Extreme Credit Cards for the Biggest Spenders in the World

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed)
Jul 22nd 2007 at 3:02PM

Wealthy patrons with shopping addictions are a tempting customer base for creditors, and so more and more of them are coming up with ways to make their services attractive to the biggest spenders in the world. The Centurion card from American Express is the leading status symbol to date, with its classy black card made of titanium that comes with exclusive perks like a personal concierge (to help you plan your spending) and special treatment at all the top retailers.

But the Centurion, better known simply as the "Black Card," is getting some competition for the top of the prestigious credit card pyramid. Companies like Bank of America and Citigroup are coming up with their own versions, and it seems the greatest competition so far is from the Visa Stratus Rewards card, aka the "White Card." And in the U.K. there's always the Ozwald Boateng-designed Coutts & Co.'s World card from the same private bank Queen Elizabeth uses.

Tags: american express, AmericanExpress, black, black card, BlackCard, cards, charge, charge card, ChargeCard, credit, credit card, credit cards, CreditCard, CreditCards, white, white card, WhiteCard

Filed under: Gadgets, Celebrity Shopping

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Chase Jul 22nd 2007 3:37PM

I work at a clothing store in Nantucket, MA and the Centurion AMEX card is a regular visiter to our store. From first hand experience with the cards and their owners, I have to say that, 1: they are quite heavy, 2: prior to the person actually handing me one of the cards, I had no idea that they were about to drop one (the only exception was when Kathy Lee Gifford came in). The people seemed quite normal, most of the time they weren't the ones spending $2,000+ (that actually seems to be the Platinum AMEX cardholders).

Jake Jul 22nd 2007 5:27PM

I didn't think Stratus Rewards was really around anymore. Their web site hasn't been updated in ages. The card isn't nearly as exclusive as Centurion (although even both with their "invitation only" marketing strategy are available to anyone who fits the profile who requests the card. Centurion is currently around $250 thousand annual spending on an Amex card (typically Platinum). And Stratus simply requires asking one of their marketing partners for an invitation (or another cardholder of Stratus) and having the assets and credit to obtain any of the higher limit cards issued by US Bank.

DJ Jul 22nd 2007 9:49PM

These are merely the cards that exist in the public domain for status. Some of the more prestigious private investment banks, trust departments and others have zero fee, zero rate, and uber rewards (usually, very personalized) that are only discussed with those offered their cards. These are issued more for keeping tens or hundreds of millions of dollars very loyal to that institution, than for spending those millions.

JW-C Jul 23rd 2007 3:21AM

DJ is right. Most wouldn't know of these but they do exist.

blackcard Jul 23rd 2007 3:40PM

I have started a forum for members of the "black card" for networking, swapping ideas and stories regarding peoples experiences using their card amenities

I decided to make the forum, since a few friends of mine and I started discussing the different experiences we all had dealing with the card and obtaining the benefits.

www.blackcardforum.com

if you have any questions, feel free to contact me at your convenience

regards

webmaster@blackcardforums.com

Bruce Jul 27th 2007 9:21PM

Speaking on the fact that I know someone who has a Black Card, there is a lot of perks you get and free stuff for spending more than the average customer. Some Stores will actually close down for you to shop and you don't have to be famous for them to do that for you. You can get tickets to shows that have been sold out and last min flights to just about anywhere in the world. My father has been a Black Card member for about seven years now and I'm 23 now and I have had some very good times using that card,my college tution, and some very memorable family trips that we have took all on my fathers Black Card and things that come along with having a black card in your pocket is pretty amazing. In order to be considered for a Black card you have to have spent $ 250 thousand on a AMEX card already to be considered. Once you are a Black card holder you must spend five grand a month in order to keep it. Some day I hope that I'm sucessfull enough to have a Black card in my pocket

BEAUTIFUL ONE Jul 27th 2007 10:21PM

ACCORDING TO COMMENT #2:

THE STRATUS " WHITE " CARD IS NO COMPETITION 4 THE EXCLUSIVE AMEX BLACK.

THANKS 4 TELLING THE TRUTH JAKE - STRATUS SOUNDS A BIT LAME - NO WONDER I NEVER HEARD OF IT!

TILL NEXT TIME

verbally challenged Jul 27th 2007 10:24PM

dear bruce,
re: "... some memorable family trips that we have TOOK on my Daddy's Black Card..."

lets see, you're 23, went to college, you have a rich daddy & you are still functionally illiterate.

re: "Some day I hope I'm successful enough to have a Black Card in my pocket."

