The Black Card | Centurion Card | Visa Black Card | Luxury Credit Cards

Noel Gallagher has been acting up once again. In an interview early March, Noel Gallagher from Oasis bragged to talkSPORT magazine that he could buy anything he wanted and that his black AMEX card could not be denied anywhere.

Noel Gallagher: “I don’t mean to be f***ing rude but I do won a black Amex card that has unlimited credit and cannot be denied anywhere. I could walk into a showroom selling Boeing 747s and, regardless of whether I could afford it, they’d have to accept the card.” and continued to say “When I was taking drugs on a regular basis it was a frightening experience for the record company. You could have literally gone out and bought a house on a whim – and I have more whims that I care to mention.”

Apparently he likes to take it out, Noel Gallagher took out his black American Express card during the filming of the 2007 BRIT Awards backstage show, see culture references.

A few of our readers that have the Visa Black Card just let us know that the received a monthly newsletter stating that there will be a Black Card 2009 Rolex Giveaway. The letter states that card members are automatically entered in a drawing to win, and one card member will be selected at random on December 31, 2009 and will receive a $10,000 Rolex gift card that is redeemable at an authorized Rolex dealer. Primary account holders in good standing are eligible for the drawing.

Paper, Plastic, Titanium, and Carbon Graphite?

Credit cards had existed prior to American Express, namely Diners Club (which was actually a paper or cardboard card that was in circulation).

The first AMEX credit card was actually introduced October 1, 1958 – American Express introduced travel-and-entertainment charge card (The original card was actually paper printed with purple ink to resemble Travelers Cheques)

The first plastic American Express appeared in the early 1960s, while their adoption had become increased as vendors found traditional AMEX booklets too difficult to manage. It was because of this that well received the new plastic cards, which used charge plate machines, thereby making transaction and record keeping easier and less error prone.

Plastic cards became dominant and remained the main player, however, it was not until 1966 that the common credit card came to, when Bank of America established BankAmerica Service Corporation to franchise the BankAmericard which then became known as “Visa“, still not black). Mastercard, originally Mastercharge, came to be in 1966 in addition, where both Visa and Mastercard credit cards were open-loop (inter-bank), and American Express was closed-loop (intrabank).

American Express took the lead again in 2004 in some parts of Europe, and in 2006 in the United States by changing their elusive BLACK CARD (formally known as the Centurion Card), to a hand crafted titanium card to replace it’s plastic ancestor. Times as changed, this isn’t your grandfather’s “purple cardboard,” although American Express Charter Members (Members since 1958) do get some special privileges.

2008 of course brought the “Visa Black Card“, made from Carbon Fiber. The Wikipedia editors, however, did neglect to include credit cards in applications of carbon fiber (we’re kidding): “The properties of carbon fiber such as high tensile strength, low weight, and low thermal expansion make it very popular in aerospace, civil engineering, military, and motorsports, along with other competition sports.”

We’ll stick with black hand hammered titanium for now, someone update Wikipedia.

Kanye West for some time now has been pushing a new term for the “Black Card.” On his “College Dropout” album Kanye raps in “Last Call:”

I went to the malls 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 his “Good Life” music video pictured left, Kanye shows his “African American Express” Red Card. The American Express Red is an American Express Card offered by American Express UK as part of the RED initiative that was started by Bono (U2)  and Bobby Shriver (DATA) to raise money for the Global Fund. Money spent on the card helps the global fund by sending 1% of purchases to the RED Global Fund.

The Global Fund (first created in 2002) is setup to help fight AIDS, TB (Tuberculosis), and Malaria. The rich can help even more with the Red Card, as when annual spend passes £5000 the fund percentage is increased to 1.25%.

Kanye isn’t the only rapper to help the RED initiative, Timbaland feat Keri Hilson on his second album “Timbaland Presents Shock Value.” Timbaland raps in “The Way I Are:”

“I ain’t got no Visa
I ain’t got no Red American Express

We can’t go nowhere exotic
It don’t matter ’cause I’m the one that love you best
Talk to me girl”

Unfortunately unless you’re in the UK, you’ll have to stick with the Black Card for now.

