The American Express Black Card

Have you heard the rumors? Have you actually seen one? Well if you already SNOPED this subject then you're one step ahead of me. There's silver, gold, platinum and even the fuschia berry colored card for small businesses. But a black AMEX??

I had never heard of this ultra-exclusive card -- known officially as the Centurion -- until a friend of mine, a successful CEO, passed along an email. I emailed him back asking, "Is this true? Did you snope it?" His reply, "I have one". Well excuse moi!

In my Internet search, I stumbled upon a personal Web site dedicated to unveiling its secrets.

Some mystery person not employed by Amex spends his time singing the praises of a piece of metal (it's not plastic)? We just had to read on, if only to see how the other half lives.
According to the blogger at BlackCardSource.com, identified only as "Admin," the Black Card was rumored to exist years before Amex issued it in 1999 on an invitation-only basis. Now, apparently, people can actually apply, and an estimated 20,000 people in the U.S. have one.
I think I have better chance of winning the Lotto. Hmm, I should do the math on that one.

For starters, you have to be plenty rich or a celebrity to get one. To qualify for an application, you have to charge $250,000 in one year's time on another Amex card and pay it off. If you're deemed creditworthy, add in the $5,000 initiation fee and a $2,500 annual fee. (Never fear. If you're turned down, there are several very exclusive competitors.)
In other words, says "Andrew M" at Mahalo, you have to "spend like there's no tomorrow."
Cardholders, according to Admin, include Denzel Washington, Jerry Seinfeld (who reportedly received the first Black Card), Jessica Simpson, Kanye West and Sen. John McCain. (Apparently, a prankster at Zug called Amex pretending to apply for a Black Card on behalf of Sen. Barack Obama.)

What do you get with this card? A very high spending limit based on your income, 24-hour personal concierge service, private shopping at the world's most exclusive stores, special invitations to events like golf with Tiger Woods or the black-tie London premiere of the new James Bond movie, roadside assistance extraordinaire, free food, free airline tickets, and more.
They may be rich, but even Black Card holders aren't immune from tighter restrictions credit card companies have recently placed on their customers' spending. Admin says he's heard of Amex denying purchases when the Black Card is shown.

Do you have a Black AMEX? Have you seen one before? Tell us your experience by posting a comment!