The other day, one of my undergrad students was telling me about a strange encounter at work. A client demanded to reserve an entire wing of the restaraunt for a private party on the busiest day of the year. The manager quoted a fee of $4,000. Promptly, the customer whips out an *all black* American Express card. Three times as thick as a normal card and made of pitch black metal, it was so thick, the manager couldn’t run it through the machine. But the card’s number was accepted when it was punched in. Dan informed me that this was the legendary “black card,” which possessed ultimate shopping power.
Was this actually true? Does such an “ultimate credit card” actually exist? Answer: Yes, and it’s story is fascinating. Around 1990 or so, there was an urban legend about a black credit card that had no limits. In a twist that would make performativity junkies happy, the American Express company in 1999 made an all black credit card to exploit the rumor. It is pretty spiffy. Here are some facts:
Yes - it is black and made of titanium. It more like a steel plate of credit, than a wimpy plastic card.
You need to already have a Platinum card. Selected Platinum card holders pay $2,500 annual fee and must make $250,000 in annual purchases.
Amazing benefits: Personal shoppers at Gucci and Saks Fifth Avenue, a personal concierge at American Express, and 18 free nights at luxury spots like the Mandarin Oriental Hotels.
Largest known purchase - allegedly a $30 million jet was purchased with the card.
The card has become a frequent topic in pop culture. Kanye West has a lyric that reads: “She was like, ‘Oh my God, is that a black card?’ / I turned around and replied ‘Why yes, but I prefer the term “African American Express”‘” I will be happy when I see it used at the ASA book stall.
by fornowh » Thu May 15, 2008 11:26 pm 
