What is a Black Card and How to Get One
If you're looking for a credit card that offers unparalleled prestige, luxury, and exclusivity, you may have heard of the elusive "black card". But what exactly is a black card, and how can you get one?
A black card is a term used to describe a premium credit card that is typically made of metal, has a very high or no spending limit, and offers a range of perks and benefits for high-net-worth individuals. These cards are often invitation-only and require excellent credit scores, high incomes, and hefty fees.
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While having a black card can certainly make you stand out from the crowd, it also comes with some drawbacks, such as high annual fees, strict eligibility criteria, and limited availability. In this article, we'll explore what a black card is, how to get one, and some of the best alternatives that offer similar or better value.
The Original Black Card: The Amex Centurion Card
The most famous and sought-after black card is the Centurion Card from American Express, also known as the Amex Black Card. This card was launched in 1999 as an exclusive offering for select Amex customers who spent and paid off large amounts on their existing cards.
The Amex Centurion Card is not open for applications; you have to be invited by American Express to join. To qualify for an invitation, you need to have an excellent credit score (800 or above), a high net worth, and spend at least $350,000 to $500,000 across all your Amex accounts in a calendar year.
If you receive an invitation, you'll have to pay a $10,000 initiation fee and a $5,000 annual fee to get the card. In return, you'll enjoy some incredible benefits, such as:
Complimentary elite status across four hotel chains (Marriott, Hilton, Intercontinental Hotels Group, and Relais & Châteaux) and with Delta Air Lines
Airport arrival services, including expedited customs clearance, luggage assistance, and car service
Access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select, Delta Sky Club, American Express Centurion Lounges, and more
Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits for incidental charges such as baggage fees, seat upgrades, and in-flight purchases
Up to $100 in statement credits every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees
A personal concierge service that can help you with travel bookings, restaurant reservations, event tickets , and more
Access to exclusive events, experiences, and offers through the By Invitation Only program
A $200 annual credit for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue
A $100 annual credit for purchases at Dell
Complimentary memberships to CLEAR, ShopRunner, and The New York Times
Travel insurance and protection, such as car rental loss and damage insurance, baggage insurance plan, travel accident insurance, and premium global assist hotline
Purchase protection, return protection, extended warranty, and fraud protection
As you can see, the Amex Centurion Card offers a lot of value for frequent travelers, shoppers, and diners who can afford the high fees and meet the strict requirements. However, it's not the only black card out there. In fact, there are some other cards that may offer better rewards, lower fees, or more flexibility than the Amex Black Card.
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Black Card Alternatives from Other Issuers
If you're looking for a black card alternative that suits your needs and preferences better than the Amex Centurion Card, you have plenty of options to choose from. Here are some of the best black card alternatives from other issuers that you may want to consider:
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the most popular premium travel cards on the market. It has a $550 annual fee, which is much lower than the Amex Centurion Card's fee. It also offers a generous welcome bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's worth $900 in travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve also offers some amazing benefits for travelers, such as:
A $300 annual travel credit that automatically applies to any travel purchase you make with the card
A 50% bonus on point redemptions for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select
A statement credit of up to $100 every 4 years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees
A complimentary year of Lyft Pink membership (worth $199) and a complimentary DashPass subscription from DoorDash (worth $120)
A 10% anniversary point bonus on all purchases made with the card in the previous year
A $60 annual credit for Peloton Digital and All-Access Memberships through December 31, 2021
3X points on travel (after earning your $300 travel credit) and dining at restaurants worldwide
1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
No foreign transaction fees
Travel insurance and protection, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, emergency evacuation and transportation coverage, travel and emergency assistance services , and more
Purchase protection, extended warranty, and fraud protection
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a great card for anyone who wants to earn and redeem points for travel, as well as enjoy some of the best travel perks and protections available. You can also transfer your points to 13 airline and hotel partners, such as United, Southwest, Hyatt, and Marriott, for even more value and flexibility.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is another excellent travel card that offers a simple and flexible rewards program. It has a $95 annual fee, which is much more affordable than the Amex Centurion Card's fee. It also offers a generous welcome bonus of 60,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's worth $600 in travel when you redeem through Capital One Travel.
