Comments on: Comparing the Visa Black Card With American Express Platinum and Centurion Cards

By: Mark Z.

Mark Z. — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:45:16 +0000

This card is a scam. They set a very low credit limit of $5000 and charge $500 a year in fees. If you ask for them to raise the limit they want to pull another credit report. That would be 2 hard credit checks in 3 days. Obviously this will lower your credit score it will cost you more for all other credit and loans in the future. There is nothing exclusive or prestigious about the Visa Black card. It is just very expensive and will not replace your current high limit credit cards.

By: jim

jim — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:24:28 +0000

I’d gladly pay $2500/yr for the upgrades, etc but you have to be a gazillionaire to get the card.

By: jim

jim — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 22:10:12 +0000

he didnt say that

By: jim

jim — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:53:09 +0000

Wow – thanks for this info – what a scam.

By: mike

mike — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:00:23 +0000

I will absolutely be shredding my invitation to Visa Black even though I could use an Amex alternative (besides debit.) I’ve been an Amex Platinum holder for almost 10 years but at the time of my invite I barely made 40K and didn’t own a thing, so I don’t know exactly how prestigious that is either. I’m betting it has more to do with that lovely yearly fee. This seems like the worst kind of pandering to those who are doing slightly well but want to either believe or pretend they are doing much better. That’s the only reason that silly 1% line was so clearly shown. Like other posters have said, we’re not getting Centurion offers and those who do don’t have to give in to the gimmickry.

By: J Centurion

J Centurion — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 09:32:52 +0000

I am a Centurion card holder. The Centurion card is a very interesting card and a mystery to a lot of people. The visa black card however is not and just a marketing scam in my opinion. A Visa Signature card offers more benefits without a $500 fee. The Amex Platinum card is also a good card if you want the benefits. A true “black card” the centurion card doesn’t need to brag. One who holds a centurion card will know.

By: Alice

Alice — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 03:46:12 +0000

just thought I might throw a few facts out there for anyone curious about whether this card is as exclusive as some of the more known ones. My husband and I are pretty much middle earners, with a combined income of just under 100,00 USD a year- unfortunately we have a lot of rental properties which are worth about half what we bought them for and pay a lot on those mortgages every month (when a few of them go unrented, believe me we dont even feel like middle earners). we are lucky in having good credit scores (last time i think one of us was 770 and one was 730-something). I have received this ‘exclusive’ invitation three times in the last couple of years. (I am the one with the higher credit score) We’re really not wealthy at all, just average middle class people. I get the feeling that no one from amex will be sending us an invitation to get a centurian card any time soon, so I kind of think that this black card might be a bit of gimmick to prey on peoples’ feelings of insecurity.

By: sarah

sarah — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:26:51 +0000

I agree with Erik and I was just sent an offer. $495 to let people know you have a lot of money is idiotic.

By: wb

wb — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 23:43:42 +0000

I’ve been offered one a couple times now and I think it’s stupid. I was hoping there would be some other benefits that aren’t listed in the little invitation letter, but apparently not. I think my (non-platinum) AMEX credit card is a much better deal. I get cash back on all of my purchases, plus all the travel insurance, warranty extension, etc.

This one appears to have even fewer benefits than my amazon visa, barring a concierge service which I have heard horror stories about.

The old AMEX platinum card actually had a really awesome benefit if you were a frequent traveler, in that you could get a free “companion ticket” by paying full fare for any ticket, not to mention the lounge access and whatnot. But, they dropped that benefit and even increased the annual fee.

By: JB

JB — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:30:09 +0000

^^^ Agreed.

By: JB

JB — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:26:41 +0000

There is no entry fee for AmEx Platinum (charge card).

By: JB

JB — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:19:13 +0000

Are you one of the dolts Mike? You seen to know all about them? Why are you posting on this website???

By: JB

JB — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 18:16:03 +0000

Actually, the concierge service is excellent, if you know how to use it to your advantage. For example, I called them to find me all restaurants in my city that had a particular food on its menu. Within 90 minutes they called me with a list and got me a table.

Do you know what, though? I do not think you own an AmEx Platinum because you are ignorant about the benefits.

By: imran

imran — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 14:37:10 +0000

This card is garbage.
I wish I had read about it before I got it.
-Horrible unprofessional customer service. According to the agent on the phone “Credit” Department refused to speak to me on the phone but told her what to tell me. I’m mean really…

-Visa set a really low insulting limit when I have a strong credit score and income – What’s the point then…I’ll stick with my Amex platinum.

