Fact or Fiction, centurion
Dec 6, 2008, 9:33 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,049
Personally, I avoid putting in machines that ingest the card and spit it back out, but that's just my paranoia. Mrs. Aviatiors99 does it all the time.
Dec 6, 2008, 9:58 am
#3
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: AA EXP, DL Plat, US Chairman, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IC RA
Posts: 1,436
I've never had a problem with this. I've used it at gas stations, ATMs, etc. without incident. I'm also fine with putting it in a machine that ingests the card and haven't ever had a problem with it.
Dec 6, 2008, 10:34 am
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: United GS+
Posts: 1,889
It's a myth that the card is thicker. It absolutely is not. I've measured it with a caliper.
I once had a problem with a parking lot machine that ate my card and couldn't spit it out, but I've used the same style of machine 30x+ since, and have never had a problem.
I once had a problem with a parking lot machine that ate my card and couldn't spit it out, but I've used the same style of machine 30x+ since, and have never had a problem.
Dec 6, 2008, 10:50 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: amex gold, hhonors gold, spg gold :)
Posts: 63
since then, i don't use it in any machines that takes and spits out.-hchon
Dec 6, 2008, 11:47 am
#6
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: NYC & DFW
Programs: Amex Centurion
Posts: 91
i had the same problem once, at self-serve checkout parking garage. kinda embarassing to get the attendant to come and take the card out, while there are ten people waiting in line giving you the dirty look. since then, i don't use it in any machines that takes and spits out.
-hchon
since then, i don't use it in any machines that takes and spits out.-hchon
Dec 6, 2008, 3:47 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2006
Location: New York, London, Sydney
Programs: United GS/2MM, DL*P, VS*G, AA*EXP, Avis CHM, Hertz Platinum, Sixt*D, HH*D, HGP*P, Starwood*P
Posts: 9,847
i had the same problem once, at self-serve checkout parking garage. kinda embarassing to get the attendant to come and take the card out, while there are ten people waiting in line giving you the dirty look. since then, i don't use it in any machines that takes and spits out.
-hchon
since then, i don't use it in any machines that takes and spits out.-hchon
Also, a number of times in Chip + Pin machines in Europe. FYI, it is DEFINITELY thicker, at least when you factor in the thick embossing.
It is a nuisance, and I have complained incessantly.
Dec 6, 2008, 4:21 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: amex gold, hhonors gold, spg gold :)
Posts: 63
Dec 6, 2008, 9:18 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: CDG, FRA
Posts: 1,600
the card feel thicker, because it's heavy and hard. But I compared it to my other Amex cards and I can't see a real difference (where is the magnetic strip).
There ARE indeed cases where the card is not read correctly and has to be swiped twice or more. I don't think it's due to it's thickness.
I guess it's due to the sensitivity of some readers, maybe the magnetization level of the stripe is different than usual.
There ARE indeed cases where the card is not read correctly and has to be swiped twice or more. I don't think it's due to it's thickness.
I guess it's due to the sensitivity of some readers, maybe the magnetization level of the stripe is different than usual.
Dec 7, 2008, 12:48 am
#12
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Arizona
Posts: 5,689
Although I did use a micrometer caliper the first United States Titanium cards made by First Data for American Express had a bevel edge and a slope you could feel with your finger. I think the more recent cards are thinner and flat across the entire surface but the slope you could feel on the early card definitely not there anymore.
Dec 8, 2008, 1:29 am
#13
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Switzerland mostly
Programs: LX Sen, EK Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Sirius Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 357
This has happened to me several times in Switzerland, and again on Saturday (Migros) where the TI card was not recognized in several "card readers". It actually got stuck in one of them and a staff member had to pry it out with a pair of scissors. So yes I do carry another card with me just in case!
Dec 9, 2008, 2:44 pm
#14
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Miami
Programs: AA 9 Million Miler, UA 1K, DL Plat, SPG Plat, Amex Centurion
Posts: 28
The card is thicker, but it does swipe. You can feel the resistance. I personally use my Visa card at machines that eat the card temporarily (parking garages).
Dec 9, 2008, 7:34 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: Delta Skymiles
Posts: 98
It's been my experience that some machines have problems, but the majority don't.
Just today at the car wash the attendant had to manually enter the number and said that their reader does that on all the black cards they get.
(there are quite a few in our area)
Just today at the car wash the attendant had to manually enter the number and said that their reader does that on all the black cards they get.
(there are quite a few in our area)