In the 1980's, a rumor began to circulate concerning an American Express ?Black? Card. This card was supposedly issued to big spenders and top income earners. With an American Express ?Black? Card, the wealthy and powerful were rumored to have unlimited spending abilities and after-hours access to high-end merchants. The only problem was that the American Express ?Black? Card didn't exist! It was the product of pure urban legend.

American Express did offer certain clients ? the high and mighty of politics, entertainment, society and even royalty ? a black ?information? card. This card contained phone numbers and other contact information for the company that general cardholders were not granted access. Thus, the American Express ?Black? Card rumor was born.

All that changed in 1999, when American Express decided to use the rumor to its own advantage. The company unveiled the Centurion Card, made of metal and only offered to select holders of the already prestigious Platinum Card. The first recipient was the Jerry Seinfeld, comedian, actor and the company's then-celebrity spokesman. Soon, he was joined by the world's elite celebrities, politicians, socialites and business people.

Still commonly referred to as the ?Black? Card, the Centurion Card is offered by invitation only. It carries a range of privileges only offered by American Express to its holders. Some of these hearken back to the days of the rumor ? after-hours shopping sprees and unlimited spending limits. Others include complimentary international flights with the purchase of full-fare tickets, personal shoppers at certain high-end retailers, membership in elite shopping programs and special prices on hotels and resorts.

In 2006, the Centurion Card experienced a makeover. Now made of anodized titanium, it is slightly thicker than your average credit card. This makes it more difficult to use in most merchants? credit card ?swipe the stripe? readers and all but impossible to use in the ?insert it and remove? readers commonly found at gas stations and on ATMs, but what's a small inconvenience to own the world's most prestigious credit card?

The Centurion Card comes with a hefty price tag ? a yearly membership fee of $2,500 and a one-time initiation fee of $5,000. You'd better be prepared to shop too, once you are lucky enough to receive a ?Black? Card, as it carries a minimum spending limit of $250,000 per 12 month term. Thus, to even own one of these cards means you are an exceptionally wealthy individual with a great deal of disposal income at your fingertips.

So, the American Express ?Black? Card does exist, in part at least. It is the most prestigious credit card the company offers, and to receive an invitation to own one makes you a pretty prestigious person, too. Or so rumor has it.