The American Express Centurion "Black Card" Infographic

AMERICAN EXPRESS CENTURION "THE BLACK CARD" Rarely seen, always recognized AMERICANEXPRESS The American Express® Centurion® card is unarguably one of the world's most exclusive cards. This fabled card has only grown in popularity after being introduced by American Express in 1999. From hip-hop moguls, to bíllionaire playboys, the Centurion card's cachet is legendary. Just don't call it a credit card. 3745 612345/ 11008 58 JL BENJAHIN WANT ONE? HERE'S HOW TO GET IT We should let you know that the Centurion card is by invitation only. 1. Spend Requirements $ SPEND OF AT LEAST $250,000 A YEAR $250,000 is the speculated amount of dollars that need to pass through your existing American Express charge, or credit card, per year before you are even considered for the Centurion card. 2. Net Worth Requirements $16.3 MILLION IN ASSETS + $1.3 MILLION INCOME The average Centurion cardholder has $16.3 million in assets and an annual household income of $1.3 million. While American Express is tight-lipped on the specific requirements, newly minted millionaires may not even qualify. 3. Credit Requirements IMPECCABLE CREDIT SCORE + CREDIT REPORT Considering the no pre-set spending limit with the Centurion card, a clean credit report is critical to be considered for invitation. Having a blemish free credit report, a credit score in the elite 800 range, and an extensive credit history, just might improve your chances– but alone are far from securing a Centurion card. THE CENTURION CARD BENEFITS For a card that is incredibly hard to obtain, the benefits ought to match its world class reputation. Let's explore just a few of the elite benefits afforded to Centurion cardholders. 24/7 Dedicated Personal Concierge Program Need front row tickets to the hottest show of the year? How about extended shopping hours at your favorite luxury retailer? Need to charter a jet for a week away in the Maldives? No request is unreasonable for your personal Centurion concierge. Automatic Premium Status at the World's Leading Hotels It's speculated that Centurion cardholders are automatically upgraded to premium tier status at several hotel brands, including: Rítz Carlton, Mandarin Oriental Four Seasons and others. Automatic Premium Status at Leading Auto Rental Outlets Centurion cardholders presumably enjoy instant premium tier upgrades at several car rental outlets including Hertz, Avis and others. Automatic Premium Status on Leading Airline Carriers One of the biggest reported perks is the companion ticket, global fee credits, and instant frequent flier program upgrades just for being a Centurion cardholder. Standing Reservations for Cardholders at Select Restaurants Centurion cardholders are presumably entitled to standing reservations at fine dining establishments worldwide such as: Nobu, Smith & Wollensky, and Per Se among others. No Pre-set Spending Limits Perhaps the most well known perk of the Centurion card is that it features no pre-set spending limit. Of course, charges must be paid off in full each month- though stories of extravagant purchases are common among cardholders. Other programs are speculated to include an auto 7 purchasing program, charter jet discount program, and other world-class perks for Centurion cardholders. DID YOU KNOW? FACT #1 THE CENTURION CARD IS MADE FROM ANODIZED TITANIUM FACT #2 THE INITIATION FEE IS $7,500 AND THE ANNUAL FEE IS $2,500 *In the United States FACT #3 THE CENTURION CARD IS AVAILABLE BY INVITATION ONLY FACT #4 6% OF CENTURION CARD HOLDERS SAY THEY OWN A HYUNDAI FACT #5 THERE IS A BUSINESS AND PERSONAL VERSION OF THE CARD THEY DID WHAT?! Given that the Centurion cardholders are among the wealthiest individuals in the world, many are limited only by their imagination. There have been incredible concierge stories and accounts of extravagant purchases all completed with Centurion card. $52 MILLION The amount spent for a private jet by Victor Shvetsky by à Centurion cardholder. This is rumored to the be the largest Centurion purchase on record. A Centurion cardholder reportedly purchased a Bentley with the card. Approximate price: $300,000 Centurion concierge apparently tracked down Kevin Costner's horse from Dances with Wolves and delivered it to a buyer in Europe. ANNUAL FEES With the popularity of the card combined with the explosion of wealth in new emerging markets around the world, the Centurion card has been made available to a host of countries worldwide. The reported annual fees vary from $2,000 to as high as $5,450 per year. UNITED STATES $2,500 UNITED KINGDOM $3,000 SWITZERLAND $4,500 AUSTRALIA $5,000 THE (LESS THAN) 1% JAPAN $4,550 The average Centurion card holder earns north of $1,300,000 per year. There are an estimated 400,000 individuals in the US who earn nearly $1,000,000 per year or more. HONG KONG S5,000 SINGAPORE $4,000 MEXICO $4,000 BRAZIL $2,000 ISREAL $2,000 With a US population of 314,000,000 people, less than a tenth of 19% hypothetically would qualify for a Centurion card based on speculated requirements. RUSSIA $3,500 TAIWAN $5,450 CHINA $2,950 $1,000 $2.000 $3,000 $4,000 $5,000 Credit Card Insider is your trusted credit resource, providing plain-language guidance from seasoned industry veterans. We are advocates of the responsible use of credit, búilding and managing your credit history, and making informed decisions when selecting a credit card." EB insider CREDIT CARD Your responsible credit resource CreditCardinsider.com Infographic Sources Sullivan, Paul, "American Express's New Service for Its Wealthiest Cardholders", The New York Times, January 24, 2011 "Have a Black Card? Buy a Hyundai." http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2011/07/08/have-a-black-card-buy-a- hyundai Lent, Robert; Selling Luxury: Connect with Affluent Customers, Create Unique Experiences Through Impeccable Service. and Close the Sale. ISBN: 0470457996 All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. %24