I don't understand the hate for the guy. He's an authorized user of a Centurion card, whether it came from his mom or his dad doesn't matter. What matters is he has it, and you don't...so quit hating on him. Don't be jealous.
@@thegreat9481 I rather have a million in the bank earning 4% dividends that grow 5% a year so I can do whatever I want than the most fancy charge card.
My boss has a personal black card. He uses it for everything and I cant you how many time it has resulted in an upgrade or instant status change. Service people just treat you differently. Its pretty amazing, definitely in a league of its own. I cant wait to have one myself.
Considering these videos are free, I have no problem listening to a short ad that supports the channel. You deserve something for all of your time/effort.
My brother has the Hong Kong Amex Black Card and can confirm that not only is there a rep waiting for him at the HK Airport, she proactively calls him a couple hours before he arrives. And if his ticket is coach, he gets upgraded to business when seats are available. Also, the Centurion Lounge at the HK Airport has a Black Card only room with a chef who cooks your order. He had 4 servings of steak once, and they’re regular size. He brought in 3 guests with him another time, and it wasn’t a problem. As for hotels, he can use their facilities even if he’s not staying there. So when he goes to Shenzhen or other major cities, he just parks his car at the hotel instead of finding parking on the street. He often uses their spas at no charge. He also has access to golf clubs without having to be a member, which can be very costly. He pays ~US$128 to play, something even members have to do. Now for some interesting tidbits about the Black Card, at least the HK one. His card is plastic. If he wants titanium, he has to pay an extra ~US$2.5K per year on top of the annual fee of ~US$4.5K. Strangely, only the plastic card can also use UnionPay, which is crucial in China, as Amex is not widely accepted, so of course he opted for plastic. He’s used his card to buy cars in HK without a problem, and, no, he doesn’t need to pay extra to the dealers. He’s also able to use the points he earned to waive the annual fees, but when I asked how many points needed, he wasn’t sure. He doesn’t seem to care or know much about maximizing points and earnings, but is already satisfied he doesn’t need to pay the annual fee. I supposed most Black Card holders are in it for the perks and prestige, not for the points. He doesn’t use the concierge much, but she told him that if he ever needs or wants anything at all, if it’s not illegal, they’ll go out of their way to do it for him. Finally, he can add an authorized user at no charge, and pay ~US$1.2K per year for one additional user and that’s it. Hope that was helpful.
The card you brother had is not Amex issues they were issued by your brother’s bank like Industrial and Commercial Bank of China or banks of China they all have centurion collaborated card that’s why it’s plastic and it doesn’t allow them to buy too expensive items(they have around 1 millions -5 millions allowances)
that watch is one of the coolest pieces of hardware i've ever seen. It's paper thin, really cool design. And then the guy told me it was $35,000 and i promptly handed it back to him.
The Centurion Card issued in Mainland China are actually issued by local banks (China Merchants Bank, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Pingan and Mingsheng) under contracts with AMEX. (AMEX doesn't have a license to issue cards in China yet) The requirements in China are very different from AMEX-issued ones in other countries. Chinese banks give the Centurion to customers with high balances in the bank. Last time I checked the range was approximately CNY 10-20 million (USD 1.5-3 Million). One bank, Mingsheng, also allow people to qualify by showing they have assets equivalent to the number (primarily in real estate). It doesn't matter how much you spend, you can get a Centurion Card as long as you meet the asset requirements.
Yeah that’s right. The spending several 100k a year is the requirement for the US version. I can’t really ask our friend, “how much in assets does your family have in the bank in order to get this card?”
In China, an individual is only allowed to convert up to an equivalent of USD 50,000 in RMB (local Chinese currency) into foreign currency each year to send to overseas parties! Cards like this are a useful tool for the upper class to spend money overseas as they are paying a local Chinese bank instead of an overseas party.
@@TheCreditShifu Nope, my understanding is that this is only ONE of the required prerequisites for all Centurion black cards. The other prerequisites that aren't advertised are in order to qualify you have to have a certain net worth and/or collateral holding. Because the card has an unlimited balance they want to make sure that you can actually pay for the purchases.
Also, the Centurion cards issued in China are co-branded with three China's local banks, because there are laws in China restricting foreign financial institution like Amex issue their own product. Here's some fun facts: 1. the Chinese Centurion card does have spending limits while other versions typically doesn't. 2. Only the China Minsheng Bank issued Centurion card is made out of metal (titanium), the other two variant issued by China Merchants Bank and ICBC are plastic.
In my experience it's the exact opposite of what you think. Most wealthy self-made people I know price check any expensive purchase and often try to negotiate. I remember when I met a guy that was a doorman at a NYC building that only had billionaires in it. He told me he way trying to find a job at a lower end building because the Christmas tips from the residents are much better in lower end buildings than in the billionaire buildings.