Last year Visa launched the RBC Royal Bank in Canada in 2008 by Invitation only. This card was launched prior to the other ultra exclusive Canadian Black Card, American Express’ Centurion Card launched in December 2008.

The RBC Royal Bank Visa Infinite Black Card is:

*Invitation only
*1 Million CAD in Liquid Assets, Net Worth of 3 Million CAD or >.
* 250,000 or more Annual Income.
* Annual Fees $399 per year for Private Banking clients, $599 for non-Private Banking clients.
* RBC Rewards redemption rate of 2% instead of 1% for all travel rewards, all flight classes (no blackout periods or seat restrictions)
* Visa Infinite Concierge Service (Virtuoso)
* Complimentary Priority Pass membership (the $99 annual fee version)
* Complimentary TabletPlus membership (usual fee $195)
* Complimentary access to Zagat® restaurant ratings and reviews
* Dedicated customer support number for Visa Infinite clients only.
* Extensive travel insurance coverage and emergency assistance
* Minimum $20,000 credit limit”

In December 2008, American Express sent out invitations for the Centurion Card in Canada. The invitation eligible, includes about approximately 274,000 consumers, or 2.7% of the population. In Canada the qualifiers are a bit different than in the US, and requires that eligible candidates have

at least $1 million in financial assets, excluding collectibles, homes, cars, and general consumer goods. That is, you need to have $1 million in liquid assets, or cash.

Despite economic turmoil, Trevor Van Nest, VP of Consumer Card Marketing @ American Express Canada says “We had sweaty palms, but the response has exceeded expectations,” and that although “There has been a slight dip in spending, but the absolute dollars are still higher than any other market,” and their targeted cardholders spend “several hundred thousand dollars a year [on their credit cards].”

The Canadian Centurion Card, or Black Card, similar to the US, is made from titanium, requires a one-time initiation fee, annual membership fee of $2,500. The benefits on the card itself, for the most part match that of the US Centurion Card, although severely lack when it comes to US travel benefits which include elite status on multiple arlines (Continental, Delta, US AIR, Virgin Atlantic). VIP Shopping priviledges (personal assistant, after hours shopping, free gift wrapping and alterations). at retailers including: Harry Rosen, Bergdorf Goodman, Harvey Nichols, Harrods and Saks Fifth Avenue.

The American Centurion Card in Canada now competes with the Visa Infinite Black Card launched by RBC and CIBC in March 2008, which includes typical luxury credit card benefits, has an annual fee of $120, and requires cardholers have a minimum household income of $100,000 CAD.

Mao Zedong, standing on a box of Dom Perignon, with the American Express Black Card/Centurion Card in his hand. As a strong status symbol in popular culture it is not surprising that the Black Card is emerging in Art work.

“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

A new partnership between American Express Centurion and Maserati has resulted in the creation of the Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion, Special Series. First unveiled at Forbes House (Belgravia, London) for an exclusive audience of American Express Black Card (Centurion Card holders), the Pininfarina designed luxury saloon was received with excitement.

“The Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion special series is exclusively built to order: finished in stunning metallic Nero Carbonio (carbon black), it features a sumptuous Bianco Polare (polar white) Poltrona Frau^® leather interior with embossed Centurion logo on the headrests, a bespoke numbered plaque, titanium coloured trim and 20” ball polished rims. The Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion 4.2 is powered by an impressive 400HP 4.2 litre V8 engine, powering the car to a top speed of 167 mph and allowing it to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.6 seconds. The fully automatic ZF gearbox ensures a smooth and responsive ride in all conditions.” If that’s not fast enough for you, the Centurion Edition Maserati is also available in a 4.7 litre edition, with 430HP engine that can reach 174mph top speed, and go from 0 to 62 mpg in 5.4 seconds.

Unique Serial # Plate Identification

Centurion Logo Embossed Headrest

The Visa Infinite Black Card has just been announced by Access Bank of Nigeria as Africa’s “most prestigious credit card”. Similar to other cards carrying the “Black Card” name, targeted at “For discerning clients who desire unlimited spending power, convenience and privileges with a single prestigious solution.”

