Kirra wrote:
What is a black American Express card?
Its an AMEX with no limit and other cool stuff. For people with lots of moneys.
http://www.snopes.com/business/bank/blackcard.aspQuote:
In 1999 American Express announced the introduction of its Centurion™ card. Available
only by invitation to selected Platinum card members, this black credit card promises to
simplify the lives of the harried rich. In exchange for its hefty annual fee (initially
$1,000 US, but now $2,500), cardholders receive automatic upgrades on fifteen of the
world's leading airlines. They also receive assistance in securing hard-to-come-by tickets
for popular events, reservations at trendy restaurants, and shopping for Christmas
gifts. Someone from the service will even call to remind cardholders of upcoming
anniversaries. It is akin to having a personal concierge always on call.
"There had been rumors going around that we had this ultra-exclusive black card for
elite customers," says Doug Smith, director of American Express Europe. "It wasn't
true, but we decided to capitalize on the idea anyway. So far we've had a customer buy
a Bentley and another charter a jet."
Other card member tales:
One cardholder wanted to locate and purchase the horse ridden by Kevin Costner
in Dances Zith WolYes. The horse was located in a stud ranch in Mexico,
purchased and delivered to Europe.
Another cardholder wanted a handful of sand from the Dead Sea for a child's
school project on the Holy Land. Someone was dispatched by motorcycle to the
shores of the Dead Sea to obtain the sand, which was couriered back to London.
Yet another cardholder required American Express to organize a wedding,
including designing the wedding card, drawing maps to direct guests to the
banquet, renting tuxedos and shoes for guests, and preparing the hotel room
with a jacuzzi for the wedding night.
And for another cardholder who aspired to be an actress and wanted to be part
of the crew of a weekly soap opera on TV, American Express contacted the
director and arranged for an audition.
According to cardholder and record producer Nellee Hooper, the Centurion "arrives at
your house with a security guard. You get this big, black, velvet-lined box, with a
special mini-computer and two black cards in it, one for business, one for pleasure.