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card also offers some great benefits for travelers, such as:
2X miles per dollar spent on every purchase, every day
A statement credit of up to $100 every 4 years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees
Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select (enrollment required)
No foreign transaction fees
Travel insurance and protection, such as travel accident insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and 24-hour travel assistance services
Purchase protection and extended warranty
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great card for anyone who wants to earn and redeem miles for travel, without having to worry about categories or restrictions. You can also transfer your miles to 15 airline and hotel partners, such as JetBlue, Air Canada, Wyndham, and Accor, for even more value and flexibility.
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Platinum Card from American Express is another premium card from Amex that offers a lot of value for travelers. It has a $695 annual fee (See Rates & Fees), which is higher than most other cards, but lower than the Amex Centurion Card's fee. It also offers a generous welcome bonus of 100,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 6 months from account opening.
The Platinum Card from American Express also offers some amazing benefits for travelers, such as:
5X Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
1X Membership Rewards point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through The American Express Global Lounge Collection, including The Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club, Priority Pass Select, and more
Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash for rides or eats orders in the US when you add your card to your Uber account
Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits for incidental charges such as baggage fees, seat upgrades , and in-flight purchases with one selected qualifying airline
A statement credit of up to $100 every 4 years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees
A complimentary year of CLEAR membership (worth $179) when you enroll with your card
A $200 annual credit for purchases at The Hotel Collection or Fine Hotels + Resorts properties when you book through American Express Travel
A $179 annual credit for purchases at Equinox when you enroll with your card
A $240 annual credit for purchases at select streaming and wireless service providers when you enroll with your card
A $300 annual credit for purchases at select retailers, such as Home Depot, Best Buy, and Saks Fifth Avenue, when you enroll with your card
Complimentary elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
Access to exclusive events, experiences, and offers through the By Invitation Only program and the American Express Experiences program
No foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees)
Travel insurance and protection, such as car rental loss and damage insurance, baggage insurance plan, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, premium global assist hotline, and more
Purchase protection, return protection, extended warranty, and fraud protection
The Platinum Card from American Express is a great card for anyone who wants to enjoy some of the best travel benefits and perks available, as well as earn and redeem points for travel. You can also transfer your points to 19 airline and hotel partners, such as Delta, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, Hilton, and Hyatt, for even more value and flexibility.
Luxury Card Mastercard Black Card
The Luxury Card Mastercard Black Card is another premium card that offers a sleek metal design and a range of benefits for travelers. It has a $495 annual fee ($195 for each additional authorized user), which is lower than the Amex Centurion Card's fee, but higher than most other cards. It also offers a welcome bonus of 50,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening. That's worth $750 in airfare redemptions or $500 in cash back redemptions.
The Luxury Card Mastercard Black Card also offers some great benefits for travelers, such as:
2% value for airfare redemptions and 1.5% value for cash back redemptions
Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select
A statement credit of up to $100 every 5 years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees
A $200 annual airline credit that can be used for incidental charges such as baggage fees, seat upgrades , and in-flight purchases with one selected qualifying airline
A $100 annual credit for purchases at Onefinestay, a luxury home rental service
A $100 annual credit for purchases at Postmates, a food delivery service
A $100 annual credit for purchases at ShopRunner, a free 2-day shipping and returns service
A $100 annual credit for purchases at Fandango, a movie ticket and streaming service
A 24/7 concierge service that can help you with travel bookings, restaurant reservations, event tickets, and more
Complimentary membership to LUXURY MAGAZINE, a quarterly publication that covers travel, fashion, art, and culture
No foreign transaction fees
Travel insurance and protection, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, baggage delay insurance, travel accident insurance, and more
Purchase protection, price protection, extended warranty, and fraud protection
The Luxury Card Mastercard Black Card is a great card for anyone who wants to enjoy some of the best travel credits and perks available, as well as earn and redeem points for travel or cash back. You can also enjoy some of the best customer service and satisfaction ratings in the industry.
Conclusion
A black card is a premium credit card that offers unparalleled prestige, luxury, and exclusivity. However, it also comes with some drawbacks, such as high fees, strict requirements, and limited availability. Therefore, before you apply for a black card, you should consider your needs and preferences carefully and compare some of the best alternatives that may offer better value or flexibility.
Some of the best black card alternatives are the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, the Platinum Card from American Express, and the Luxury Card Mastercard Black Card. These cards offer similar or better benefits than the Amex Centurion Card, such as travel credits, lounge access, concierge service, travel insurance, and more. They also have lower fees and more accessible eligibility criteria than the Amex Black Card.