I dated a black card holder once, we had more than a few nice and fancy dinners, but it doesn’t change the fact that he is not a very kind person. So adios, black card or not.
The CEO for the first company I worked for, following my graduation from university, had an Amex black card. He let me hold it and he taught me how he managed to get one. I’d love to have one in the future because I really like American Express as a brand, they’ve always fanscinated me.
The Canadian version has very poor benefits in comparison to the Chinese version it seems. Maybe the International Dollar one is better? I recall that if you are a customer at a certain Swiss private bank / investment firm, they may be able to arrange for an invite for the Swiss version.
The Hilton Aspire annual fee is $450 and comes with Diamond status, plus other benefits to bring the annual fee down. Diamond status at the Hilton is not a good selling point for the Amex Black Card.
I think the biggest perk of the Amex Hilton Aspire is that it gives you automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status for as long as you hold the card. Instead of having to spend $20,000+ a year on a card to get Diamond, why not just pay $450 and get it automatically? Then the multipliers on spend are crazy good. (This isn't including the travel credit and other similar perks you get.) In my opinion, if you're a Hilton loyalist, the Aspire is a good keeper card, and if your Hilton spend/travel goes down you can always downgrade to the no-annual-fee Amex Hilton card.
I've never had Hilton Diamond status since Hilton Gold status is plenty enough for me, especially when I travel to southeast Asia. I'll probably upgrade from the no-annual-fee Amex Hilton card to the Ascend next year so I can regain Hilton Gold.
The biggest perk of a centurion card is the spawning of gold diggers as that metal hits marble counter tops to remit payment. For the record, I think the bank of Dubai and chase palladium(if it's still around)cards are more exclusive.
health does. u can be a centurion member but dying of stage 3 colon cancer. i don't believe the blackcard can extinguish the cancer cells overnight. nonsense
A question I have is that China does not allow foreign financial institutions to directly issue credit cards so Amex has to partner with a Chinese bank to issue this card. Would be interesting to know which bank Amex is partnered with
You know maybe depends on where you live because I haven’t gone to small shops and dry cleaners that I wouldn’t have expected to accept the card. But here in Northern California they have.
Nice video. No problem with it being his mom's card, so what. He's an AU, good to know perks are for AU's too. However, the card is not relevant to most of us. Kinda like watching Robin Leach's Rich & Famous show or Cribs, fun entertainment but I can't relate.
Very sad to say but here in Belgium Amex does nor not give any benefit or what's so ever , just a stupid access to a speed line airport control ... reason why i've quid platinium & back to green ... however i still beleive it is the best card in the world !! Thx for your sharings !
For example. My premier credit card manager said one of his clients daughter bag out side her country was stolen and she went to the bank branch and they arrange an emergency cash draft for her because her father was a premier client.
But like... If you're spending "several hundred thousands" a year, does savings and upgrades mean anything to you? I wouldve like to see the cost breakdown of the perks Ask Sebby style just for kicks. How much can a multi-millionaire save with cards like this?
Say you take 10 flights a month that you book as economy but get upgraded to business or first class every time. I'll use my location for example it cost about $600 to get from Hawaii to Houston in economy. A first class ticket starts at about $2000 that's a saving of $1400 x 10 = $14k a month and $168k a year. I don't care how rich you are almost $200k saved a year is a ton with just flights in my example and i am sure it's a lot more considering international flights.
The watch story is pretty bad. If you are buying a 30k watch on a cruise ship any card company concierge would research pricing for you including Capitol One!
Why the heck do you need “upgrades” if your salary is so good that you can even get a Centurion card? I received invitations every year from Amex, but I never apply for one. I can pay for the first class flights, suit rooms in hotels, and I have two secretaries who can take care of my schedules. Who the Centurion card is really for? - Just my thought
yeah good points, my opinion is that the concierge probably comes in really useful. I have been staying at the Ritz-Carlton for the last couple of days and made a lot of use of the concierge to book restaurants for me and other things, and I really felt wow I could get used to this. Most people I have met with the card have been like you say, rich enough to afford suites etc... I think the business version of the card would be a big help to people who spend a lot on cards through their company as business spending, but have a salary of only say $100 to $200k, they are not really at the level where they can blow say $3000 a night on hotels, but would still spend say $1000 a night and then get upgraded
Neiri Tanuki Simple most persons would choose not to pay for anything they can get free or with perks. You'd be surprised at the ppl with money who got that way from being a tightwad
To be honest he might have got that part wrong, since he hadn’t stayed in any IHG hotels so maybe it is the highest status and he just wasn’t sure of the name
AMEX is awesome. I have the green one, but I have been invited several times to the Centurion card. Maybe during income tax season I will take them up on their offer for the Centurion card but I also have a personal savings account with Amex Federal Savings Bank and I've been a customer with them for the Last 5 Years I also have a bluebird prepaid American Express card and offers you a check book which I find very appealing for prepaid card and you get the same world-class service with the with the bluebird prepaid card as you do with the American Express card so yes American Express is boss when it comes to the credit and financial world... Ask for password keeping I prefer RoboForm I don't like that slang I've I've tried and I didn't like it RoboForm is way more encrypted and it's just better
@@michaellow4368 I was a Centurion Lifestyle Executive 10yrs ago at the AMEX EU Headquarters in Brighton, it isn't always like that. Usually Green is the prerequisite, once you have that the normal route is Gold and/or Platinum and then Centurion. Occasionally a VIP will be invited straight from Green or may even get a Centurion invite as their first card but that seldom happens.
