Offered a Black Card - $495 fee OMG!!

[andrews_dad]

I use my Amex heavily and pay the balance full each month for the great rewards. I guess they now think I'm a high-roller. I was pre-approved for the black card with all of the perks for "only" $495 per year fee. Yeah right! HAHAHA. Should I tell them I am a budget board coupon clipper???

 

[Handbag Lady]

That is just insane.

I mean, $495 to impress waiters and hotel check-in people?

 

[TaraPA]

We had a free year of Amex Platinum once, received as a perk for buying a Platinum Series Lexus. After the 1st year the annual fee was $450 - um I don't think so. I can use my red plastic Disney VISA just as well as the shiny silver Amex - with no annual fee! The only benefit we used on the Amex Platinum was the free airport "club" lounge. They did also offer free complanion airline tickets, priority seating for fine dining & theater, among other things...so if you use those I can see how it would pay off, but not for us.

 

[Goofygirl17]

I got the same offer a couple of days ago. I couldn't believe it would cost $495 to have a credit card I told DH they must think I'm rich! Guess they don't know what a penny pincher I really am I bet they don't picture their customers using a rite aid coupon at CVS for a free gift card or collecting register receipts to get rebates etc

goofygirl

 

[DISdreamin']

Yeah, we have a Delta Skymiles AmEx Platinum card. It's SO going when the renewal rolls around. It used to be great as you got a free companion ticket, so we basically got two tickets for the price of one waaay back when. They changed the program last year, I think, and we weren't able to save anything the way the new system worked, so the card is GONE.

Anyways, I was literally getting two or three of the Delta Skymiles Reserve Amex offers each week. The PAPER they wasted alone was a shame. I got up to around a dozen or so of the things and finally called and got myself taken off their mailing list for offers. Crazy waste of resources, and HELLO!!! $450+ for a freakin' CREDIT CARD?!! Uh, no thanks.

 

[cvjw]

I just got an offer for a Visa Black card, made out of carbon, I think they said. I was really impressed, the card looked really cool, until I read the fine print of a $495 fee per year. I shredded that application and threw it in the trash. I use a credit card to earn money, not to pay money for the privilege of trying to impress others.

 

[CarolA]

Yeah, we have a Delta Skymiles AmEx Platinum card. It's SO going when the renewal rolls around. It used to be great as you got a free companion ticket, so we basically got two tickets for the price of one waaay back when. They changed the program last year, I think, and we weren't able to save anything the way the new system worked, so the card is GONE.

Anyways, I was literally getting two or three of the Delta Skymiles Reserve Amex offers each week. The PAPER they wasted alone was a shame. I got up to around a dozen or so of the things and finally called and got myself taken off their mailing list for offers. Crazy waste of resources, and HELLO!!! $450+ for a freakin' CREDIT CARD?!! Uh, no thanks.

Just to send EVERYONE into SHOCK.....

I have the Delta Reserve. It was about the same price as my annual Crown Room (now Skyclub) membership and it gets me ahead of others who don't have the card on the "upgrade lottery" And first class tomorrow on a 5 hour flight is REALLY nice


(Waiting for the flames!)

 

[MineMail]

Should I tell them I am a budget board coupon clipper???

Yes, you should. And you should ask them to "waive the regular fee" for your Amex. We've done that every couple of years and they usually agree to a reduced/waived annual fee. Buuuuttttt, they'll try to "upsell" you the black card. Just say no to that one.

 

[MAH4546]

A black card is not $495 a year, it's more like $2,500 a year.

I believe you were offered a Platinum card or are confusing it with the imitation Visa Black Card.

I pay $650 a year for the American Express Platinum (two cards) and it is well worth that $650. Free companion international airfare, reservations at just about any restaurant you want in as little as 24 hours notice, amazing rewards program, and what is effectively a personal concierge service. Free rental car upgrades, free hotel room upgrades...the perks go on. It also gives you access to American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines clubs - so that's $1,500 in airline club dues a year.

Well worth the annual fee if you travel often.

American Express black cards (officially called Centurion) are by invitation only. You receive an invitation by having spent $250,000 in a consecutive 12-month period on an American Express Platinum. American Express Centurion and Platinum cards are charge cards, not credit cards. The bill has to be paid off, in full at month's end, except for travel expenses, which can be deferred.

 

[i3utterfli82]

The Amex black card that is titanium is much more than a $500 annual fee. I knew of a friend who had one and it was the coolest thing.