invitation - only qualifies you for american express black card.
how do you qualify for american express black card?
invitation - only
in 1966, american express introduced the gold card. in 1984, the company launched the platinum card, clearly defining different market segments within its own business, a practice that has proliferated across a broad array of industries. the platinum card was billed as super-exclusive and had a $250 annual fee (it is currently $550). it was offered by invitation only to american express customers with at least 2 years of tenure, significant spending, and excellent payment history; it is now open to applications on request. in 1987, american express introduced the optima card, its first credit card product that did not have to be paid in full at the end of the month.
american express
black card llc successfully registered "black card" as a u.s. trademark in 2009. however, american express offers its own exclusive black-colored card called the centurion card, which it contended was widely known as "the black card" before the launch of the black card (then visa card), despite never seeking to trademark that name itself. american express filed suit against black card llc in february 2010, claiming that the trademark was obtained improperly and sought injunctive relief. this suit was concluded in november 2011, with the u.s. district court for the southern district of new york ruling that black card, llc's trademark of the name "black card" should be canceled on grounds that it was merely descriptive. (see also "american express marketing and development corp, et al. v. black card, llc", 2011 u.s. dist. lexis 133151 (s.d.n.y. november 17, 2011.)
black card (mastercard)