and triple Membership Rewards points for booking.

Premium Global Assist Hotline

• 24/7 Medical, Legal, Financial, and other Emergency Assistance.
• Arrange Transfer to Medical Facility by Air or Ambulance
• Prescription Replacements
• Emergency Hotel Check-in
• Immediate Cash Access
• Lost Luggage Recovery and Tracking
• Stolen passport assistance
• Emergency cancellation and Replacement

Private Jet Services Program

Charter private jets, receive membership and fractional use in programs by six private jet partners.

The Ritz Carlton Club

Vacations in unique residences with all comfort of Hotel including on-site amenities, concierge services, and housekeeping.
Space Adventures’ Spaceflight Club Membership

Complimentary membership with Space Adventures (space tourism company). Membership in the Spaceflight Club provides invitations to special space-related events, private tours of launch facilities, a credit towards a suborbital flight reservation, etc.

Travel Accident Insurance

Automatic coverage for up to 1.5 Million in accidental death and dismemberment coverage when traveling by plane, train, helicoptor, ship, or bus charged to the card.
Private Yacht Program Access and Special Amenities ($750 or more)

• Fraser Yachts
• International Yacht Collection

LifeStyle / Experiences

• Access to special seats
• Special invitations to exclusive events
• Reservations at remarkable restaurants
• Services of Professional Concierge
• By Invitation Only (sports, performing arts, business symposiums, etc)

Magazine Subscriptions

• Black Ink
• Departures

Equinox Fitness Clubs

• Centurion member rate
• Complimentary Personal Training Sessions
• Spa Treatments
• Guest passes
• Kids’ club

Centurion Dining Reservations

Reserved tables at over 1,000 restaurants across North American and abroad for Centurion members

Access to American Express Gold Card Events

Personal Concierge

Centurion members have the choice of being assigned a personal concierge to assist with dining reservations, order flowers and gift baskets, provide local information and city guides, finding special items, and setting up arrangements for special occasions, and more.
Premium Seats (reserved seats)

• Sports Events
• Entertainment Events
• Live Concerts at venues in LA/NY
• Platinum Lounge Access at Staples center in LA

Tour GCX13 Membership with benefits

$150 credit towards (with purchase of 5-Tee Unit TOUR Card)

Shopping

Special rewards, savings, and individual service for Centurion members. Special privileges and amenities from Bergdorf Goodman, Gucci, Neiman Marcus and Sony.

Extended Warranty

Items paid for with the Centurion Card, receive an extended warranty equal to the duration of the original manufacturer’s warranty, with a maximum of three additional years.

Fraud Protection Guarantee

Protection from fraudulent or unauthorized charges.

Purchase Protection Plan

• Protection from lost, stolen, or damaged items from accident or vandalism from 90 days of purchase. Coverage up to $10,000 per incident, and $50,000 per card member per year.
• Return Protection within 90 days, up to $300 per item, and a maximum of $1,000 per account per year.

Membership Rewards First Program

Access to a private collection of luxury retail, lifestyle, and travel rewards.
Check Cashing Privileges

Use your card to cash personal checks at American Express Travel ervice locations, up to $10,000 per account per month.

Order foreign currency and fee-free Travelers Cheques by phone

Receive foreign currency and Travelers Cheques in 9 available currencies delivered to you in five to seven days.

Credit Card Registry

Program for automatically canceling and replacing credit cards registered

No Pre-Set Spending Limit

Purchases are approved based on account history, credit record, and personal resources.

Now that American Express has made the urban myth reality and released a Black Card, also known as the Centurion Card, who needs cash anymore? They should be phasing out cash anyway, what a waste of paper when you can flaunt your bling status by simply handing over this little titanium beauty whenever you make a purchase. Let’s face it, no matter where you live, money is an enabler. If you have enough of it, you’re removing the limits of the society in which you live. Of course, the benefits of an black card don’t come for free. First off, you must charge an annual spending sum of $250,000 to your existing Amex account, while also having exceptional credit history and significant financial assets. However, the requirements could be waived for celebrities and public figures. Let’s take a look at some of those celebrities and public figures. Our Full Black Card Page is Here