If you are using a credit card for your purchases, you are probably aware of its privileges. When it comes to privileges, American Express was rumored to have issued a Centurion Card or the black card that features extra ordinary exclusive benefits to high ranking and dignitary celebrities and private individuals. It has been rumored that the cardholder is entitled to many benefits and privileges.

The Centurion Card is offered through an invitation sent from the American Express to cardholders who met certain criteria according to the strictest standards. The introductory credit card charge before was $1000, now the cardholders are required to pay $2500 annual charges and $5000 initial fee. This card is really meant for individuals who are financially capable of paying the charges and fees.

The black credit card started from a legend which states that American Express issued the black credit card to its cardholders; most of them are celebrities and well-off personalities, allowing them to avail high class products and services from high class establishments. The fact behind this rumor was the information card issued by the American Express to cardholders containing important American Express Travel numbers and hotel assistant services numbers.

It was also rumored that the black credit card enables the cardholder to buy anything in any establishments or avail of any luxurious services. Since it was just a mystery, the card never really existed and nobody ever really had it.

This rumor was eventually capitalized by the American Express. A Centurion card was created in the fall of 1999. It is offered through an invitation from the American Express. This card is only offered to those who have the Platinum card, and that the card is not made of plastic but of metal. Because of its elegance and value, most people use it as status symbol. Platinum credit cards are considered to be the best of all credit cards in the business.

American Express sends invitations to qualified cardholders. Once the cardholder is qualified to have met the criteria, he will then be invited to avail the Centurion card. For cardholders located in different countries, they can also be qualified as applicants by the American Express through sending the invitation. The Platinum card will serve as the exclusive “invitation only” Centurion Card that is electronically linked to the American Express.

American Express black Centurion card started in 1999 with an introduction of $1000 as an annual fee and a one-time initiation fee of $5000. Now the annual fee was raised to $2500, the highest annual fee for credit cards as of today. Among the first persons who availed it was the comedian and American Express spokesperson, Jerry Seinfeld.

The rumors about the Centurion Card continue to spread; one of these is about some exclusive stores that opt to close just for the sole shopping of one wealthy cardholder. There have been different rumors regarding the Centurion Card and its benefits; more rumors would still be possible to spread. And as rumors keep circulating the industry, the Centurion Card will continue to get more attracted applicants.