This Baby Has an American Express Black Card (2024)

Giovanni Zampolli is just five weeks old (born April 7, St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital), but he’s already in possession of a black AmEx, the elite credit card with no spending limit. He’s not technically using it just yet, but his babysitter is flashing it to buy diapers, and his parents have used it for his first plane ticket, for a summer trip to Spain and his nanny’s new BlackBerry Bold. His father is Paolo Zampolli, a former modeling-agency mogul turned environmentalist and real-estate entrepreneur. Mom is Brazilian model Amanda Ungaro, who has graced the cover of Italian GQ and was the muse of Patrick Demarchelier and Antoine Verglas — the perfect combination to produce a babyballer.

The black card, also known as the Centurion Card, has been described by some as the ultimate status symbol. It’s by invitation only, and you need to spend more than $250,000 annually on another American Express Card you’ve had for at least a year to qualify. “We don’t discuss the benefits, but I can tell you it caters to an affluent customer who has discerning tastes and enjoys personalized service. It is the most premium card we offer,” said Desiree Fish, a spokesperson for American Express. “We got the card when he was a day old but I will not give it to him before 16,” said Zampolli. “So far, the charges are lots of diapers. No toysyet.”

Papa Zampolli, who just turned 40 with a blowout party heaving with models and a sprinkling of billionaires, got his own black card in the United States twelve years ago (he says he was part of the first 200 invites). According to his parents, baby Giovanni will have three passports, from the United States, Italy, and Brazil, and “will have a lot of frequent-flyer miles.” And even though he hasn’t bought any toys yet, we’re pretty confident he won’t lack for them his whole life: He’s already been gifted flatware from Hermès, and he has a Saudi Arabian prince for a godfather.

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This Baby Has an American Express Black Card
This Baby Has an American Express Black Card (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean if you have a black American Express card? ›

The American Express Centurion Card, colloquially known as the Black Card, is a charge card issued by American Express. It is reserved for the company's wealthiest clients who meet certain net worth, credit quality, and spending requirements on its gateway card, the Platinum Card.

Who qualifies for Amex Black Card? ›

Amex Black Card Requirements

Have a history of at least one year with American Express. Spend $500,000 or more per year on your Amex credit cards (though some reports say you need to spend upwards of a million dollars every year) Have an exceptional credit score of 800 or higher.

How many Amex Black Card holders are there? ›

Experts estimate that there are around 100,000 Amex Centurion cardholders in the world, with only about 20,000 of those being in the United States.

Which celebrity has the Amex Black Card? ›

Numerous celebs use this American Express card, but Jerry Seinfeld deserves a special mention here. The comedian appeared in American Express commercials in the '90s, and he claims to have been given the first Amex Black Card.

How rich do you have to be to have an Amex Black Card? ›

What are the black card income requirements? The American Express Black Card income requirement is reportedly at least $1 million per year.

What income do you need for Amex Black Card? ›

The American Express Black Card income requirement is reportedly at least $1 million per year. It's rumored that you must also spend and pay off at least $350,000 across your American Express credit cards annually just to get an invitation to apply.

How hard is it to get a black Amex? ›

It is widely accepted that you need to be a big spender for AmEx to give you a Centurion Card. Reports on the internet range from requiring $250,000 to over a million dollars of annual spending.

What is the fanciest credit card? ›

What is the most prestigious credit card? One of the world's most prestigious credit cards is the Centurion® Card from American Express*. Though there may be other cards with more elaborate benefits, those cards are kept well under wraps.

What is the credit limit on the Black Card? ›

The Mastercard® Black Card's minimum credit limit is $5,000. Given that the Mastercard Black Card is advertised as a “luxury” card and charges an annual fee of $495, applicants may assume it will have a high limit. That may or may not prove true, depending on the applicant's credit history, income and potential debt.

Can you buy a house with a credit card? ›

You can't purchase a physical real estate property outright with a credit card the way you would when using a credit card to buy lunch or a new television. One reason for this is because a typical consumer credit card likely doesn't offer a credit line large enough to cover the entire home price.

What are the perks of a Black Card? ›

Black card benefits
  • Access to more than 1,200 Global Lounge Collection VIP airport lounges.
  • Fine Hotels and Resorts program benefits.
  • Complimentary elite status with Delta SkyMiles, Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG. ...
  • Global Dining Collection access.
  • Crafted travel experiences through Centurion Travel Services.
Dec 25, 2023

Is Amex Black Card worth it? ›

The Amex Centurion card is right for someone who charges hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to their Amex Platinum and can score an invite for the Platinum's elusive big sibling. Whether or not you'll get enough value out of the Centurion card to justify the high price of ownership isn't the point.

What is the most elite Amex? ›

Centurion® Card from American Express

A rating of 5 is the best a card can receive. Why It's One of the Most Exclusive Credit Cards: The most exclusive, prestigious credit card is without a doubt the American Express Centurion Card, otherwise known as the Amex Black Card.

What is the most expensive Amex card? ›

The most expensive credit card is the Centurion® Card from American Express (also called the Amex “Black Card”), because it has an initiation fee of up to $10,000 and a $5000 annual fee.

Which bank has a Black Card? ›

What is a black card? The credit card most associated with the phrase “black card” is the Centurion® Card from American Express, or the “Amex Black Card.” It was released in 1999 and created such a buzz that other card issuers wanted to create their own deluxe credit cards to reward their highest-spending customers.

How hard is it to get a black American Express card? ›

How much do you have to spend to get a black card? There are very high spending requirements to get a black card. Generally, a card issuer invites only their most loyal customers who spend upwards of six figures or more a year to become a black cardholder.

Is Amex black card invitation only? ›

Centurion Membership is by invitation only. If you are interested in being considered for invitation to Centurion Membership, please provide the information below: Note: Submission of your information is not an application for credit and does not obligate American Express to invite you to apply for the Centurion Card.

Is the American Express Black Card accepted everywhere? ›

Amex is widely accepted domestically. In fact, according to the 2022 Nilson Report, you can use your Amex at 99% of places in the U.S. that accept payment via credit card.

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