AMERICAN EXPRESS CENTURION CARD   History 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. While the rumors were false, in October 1999 American Express decided to capitalize on them by launching the Centurion Card and made the card available to selected holders of its Platinum Card. The Amex Centurion Card originally had an annual fee of $1,000. The rumor of an unlimited spending card originated because certain high-spending card members were given a black information card that, while not a charge or credit card, contained important telephone numbers, such as numbers for American Express Travel and Concierge services. American Express' first credit card product, the Optima Card, was originally issued by a subsidiary called the "American Express Centurion Bank." Both the Centurion Card and the AmEx Centurion Bank were named after AmEx's logo, which features the likeness of a Roman centurion. Availability and cost As of Aug 1, 2007, in the United States, requirements include minimum annual spending of $250,000, exceptional credit history and significant financial assets. Certain requirements may be waived for celebrities and public figures. Requirements for acceptance in other countries can differ slightly. There is a US $5,000 one-time initiation fee for new primary card holders, plus the annual fee of US $2,500. Centurion card members have the option of additional cards for an annual fee of $1,500 per each additional Centurion card (one-time US $5,000 initiation fee waived for additional Centurion cards), $175 per each additional Platinum card or $45 per each additional Gold card linked to the primary Centurion account holder.   Centurion Card Annual Fees Country   Annual Fee   Equivalent to   United States US$2,500 + One-time joining fee of US$5,000 US$2,500 +US$5,000 United Kingdom £650 US$1,275 Switzerland 2,000 CHF US$1,639 Singapore SG$5,000 US$3,260 Russia 85000 rubles US$3,000 Mexico About 27,000 pesos US$2,500 Japan ¥168,000 US$1,412 Israel US$2,000 US$2,000 International Dollar/Euro Card (Europe) US$2,800/EUR 2,800 (effective 1 September 2007) Hong Kong HK$19,800 + One-time joining fee of HK$23,800 US$2,547 +US$3,061 Germany €1,000 US$1,317 France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden €2,000 US$2,634 Australia AU$4,300 US$3,660   Publications Since the inception of the card, members have received a copy of Departures magazine, which is also sent to all Platinum cardholders. However, in 2004, American Express Centurion members began to receive an exclusive "no name" magazine which was not available by any other means. Starting with the Spring 2007 edition, this magazine has been officially titled "Black Inc." The reason given by Ed Ventimiglia, the publisher, was that "now the magazine will be easier to identify when discussing it with like-minded readers." Spending limits Centurion holders have made purchases well in excess of $1 million USD without a credit check. A popular myth is that the card has no limit; the largest purchase supposedly ever made on it exceeded $52 million for a private jet by Victor Shvetsky. However the Centurion Card does have limits, but these limits are not pre-set at a certain level. Like any other American Express charge card, the limits are based on the spending history of card holder, as well as their personal credit profile and financial resources. A card holder spending $250,000 in the previous year could not just purchase a jet with a swipe of his or her card unless he or she had the resources to make good on the transaction. Each year spending habits are reviewed by the credit department in order to determine the spending limit for the next year. The limit can be increased after providing new financial data. American Express reports account activity for this card under the credit bureau trade line classification of Open (charge card) vs. Revolving (credit card). Since there is no pre-set credit limit associated with this card product, the High Credit amount reported represents the largest monthly balance that was closed in the past 18 months of card activity. Some card members who charge a significant amount each month have complained that there is always an unpaid balance reflected on their credit reports which can have a negative impact on their FICO score even though they pay off their balance each month per the card member agreement. Features and benefits The card, available for both personal and business use, offers numerous exclusive privileges including a dedicated concierge and travel agent, complimentary companion airline tickets on international flights on selected airlines with the purchase of a full fare ticket, personal shoppers at retailers such as Escada, Gucci, and Neiman Marcus, access to airport clubs, first class flight upgrades, membership in Sony's Cierge personal shopping program, and dozens of other elite