The World's Most Exclusive Credit Cards

It possible that you may have seen the articles in the news recently about a high-rolling businessman and his evening excursion in London with friends to an exclusive nightclub. In just a few hours, the businessman and his 15 friends (as well as some happy gatecrashers) guzzled their way through 102 bottles of champagne, 11 bottles of vodka and a Methuselah bottle of champagne (which contains the equivalent of 8 regular-size bottles). You'd probably have had to reach the age of Methuselah to pay the bill: an enourmous 105,805. But the Dubai-based businessman didn't have any troubles paying the bill; out came his American Express Centurion (also known as American Express Black) card, and the bill was paid.

American Express has taken the first and second slots in a ranking of credit card preferences among high-net worth (minimum million) and high-income (at least 0,000 annually) consumers with its American Express Centurion (or Amex Black) and American Express Platinum. The American Express Black must also be one of the most exclusive cards on the block: membership is by invitation only and there's an annual fee of ,500.

These two American Express credit cards are typical of the new credit cards for the elite - expensive card products that offer equally expensive perks, like access to private islands and private jets, to those willing to spend amounts ordinary mortals can only dream about. The American Express Black cardholder should spend a minimum of 0,000 annually to be a member. The American Express Platinum card may come at a lower fee than some other exclusive cards (0 a year annual fee), but they will look after you with assurances such as their offer to evacuate injured American Express members and their families from wherever vacation location they are to where they can be given quality medical attention.

Credit cards for the ultra-rich are becoming very attractive options for credit card issuers. They may not make much from finance charges but 4% merchant servicing fees can mean quite a bundle, if the purchase volume is high enough. That businessman's transaction from his big night out could earn American Express a minimum of ,000 in merchant processing fees.

Coutts World Mastercard Signia reportedly gives cardholders the opportunity to live like royalty, after all Queen Elizabeth II is a Coutts card holder. The annual fee is 0 but they will kindly waive this if you spend over 0,000 a year on your Coutts credit card. You cannot apply for the Coutts Purple; membership for this is also invitation only.

The market is rich, but the competition is also growing. Smith Barney has its Chairman's Card (0 annual membership) also offers special perks, including a facility that will set up your quiet dinner meetings at New York's most exclusive restaurants (and in Los Angeles). Stratus Rewards Visa is a by-invitation only card that allows you to fly on private jets when you redeem rewards points.

Bank of America recently launched its Accolades card, which uses the American Express network and offers the common (for this elite class of cards) perks like premium tickets to concerts. The Accolades card has a match-your-donation offer (up to ,500 a year) for its philanthropic cardholders who wish to make charitable contributions. Membership is for those who have 0,000 of assets in Bank of America's private banking division.

Why do ultra-rich customers bite? They get the status symbol, but they also get big benefits. They're in the stratosphere. But those at ground level also have similar opportunities to enjoy big perks for a little exclusivity in their cards. American Express Gold and special Diners Club credit cards also give you the chance to enjoy exclusive privileges when you want some.

Boat Loans: The Most Convenient Way To Become A Boat Owner

Buying a boat appeals to different people for different reasons. The blue waters of deep seas, rivers and lakes fascinate many of us. We like fishing, sailing, cruising or even living on the high seas. All this is not feasible without a boat. Although, considered as a luxury and beyond the financial reach of a large section of our population, we still dream of owning a boat. A boat loan in UK makes the whole idea of owning a boat look much more affordable. The capital required to purchase a boat might vary according to specifications of size, purpose and facilities on board. The lending market today is swarming with offers that meet the borrowers requirements for any type of boat.

Boat Loans in UK can be of two types - Secured and Unsecured. Secured boat loans require a collateral. The collateral can be the borrower's home or the boat itself. In the case of an unsecured boat loan the lenders give the boat loan without a collateral. Unsecured boat loan, though it comes with a relatively higher rate of interest, frees the borrower from the risk of collateral repossession and is also available to tenants.

The most important fact to be considered while taking any boat loan is the interest rate it carries. The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on any boat loan will depend on many factors. The credit history of a borrower, the value of collateral, the requested loan amount, the value of the boat and the length of the repayment period, affect the APR on the boat loan. The typical APR's on boat loans vary from 7.5 % to 16% depending upon the borrower's financial condition and repayment history. The amount, which a borrower can get on a boat loan, also depends on the factors given above. Taking into account the repayment capacity, value of the collateral and credit history of the borrower, it can start from ?10000, and can go up to ? 10, 000, 000.

When a borrower decides on the amount of his boat loan, he should take into account the service contracts for the boat and its insurance costs. The borrower should also take care that the boat loan includes the cost of the essential accessories. The huge amount involved in purchasing these services and equipments will be difficult to manage after a boat loan is taken and without these the borrower might not be able to use and enjoy his boat fully.

When a borrower starts looking for a boat loan, he is overwhelmed with numerous offers. The situation is quite confusing and the unaware borrower is likely to get carried away by glitzy marketing campaigns. A discerned borrower however, will take an informed decision by shopping around for a lender with the right offer. A boat loan with low interest rates, minimum documentation and low fees will be an ideal choice for most of the borrowers. An online lender is most likely to satisfy the condition of the best loans offers within the shortest possible time periods. After deciding on the right lender, the formal process of applying for the loan begins. Most of the prestigious lenders offer online application facilities. Filling up of an online application is the fastest and most convenient way of applying for a boat loan in UK. Care should be taken that every detail asked by the lender is provided and the information is correct to the best of the borrower's knowledge.

A well-planned and carefully chosen boat loan will provide the borrower with all the fascinating pleasures and riches of boating.