Kyle’s Coupons: The Visa “Black Card”? Wow!
I was going through my mail yesterday when a really nice shiny black envelope caught my attention. I am a sucker for shiny things. Really nice, thick, pretty paper. My first thought was, “Oh, cool, a wedding invitation, I wonder who it is from?” I almost fell off my chair when I discovered the envelope was a promotion for something called the Visa ‘Black Card’. Ever heard of it? Here are some interesting details.
The Visa Black Card
- Patent Pending Carbon Card. Yes, you read that correctly, the card is made of carbon. “The black card is not just another piece of plastic, it is the ultimate buying tool.” Gag.
- Limited Membership. Whoopee, only a select number of fools will gain membership.
- 13.24% Variable APR. Nothing special. Still scratching my head.
- 24-Hour Concierge Service. I am thinking that this has to be the Black Card’s main attraction. But so what! So you can call up your credit card company to get a table at your favorite restaurant? I would do that exactly, NEVER. But then again, I don’t think I am their target market. Although I did get an application for some reason.
- $495 Annual Fee. Yes, you read that correctly, $495! So much I could do with $495.
I find it amazing that there is enough of a market for this card that they would mass-mail the promotion to people. Are there still people in the country that think the type of plastic in your wallet somehow raises your status in society? I can remember being in college 12 years ago and thinking how cool it would be to one day have a Platinum Card. Now I view credit cards as something to be extremely careful with. It is so easy to just slide the plastic and worry about paying for it later.
I think what bothers me most is the way that the Visa ‘Black Card’ is promoted. The issuing bank, Barclays, depicts the card as something to aspire to and makes you think the card will somehow make you a more prestigious person. This is the same message that many college students receive from credit card companies and they often get sucked into a world of revolving credit card debt. This is certainly what happened to me in my college days.
What are your thoughts on this credit card? Looking forward to your comments.
Now in keeping with tradition here are some of the best coupon codes on my website right now. Hope they can help you save some money.
- Bargain Outfitters Coupons
- Eddie Bauer Coupons
- Harry & David Coupons
- Old Navy Coupons
- PacSun Coupons
- Snapfish Coupons
- Walgreens Coupons
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Author
By Kyle James, on Sep 24, 2009
Kyle James owns and operate a website called Rather-Be-Shopping.com which specializes in coupon codes for over 750 stores, organized in 25 shopping categories. He also has a blog, where he writes about frugal living and personal finance tips as well as other musings about the adventures and mis-adventures of raising 3 active kids.
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Disclaimer and Legal Mumbo Jumbo
I'm just an average mom, trying to live a frugal life and get out of debt. I write about things that have (and haven't) worked to improve my family's financial situation. What works for me may or may not work for you, and you should always consult a financial advisor before making important financial decisions.
In accordance with FTC guidelines, I state that I have a financial relationship with companies mentioned in this website. This may include receiving access to free products and services for product and service reviews and giveaways.
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Haha! I’m old enough to remember when the “gold” card was a big deal. Of course, when I started college in 1984, we didn’t even have ATMs that worked across county lines.
A VISA black card!? Ha! Wonder if AmEx got a load of this?
The AmEx black card is almost mythical in stature (I’ve seen a lot in my neighborhood though, lots of doctors in my area). It (supposedly) requires a minimum $150K in charges on all your AmEx accounts combined, per year, three years in a row and then you might get an invite. The annual fee is thousands, and the initial fee is $10K.
This is a poor (but cheap!) imitation. The AmEx black card is something to ‘aspire’ to (if your aspirations lean that way).
My Lord, that is hilarious. It’s funny to read things like that as a frugalite and realize how silly they are. It’s also sad because we all know someone who would get excited over Visa having this new “wonderful” card. How lame…
What a ridiculous card – you have to feel sorry for folks who only feel prestigious through their credit cards. $495 to indicate to the world that you’re a sucker!
i think credit cards are evil. once i paid off all of my dept,(three cards and a car loan)i canceled all the credit cards and kept a Khols card that i use on rare occasions when they have special sales and i actually need something(like new shoes) and its worth putting it on the card and paying it off before the end of the month so i don’t get charged interest for it.
it’s a good deal if you travel a lot, but not always with the same airline, since you get lounge access. since most airport lounges have membership fees in the $450-500 range, this is like access to all of them for the price of one.
I just received my Black Card invite in the mail and went online for more info which brought me to this site. Have decided it is cheaper to “cut out” the cardboard card from the advertising and put it in my wallet to show all my friends. Might have to change my name to A.L. Taylor though! As the advertising states: “The World Awaits”