club memberships. Hotel benefits include one free night when at least one paid night is booked during the same stay in every Mandarin Oriental hotel worldwide once a year (except for the New York City property), one free night at one LXR Luxury Resorts hotel (no paid night required), once per year, and privileges at hotel chains like Ritz-Carlton, Leading Hotels of the World, and Amanresorts. All of the benefits mentioned above are for United States-issued cards. American Express Centurion cards issued in other countries may include different benefits. The card has recently added new amenities, including access into the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold, as well as US Airways Platinum Preferred status as of June 1, 2007. As of August 14, 2007, American Airlines Admirals Club access was added to the long list of amenities. A new Centurion card crafted from anodized titanium was issued as a replacement for all plastic U.S. Centurion cards in the first half of 2006, with the titanium version being rolled out to certain other countries as well. Some cardholders have complained that this new card is thicker than a standard credit card and therefore can't be used in some card readers, such as the pumps at many gas stations. Travel benefits include enrollment in: Continental OnePass® Gold Elite Delta Air Lines SkyMiles® Gold Medallion® US Airways Dividend Miles® Platinum Preferred Virgin Atlantic Airways Flying Club Gold 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. Status level at Starwood Hotels & Resorts is now Gold. UK members had access to Virgin Upper Class lounges, but this privilege has been removed. American Express sent an email to about 250,000 customers on September 20, 2006, describing certain benefits of the Centurion card. The email was supposed to be sent to the 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 card membership with a $250,000 annual cash flow through the card account. Additionally, as a token of American Express's appreciation (and in light of the recent membership fee increase), some primary cardholders received a Canon PowerShot SD850 digital camera, beginning in late November/early December 2007. A note from Kenneth Chenault, CEO and Chairman of American Express, was included inside the characteristic black box with a liner captioned "what do you want to capture." Other gifts to cardmembers have included a $2000 Judith Ripka gift card, a $1000 Van Cleef & Arpels gift card (and Reflections of Eternity book), tote bags, Gucci gift card, etc. MORE ABOUT TRAVEL BENEFITS Gold Status for Delta, Continental and US Airways Centurion cardholders qualify for Gold status for Delta Skymiles, Continental Onepass and US Airways Dividend Miles program automatically without having to fly the required miles or number of flights. Gold status brings its perks like check in at First Class counters, double miles when you fly, free upgrades. New: Gold Elite Status with Virgin Atlantic Airways Centurion has just announced that cardholders will now automatically qualify for Gold Status in the Virgin Atlantic Flying Club program. Being a Gold member allows you to earn 50% extra Virgin miles and other extra perks. Secondary cardholders also get this benefit. Centurion Airport Lounge Cardholders can also access Continental’s Presidents Lounge, Delta Crown Room Club and NorthWest Airlines World Club when you are flying on their airlines. You also get access to Priority Pass Lounges regardless of which airlines you fly. Priority Pass has over 450 airport lounges worldwide. Elite Car Rental Program Complimentary memberships are available to centurion holders for both Avis and Hertz. Elite Hotel Status The elite status available to centurion members has been the latest controvesy among cardholders. When the centurion card was first marketed, cardholders automatically qualified as Diamond (Elite) status for Hyatt, Gold Status (mid-tier) for Hilton HHonors program, Platinum status for Starwood Preferred Guest Program, and also elite status for Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts. The perk that was coveted by centurion members was the Platinum Status of the Starwood Preferred Guest program. That was because Starwood has probably the best hotel frequent guest program with no blackout dates and suite upgrades for platinum members. Centurion cardholders often sited the room upgrades from Starwood Hotels essentially cover the cost of the card. Starwood also allows members to transfer points into airmiles at very favorable terms. However, there has been some changes (or rather reduction) to the elite status perks that cardholders now get that has infuriated many centurion members. Firstly, Hyatt is no longer a partner with the centurion program. Hence, cardholders no longer get Gold status membership with Hyatt. But the most important changes are that