Originally Posted by
thatmikereed
I don't know that I agree. $3,000/month in monthly spend it's abnormal at all. Whether that goes on a credit card or debit card, nearly all of it (food, gas, clothing, activities, etc.) goes on a card. Recent stats say 28% of charges are on debit vs credit, but the number isn't wildly off... and most people pay off cards monthly as evidenced by the typically < $6000 of carried debt on a card nationwide in the US (which includes statement balances that are paid off in the next month in full).
But a lot of that could be bonused at up to 3x-5x if you use the "right" cards, which generates a tremendous opportunity cost for using an AA card that just earns 1 mile per dollar spent.
Do most people use the "right" cards? No. But most people also aren't looking to put >$35k of spend on an AA card to pursue Platinum status. And of those that are, most of them are probably aware of other credit cards with higher earnings in relevant categories.
Originally Posted by
andrewk829
It would appear that AA sees itself as a credit card company that flies airplanes on the side, as opposed to an airline that has a credit card operation on the side.
I give them points for honesty.