Visa Black Card. Why did I get an invite

**cardtrick** · 07-19-2014, 10:31 AM

I got an invitation to apply for the visa black this week as well. And I was on vacation last month. Maybe that had something to do with it. I also got one for the American Express Platinum.

**creditcardfree** · 07-19-2014, 02:02 PM

My husband was invited. We have been opening credit cards for bonus money this year and qualifying with just regular expenses. He also does travel for business. Good credit scores are likely one of the keys to getting an offer.

**WISEWOMAN** · 07-19-2014, 08:54 PM

American Express has a black card for the rich. It''s prestige. Lol. Visa is a copycat.

**Tabs** · 07-21-2014, 05:29 AM

Yes, both black cards are considered "prestigious", though not necessarily the ones a typical fruggie may want....

If I recall correctly, I once read that black card invites are based on both credit scores, history with the company, as well as your spending habits. Yes, you have to spend a certain annually to maintain your membership. It's no small amount IMO, but I've heard business owners charging all of their business expenses on them, which also counts.

And what do you get in return for this "prestige"? Supposedly, amazingly perks and top tier customer service. I also hear it can be a magnet for gold diggers, if you're into that.

Me, I'd rather have cash back rewards or something similar that I can regularly use.

**Permanent Temp** · 07-21-2014, 11:18 AM

I thought the Visa doesn't have a max its the other one that is prestigious the AMEX Centurion Card. Which I don't think I'd ever have unless I was a multi-billionaire or something as it is rumored to require spending of 250K a year and have an initial fee of 7.5K for the first year and 5K annual fee after that.

That's why I was curious as the Visa card just seems like a way to try to rope you into paying $495 for things you can easily get with your other credit cards with better cash back and no annual fees!

Thanks for chiming in. I have already torn up the app and tossed it in the trash but I was curious what the triggers were for them to bother sending me this lol. I have never had a card with an annual fee and just paid off all my revolving card balances last year.

I have paid anything I charge on the cards now at the end of the month no exceptions. So aside from our recent vacation I hadn't had much charged on the card at any one time.

**JulieAlbright** · 07-21-2014, 12:05 PM

I think my husband has been getting that offer for the past couple of months.

It sounds familiar because I remember laughing with him over the fee. I told him that for the $500 annual fee he can just continue to sit out in the regular chairs with the unwashed masses instead of the "special lounge," but he could go buy an extra overpriced drink at the airport bar next time he got stuck in a layover and I would just consider it part of that "saved" $500.

He travels and charges a bunch. I imagine one of the airlines frequent flyer or hotel frequent guest programs just sold his name to a marketing list.

**~bs** · 07-22-2014, 01:49 AM

visa black card is a cheap imitation of the mastercard black card, and nothing really special. It's to trick the more ignorant people into believing its something special when it isn't, and will bend you over you with that annual fee & crap rewards.

I spend $250k - 500k/year in business spending on my amex card and haven't gotten an application for an amex black card. However, I did get one for the amex platinum card. I don't even fly alot so it's kinda stupid for me to get one except to wave it around for shallow people to be impressed that I have one and fork over a $495 annual non-waivable fee in exchange. Which isn't something I care about at all. The "real" black card is mostly for super affluent people who really don't care about how much they spend and where they spend it. Which isn't 99% of people including most business owners. The visa one is to rope wannabees into flashing around a card with a $5k limit to impress people that dont' know better.

Almost all middle class individuals/businesses are better served by a no annual fee percentage rewards cards.

**ua_guy** · 07-22-2014, 06:45 AM

I, too, have received an offer, and that tells me that it's supposed "prestige" is a lie.

I much prefer my very boring looking cash rewards credit card that I've had for almost 10 years now. No annual fee, it's issued by some forgettable bank, and I couldn't even tell you what the interest rate is because I never carry balances. My lifestyle certainly isn't one that commands concierge services or those other exclusive perks, and trying to get me to spend $500/year for that privilege? Dream on...

Kind of like the Capital One commercial... What's in YOUR wallet?

...um, cash?

**purplish** · 07-23-2014, 02:15 PM

Are you involved with a lot of real estate? The main people I know who get invites to Visa or American Express Black Cards have some history with real estate. Well congrats on the prestige of getting the invite!

**HappySaver** · 07-23-2014, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by ua_guy View Post

I couldn't even tell you what the interest rate is because I never carry balances.

Bingo.

I recommended my no annual fee rewards card to a friend. She got one, but then dropped it because the interest rate on it was too high. I've never had a clue what the rate is on any of my cards since I don't carry a balance!

**iliketosavemoney** · 07-24-2014, 06:52 AM

If this is the same card as the website, http://www.blackcard.com/, I don't think its invite only. Anyone can apply online.

The Amex Centurion "black card" is invite only. I think I read you need to spend minimum $250,000 a year and have a "significant" net worth.

Visa Black Card. Why did I get an invite