from February 2007, centurion cardholders will no longer be automatically qualified for platinum status for the Starwood Preferred Gues Program. Instead, they now only qualify for gold status. Gold status can be easily gotten just by having a Starwood Preferred Guest credit card and just charging it in one calendar year. It is harder to get room upgrades and many centurion members are upset about this. Fine Resorts and Hotel Program Centurion has over 550 hotel partners around the world. When you make a reservations through centurion travel service, you will receive room upgrades at check-in when available, continental breakast for two, guaranteed 4pm late checkout and complimentary amenities depending on the hotel property. But the most important perks under this program comes from the Mandarin Oriental and Ritz Carlton. When you book a room at the Ritz Carlton, you will get a room upgrade at the time of your reservations and you will also get a $50 spending credit. For any reservations at the Mandarin Oriental, you will get a room upgrade upon reservation and also another room upgrade at check-in (ie 2 upgrades). You will also receive from centurion a “Buy One Get One Free Night” coupon for each and every Mandarin Oriental Properties (except Mandarin NY). So, if you travel a lot and stay at the Mandarin Oriental, you will get a fantastic deal for each Mandarin Hotel that you stay in. New: Relais & Chateaux Club 5C Centurion has also just announced that cardholders can enroll in the Relais & Chateaux Club 5C program without fulfilling the standard spend and stay requirements. But firstly, what is Relais & Chateaux? It is an association of 460 independent luxury hotels and restaurants with an average capacity of 30 rooms in 51 countries in 5 continents. Their properties are known for their charm, exclusivity and great culnery experience. Relais Gourmands, which is a group within the association, consists of the world’s finest dining establishments. The Club 5C is Relais & Chateaux royalty program. Its main benefits are the VIP Welcome and Discovery Privilege. The VIP Welcome is a special welcome from the staff of the property. The Discovery Privilege is a customize experience prepared for members during their stay. It includes things like a perfume customized specially for you, behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchen, fine wine tasting, and sybaritic spa treatment. Annual Travel Benefit Centurion cardholders will get a $100 statement credit when they book a qualifying vacation package with Centurion Travel service. This benefit can also be combined with other centurion travel benefits like the Cruise Privileges Amenities and Centurion Destination Vacations. This benefit is also available to Platinum Cardholders. Centurion Cruise Privileges and Centurion Destination Vacations Cruise privileges simply mean you will get a $500 shipboard credit when you book a cruise through Centurion Travel service. You can also earn up to 50,000 membership reward points when you book a one-of-a-kind tailored vacation through centurion travel to one of their exclusive resorts. Baggage Insurance If you book your travel tickets using your centurion card, you have up to $1,250 in baggage insurance for your carry-on luggage and $500 in checked-in luggage in addition to the insurance provided by the carrier. Tyler found this feature very helpful as he has had a few experiences where he had a couple of damaged items on board a plane with his carry-on bags. American Express promptly reimbursed him the amount to replace his damaged items. New: Domestic Companion Airfare Program Both the Platinum and Centurion Card have just announced a new domestic companion airfare program. Under this program, you can get a free companion airfare when you use your centurion card to buy a ticket (which cost at least $299) on any of the big six carriers. You can request up to four complimentary tickets a year. You have to book through Airlines Promotion South Inc (API) and you have to meet a few restrictions. These include: 1. Ticket having to be roundtrips (multi-city, one-way and open jaw does not count) 2. 