Advertised benefits to this invitation only “Limited Membership, Infinite Privileges” card include:

• A concierge service to manage cardholder travel, hotel reservations, currency exchange, transportation, special vacation packages, etc
• Travel insurance coverage, including: medical treatment, evacuation, emergency medical, including emergency medical treatment, and of course loss of luggage
• Priority Pass Membership
• Minimum $30,000 credit limit
• Specific 24/7 call centre service
• Ticket Exchange
• Emergency card replacement and cash advances
• Collision damage waiver
• Extended warranty and purchase protection
• 29% Interest rate

Rapper Clipse tells us, we are in indeed in the Black Card Era. The “black card“, urban legend turned reality in 1999 may finally be exhausting it’s life as everyone in the world can now have a black card. As NBA stars like DeShaw Stevenson would remind you, as would Visa, the Black Card “is not for everyone“, as would WIZKID Productions “Black Affair” for Mid-night Ballers.

But that hasn’t stopped everyone from capitalizing on the “Black Card“, for example, if you want to go to a club that caters to the”Black Card” crowd, and is VIP only (Arizona’s Black Card Ultralounge pictured below, has now closed)

There is of course a social club that has established itself as the “Black Card Circle“:

Black Card Circle is the Premier Communication Platform and Relationship Building Organization for Influential Individuals Worldwide.

Or if you want to listen to some tracks from the Ali Vegas released a mixtape titled “Black Card Council – Unlimited Street Credit.” that are cater to the sophistication that “Black Card” members so often discern, you can.

There is the “NatWest Black Card” which is prestigious in the UK, and requires you are over 25 with £75,000 or greater (sorry Harrison Gervitz).

Andy Warhol said in 1968 that “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes”

…and the black card brings people that bit of fame. For now, you’ll have to stick to one of the above, or you can get the latest new comer to the black card market, the “Visa Black Card“.

It seems Virgin Atlantic now has a Black Card, we are all going to have Black Card overload pretty soon.

…EXPLAINED IN BLACK AND WHITE

The Virgin Atlantic Black Card is the fastest card to earn Flying Club miles, end of story. You’ll fly faster with:

* 2 Flying Club miles for every £1 spent on card purchases
* 4 Flying Club miles for every £1 spent direct with Virgin Atlantic or Virgin Holidays
* 6,000 bonus Flying Club miles upon first spend within first 90 daysFootnote 1
* 10% off Virgin Holidays packagesFootnote 2
* 0% on balance transfers for 6 months from the date your account is opened. 2% handling fee applies
* 18.9% (variable) on card purchases, that’s a typical rate of 37.1% APR (variable) including the £115 annual fee, see the Summary box for full details

The Black Card is (according to the Urban Dictionary):

A highly regarded, exclusive American Express Card issued by “invitation only” to current AmEx holders with high incomes and A+ credit. This card entitles its holders to VIP access, upgraded flights, event tickets, and special treatment at department stores and such. A $2500 fee is payed by each of its card holders annually. Also known as a “Centurion” card.
“I’m sorry Sir, tickets are sold out”
::man pulls out black card::
“I’m sorry Sir, how does front row and backstage access sound?”

“I’m under 21 with a Black Card” -Bow Wow

Did we think anything otherwise?

One of our readers has recently submitted these photos on a gift they received with their new Visa Black Card. We are assuming that this is just the initation gift, and that users that spend more over time will get more “luxurious gifts” as part of the $495/year membership.

Here is the letter that was included:

Dear Black Card Member:

Congratulations on becoming a Visa Black Card member. Black Card and Cross have teamed together to bring you a welcoming gift of the unique Cross Tech3, a 3-in-1 writing tool that allows you to switch from black ink to red ink to pencil with a simple twist.

Like Black Card, Cross stands for the highest levels of quality and service: each of our writing instruments is backed by a lifetime mechanical guarantee and reflects the commitment to superior craftsmanship first made by Richard Cross in 1846. I trust you will enjoy the benefits of your new Visa Black Card as well as the pleasure of writing with your new Cross pen.

Sincerely,

Chad Mellen

President, Cross Accessory Division

Umm, Oooops!

Originally rumor and urban myth, the American Express CENTURION CARD came to be in 1999 (see the original AMEX press release). “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.”

