Originally Posted by
notquiteaff
In other words, they of course know that it could be made easier. But that would cost them more money, and they probably have better data than some flyertalking card members to determine whether a potential increase in its member base would be sufficient to negate the cost increase.
Of course you're right, but to me cards like the Plat and Cent should be more about the customer than about penny-pinching on the AmEx side. Just offer generous, easy-to-use benefits and ratchet up the annual fee if necessary to keep the cards profitable.
They probably have research data that tells them how many customers they'd lose at various annual fees, and they're probably already in that sweet spot that maximizes profit. But I don't have to like it!
