Black credit cards are premium cards with high credit limits and exclusive benefits.
To qualify for a black credit card, a customer must have a good credit rating and a high spending volume.
American Express Centurion® Card, World Elite Mastercard® and Visa Infinite® are the best-known black credit cards from the major credit card providers.
On top of the black credit cards designed for private customers, there are also premium business credit cards available.
What is a black credit card?
A black credit card is a premium credit card with special benefits, such as comprehensive insurance packages and access to airport lounges or concierge services.
The card design is always black and plain – exuding luxury. Premium cards offered by major credit card companies include American Express Centurion Card, Mastercard World Elite and Visa Infinite. Because of their high-end additional services, they are popular among business customers and the wealthier private users.
A black credit card is generally viewed as a sign of status and wealth. The most expensive credit card in the world, Sberbank’s Visa Infinite Card, costs a whopping $100,000. Just to manufacture the card is said to cost $65,000. The diamond-encrusted card is made of gold and issued by the Kazakhstan branch of Sberbank.
Although the black color is associated with the most exclusive credit cards, it is not unique to them. The black design is not protected and is now used by card issuers for regular cards as well.
What credit card colors are available?
In addition to black credit cards and the standard classic credit cards (without a specific color), you can usually find credit cards also in gold and platinum.
In many European countries, Visa offers four different types of credit cards. Their names and availability may vary by country.
The exact terms and conditions are always determined by the card issuer, but here’s a general overview.
Classic. Many customers receive this Visa card free of charge when they open a bank account. It is accepted worldwide both online and in-store, as well as at ATMs.
Gold. The Gold card provides even more flexibility, for example, through a higher credit limit. What’s more, customers often receive insurance benefits and discounts at selected retailers.
Platinum. Customers with a high transaction volume have access to the Platinum card and benefit from even more extensive additional services.
Infinite. This is the black Visa card and it comes with the most exclusive services. These include a personal concierge service and access to airport lounges.
The credit card tiers depend always on the card provider. This means that you can’t necessarily compare the cards very easily.
But a good rule of thumb: the card in the highest tier is usually the black credit card.
Who qualifies for a black credit card?
There are no uniform qualification rules. Instead, the black card requirements depend on the card provider.
But generally speaking, customers with a good credit rating and a high spending volume are usually eligible for a black credit card.
With some card providers, you can apply for the card once you reach a minimum spending threshold. Other credit card providers, on the other hand, offer the premium card by invitation only.
Who is the premium credit card suitable for?
Black credit cards are best suited for private and business customers who want more flexibility to their finances and who travel a lot.
One advantage of a premium credit card is its high credit limit. Unlike with a debit card connected to your current account, the amount you spend is only billed at the end of the billing period – not directly charged from your account.
Frequent travelers in particular will benefit from the extensive insurance packages. Premium cards usually come with extra safety, such as international health, luggage or car rental insurance.
And of course, they make air travel more comfortable. Access to airport lounges all over the world is certainly a plus.
The exact cost of a black credit card is determined by the issuing company and it depends on the additional services offered.
When choosing a premium card, pay attention to the following fees and costs:
Monthly fees. Fixed fees are usually charged either monthly or annually.
Service fees. Withdrawals and payments are usually free but additional services might be charged separately. You can find all fees in the card provider's fee schedule.
Foreign currency fees. Some providers charge surcharges for paying in a foreign currency.
But don’t worry if a black credit card doesn’t fit your budget. Some card providers also offer free cards with a smaller range of services.
What is the credit limit of a black credit card?
The card issuer makes the credit decision based on their individual assessment so there’s no one preset credit limit automatically applied to all black cards. But it’s safe to say that credit limits available for these premium cards can be very high, easily going up to tens of thousands of euros (or even more).
The credit limit may also depend on the card type: whether the card is a credit card or a so-called charge card.
With a credit card, you don’t have to pay your total balance at once but the unpaid part will accrue interest. With a charge card, you have to pay off the whole bill at the end of the billing period.
Visa Infinite vs. AMEX Centurion vs. Mastercard World Elite
Visa, Mastercard and American Express are the world's largest credit card companies and all three offer black credit cards. Here’s a quick overview of the best-known premium cards on the market.
Visa Infinite
With this Visa card in your pocket, you are covered by a comprehensive travel insurance package and have access to airport lounges worldwide. A 24/7 concierge service adds a touch of extra luxury. Personal assistance is always just a phone call away.
Mastercard World Elite
With the World Elite Mastercard, you get various insurance benefits and extra security against threats like identity theft. Cardholders also enjoy special discounts from selected partners.
Like most premium cards, the black Mastercard grants you access to airport lounges and exclusive events around the world.
American Express Centurion Card
The black AMEX card is only available by personal invitation from the credit card provider.
It is the most exclusive card from American Express. Only a small number of customers have access to the Centurion card. There are plenty of rumors about the qualification requirements and admission process but AMEX doesn’t disclose details about it.
The Centurion card comes with numerous extra amenities, such as a priority pass for airport lounges, concierge service, and exclusive offers from their partner network.
Pliant Visa Infinite Business: The premium corporate credit card
At Pliant, you can choose the black Pliant Visa Infinite Business card. If you don’t need an exclusive premium card, you can opt for the free Pliant Visa Platinum Business credit card.