-Flimsy bendable card

-Cheap packaging – The platinum amex is better presented in its’ package

-Benefits are a joke a 1st grader would tell

-Only nice thing this card has going is the commercial and the hot girl in it. I bet she doesn’t even have this black card and carries AMEX HA!

-The list goes on and on

Do not get this card…PERIOD!

Better off with AMEX or even the Capital One Venture Card.

By: The Innernette

The Innernette — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 11:36:31 +0000

Elizabetty,

Do you use your American Express Pre-Paid Platinum Debit Card at McDonald’s, or is the jingle just stuck in your head?

By: Lard Sack

Lard Sack — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 11:32:17 +0000

I agree Mr. The Dean. Most people are meant to have the rusty ’93 Chevy Prizm (no A/C). And their credit cards will look like craps because they will be the fake example versions the CC companies send to them once a week letting them know they are approved (and their lives have just become a little less depraved). I do wonder though about how people can even stand the smell of the Prizm interior, all stained with cheap cigarette smoke. This is not to mention the inexpensive plastic (gasp!) of their demo cards.

We Amex Platinum Charge holders are the lucky breed, the pick of the litter, the cream of the crop. We will stop at nothing. We will endlessly look into our wallets for self gratification.

Anything they can do, we can do better!

By: jain

jain — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 16:26:21 +0000

Thanks for the right up. I just got an invitation to the Visa Black Card (and wanted to know more). I think I will just go with the Visa Signature Card after reading this post.

By: avt

avt — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 08:36:03 +0000

I am a Centurion member for over ten years and I have to say, I agree with above negative comments. It really is a total waste of money and I am changing to a Platinum card – or even the normal green one, for heavens sake.
The services a member supposedly receives are totally, absolutely useless in every way. I have only used them in absolute emergency, and every time have been disappointed. As one comment above suggests, if a restaurant or a show is full – it’s full! A table or a seat is not magically going to appear just because someone is waving around a black metal card.
Also, I find that the services I receive in my home country (not the US) are much, much more expensive than anywhere else in the world, for the same or less actual experience than what other purchasers are buying from other places, regardless of which card they use. The only possible benefit this card has ever brought is being able to scare nasty, ill-behaved shop assistants. That’s it. I found this site because I was researching another type of charge card that isn’t so needlessly expensive but had hopefully better service. Looks like they are a bit cheaper but otherwise the same.

By: Dean

Dean — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 02:28:23 +0000

The American Express Platinum Card is not for everyone, if you can ‘t afford the membership, don’t get one. The American Express Platinum Card is like a BMW and Mercedes, everyone is not ment to have one.

By: John

John — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 17:58:31 +0000

“Your” grammar is equally a joke. :)

By: JC

JC — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 03:52:38 +0000

You must be going to some real exclusive venues….If the AMEX concierge called any decent nightclub in the meat packing district in NYC you would get laughed at at the door.

By: jdub

jdub — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 06:08:06 +0000

huh? did you get mailed the wrong card? i have a carbon visa black and it is awesome! whenever i hand it over to merchants, they always ask me how the heck did i get one of these. it totally feels like carbon. you better call visa up and ask them if they gave you a demo card or something.

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 25 May 2011 21:34:15 +0000

Lobby away. Your reps in congress will never consider your silly request. Interest rates for credit cards will always be higher because it is unsecured debt.

It is a relatively simple concept:
- the lower the credit score, the greater the risk
- the greater the risk, the greater the interest rate

Businesses do not force people to obtain and use credit cards.

In addition, the U.S. government has a federal law called: The Truth in Lending Act. I have attached a Wikipedia site (Should be easy for you to understand).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truth_in_Lending_Act

By: Nick

Nick — Wed, 25 May 2011 21:16:36 +0000

Lol. That guy Erik is an idiot. I appreciate you putting him in his place.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 17 May 2011 23:14:19 +0000