7 days advance booking 3. Saturday night or 2-night midweek stay. 4. A few fare restrictions and blackout dates International Airline Program This feature is actually also available to Platinum cardholders. This is how it works. For every full fare business or first class ticket that you purchase using the centurion card (using centurion travel service), you will get a free companion ticket. Tyler has not used this feature so far. On surface, it looks like a great benefit, but there are many occasions where 2 discounted business class tickets will cost cheaper than one full fare business class tickets. If you always book your tickets last minute and travel business class, you may find this a useful feature. Centurion Villas Centurion has partnered with a few very exclusive partners which enables cardholders to stay at the following exclusive places. They include the Four Seasons Residence Club, LaCURE, The Mansion at MGM Grand in Vegas (you cannot book at stay there even if you wanted to) and other Villas of distinction throughout the world. Exclusive Resorts Centurion has also partnered with many exclusive resorts in over 25 worldwide destinations. These can be booked through centurion travel service. The Limousine Program Booking a limousine through centurion travel service allows you to earn 3 membership reward points for every dollar that you spend on the service. The Limousine can be booked at 1-800-AXP-LIMO or through the centurion travel service. International Communications Solutions This program allows you to receive special pricing when you buy a GSM cell phone (GSM works in more international countries) and use phone plan from Vodafone (at reduced rates). You also get to rent a GSM phone for free is you use the centurion card for 60 days when you are going overseas. I don’t think this is a feature that will be used too often by cardholders though. Private Jet Service The Centurion program has partnered with six leading private jet companies. If you decide to enroll in any of them either through charter, membership or fractional use, you will get extra benefits when you enroll with the centurion card. Space Adventure Spaceflight Club Centurion members receive a complimentary membership with Space Adventures, the world’s premier space tourism company (according to Amex - and probably the only one!). This club is obviously for space enthusiasts, where you get private tours of launch facilities and other perks. Plus you get annual credits that you can use to pay for a suborbital flight!. New: Tour GCX Membership Tour GCX is a membership that provides individual and corporate members with unique access to private golf clubs and other golf experiences. They are able to provide this service because of marketing and business relationships with various prestigious private golf clubs. Centurion cardholders who purchase the membership is allowed to reserve up to 5 tee times (foursomes) at select private golf clubs. The membership cost $3,125. Members also have special access to unique golf experiences like tournaments, pro-ams, clinics, outings and travel packages. Most of the courses are located at the New York Metropolitan areas like Long Island, New Jersey, Weschester County. Courses are also available at Florida, Las Vegas and D.C. LIFESTYLE FOR  VIP Centurion and Departure Magazines Centurion members will get two magazines. The first is the Centurion magazine which is published four times a year. This is kind a like a Robb’s Report on the world of travel, food, wine, fashion and culture. You also get the Departure magazine, which is published seven times a year. Platinum Card members also get the Departure magazine, which is a magazine on luxury lifestyle. Equinox Fitness Club Centurion members who purchase a membership at the Equinox Fitness Club get a centurion preferred rate and receive a package of additional benefits like complimentary personal training sessions, spa treatments, guest passes, Kids’ Club certificates. Platinum members also get this benefit. By Invitation Only, Destination Shopping, Premium Seats and Luxury Seats, Gold Card Events As a centurion card member, you will be getting lots of mails and invitations to exclusive events. Firstly, there is an By Invitation Only which apparently has access to exclusive once-in-a-lifetime events. In their brochure, Amex mentions events like sports, performing arts, epicurean delights, business symposium with distinguish speakers, private vineyard tours during harvesting season! According to Tyler, an example would be a semi-private meal with chef Thomas Keller at Per Se in NYC (I believe it was $1300 per person), or VIP tickets to Sting and backstage passes to meet him (Tyler can’t remember the pricing). Members will also get access to premium seats and luxury suites for sports, entertainment and live events at venues in Los Angeles and New York. You can also have access to the Platinum Lounge from Amex at the STAPLES Center in LA. Centurion has also partnered with many high end retailers where you will receive unique in-store amenities and perks like personal shoppers, VIP rooms, exclusive in-store events, private viewings of collections, trunk shows and private sales. Partners include Bergdorf Goodman, Bulgari, Ermenegildo Zegna, Gucci, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. You will also get access to Gold Card Events where you will be given a chance to buy tickets to sports and entertainment events before tickets go on sale to the public. Amex Gold Card members already have this privilege and perk. Personal Concierge