Comments on: The VISA Black Card: A Smart Strategy in Trying Times

By: Julie in CA

Julie in CA — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 06:07:37 +0000

Just got my Visa Black Card today. I’m FURIOUS with this ripoff. I’ve been an AMEX platinum card holder for a few years. I thought about canceling my AMEX platinum when they dropped their companion ticket benefit. I justified the cost of the card ($450 annual) with the free companion tickets. The main reason I got it was for access to airport lounges, but that benefit was imperfect — I have status on United, and United seems to be the only airline that the Amex Platinum card doesn’t get you access to. And since San Francisco is my home airport, it just didn’t make sense to leave United.

So when I was invited to get the Visa Black Card, I was thrilled to learn that I could get access to United’s airport lounges. I even called customer service to confirm this. Today I got my new card, activated it, signed up for the airport club access and ONLY THEN discovered that it isn’t really included as a card benefit. The first four visits are free, but after that they charge you $27 per person per visit. This, in my mind, is BS — and false advertising. I can’t find any fine print anywhere that explains this, and had I known I would have kept my Amex Platinum card.

For $495 per year Visa Black dares to play tricks on your customers AFTER we’ve been hit with a credit check that could dampen my perfect credit score? I’ve been a customer for less than 1 hour, I’m furious, and I’m canceling this card and ranting about it every chance I get. Barclays, shame on you.

By: RP

RP — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:09:19 +0000

and what’s wrong with having something exclusive?

By: Marisa

Marisa — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:15:22 +0000

All these black/centurion cards are just another status symbol so the rich and well to do can flash how look were not only rich but were connected to something EXCLUSIVE, we are and your not

By: RP

RP — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:47:31 +0000

Interesting comments from everyone. I’m still trying to understand you everyone is so angry over this card. I have to admit, $495 is a bit high but I also pay $450 for my Amex Platinum Card. As for everyone here saying “why would the elite pay for a credit card”, they do it all the time for the Amex Centurion card, 5k initiation and $2500 yearly. So I don’t really see how the black card would be any different. The plus side to the Black card is the free gifts, now I’ll be the first to admit I thought I was going to get more thru the year, but some is better then none. Last year I received the Cross pen with my name engraved which I think all members received as a welcome gift and I got a Swiss Army watch. Also, just yesterday I got home and saw a package from BC and to my surprise it was a pair of Ray Ban aviator sunglasses. So far so good……

By: dsv

dsv — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:19:17 +0000

FWIV, the invitation simply says “limited to 1% of US residents”. My take on that is “we will keep sending this invitation until 1% of the US population accepts it”! Since I got it, I am assuming that not many people are taking up this offer, and they have trickled their way all the way down to me

By: jim

jim — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 04:17:24 +0000

I received this offer, i own a debit card and I like it because its my own money and I like to use it wisely, which probably makes me part of the US 1% who dont believe in debt and or credit cards. screw you blacky.

By: on the way up

on the way up — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 05:45:38 +0000

You guys have been so entertaining and informative. I now know if ever I make it to the “elite” crowd I will be designing my own one of a kind card that won’t be through any pre-existing credit card company. It will truly be even less than 1% of the population of the WORLD. . . me. I am proud to say that I may start a new trend, but it won’t be geared to any “suckers” as I am not a sucker myself. I mean if you’re really that rich why would you want to pay interest just because you have good credit?? Well, if that’s a “benefit” of having good credit then I’m quite glad mine is mediocre at best. Couldn’t you just have a reloadable one of a kind card that your bank can clear at the end of each day, week, month without charging such outrageous fees and interest?? We might have just figured out how the rich can become “the broke”. . .

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:04:49 +0000

People need to read and understand properly before posting.

To the people that have received an advertisement to apply for the card – it does NOT say that it is only for the “top” 1% of the US population. It says that it will be offered to only 1% of the US population.

As other posters have commented, 1% of 300M people (US population) is 3M people. They are only saying that they will only allow 3 million people to have this card – those 3 million people will come from all different backgrounds with various incomes, jobs, etc. It is NOT for the “TOP” 1% of the US.

This is nothing more than marketing. Multiply 3,000,000 x $495. How much does that come to? Go on…add it up and don’t get confused by all of the zeros. It is a way for Barclays to try to get $1.5 BILLION dollars in ANNUAL fees from SUCKERS. Suckers who will be part of an “elite” membership, only available to 1% of the US popluation.

Basically, Barclays is saying they will only screw 1% of the population with this BS card. They do not care who – as long as you will pay the annual fee and generally qualify for a credit card. I doubt the “qualifications” will be any different than applying for a Gold or Platinum card with them.

Wow – thos suckers will really impress the 16 year old check out girls at Blockbuster when they pull out this card. Well..maybe not. Most dopes just swipe the card really quick and give it back to you. It is not like the old days where they had to enter it in manually to process the transaction. In other instances there are self check out machines where the customer swipes it themselves so the check out person never even sees or touches your card.

What a waste of money for such bullsh*t “benefits” and making you feel like you are part of the “elite” crowd.

Anyone who gets this card is a fool.

By: chris

chris — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:10:21 +0000

I received an offer as well. The shredder enjoyed yet another meal..

By: Mike V.

Mike V. — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 01:55:51 +0000

Only an idiot would pay 500 dollars a year for a flipping credit card.
The Visa Black Card is for middle income earners that want to pretend they are wealthy.
Like the dolts that live in their mom’s basement and go out on Friday night to buy “bottle service” at some stupid club..