American Express Membership Rewards - Is Amex Centurion not accepted some places that take Amex?

My business sells over the phone and internet, I never see my customer's credit cards so I have no idea what color they are. Lately, several customers have asked me if I take Amex "black" cards. I said yes and ran their charges. But then I got to thinking and to wondering why they were asking. I carry several Amex cards myself (though no black ones) and I sometimes ask if a business takes Amex, but it wouldn't occur to me to say "Do you take the Starwood Amex?" or "Do you take platinum Amex?" I've always assumed that if they take any Amex, they would take them all. Is acceptance of the black Amex cards more limited that the other cards? Is there some way that a business like mine that takes cards online and over the phone, and not in person, can tell what color Amex our customers are using? It never occurred to me to care, but these recent comments made me curious.

Maybe it was a gentle hint for you to give them some benefits for them being Centurion members? :D :D :D

miikka is correct. They are looking to see if you are either say:

1. "Wow" and give them a better deal because you are impressed that they are "celebrity status".

or

2. "You're such a great customer" because the card conveys trust, loyalty, and high spending, therefore they'll get a better deal.

or

3. They think they deserve a better deal, it's the privilege of Amex, and just because they have the card and they think they are better than you, period.

Ethan

Is there some way that a business like mine that takes cards online and over the phone, and not in person, can tell what color Amex our customers are using?

In Germany, the Centurion Card # begins with 3750 88xxxx.

I don't know about the US cards but I would guess, they can be identified by the number as well.

In Germany, the Centurion Card # begins with 3750 88xxxx.

I don't know about the US cards but I would guess, they can be identified by the number as well.

In the past , and at least in Europe, the 2 digits "88" after the currency code (37=Amex cards, 50=formerly deutsche Mark) identified the "top tier" of Amex charge cards.

"88" was assigned to early Platinum accounts, as Platinum was "by invitation only" long time before Centurion was created.

Centurion is now the top tier product and therefore (european) Centurion accounts use "88" :

3743-88 : international Euro Centurion
3745-88 : international Dollar Centurion
3749-88 : french Centurion
3750-88 : german Centurion
3758-88 : swiss Centurion

Since older european Platinum accounts still use "88", you can't identify for sure a Centurion account this way.

AFAIK, U.S. Centurion don't use "88" .

I believe the US Centurion cards (and the supplementary cards on the Cent. accounts) start with 3715, 3716, 3717 and I'm not sure, but I think 3718 as well.

I've also seen a US based 3767 so they may have expanded the numbering.

My business sells over the phone and internet, I never see my customer's credit cards so I have no idea what color they are. Lately, several customers have asked me if I take Amex "black" cards. I said yes and ran their charges. But then I got to thinking and to wondering why they were asking. I carry several Amex cards myself (though no black ones) and I sometimes ask if a business takes Amex, but it wouldn't occur to me to say "Do you take the Starwood Amex?" or "Do you take platinum Amex?" I've always assumed that if they take any Amex, they would take them all. Is acceptance of the black Amex cards more limited that the other cards? Is there some way that a business like mine that takes cards online and over the phone, and not in person, can tell what color Amex our customers are using? It never occurred to me to care, but these recent comments made me curious.

They just want you to know they have it.
Tell them since the Amex Kriptonite card came out you don't take the black card anymore and hang up.:D:D:D

I believe the US Centurion cards (and the supplementary cards on the Cent. accounts) start with 3715, 3716, 3717 and I'm not sure, but I think 3718 as well.

US Platinums are in the 3715 range as well. I've now had two that were both 3715s.

US Platinums are in the 3715 range as well. I've now had two that were both 3715s.

My old Fidelity Gold card was a 3717.

mine is 3717

Tell them you accept it but for that card only, you require a copy of the card, 3 forms of identification and a blood sample. Sorry, those are the rules.

I've also seen a US based 3767 so they may have expanded the numbering.

Golds also have 3767

my Plat credit card starts with 3733 88xxxx xxxxxx - here in Canada.

Sanosuke!

My business sells over the phone and internet, I never see my customer's credit cards so I have no idea what color they are. Lately, several customers have asked me if I take Amex "black" cards. I said yes and ran their charges. But then I got to thinking and to wondering why they were asking.

The other posters have added many good comments. :D

Just want to add one small one: Since airlines began to print the "customer status" (in airline industry mostly: blue/base, silver, gold, black) on the boarding pass and began to issue "privilege bags" people have begun to tell all (un-)related others how important they are.So if you look at airports most of the people use that privilege baggage tags for their hand luggage where they are really senseless (except showing the status).

And with the cost cutting in many industries and the restriction of acceptable service (which in former times enjoyed EVERY customer) levels to own top customers people where educated to show how a large customer they are !

In credit card industry:
So everytime telling someone they have the "black" card they feel a bit more self-conscious and don't think about the enourmous yearly fees, people pay only for a perceived value @:-).

I have seen many coulours of Amex work, the Blue, the Green, the Gold, the Aurum (discontinued) ones, the co-branded ones, the Platinum,... and except from some perks like invitations to [sales] parties ähhhh very exclusive shop openings restricted to a very small number of those who are beauty and rich :rolleyes: the basic principles and services are the same !!

So just mind which coulour anyone has, because in case of a phone order you don't see the card in reality. In my own point of view these different designs are interesting in respect of a kind of "artwork" and style...

My Cent Plus starts with 3750 86 (Germany) ...

I do sometimes wonder how many people will get the Virgin Atlantic, Carthay Pacific, or In: LA cards just because they are black in color, and somehow feel some form of confidence in knowing their card is at least the same color as the Centurion, sans the thick feel and the benefits.

Both my Cent cards have "888" as the beginning of the account number. I think this was also important for the HKG Cent cards to have lucky "888" on the card !