I’m loving your reply…

By: David

David — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 17:19:07 +0000

In comparing the AMEX Platinum card vs. Visa Black card I have chosen to keep the AMEX Platinum. The AMEX Platinum is equivalent to carrying three cards in one, a charge card, has the option to pay over time, pay in full, and a debit card. Yes, a debit card, you can link you AMEX Platinum card to your checking account and be able to withdraw a very high daily amount way above the normal debit card limit imposed by the banks. Helps when traveling overseas when in areas where no credit cards of any kind are accepted and cash is king. AMEX goes out of there way to keep customers informed of the latest, travel hot spots, food, restaurants, and bespoke items available around the world. Information is power. One day before leaving for a business trip to mainland China my AMEX card broke in half, I use it that much, I called AMEX immediately that after noon by the time I was ready to leave the next morning a new card was sent to me. There is a host of other great features that go along with the card that I find very useful. I look at the AMEX card as Swiss Army knife of cards, multiple functions available for a Global citizen. The Visa Black card on the other hand is worthless unless you are trying to impress people. Airport access limited to two free visits, after that a fee. Plus with Visa Black card airport access program you have to carry an additional card with you. I don’t like having to carry extra cards. Information about upcoming events printed on craft paper with Visa Black. Do you relay want to be around people who value / judge a person character based on the card you carry? The cost of the card and the benefits a person gets is very little. If a person must have a card other than AMEX I’m very happy with my Visa Signature card and it’s free. Visa Black Card has a long way to go to improve options for its customers in addition to services offered to warrant it’s annul fee. One plus for Visa Black card while your on hold for a while you do get to listen to lady with a very nice European / British accent.
I’m not employed by AMEX just a very happy customer who has enjoyed the value of great service both locally and internationally with AMEX since 1991.

By: James

James — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 05:18:02 +0000

Sven, you must’ve gotten the fool card. I have never heard of Amex waiving the annual fee on their Platinum CHARGE card. Furthermore, the CHARGE CARDhas NO LIMITS (within reason). Your $6k / month spending limit is for the Platinum CREDIT CARD, which is not the card we are talking about here.

And for the record, I also received a Platinum Credit Card from Amex 12 years ago after graduating college. I have a platinum charge card now, and there’s a world of difference.

By: JS

JS — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 04:04:17 +0000

hahaha, what a joke

By: JS

JS — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 04:01:53 +0000

You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about…as an AmEx Business Card Associate, I can tell you that if you do not have AT LEAST 100k in earnings per year, you will NOT qualify for AmEx Platinum Charge Card (perhaps the Credit Card, but that’s nothing special at all). Also, the minimum credit limit is $20,000, so you’re 6,000 credit limit, is a JOKE

By: John

John — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 17:55:23 +0000

I hope you guys realize that the Visa Black Card, under no circumstances would be able to meet to prestige and benefits of a Platinum, or certainly of the Centurion car by Amex. The benefits of Amex are amazing, you get access to Lounges in Airports if you’re not already flying First or Business. Also, many many hotel and luxurious benefit. (i.e. Late check-outs,free nights, room upgrades on the spot)

By: Kait

Kait — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:49:39 +0000

My parents have centurion cards and I understand that this card is not practical for most people, but if someone can afford it it’s not a “waste of money”. My parents are almost always upgraded to first class, they fly often and rack up points which are equivalent to frequent flyer miles which can be “cashed in” for other plane tickets, they get to enter the vip private lounges at airports and train stations which are usually exclusive for airline members who pay an annual fee, the more you spend the more points you gain which are “banked” and can be cashed in for different things that come in a monthly booklet such as gift cards for different department stores, restaurants airlines etc. We also can buy concert tickets before they go on sale to the general public to have first choice for seats. Sometimes my mother gets personal shoppers at places like Saks department store for no extra cost for having the card, once when I was with her they brought us into the VIP lounge for lunch and champagne, i never even knew that Saks had a VIP lounge.

By: Roger McBride

Roger McBride — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 23:52:42 +0000

I’ve been a customer of American Express International Bank since 1984, and they have always provided me with an AMEX card tied to my account at no extra charge. Before 2000 it was a Platinum card, and then they upgraded it to a Centurion card. The only other card I carry is a zero fee / cash back MC because there are a few places that don’t take AMEX. The Centurion card is wonderful, although I think most of what I use is also available to Platinum cardholders. There are huge discounts on lots of things, such as a free companion ticket on international flights, which are clearly worth more than a $2500 fee. In addition, all my company expenses go through it (about $10k / mo), and my banker is nice enough to hand me a spread sheet every week in a format ready to hand in for reimbursement. I just have to delete my personal expenses. But the concierge service is the best. They can’t do the impossible, like get you seats at sold out restaurants on 10 minutes notice. But they do produce great seats to sold out sporting events and concerts with 2-3 days notice and they managed to get us a medical evacuation on a private jet from the boondocks of Turkey when my daughter had a perforated appendix. For me, the card is worth it.

