Originally Posted by
DMSFCA
I get what you are saying and agree, with you, but having had a Cent card since the beginning (oh, you $1k annual fee, I miss you...) I've never "got it" when people talk about the seas parting because you march in with your black amex. Mine never comes out until the end of a transaction or meal, after everyone is done, and I've taken to placing it face-down just because it seem pretentious sometimes, but other than what the quoted post said (which I think was insightful - you might be remembered next time), the payment for services often comes post-experience. You don't go into a restaurant and slap down your Amex and say "Ok, the king has arrived! Give me the extra attention, free food and drinks!" I would think the opposite - they might assume you have deep pockets, will order large, and tip well.
So far it's useful to me for the airline status and hotels, which I know are pretty pedestrian levels to most of the forum members here.
But not for eye-candy. Out of the tens of thousands of times I've used it, I've probably had it recognized as the almighty-black-card maybe a dozen times, tops. Most of the time (lots of times) I get the "Wow, this is really heavy". It gets more attention in label or brand-conscious cities like Dallas or Atlanta than it does here in California.
You do have a good point about presenting the card at the end of the transaction but for me, I "front" my card about 50% of the time. Meaning, I go to a lounge, pay at the bar, hand them my card, and tell them to keep it open. That might have value. Or not. We shall see.
Originally Posted by
DMSFCA
It's just a charge card. Like everyone else, I ponder that annual fee every October, but the reality is that 95% of my travel is domestic, and flying USAir I get upgraded maybe 18 out of 20 segments, including companion, but I don't accumulate the kind of mileage to get Platinum status on my own. Unlike some of the horror stories on here, I've always received outstanding service any time I've called.
BTW - good to hear you have received great service. My first few days I can see a material improvement over Plat but the jury is still out.
Just started a spreadsheet so I can see over a years time to quantify the value. I guess the plug will be "prestige", hoping for less than $500!
Originally Posted by
DMSFCA
Someone at a Mexican place was looking at it once and did the "I didn't know they came in black" comment and thanks to someone on the forums I said "It's for the people with REALLY bad credit." to which he smiled and slyly replied "If that was the case, I'd have one of these!"
That's hilarious. I told a female friend from b school I got one and she said "you are now an official douche bag". *sigh* ha.