I’m kind of flattered in a way (I guess-if I should be in the first place of course). Ostensibly it gives you all sorts of perks, like 1% cash back, 24 hour conceirge service, a “rewards” program, VIP airport lounge access, and some “luxury” gifts of an indeterminate nature. All for a nominal fee of $495 annually. I’m tempted…
Heh, that’s cute. Of course they’re trying to offer a poor man’s version of the Amex Centurion card, i.e. the real black card. That’s the one that costs $5,000 to join, $2,500 annually, is made of titanium instead of plastic, and I’m pretty sure includes a personal blowjob service.
I got one too. And I think it is issued by a bank, not Visa (which is a payments network used by banks).
I agree with the poster above in that it is a knockoff of Amex’s Centurion Card. Credit Card companies love gimmicks nowadays - cards with funny orientations (ooo- vertical credit card wow), cards with custom images (sorry, I’ve seen cuter kittens), and whatever else they can come up with is worth it if it will gain new customers or get existing customers to charge more or more often.
Not just credit-card companies! ING Direct here is advertising their new chequing account, with a banking card that is dramatically restyled. But I got one because the account has no monthly fee.
Yeah, I got one of these invitations and my net worth is negative when you take my educational loans into account. I would be more flattered about getting it if the website didn’t have a huge APPLY NOW button.
I’d hardly call it faux prestige. A acquaintance of mine (close friend of my parent’s) has an Amex Black Card. Yes, you pay a lot to have it, but they also jump through hoops for you. Along with all the perks that come with it, you have what amounts to your own person concierge service just a phone call away 24/7. I’d call it real prestige.
It’s not faux prestige. There are some amazing perks that come with the card that are well worth the fees. (Not to mention the perks that are not officially recognized, but are given by pretty much anyone that you purchase from with the card)
That card can open some serious doors, and with the very, very, VERY strict membership requirements, debt is not an issue.
It’s the VIP airport lounge access + the 1% cash back which would be appealing to my SO. He pays $400 a year for the Delta Sky Club already (and when we travel together, I get in with him for free). He travels for work a bit and I make a meal out of cheese and humus in there.