So, although the urban myth and legend referred to the card as the “Black Card” American Express decided to call it the “Centurion Card” named after their private bank, and trademark that instead; The challenge for AMEX is now, however, that they left themselves open by not also trademarking the term “Black Card“, despite the fact that the American Express Centurion Card is ubiquitously known in popular culture as the “Black Card” or Black AMEX, and less so the “Centurion Card”.

Visa readily tells those applying for the card that the “Black Card is not for everyone”, apparently, they mean American Express as well. You can check out patents filed for “Black Card”  and “Centurion Card” on the United States Patent Office Site.

It doesn’t matter legally, that the cards don’t really compare in terms of exclusivity or benefits because Black Card, LLC, Barclays and Visa currently do own the trademark “Black Card”. Maybe we will see a new Black Card for Dummies Guide targeted at the Visa’s Black Card instead?

American Express announced late February that they are offering $300 payments to a limited number of cardholders who agree to close their accounts; The new direct mail program, offers prepaid American Express gift cards valued at $300 for those that enroll and pay off their account in two months. AMEX said that the program is targeted at reducing the risk of future defaults. Gail Hillebrand from the Consumers Union says that the deal is positive in that it is allowing consumers a choice, and told NPR that “We’re seeing all kinds of cutbacks and harsher terms”, and that the deals are “designed to respond to the fact that the credit card industry pushed out too much debt to American consumers and too much credit availability, and now they’re trying to pull it back all at once”.

Steve Colbert on his show The Colbert Report makes fun of racial issues and the Visa Black Card: “Visa: it’s everywhere you want to be, unless that place is a Jimmy Buffett concert. (01:55)” Colbert also correlates Visa’s vague 1% requirements and statement that the card is “not for everyone” as an implication of Visa behaving in a racist manner (he’s joking of course!).

In 2002, NatWest bank in the United Kingdom launched their own Black Card, which is only available to customers with an income of £75,000 or above and over 25 years of age. Approval is subject to status and conditions. The NatWest Black Card has an annual fee of £250, with a minimum credit limit £15,000. The card has a typical 51.8% APR (variable), and cardholders are therefore advised to make more than minimum balance payments. Benefits of the card include personal assistance for gift-shopping and event planning; executive airport lounge access; NatWest YourPoints redeemable for flights; roadside assistance throughout the UK and Europe; card and purchase protection; travel insurance; exclusive offers and access to prestigious events; and, home emergency coverage.

For Visa Black Card, it may all be hype and marketing science (as it can now be seen in ads in Robb Report, Snow Magazine, etc), but some sample stats we’ve collected so far it appears Barclay’s is at least successful in attracting the higher end customers (although, time will tell as this card itself may not be all that exclusive, as it’s allegedly only a “Visa Platinum Plus” which is below the Visa line of Signature Cards: ). All the charm of luxury may come in the from of the British accent featured in Barclay’s TV Commercials .

Here’s some of the data we have seen of that exclusive “1%” cardholder profile:

• 31 year old male, income approx $175,000 3 credit scores average 765, approved for Visa Black Card with 25,000 limit, alternate cards: Chase Freedom Visa Signature Limit = $50,000.
• 28 year old male, income approx $300,000 3 credit score average 740, approved for Visa Black Card with 20,000 limit, alternate cards: American Express Centurion Card.
• “Schiffy”income approx $10,000, credit score average 598, approved for Visa Black Card with unknown limit.
• “Dave” income approx $170,000, credit scores above 765, approved for Visa Black Card with unknown limit.
• “Pashok” MBA with 6 figure income, credit scores 765, approved for Visa Black Card with unknown limit.

If you Apply for the Visa Black Card and are accepted, please feel free to update us with your stats to include in the profile!

Hayden Christensen’s (more formally known as Darth Vader) brother joins the dark side. Tove Christensen (producer of Shattered Glass – does anyone remember that movie?) was spotted by a TMZ source buying ice cream with his black titanium friend.

TMZ reported a few months back that

Hayden Christensen’s older brother Tove recently cruised into a Los Angeles Baskin-Robbins ice cream store and paid for a frozen treat using an American Express black card. An American Express black card!?!? Normally, these limitless credit cards are issued to the most elite of the elite, the richest of the rich, and are often used to buy extremely extravagant items like private planes, mansions or ice cream STORES! Not just a simple sundae.