Service, Dining Reservations, Centurion Travel Service While the Platinum Card and other credit cards offer concierge service, the Centurion goes one step further by assigning you your own personal concierge. Tyler told me that all you have to do is to tell them what time are you most likely to call and Centurion will arrange for a concierge personnel who works in the same time zone shift to be your personal concierge. That way, you will most likely to be speaking to the same person who will get to be familiar with your special requests and needs! This is part of the package that Tyler likes the most because he says they are really good. For example, he mentions that on numerous occasions, he was able to get seats in very hard to get restaurants. They may not be the best seats, but at least, he got a table when normally there was no way that was going to happen. He also mentions another occasion where he had a show ticket in Vegas cancelled for no good reason, and centurion concierge managed to get him center seats on the eighth row!. On occasions where his personal concierge was not available, he did experience a couple of incidents where he felt the concierge personnel could have done better, but these occasions (according to him) were rare. Other Improved Features from Gold Card The Centurion card also has features that are found in the regular gold card and even the Platinum Card. However, you get slightly better perks with the Centurion Card. For example, on the Buyers Assurance Plan, centurion cardholders get double the manufacturers warranty for up to five years. For the Gold and Platinum Card, the extension for warranty is only for one year. On their purchase protection plan, centurion members are covered for any product that they purchase on their card for up to 90 days if they are lost, stolen or even damaged by accident or vandalism. You are covered up to $10,000 per occurrence and up to $50,000 per year per cardholder account. Their return policy is similar to the Platinum and Gold Card in that you can return an item you bought and if they retailer or manufacturer refuses to accept it, Amex will refund you for up to $300 per item. You have to return within 90 days. You are allowed to claim up to $1000 a year. How to Get the American Express Centurion Black Card? So how do you get the American Express Centurion Black Card? Well, you can’t apply for one. It is by invitation only. You need to get the American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Card first (you get 10,000 bonus points). If your credit is not exactly stellar, try the American Express® Preferred Rewards Green Card. Word has it that if you spend $250,000 a year on the card, a centurion card in a fancy box will be sent to you. If you really want to get your hands on this card and are a business owner, perhaps getting the Business Gold Rewards Card from OPENSM the small business team and charging all your business expense on it (and paying your bills in full off course) will get you this card sooner than you think. Furthermore, you get 25,000 bonus points, which is enough for a free airline ticket. (Note : you do not need to have a business to apply for this card. Use your name as the business name and your social security as the tax id and you will be treated as a sole proprietor) Some of the AMEX Black Card Competitors Now that the American Express Centurion has gone mainstream, meaning it is everywhere in pop culture, many companies have tried to recreate what American Express has done. Bank of America Accolades Card - 12.24% APR - $500,000 Credit Limit - $295 Annual Fee (Top customers receive the annual back) - Includes Travel Discounts, Concierge, and Private Outings with Different Celebrities Citigroup Chairman American Express Card - Open to Smith Barney and Citi Bank Private Clients - Personal Concierge - Complimentary Companion Airfare - No foreign Currency Transactions - 24hrEmergency Service - $500 Annual Fee Merrill Lynch - 9.99% APR - No Annual Fee - Credit Limit as High as $250,000 - Companion Airfare and Airport Lounge Access - Concierge Service - Up to $1,000,000 Travel Accident Insurance - Free Flight Hours on Marquis Jets for $50,000 + Annual Spenders Stratus Rewards Visa - Known as the “White Card” - Invitation Only or Nomination by Current Member - $1,500 Annual Fee - Private Jet Discounts Coutts & Co World Card - Must be a Client of this Private Bank with $1 million in Banked Assets - UK Based, Queen Elizabeth is a Client - $700 Annual Fee which is Waived for Spenders over $100,00/year Morgan Stanley i24card Halifax Carbon Card   Please visit one of the DeltaQuest Group professional portals by the subject of your interest: Offshore Incorporation & Management, Offshore Bank Accounts & Banking Services, Yacht & Ship  Registration, Offshore Trusts & Assets Protection,  Second Passport & Citizenship.