By: Z

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:34:43 +0000

Most people will never benefit from havong an Amex Platinum/centurion card… However, if you are a business owner, often travel out of the country, or have elderly parents whose travel you book- the card is justifiable in the least and beneficial at best. The Amex platinum card offers a 20% discount on mileage tickets booked through the site… At our pace, i will have no problem booking 2-3 100,000 mile tickets every year with the mileage program. The 20% mileage savings on 300,000 miles (60,000 miles) equates to $600 discount. The seperate travel insurance that i bought for my elderly parents whr. I took them with me to Mexico cost me $400 this last December (you ought to price what it costs to have this extraction done… Often many 10′s of $1000s. The $200 aitline credit also works… So every year by owning this card and simply using it to purchase trips id have taken anyway, and buy travel insurance id have bout anyway i stand to save anywhere between $600 and $1500 after deducting the annual fee for the card while also gaining access to the numerous airport clubs, etc. Again, for most people its not worth it… But dont be dismissive like i was at first. Look at the benefits and do the math!

By: Kid A

Kid A — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 03:58:37 +0000

I’m 11 and my dad has a centurion card. He very easily makes the minimum charges per year. It is really cool when he takes me to a really nice dinner that costs like 300 dollars. We always get upgraded when we stay at a ritz caralton ( 5 times a year ). We always fly first class. We go to the special lounge while we wait for out flight at the airport.

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 16:32:33 +0000

I believe db was saying that 1% of the population can QUALIFY, but about 10% will be accepted…hence, 300,000 people.

By: Chris P

Chris P — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:13:30 +0000

Nice post, AMEX employee

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 08:40:42 +0000

You clearly dont have either of these cards. The concierge service is BS. All they do is call up the restaurant for you, and if there are no tables available, they still wont be able to get you a reservation…

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 22:23:37 +0000

I have a card that gives me 1.5% cash back on all purchases. I pay my bill in full every month, have never paid the credit card company a dime in interest or fees. They have paid me thousands of dollars over the years. It’s much better to make money off credit card companies than pay them fees and interest. I understand I’m a “dead beat” according to credit card companies, since they make no money off me.

By: James

James — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 07:10:39 +0000

I carry a platinum American express for the sole purpose of extra travel insurance. I have the opportunity to carry both a black visa and American express but I simply don’t see the purpose to it, except to come off as a snob. I prefer to use the normal green cards.

By: Ford

Ford — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 18:15:41 +0000

I resemble that remark, Rob. I love my old Ford.

By: Ed Brunswick

Ed Brunswick — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 19:45:39 +0000

Was checking out the Visa website and your comments came up. I am not going to get the VISA BC. Thier website is very misleading and I thought I could save some money because I have the Centurion card for myself and my wife ($4000 annually.) We travel quite a bit so the concierge service is great. Thank you so much for your timely and truthful comments.

By: Notamoron

Notamoron — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:41:49 +0000

I can pretty much afford anything I want in life but would never, ever pay a monthly fee for a credit card. I pay it off monthly and only use a card that pays me back a %. I have not paid for an airline ticket in 5 years and probably never will….. I am lobbying my reps in congress to force card companies to pay interest on payments made above monthly balance at the same rate as their highest interest charges..Just wan’t to hear those crooks howl. lol

By: Giovanni

Giovanni — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 05:21:13 +0000

I have a Platinum Express card as well, while they do not offer the domestic companion ticket they do offer $200 per year credit on any airline you register on their website. Plus if you have premier fidelity account the annual fee is only $300.

By: Idiot

Idiot — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:58:07 +0000

Nice to meet you. My name is Idiot.

By: tony

tony — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:00:56 +0000

I AGREE WITH YOU,I HAVE A COUPLE OF BLACK CARDS THAT LOOK THE SAME AS THE VISA BLACK CARD WHICH I HAVE.I LIKE THE NO FEE FOR THE CARD.
GOOD TIP, THANKS TONY D

By: SeanNY

SeanNY — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 21:27:20 +0000

Cash back? Really?

By: Jdub

Jdub — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 17:50:22 +0000

Funny but true. Lol.

By: vi_6_six

vi_6_six — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 21:08:33 +0000

^^^ haha

By: chad milner

chad milner — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 21:26:20 +0000

As an Amex centurion cardmember for 4 years and a VISA black cardmember for 1 year I can say that I am not happy with either company. Amex has lowered their “invisible limits” and VISA black is just a black plastic card. It is nice having the concierge service available while travelling but probably not worth all the extra cost. The only real benefit I see to Amex Centurion is the fact that most people have never seen one, the problem with that is you have to end up paying for dinner just for peoole to see it.

By: rob

rob — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 06:38:00 +0000

this reminds me of people who say the Porsche is the car for middle earners who pretend they r driving a ferrari…. Usualy they drive Ford.