To choose the best card for you, you should consider factors such as your spending habits, your travel preferences, your credit score, your income level, and your desired rewards program. You should also compare the features and fees of each card using a table like this one:
Card Name
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
Rewards Rate
Travel Credits
Lounge Access
Other Benefits
Amex Centurion Card
$10,000 initiation fee + $5,000 annual fee
N/A
1X point per dollar spent on all purchases (varies by country)
$200 airline fee credit + $200 Saks Fifth Avenue credit + $100 Dell credit + others
Access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through The American Express Global Lounge Collection
Complimentary elite status with four hotel chains and Delta Air Lines + personal concierge service + By Invitation Only program + travel insurance and protection + purchase protection and extended warranty + others
Chase Sapphire Reserve
$550 annual fee
60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months (worth $900 in travel)
3X points on travel (after earning your $300 travel credit) and dining + 1X point on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit + up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit + others
Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select
50% bonus on point redemptions for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards + complimentary year of Lyft Pink membership and DashPass subscription + 10% anniversary point bonus + $60 Peloton credit + travel insurance and protection + purchase protection and extended warranty + others
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
$95 annual fee
60,000 miles after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months (worth $600 in travel)
2X miles per dollar spent on every purchase, every day
Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select (enrollment required)
No foreign transaction fees + travel insurance and protection + purchase protection and extended warranty
The Platinum Card from American Express
$695 annual fee (See Rates & Fees)
100,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first 6 months (varies by country)
5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel + 1X point on all other purchases
$200 airline fee credit + $200 Uber Cash + $200 hotel credit + $179 CLEAR credit + $240 streaming and wireless credit + $300 retail credit + up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit + others
Access to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide through The American Express Global Lounge Collection
Complimentary elite status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy + By Invitation Only program and American Express Experiences program + no foreign transaction fees (See Rates & Fees) + travel insurance and protection + purchase protection and extended warranty + others
Luxury Card Mastercard Black Card
$495 annual fee ($195 for each additional authorized user)
50,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days (worth $750 in airfare or $500 in cash back)
2% value for airfare redemptions and 1.5% value for cash back redemptions
$200 annual airline credit + up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit + others
Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select
A 24/7 concierge service + complimentary membership to LUXURY MAGAZINE + no foreign transaction fees + travel insurance and protection + purchase protection and extended warranty
We hope this article has helped you understand what a black card is and how to get one. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. We'd love to hear from you!
FAQs
What credit score do you need for a black card?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different black cards may have different credit score requirements. However, in general, you'll need an excellent credit score of 800 or above to qualify for a black card. You'll also need a high income, a low debt-to-income ratio, and a history of responsible credit use.
How much do you have to spend to get a black card?
Again, this depends on the specific black card you're applying for. For the Amex Centurion Card, you'll need to spend at least $350,000 to $500,000 across all your Amex accounts in a calendar year to get an invitation. For other black cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, the Platinum Card from American Express, and the Luxury Card Mastercard Black Card, you'll need to pay an annual fee ranging from $95 to $695. You may also need to meet a minimum spending requirement within a certain period of time to earn the welcome bonus.
Are black cards worth it?
This depends on your personal preferences and financial situation. Black cards can offer a lot of value for frequent travelers, shoppers, and diners who can take advantage of the perks and benefits they offer. However, they also come with high fees, strict requirements, and limited availability. Therefore, you should weigh the pros and cons of each card carefully and compare them with other alternatives that may suit your needs better.
How many black cards are there in the world?
There is no official data on how many black cards are there in the world, as most issuers do not disclose this information publicly. However, some estimates suggest that there are around 20,000 Amex Centurion Cards in circulation worldwide. Other black cards may have more or less cardholders depending on their popularity and availability.
What are some of the most outrageous purchases made with a black card?
Some of the most outrageous purchases made with a black card are:
A $170 million painting by Modigliani bought by a Chinese billionaire with his Amex Centurion Card in 2015
A $52 million private jet bought by a Saudi prince with his Luxury Card Mastercard Black Card in 2016
A $2.4 million Bugatti Veyron bought by a rapper with his Chase Sapphire Reserve in 2017
A $1.5 million bottle of champagne bought by a businessman with his Platinum Card from American Express in 2013
A $1 million donation to a charity made by an anonymous donor with his Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card in 2018
These are just some of the examples of how some people use their black cards to make extravagant purchases or donations. Of course, not everyone who has a black card spends that much money or uses it for such purposes. Most black card holders use their cards responsibly and wisely, and enjoy the benefits and rewards they offer. 44f88ac181
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