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

In our initial comparison of the Visa Black Card and American Express Centurion Card we noted material types; Outside of card types the things that stand out are, how hard is this card to get (e.g. is it truly exclusive?) , and what real benefits does it offer? The the main things that stands out is the concierge service, but we have yet to see what this can deliver. Visa lists the following, but as with any concierge it’s defendant on the actual service, both American Express tout. American Express Centurion Concierge has been in business since 1999, over 9 years.

You can go to the American Express Concierge Travel Insights Site for more detail on the black card, such as where Centurion Cardholders like to eat when they are in New York.

Or you can go to Visa’s Black Card Site with the details below.

Here’s what Visa cites as examples of Concierge abilities.

Entertainment Planning (Information, Referrals, Reservations, Ticketing)

• Recommended Restaurants
• Health clubs
• Sports entertainment events
• Golf Tee Time
• Shopping locations

Business Services (Referrals & Arrangements)

• Conference service
• Emergency translation services via phone
• Computer rental, audio/visual equipment
• Message service
• Foreign protocol information

Travel Information and Assistance (Referrals/Recommendations, Reservations)

• Weather forecasts/ATM locations
• VISA passport locations
• Customs, duties and information
• Mass transportation information and schedules
• Hotel information
• Mail/fax destination package
• Car rentals, limousine & car service information
• Flight information and ticketing

Country and City Information

• Highlights/sights/exhibitions/shows
• Festivals/museum/music entertainment information
• Time/hours/holidays information
• Tourist information
• Shopping information

Gift Arrangements

• Gift baskets
• Floral arrangements
• Specific gifts (as requested)
• Special occasion gift recommendations

Specialty Services

• Assistance with location and purchase of specialty items.
• For example:
  • Rare books or records;
  • Unusual household items;
  • And referrals to specialty services such as dog groomers, tailors and doll makers
• Hard to find items; special research; specialty shopping

You can see where the American Express Concierge’s are sending Centurion Cardholders when they need to book a dinner, vacation, or just something fun to do!

Here’s a link to the site TRAVEL INSIGHTS from American Express Centurion:
http://www.amexpub.com/travelinsights/flash/index.html

Centurion Concierge tells us where Centurion Card Members most often frequent the following places when in Los Angeles (LA).

Clubs and Bars

Tropicana
Prey
Les Deux
Hyde Lounge
Skybar
Cabana Club
The Bar

Hotels

Hotel Bel Air
Four Seasons Los Angeles
Regent Beverley Wilshire
Intercontinental Century City
Hyatt Regency Century Plaza
Fairmont L’Ermitage
Ritz Carlton Marina Del Ray
Four Seasons Beverley Hills
Beverley Hills Hotel and Bungalow
Le Meridien Beverly Hills

Restaurants

Campanile
The Ivy
CUT
Osteria Mozza
Koi
Republic
Il Cielo
Urasawa
Melisse
Katana

Here’s some detail on what Centurion cardholders like to do in New York.

Broadway Shows

Jersey Boys
Young Frankenstein
Spring Awakening
Mamma Mia
Curtains
Spamalot
Drowsy Chaperone
A Chorus Line
The Phantom of the Opera

Clubs and Bars

BLVD
Bungalow 8
PM Lounge
Church Lounge at Tribeca Grand
Whiskey Blue
Frederick’s

Hotels

Jumeirah Essex House
The Peninsula New York
New York Palace
Mandarin Oriental New York
St Regis New York
Ritz Carlton Ny
Waldorf Astoria
The Carlyle Hotel
Hotel Plaza Athenee
W Hotel

Restaurants

Per Se
Babbo
Nobu
Buddakan
Megu
Le Bernardin
David Bouley
Gramercy Tavern
Jean Georges
Chanterelle

Sights

Carnegie Hall
Empire State Building
Lincoln Center
Top of the Rock
Radio City Music Hall
Natural History Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Modern Museum of Art
Central Park
Frick Collection

Studies show that services used with your Black Card can come with a mark-up of as high as 66 percent. For instance, the concierge service at the Ritz-Carlton got a Black Amex member a room at a rate of $349 per night that a corporate discount could have supposedly booked for $210, or two thirds of the cost.

American Express explained that purpose of the card is not to provide members with discounts but rather to enhance lifestyle and to provide elite access and services.

An American Express company spokesperson said, “We call them card members and not holders as it is about being in an exclusive club, and it is about being special and that is how we build the benefit and value. It’s about access. We do fashion events with designers such as Roberto Cavalli or Diane von Furstenberg where 25 people get to meet the designer who helps them pick out clothes one-on-one. We do famous chef events and you can cook with them at home. There is a program to shop with famous people like Stacey London.”