LOL - you will never be successful but you might get lucky & inherit all your Daddy's money

heyimla Jul 27th 2007 10:49PM

I like the way Kanye said it best....I prefer African American Express :)

jude Jul 27th 2007 10:38PM

Dear Verbally Challenged.. After reading Bruce's heart-touching story, I scrolled down to your comment and could not believe my eyes! You wrote exactly what was going through my mind. Thanks for the good laugh!

Caleb Jul 27th 2007 10:53PM

Dear verbally challenged,

Re: re: "... some memorable family trips that we have TOOK on my Daddy's Black Card..."

lets see, you're 23, went to college, you have a rich daddy & you are still functionally illiterate.

re: "Some day I hope I'm successful enough to have a Black Card in my pocket."

LOL - you will never be successful but you might get lucky & inherit all your Daddy's money”

You’re a douche bag who gets his rocks off by acting superior to people you don’t even know.

Vivi Jul 27th 2007 11:01PM

I'll stay with my Amex gold card. Not in the least in the mood to make an impression on anyone.
I will say one thing, though-------how many out there reading this have had an Amex card for almost 43 years?

Devynn Jul 27th 2007 11:39PM

this is the to the ppl hating on the rich kid b/c apparently his english isn't up to their standards: at the end of the day, he's still rich, you're still poor, who's better off? apparently HIM b/c all you can do is talk about how bad his english is. shame. go make some of your own money! then slame him. til then it just looks bad. on YOU!

Cathy Jul 27th 2007 11:42PM

Vivi.......Not nearly 40+ years how about 22?
23 in four months.

I do have to say I spend Five thousand a month though. I just think they are sexy looking.

jason Jul 28th 2007 12:24AM

Having the pleasure of owning the card, here is one experience that makes the $3500 a year fee worth while.

Last summer in Africa on Safari, I lost my Black card. Called AMEX, they printed one and had it hand delivered to me in Africa within 24 hrs all the way from Virginia. Total fee to me, Zero Dollars.

Dave Jul 28th 2007 1:35AM

I am not sure why I am even writing this let alone posting. But I cannot help but think you all are lost causes and maybe I am too since I am joing you but what the hell. I have an Amex Corp Gold with an 80,000.00 theoretical monthly spending line. I spend and have spent an average of 15 to 20k every month and have for the last 7 years. I just called Amex and asked why the hell I had not been offered a Black Card and they apologized and said they would send me one immediately. They also gave me the number 1-800-956-9293 to call and speak with a Centurian Card Agent Monday thru Friday 8am to 12 midnight and or Sat 8am to 6pm so if any of you spend at least 5k a month or maybe it better be 15 to 20k a month then call that number and try your luck. anyway having the ability to spend that kind of money is nice but you know what is nicer? Having the ability to go to Wal-Mart and have 5 associates grab carts and follow you around while you put 5k of stuff in those carts each and every December for the children of Toys for Tots !!!!!!!

amyinflorida Jul 28th 2007 12:42AM

The reason that the black card is heavier is because you are supposed to be able to notice if it is picked from your pocket. That said I wonder if you must disclose your weight on the application so that they can size it for you.

My daughter works at a resturant in Jax and the football players come in with it-now what is heavy to a linebacker and heavy to Kathie Lee Gifford is totally different

verbally challenged Jul 28th 2007 1:55AM

Dear Devynn,
Your ignorance is appalling. He is not rich, his Daddy is. BTW, I am rich. And, you must not have figured it out yet, but people are judged by their use of the English language.

Kudos to my BFF, Jude, for her keen wit & sense of humor.

Bill Jul 28th 2007 2:39AM

Caleb needs to calm down a bit. I don't think that "Verbally Challenged" was trying to act superior or get his rocks off. Bruce should at least know how to use words correctly and in their proper tense, whether or not he's the son of Daddy Warbucks. Poor english, my dear Caleb, doesn't sound very good, whether it comes out of the mouth of our illustrious president or some schmuck on the corner with a fifth-grade education. But take heart, Caleb, your unquoted comments were all correct!

linda Jul 28th 2007 4:16AM

Recently a customer of mine dropped a Blackcard in my hand. My eyes opened wide, but as required, I asked if she would like to use her store card(also black, with perks). While I can not remember the conversation word for word, I do remember her as being really nice about using the other(heh) black card instead. Nice to know more about the Blackcard.