Thread: How to re-code american express cards?

How would one go about recoding the magnetic strip on the back of an American Express card? I want to buy an old expired Amex black card and re-program it with my own blue card's info. That way I would have my own black Amex that would be fully functional. The charges would go on my Amex blue but the card would look like a black card. Is this possible to do? Do I need to buy a magnetic card writer or something to do this?

pretty sure that would probably be illegal to do or at least against the credit cards terms of service.

I would have maybe tried pulling a stunt like that when I was younger but over time I've realize it's not worth it. The only reason to do that is to impress people you don't even know. You are paying money to do that so it's the same as giving away money to strangers. Do you really want to do that? I don't think so.

They do check the name on the front of the card with your ID, you know. So unless you have the same name as the card you are using then you won't get very far.

Something fun to do is just to keep the card in your wallet with the rest of them. I keep mine in front of the amex I normally use and I pull them out together when I go to pay for something. It doesn't do anything in retail stores, but when I give a hotel clerk my amex and they see the black card in my wallet, it is amazing how often you can get your room upgraded. You don't even have to be spending on the Centurion card to get benefits.

Originally Posted by The Fuzz

... it is amazing how often you can get your room upgraded. You don't even have to be spending on the Centurion card to get benefits.

Really? How often? I have never had this happen to me, but I usually travel to places where they see them more often.