Centurion Card

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The Centurion Card, popularly known as the Black Card, is American Express's most exclusive charge card. Urban legends of a special, black-colored card offering dignitaries and celebrities unlimited spending power and after-hours access to high-end stores circulated in the 1980s. [1] While the rumors were false, American Express decided to capitalize on them by launching the Centurion Card in October 1999 to selected holders of The Platinum Card®, with an annual fee originally at $1,000.

The card is available only by invitation and, as of January 1, 2006, requires minimum annual spending of $250,000 on another American Express card and exceptional credit history, and net worth of over $25,000,000, among other requirements. Certain requirements have been known to be waived for major celebrities and business figures. "Charter" cardmembers that joined at the $1000/year annual fee are "grandfathered" at that rate as long as they hold the card. If they cancel and re-join, it will be at the higher rate. As of 2006 the annual new cardholder fee was $2,500 and it is estimated that there are fewer than 10,000 cards issued worldwide. The card offers numerous exclusive privileges, including complimentary companion airline tickets on trans-Atlantic flights, personal shoppers at retailers such as Escada, Gucci and Saks Fifth Avenue, access to airport clubs, first class flight upgrades, membership in Sony's Cierge personal shopping program, and dozens of other elite club memberships. Centurion membership also includes personal services including a personal concierge and travel agent. The program offers many hotel benefits, including a free one-night's stay in every Mandarin Oriental hotel worldwide once a year.

The benefits mentioned above are for United States-issued cards. American Express Centurion cards issued in other countries may include different and sometimes lesser benefits reflecting their specific markets. Cardholders have claimed to use the card for things that most would find difficult to believe.

The card is available both as a personal and a business card. A new Centurion card crafted from anodized titanium [2] is being issued as a replacement for all U.S. Centurion plastic cards in the first half of 2006. Centurion members in other countries have previously received this titanium card.

American Express has removed certain benefits from 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.

American Express sent an email to a reported 250,000 customers on September 20, 2006 describing certain benefits of the Centurion card. The email was supposed to go only to the around 10,000 black card holders. 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 cardmembership with a $250,000 annual cash flow through the card account. Benefits decribed include: A personal concierge - one person assigned to your account, with a direct phone number and email address; elite frequent flier status on Delta, Continental, and US Air. 18 free nights per year at Mandarin Oriental Hotels.

[edit] In popular culture

Several rappers have referenced use and possession of the black card in their lyrics. For example, Kanye West's lyric, "She was like, 'Oh my God, is that a black card?' / I turned around and replied 'Why yes, but I prefer the term "African American Express"'", Bow Wow's reference in the track "I Think They Like Me (Remix)" with the line "I ain't got to act hard / I'm under 21 with a black card", and Jay-Z's lyric in the song "30 Something", "Now I got black cards / Good credit and such / Baby boy / Now I'm all grown up" as well as Nelly Furtado's Promiscuous Girl remix featuring Rick Ross, "I smoke purple, my car white / credit card black, girl I'm alright." On mixtapes, such as the vaunted We Got It 4 Cheap series from 2005, the Clipse and their Re-Up Gang associates announce their presence on the hip-hop scene as the dawning of the "Black Card Era."

The Centurion Card (or similar black card) has also appeared in an episode of the CBS series Jericho titled "Federal Response." The character named Robert Hawkins turned it upside-down and used the inverted account number to access an encrypted website.

On the October 20, 2006 edition of WWE Friday Night Smackdown!, after watching WWE diva Layla perform an erotic dance in the ring during a "Diva dance-off," color commentator John Bradshaw Layfield quipped: "The last time I saw that, I had to pull out my black AmEx."

There is however some uncertainty around the number of Black Card users. AMEX claims the figures are not anywhere close to 10,000 while other sources claim that the number may be over 10,000 (although none of these sources has ever provided any evidence supporting this claim).

On the Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip episode "Nevada Day", NBS Chairman Jack Rudolph flashes his Black American Express card to the sheriff's deputy, claiming that he can use it to post a million dollars bail.

On an episode of Entourage (Neighbors), Johnny Drama asks E if he can have Vince's black card for his calf implant surgery.

On episode 10 of "this WEEK in TECH" part of the conversation revolves around the black American Express card and its abilities.

In the 2006 remake of Casino Royale, James Bond walks into The Ocean Club (an Super-Exclusive Bahamian resort) goes to the concierge, requests a room without a reservation, and simply hands the concierge a black credit card. This is obviously a reference to the no-limit AMEX Centurion.

In late 2006 medical transportation mogul Dan Gold confirmed that entry into this exclusive club required an annual expenditure of at least $250,000. He also noted that the use of the card led to many amenities and free services simply by virtue of the prestige which seemingly accompanies card ownership.

In an exclusive AMEX interview Pop Superstar Janet Jackson was asked how much she spent on her shirt and replied "i don't even know, isn't that bad? When you sign it and walk away....That Black is dangerous! (laughs)"

[edit] Imitators

The Centurion card was the first "Black Card", but others are attempting to enter this lucrative high-end market. NatWest bank also launched a "Black Card" in 2002 and MasterCard's Signia, which is issued in the United Kingdom only by Coutts & Co bank, provides similar benefits to its wealthy clientele. In Singapore, Hong Kong, and India, Citibank has launched a premium Black Card called the Ultima that nearly rivals the Centurion Card in terms of features and benefits. It is available only by invitation and offers benefits such as preferential access to private holiday islands.