Pliant's black card is ideal for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and corporate customers with good credit ratings and high spending.
Special card benefits include, in addition to high limits and cashback, digital card and receipt management and seamless integrations with your accounting software. Extensive emergency services, access to airport lounges and an insurance package are also included.
And what does it cost? Check our Pricing page!
💳 Want to learn more about Pliant credit cards? Book a demo here.
Summary: What is the point of a black credit card?
It goes without saying that the ultra-luxurious black credit cards that cost thousands of euros – probably not worth it for the average consumer. And not even available to the average consumer. But if you’re not short on cash, travel a lot and enjoy the finer things in life, premium cards do come with unmatched perks and benefits.
Perhaps the more relevant question is: are the more affordable premium cards worth it?
Especially for an avid traveler, a premium card can come in handy. They might not reach the comfort level of the American Express Centurion Card, but there are alternatives that offer extra value at a more affordable price level.
And the premium business credit cards are particularly beneficial to companies where business travel is frequent. The employees will appreciate the extra comfort of airport lounge access while comprehensive insurance packages make travel safe.
A black credit card is an ultra-exclusive card offered by some card issuers and typically reserved for their wealthiest customers. A black card
black card
The American Express Centurion Card, colloquially known as the Black Card, is a charge card issued by American Express. It is reserved for the company's wealthiest clients who meet certain net worth, credit quality, and spending requirements on its gateway card, the Platinum Card.
is considered a status symbol in pop culture, in part by requiring card spending in the tens or hundreds of thousands to be considered for one, among other criteria.
Have a history of at least one year with American Express. Spend $500,000 or more per year on your Amex credit cards (though some reports say you need to spend upwards of a million dollars every year) Have an exceptional credit score of 800 or higher.
What is a black card? A black credit card is a type of extremely exclusive credit card that is almost solely reserved for the ultrawealthy. Typically, the cards are available on an invitation-only basis. The threshold for entry into this elite echelon of card ownership is incredibly high, as are the annual fees.
The American Express Black Card doesn't have a pre-set spending limit, so cardholders can spend as much as they want every month. But that's only the case if they can afford it. The Centurion® Card from American Express is a charge card, so cardholders can't carry a balance.
Conclusion. Even though black cards are a sign of wealth, they require a large financial investment. The discriminating person needs to ask themselves if such special benefits — like personalized concierge service and first-rate travel advantages — truly justify the cost.
The American Express Centurion Card is the original black credit card and still the most expensive, with a one-time initiation fee of $10,000 and a $5,000 annual fee. Other black credit cards feature annual fees ranging from $495 to $1,500.
Why it's one of the hardest credit cards to get: The hardest credit card to get is the American Express Centurion Card. Known simply as the “Black Card,” you need an invitation to get Amex Centurion.
The American Express Centurion Card, colloquially known as the Black Card, is a charge card issued by American Express. It is reserved for the company's wealthiest clients who meet certain net worth, credit quality, and spending requirements on its gateway card, the Platinum Card.
A black credit card is generally viewed as a sign of status and wealth. The most expensive credit card in the world, Sberbank's Visa Infinite Card, costs a whopping $100,000. Just to manufacture the card is said to cost $65,000. The diamond-encrusted card is made of gold and issued by the Kazakhstan branch of Sberbank.
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.
The most prestigious credit card is the Centurion® Card from American Express, which is also known as the Amex Black Card. This card requires applicants to meet very high income and spending standards to even qualify, and you can only apply if you receive an invitation.
The invitation-only Diners Club Black Credit Card requires a high level of financial stability and impeccable credit history. To be eligible for this elite status, you typically need to have a substantial income and a credit score that exceeds conventional requirements.
The best credit card overall is the Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card because it gives 2% cash rewards on purchases and has a $0 annual fee. For comparison purposes, the average cash rewards card in 2024 gives about 1% back. Cardholders can also earn an initial bonus of $200 cash rewards after spending $500...
The most famous one is the American Express Centurion Card, often called the "black card." Social Perception and Symbol of Status: Black cards are associated with social status because of a few reasons. First, the requirements to get these cards are usually linked to having a lot of money and a good credit score.
To get a Black Card from American Express, you must receive an invitation to apply, have Excellent credit, and pay the $10,000 initiation fee. Amex customers can request an invitation for the Black Card online, though there is no guarantee of actually receiving an invite.
To get a Black Card from American Express, you must receive an invitation to apply, have Excellent credit, and pay the $10,000 initiation fee. Amex customers can request an invitation for the Black Card online, though there is no guarantee of actually receiving an invite.
You need an invite from American Express to open the American Express Centurion Card. There are no hard-and-fast rules on who gets invited, but it reportedly takes at least $500,000 to $1 million in annual spending.
If a player gets a black card, they will spend 10 minutes off the field. No substitute allowed, reducing his side's numbers for that period. A second black card, or a black following a yellow, will result in a red card. The player will be sent off for the rest of the match.
The invitation-only Diners Club Black Credit Card requires a high level of financial stability and impeccable credit history. To be eligible for this elite status, you typically need to have a substantial income and a credit score that exceeds conventional requirements.
Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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