Black is Black

I stumbled upon an ad for this in the Sunday Times magazine section. Issued by Barclays Bank it is the Visa Black Card.

My bad, I did not know there was now a carbon graphite credit card rather than just your basic plastic card. I guess I just don't have my eye on the 'exclusivity' market.

Obviously this marketing campaign is geared towards people who lost their fortunes to Bernie Madoff. They can indulge in this little piece of pretension and feel as if they matter financially, which of course they don't.

I understand American Express has a Centurion card and this is its new competition.

You'll want to apply for Visa Black to prove you are in that 1% of US residents who can actually get the card. You will pay $495 annually for the thrill of having this graphite baby in your wallet. You'll be able to get 24 hour concierge service and luxury rewards because you have Visa Black.

Oddly enough it seems that all the particulars of having this card haven't been released as yet; i.e. spending limit, how much you have to charge to get the card. Maybe they're making it up as they go along.

At least you can get a good buzz on from Johnnie Walker Black.