I had lunch with a wealthy friend today, and at the end of the meal he pulled out his black American Express card, which is now made of anodized titanium. The Amex Black Card is one of those legends that just had to become true: according to Wikipedia, American Express decided to launch the card only after urban legends of a mysterious, super-powerful credit card had circulated around the country.
Here's the problem, though: a titanium credit card is very impractical. For one thing, it makes your wallet noticeably heavier. The titanium interferes with some swipe machines, so you find yourself having to hand over your Black Card to shopkeepers for them to punch in the numbers by hand. And it sets off airport metal detectors.
That's when I realized: it's enforced conspicuous consumption. This card literally demands to be seen. "Excuse me, Mr. Low-Paid TSA Worker. Will you take my black titanium credit card through the security machine?" or "Excuse me, Ms. Overworked Waitress. Will you pay special attention to my black titanium credit card?"
All this just annoys my friend, who is an inconspicuous consumer and preferred the old plastic version. I guess Amex feels they need to offer something weighty to folks spending $2,500 a year for the privilege of carrying a limited-edition credit card.
(Oh, and that's my finger.)
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July 10, 2006 3:48 PM
I hope he (conspicuously) paid for your lunch, too.
July 10, 2006 6:54 PM
Might your friend be female and single? ;) "The card is available only by invitation and, as of January 1, 2006, requires minimum annual spending of $250,000 on another American Express card"
July 10, 2006 11:41 PM
And while I'm at it, Dave hit on the joke I was about to make. ;) But still. Wow.
July 18, 2006 1:31 AM
i just got my titanium one today and used it at the gas station, it makes a noise like nails on a chalk board, its heavy too, i am suprised to find that it would set off an airport metal detector when my watch doesnt, oh well
September 1, 2006 7:20 PM
The Titanium card is not that heavy. You would think so but it is not. It is only about as heavy as three cards made of plastic. You also do not need to be invited. Just spend 250 grand in a year on your Amex card and ask to be approved for it. That's all you have to do. If you own a business or two, you should be able to put most of your expenses on your Amex card and run it up really fast. Ciao
September 6, 2006 9:54 PM
I have taken my concierge amex card (the balck card) through metal detectors around the world and it has NEVER set them off. It does take 250k in charges to qualify but I more than made up for the annual fees with some of their upgraded services. Only relevant for international travelers who stay in first rate hotels and sit in business or first. That isn;t everybody, but it works for me.
September 10, 2006 7:42 PM
I was unaware of the "black card" until I scanned one over the summer for a customer. I handed it back to him while curiosly mentioning something about how it was pretty cool and he brought up the point that it is not only a credit card, but also a weapon. =) Now if i could only spend $250k a year to get myself a little self defense to put in my wallet....
September 22, 2006 7:10 AM
For an annual fee of $2,500 you'd think that Amex would offer double, triple or even quadruple flight miles for each dollar spent. Is any mileage reward program offered on the Black Card that is not otherwise available on other Amex offerings? I had the Amex Gold Rewards card until today when I cancelled it, due to the fact that Amex stopped the double mileage reward program for "everyday spending" at grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations. They gave some lame excuse that "not enough people were using the points" so instead they are offering a mall of sorts where you can SPEND the miles you already have, or will earn at the paltry rate of one point (one cent) for every dollar spent. Makes sense to me -- not! Whatever color Amex cards come in, they need to work on getting theri cards accepted at more retailers, salons, doctors and other service providers. Increasingly, Amex seems to be business, travel, and restaurant card. While those sectors alone represent a lot of business, they pale in comparison to the total universe of retailers world wide who happily accept MasterCard and Visa.
September 29, 2006 3:06 PM
I would not mind have it anyway!
May 28, 2007 7:37 AM
LOL, I don't believe what I am reading, its amazing what kind of theories people make up about something they don't have, I mean card is heavy ? gimme a break dude....nobody force anyone to have one or I should say use one if you got it, I live in EU where most of places accept AMEX so its great to have one, especially for flight tickets or hotel room upgrades, in USA I mostly use VISA debit card.....although, who really cares, its a pleasure of owner to have privileges, not Yours or waiter or whatever.....yeah....I own one as well....
August 16, 2007 12:20 AM
ever been attacked by rats on your way home...fuckers.. a toyainilm card can work as a throwing star 2.. but its not out yet...2 months 4 the real one
pirate percy
October 25, 2007 11:01 AM
I WORK IN A HIGH END MALL AND SEE VERY FEW PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS BLACK BEAUTY CARD---AND I WONDER HOW IT CAN BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE --- IF ANYBODY WHO DOES HAVE THIS POWERFUL CARD--PLEASE CALL ME :)
October 25, 2007 11:11 AM
the first thing that comes to me when i see a man with black amex card is POWER ,then comes looks,they get alot more attractive with that power.hope to see one out there somewhere??
November 3, 2007 1:35 PM
THERE ARE ONLY 2500 AMERICAN EXPRESS BLACK CARD HOLDERS IN THE UNITED STATES ,VERY RARE TO KNOW SOME ONE WHO HAS ONE,ALSO THIS CARD IS THE HARDEST TO GET YOU REALLY HAVE TO BE SOMEONE TO GET IT--NOT A AVERAGE JOE !!!good luck to all--and if you are reading this right now you probably dont have one just like me !!!!!!!
November 7, 2007 11:05 PM
Funny, the large amount of titanium coils holding my brain aneursym in place has never set off a Security access point. Maybe the black card has "very special" titanium. But I don't think so.
November 16, 2007 10:57 AM
There are FAR more than 2500 Centurion cardholders in the US. You can be a nobody and have a Centurion...
September 17, 2008 10:49 PM
Why doesn't your friend just use the supplementary plastic one that comes with it? Sounds like he does like the titanium.
October 5, 2008 4:35 AM
Well the card can actually get you in clubs, VIP events and lounges without paying entrance fee, just flash it to the security guy. I swear to that!
November 16, 2008 11:29 AM
Titanium is heavy? Sets off metal detectors? I don't think you know what you're talking about.
February 11, 2009 10:48 PM
Credit Cards are meant to make payments and the only really impressive thing is for the charge to be approved no matter what the card looks like.
Black, Platinum, Titanium or whatever, all have pretty strict limits contrary to common belief. Limits are set by expending patern and so the holder of a black card expects approval of payment for his first class ticket for a few thousand just like Joe Doe spects to pay for his bargain return trip ticket for a couple of hundred with his Discover Card and both are subject to be denied.
A Visa or MC DEBIT card go much further with the right balance in the Bank and that is what is used by any serious big spender who does not take any chances of refusals.
May 16, 2009 3:34 AM
TITANIUM CARDS ARE BIG FAT JOKE. AND JERKS WHO ALWAYS GO AROUND LIKE, "LOOK AT MY EXPENSIVE SUIT, MY WATCH ,MY PHONES" NOW THEY CAN ADD THIS AS WELL , "LOOK AT MY TITANIUM CARD".JUST A SHOW OFF!!!