Originally Posted by
YWG-RO
I have the AMEX Plat (good for US / international benefits), and am now AC E, so I'm pretty happy with the Canadian / international benefits I get from AC.
Unless you need the "wow factor" of the Black Card to impress clients (or yourself), I'd take the following from the offer:
1. You got the offer - good for you, you've "arrived" financially.
2. Unless you have money to burn (>$100,000s), don't get the Black Card.
3. Over 10 years, you'll save yourself $30,000 (+ interest), that's a lot of J travel (5 or 6 int'l r/t J at least).
4. It's a nice box, make use of it.
5. As was stated, if you really have to think about it, it's not for you.
I have Starwood Platium status and also Star Alliance Gold status. Both earned the hard way. So this black card's benifit is very not useful. I think the sticky one is the $5000 initialize fee and then the annaul $2500.
For $5000, I can buy a bar of gold - even with such sky high prices. Won't the real "bling bling" worth more than the card and unlike the card, it won't run into inflation (like benifit cuts that occured since it launched)?
Then for each $2500 fee, I could buy a share (share B - the cheaper one) of Warren Buffet's company (Bershire Hathaway).
The bottom line (asian style)... what impresses the girlfriend's parents more... whipping out that black card? Or a print out of my portfolio? I think it is the latter.
PS: Starwood is giving out FREE Gold status for new members as long as it is refered by a Platinum member. Please PM me with your email address to receive this offer from me.