Interesting insider's look, however I can't help but think the person who has a Centurion Card can probably afford all of the upgrades/perks without the blink of an eye anyways. Also, Mom's Centurion Card...lol.
That's absolutely not true, there are several Michelin star restaurants in Beijing. I just can't remember which one is the 3 starred he talked about. The closest one I can image is "Opera BOMBANA" which is technically run by a 3 Michelin starred Chef, the restaurant itself is not...
But remember the info on the restaurant is from his "Authorized user insider" guy. Last time I went to a 3 star Michelin restaurant they took any credit card.
My dad has a black card but i didn’t know that it came with so many more privileges. We don’t have a concierge! Im curious if some of these privileges are not available everywhere, since we are live in Switzerland or something
I wonder what the odds are of getting some of these upgrades with the Premium Hotel Collection, with the Gold Card? The rest of it, the concierge, I wouldn't see much value in. I've researched jewelry on a cruise ships, and unless it's on clearance, it is usually cheaper on land, if not Ebay. However, even if it's a wash, it's duty free, and counts on your credit card as travel.
It is a restaurant opened by a chef that has Michelin stars at his restaurant elsewhere, and has now opened one in Beijing. But technically there is no Michelin guide yet for Beijing so officially speaking none of the restaurants there have stars. I will ask our friend which restaurant it is
Let said I got the black card this year due to spending a lot. Of cost I paid the initial fee, as well as the first annual fee. But I’m planning just do normal spending next year. Maybe just like $5k per year and so on.... in this case am I going to keep the card as long as I keep paying the annual fee? Or will Amex downgrade back to platinum if I am not a big spender anymore?
Ivo Sio from what ive read, you have to spend ATLEAST $250,000 per year to maintain your black card even you pay your annual fee. Or else you will be downgraded to platinum. I hope im not wrong 🤷🏻♂️
Most UHNW families and individuals in China have the the Amex centurion card to circumvent China’s yearly $US50 000 foreign currency transfer caps. So it is good if you spend a lot overseas, because any transaction made on a the card is considered a liability that has to be paid off to Amex.
This story sounds really familiar...I wonder if this “insider” is actually one of the person I know... here’s something I know: You can actually send a photo of a centurion member with you to Amex, claiming he or she is your close friend and you wanted to become a centurion member, they will most likely send you an invitation after couple days. That’s how one of my rich friend get his centurion card, I didn’t do it because I didn’t want to pay $10K up front just to get it...Platinum works well enough for me. Anyway good luck guys
Bull shit. The Conceirge is same as the Amex platinum Charge. The service has gone down miserably for the Centurion card !!! Atleast here in india. It’s appalling.
I got a question for you all out there I just got named partner at my employer and now I’m going to be the guy who gets to make all the company purchases Would it be better to just charge it all on personal platinum Or get a business one as well I’ll be charging at least a million US dollars but probably closer to 2 With the sole goal of getting a black card
I’m 21 and just got a platinum a couple months ago Since you basically have to be 21 to get it If that helps out with your comments Thanks and have a great day
I imagine it depends on if you want to apply for the personal Centurion or the business Centurion. May be worth checking with your accountant and the firm’s financial officer re: business purchases on personal cards, though. To be safe I always try to make business purchases on a business card and personal purchases on a personal card... helps avoid any possible implication of impropriety.
Let me stop you right there (at the watch story). A good concierge would’ve told you not to pay retail price for that watch, a great concierge would’ve told you to not waste your money on that ugly overpriced watch and instead send you information about timepieces in that same price range that are actually good and would hold the value 1000x better. It makes sense that this insider is on his momma’s account making that kinda purchase.
No. A good concierge would do exactly what you asked them to do. If you had asked them them to check if this watch would be worth the money as an investment then they probably would’ve checked too. Who gave you the title of “concierge critic” anyways.
@@ishouldbestudying251 This is an old comment so I've obviously lost the interest, but the guy contacted the concierge to check if he was getting a good price, which he wasn't. My ''title'' comes from years working in the luxury watch industry.
I know a guy who had an Amex black card here in Canada.... they used it for business clients. His Amex black story was about not using hot girls who sleep with clients as salesmen because they had 2 partnered clients get into a knife fight and one got stabbed when they were drunk and high fighting over the girl. Way cooler story imo.
