Another Look at the Black Card

June 2008
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[aside headline="Primary Benefits" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]

  • Members are automatically eligible for gold level elite status with Continental, Delta, and Virgin mileage programs; platinum status with US Airways.
  • Premium lounge access to American’s Admirals Club, Continental’s Presidents Club, Delta’s Crown Room, Northwest’s WorldClubs, and Virgin Atlantic’s lounges.
  • VIP privileges at Centurion partner hotels: Aman Resorts, Mandarin Oriental, Orient Express, The Peninsula, Raffles, Ritz-Carlton, and more.
  • Elite status in hotel loyalty programs: Hilton HHonors-Gold, Priority Club Platinum, Starwood Gold.
  • Elite status in auto-rental loyalty programs: Avis President’s Club, Hertz #1 Club Gold, National’s Emerald Club.
  • Complimentary companion tickets with the purchase of a full-fare ticket on international flights through 18 airlines.
  • VIP shopping privileges at Bergdorf Goodman, Gucci, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sony, and more.

[/aside]

The Centurion Card, American Express’ top card (a.k.a. the Black Card for its color), is no longer by invitation only. The annual fee has also gone up from $1,000 to $2,500, even for those who have had the card from the beginning. Obtaining a card in the US requires minimum annual spending of $250,000 (with another Amex card), exceptional credit history, and significant financial assets. (Sometimes these can be waived if you’re a celebrity, or just persistent, I’ve been told.) Requirements in other countries can differ slightly. There is a $5,000 one-time initiation fee.

While there are a number of benefits, the most valuable to travelers are the complimentary elite status memberships. See chart below for details. More: (800) 297-3333.

[table_opt style="gray-header" id="1595 " width="" alignment="center" responsive="all" heading="thcenter" rows="tdcenter"]

[aside headline="Primary Benefits" alignment="alignright" width="half" headline_size="default"]

  • Members are automatically eligible for gold level elite status with Continental, Delta, and Virgin mileage programs; platinum status with US Airways.
  • Premium lounge access to American’s Admirals Club, Continental’s Presidents Club, Delta’s Crown Room, Northwest’s WorldClubs, and Virgin Atlantic’s lounges.
  • VIP privileges at Centurion partner hotels: Aman Resorts, Mandarin Oriental, Orient Express, The Peninsula, Raffles, Ritz-Carlton, and more.
  • Elite status in hotel loyalty programs: Hilton HHonors-Gold, Priority Club Platinum, Starwood Gold.
  • Elite status in auto-rental loyalty programs: Avis President’s Club, Hertz #1 Club Gold, National’s Emerald Club.
  • Complimentary companion tickets with the purchase of a full-fare ticket on international flights through 18 airlines.
  • VIP shopping privileges at Bergdorf Goodman, Gucci, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sony, and more.

[/aside]

The Centurion Card, American Express’ top card (a.k.a. the Black Card for its color), is no longer by invitation only. The annual fee has also gone up from $1,000 to $2,500, even for those who have had the card from the beginning. Obtaining a card in the US requires minimum annual spending of $250,000 (with another Amex card), exceptional credit history, and significant financial assets. (Sometimes these can be waived if you’re a celebrity, or just persistent, I’ve been told.) Requirements in other...

[["<strong>Airline\/Mileage Program<\/strong>","<strong>Status<\/strong>","<strong>Upgrades<\/strong>","<strong>Upgrade Confirmation<\/strong>","<strong>Mileage Bonuses<\/strong>","<strong>Elite Travel Services<\/strong>"],["Continental \/ OnePass","Gold","Complimentary and companion upgrades","3 days before departure","100%","Priority waitlist for award seats, standby for international awards, better award availability, elite priority lines, EliteAccess check-in, security screening, boarding, baggage handling, SkyTeam Elite travel benefits, preferred economy class seating."],["Delta \/ SkyMiles","Gold","Complimentary and companion upgrades","3 days before departure","100%","Priority waitlist, priority seating, preferred seating, special member services desk, special check-in privileges, SkyTeam benefits, sameday confirmed fee waiver, same-day airport standby option. "],["US Airways \/ Dividend Miles","Platinum","Complimentary and companion upgrades","4 days before departure","75%","Buy upgrades to Envoy Sleeper anytime, no blackout dates for award travel, personal reservation service, Star Alliance Gold Status, priority check-in and boarding. Priority: security lanes, baggage and standby, extra baggage allowance, standby fees waived. USAirways Club membership discount."],["Virgin Atlantic Flying Club","Gold","n\/a","n\/a","50%","Priority listing on fully booked flights, top-tier priority boarding (Upper Class check-in), fast-tracked immigration and security via private security channel (plus guest), baggage bonus, clubhouse (plus guest), Revivals lounge, guaranteed economy seat (3 day advance), access to the bmi business lounge at London Heathrow."]]
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