The credit card most associated with the phrase “black card” is the Centurion® Card from American Express, or the “
Chase Sapphire Reserve® With a $550 annual fee and a $75 authorized user fee, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers the sort of card the Mastercard Black wants to be.
Although Amex doesn't publish requirements for the card—or its perks, for that matter—it typically extends black card invitations only to high earners who have spent and paid off between $350,000 and $500,000 across all of their American Express accounts in a calendar year.
The black card and how to get one
The card is "by invitation only", and to even be considered you'll need to have spent $250,000 on another Amex charge card over the past year. Needless to say, this requires a very high level of income.
The most exclusive credit card is the American Express Centurion Card, also known as the Amex Black Card. It is reportedly reserved for people who spend at least $100,000 per year, and an invitation is needed to apply.
According to Weiss, one of the most recommended cards for high-net-worth individuals is The Platinum Card® from American Express . While this card comes with a wide range of perks that make it seem too good to be true, it also comes with an annual fee of $695 (See Rates), which is higher than most other credit cards.
Visa Infinite is the highest tier you can get and comes with all of the benefits from Traditional and Signature. Many of the Visa Infinite perks offer higher levels of protection compared to the Visa Signature version of the benefits.
But we have it on good authority that celebrities including Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey, and Jerry Seinfeld, who reportedly received the first-ever Black Card, all carry it. Collectively there are thought to be fewer than 20,000 AmEx Centurion cardholders around the world.
How much do you have to make to get Amex's black card? There aren't any income requirements per se, but you most likely need to be a high spender on your Amex cards. If you're in the ballpark of $250,000 to $500,000 in annual spending across all your open Amex cards, you may qualify for the Centurion card.
EDITOR'S OVERVIEW. The Platinum Card® from American Express is the winner over the Mastercard® Black Card. The American Express Platinum card provides frequent travelers with far better features and much more value overall, despite its higher annual fee.
Known simply as the “Black Card,” you need an invitation to get Amex Centurion. And only the super rich and famous can expect to get the call, as it's rumored that you must charge at least $1 million per year to an American Express credit card to even qualify.
No spending limit
There are no preset spending limits with the Amex black card, so you can easily buy big-ticket items that you may not necessarily be able to pay for with other credit cards. Keep in mind, however, that you must pay off your balances in full every month.
Sorry, Black Cards Are By Invitation Only
Loyal American Express cardholders are likely the most commonly invited, a list that includes both long-time business and personal charge card customers. You can now request an invitation to apply.
Naturally, the Luxury Card™ Mastercard® Black Card™ requires an excellent credit score, usually 720 or higher on the FICO index. When being trusted with a high spending limit, you have to have exemplified responsible borrowing behavior in the past, which a strong FICO Score will reflect.
To get an invitation to the card, cardholders must have a minimum of $10 million in assets managed by J.P. Morgan's private bank. It is one of the few invitation-only credit cards in the United States. The closest card by comparison is Centurion® Card from American Express, sometimes referred to as the Amex black card.
Generally, a card issuer invites only their most loyal customers who spend upwards of six-figures or more a year to become a black cardholder.
Is the American Express Gold Card worth the annual fee? If you make use of the card's annual credits and you spend a lot on dining and groceries, the card can be well worth the $250 fee. If you're not maximizing the credits and bonus categories, another card could be a better choice.
Global pop stars Jungkook and Jin of BTS are also reportedly black card holders. Eagle-eyed fans have spotted Jin flashing his black card as he paid for the meals at member Suga's birthday celebration, treating all members of BTS and their staff.
For a Visa Infinite credit card, in order to qualify, you need an income of at least $60,000 personal or $100,000 household. For Visa Infinite Privilege, the income requirements are $200,000 for either personal or household, at least double the Visa Infinite requirements.
The American Express Centurion Card is the most exclusive credit card in the world and commonly known as the “Amex Black Card.” Launched in 1999, American Express has kept it in a shroud of uncertainty, giving it a very high level of status in the minds of consumers.
The answer to which, at least at that moment in time, was a single, crisp $100 bill. It should be noted that the next question Gates answered was “Can I have a million dollars?”, which he tactfully answered by explaining he donates the bulk of his money to needy causes.
Bank of America, Citibank, Union Bank, and HSBC, among others, have created accounts that come with special perquisites for the ultra-rich, such as personal bankers, waived fees, and the option of placing trades. The ultra rich are considered to be those with more than $30 million in assets.