Bill Gates has one, Oprah has one, even Jon Stewart has one, so what is it? The Centurion Card otherwise known as the American Express Black Card. You may have seen it in such movies as Casino Royale or sported by such celebs as Jessica Simpson but everyone is asking, how do you get it?

Fortunately, we know people ;)
 
There are three ways you can get a black card.
 
Option 1 - Become a notable. This is really broad, but if you are on Hollywood’s “A List” then you qualify. If you have ever been elected to any senior level cabinet position, congress or the Senate with at least $500k in assets, you qualify. Heck, if you had a single Hollywood blockbuster, you qualify. Don’t ask for it, if you qualify under option 1, they will find you.
 
Option 2 - Spend more than $250k a year on your existing American Express card. This isn’t easy but here is how it works. Apply for the American Express no limit card. It really does have a limit of about $10k to start, month one spend the $10k then pay it off early. Month two you will be able to spend about $15k, pay that off early. Month three, spend $25k and pay that off early. Each month keep spending more and more, easing it up little by little, up until you get to $250k. A few months later, you will recieve a small package from Amex: congrats, that’s your black card! May seem complicated but it’s really not. You don’t even have to ask, the monthly limits are set automatically. All along Amex will tell you that you don’t have a limit but in reality you do, just keep pushing that limit up, and keep paying it off every month. Sorry, but if you miss even a single payment, you may never see that Black Card.
 
Option 3 - Come into a lot of money. This is pretty open but it has to be a lot of money and has to be very public. This can include a major inheritance, major corporate sale, and many other things. I’d say anything that hits the Wall Street Journal in excess of $50 Million should get you in. Rumor has it that Tom Anderson was offered on but declined. Oh well.
 
Here are a few tips:

• If you receive the Amex black card, don’t turn it away. You will NEVER get another chance again, even if you are the President.
• Spend, spend, spend. If you have the option to buy a house on the card, do it. The more you spend, the more benefits you get. It’s really that simple.
• Even if you qualify for option 1, option 2 and/or option 3, with any combination of the three, you aren’t guaranteed a card. Fact is that it’s very subjective, rumor has it that no matter how hard Kevin Rose has tried, he can’t get one, so you wouldn’t be alone.
• If you have ever filed bankruptcy, personally or corporate, or have had a major public financial issue, SEC problems, i.e. Martha Stewart, sorry but don’t expect one.

So how much will your limit be? Well, I can’t really tell you that but I will say that the largest purchase ever recorded was about $32 Million for a private jet, so that should tell you something. Don’t worry, if you have enough money to support a higher purchase already, I imagine the Black Card will take care of you. I’m looking at you Mr. Gates!
 
Good luck and congrats to the 5k new members who will receive their American Express Black Card during the month of January 2008.