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How do newly rich athletes get a Centurion card? Is it...

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Anonymous
Not applicable

How do newly rich athletes get a Centurion card? Is it...

...just about the fact they are newly minted millionaires? I was always just curious. Sometimes you'll see a photo of an athlete right out of college or only a couple of years removed flashing his AMEX black card. In their case, is it really just about the money? I thought more went into it than that. Like, could someone with bad credit that suddenly won that 1.5 billion dollar lottery last year get a black card? I wish this applied to me, but I'm curious anyway.

Message 1 of 6
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AverageJoesCredit
Legendary Contributor

Re: How do newly rich athletes get a Centurion card? Is it...

If i won 1.5 billion i wouldnt care to have a black card, id make my own out of Wolverines' adamantanium( spelling lol ) Smiley Wink
Message 2 of 6
mjb59463
Regular Contributor

Re: How do newly rich athletes get a Centurion card? Is it...

I'm friends with some athletes in the NBA, and I've asked them about this. here's what they told me:

1. AmEx approached them after they inked their rookie deals, and went in the lottery.

2. Their agents called someone they knew at Amex in that division on their behalf.

It's also plausible that if an agent has a Business centurion, he added his client as an AU. Some of those guys will do anything under the sun to sign a big name. I've known some that have guaranteed loans against future earnings for the athletes they represent. 

Scores: 790 TU (Barclay), 780 EX (Fico8), 790 EQ

Chase Freedom Unlimited (6k), CSP (20k), Amex Delta Platinum (13.5k), Amex Marriott Bonvoy (16k), Barclay Apple (12.5k), USBank Flexperks Travel Rewards (12k), Wells Fargo Visa Signature (10k), Citi Double Cash (8k), Amex Gold, Amex Platinum, Amex BBP (15k) Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (15k)
Message 3 of 6
Anonymous
Not applicable

Re: How do newly rich athletes get a Centurion card? Is it...

EBay.  AliExpress.

Message 4 of 6
DeeBee78
Valued Contributor

Re: How do newly rich athletes get a Centurion card? Is it...


@Anonymous wrote:

...just about the fact they are newly minted millionaires? I was always just curious. Sometimes you'll see a photo of an athlete right out of college or only a couple of years removed flashing his AMEX black card. In their case, is it really just about the money? I thought more went into it than that. Like, could someone with bad credit that suddenly won that 1.5 billion dollar lottery last year get a black card? I wish this applied to me, but I'm curious anyway.


Amex has a brand specialist team that works very hard to get their products into celebrity (and high-profile) people's hands. This can include overlooking even the worst credit reports to get the product out there. 

 

Theyre re not the only company that does this. The owner of our company is always being approached by Amex and Citi because they want him to be seen in public with their cards. Amex has offered him a no annual fee Centurion card in the past, after his name was in the press for a takeover of a sports team. He happens to be a fan of BoA, so doesn't see any need to change it up. 

Message 5 of 6
sjt
Senior Contributor

Re: How do newly rich athletes get a Centurion card? Is it...


@Anonymous wrote:

...just about the fact they are newly minted millionaires? I was always just curious. Sometimes you'll see a photo of an athlete right out of college or only a couple of years removed flashing his AMEX black card. In their case, is it really just about the money? I thought more went into it than that. Like, could someone with bad credit that suddenly won that 1.5 billion dollar lottery last year get a black card? I wish this applied to me, but I'm curious anyway.


Marketing.

American Express: Platinum Charge, Optima, Business Gold, Delta Business Reserve, Business Cash, Business Plus
Barclays: Arrival+ WEMC
Capital One: Savor WEMC, Venture X Visa Infinite
Chase: Freedom U Visa Signature, CSR Visa Infinite
Citibank: AAdvantage Platinum WEMC
Elan/US Bank: Fidelity Visa Signature
Credit Union: Cash Back Visa Signature
FICO 08: Score decrease between 26-41 points after auto payoff (11.01.21) FICO as of 5.23, EX: 812 / EQ: 825 / TU: 815
Message 6 of 6
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