Which Credit Card is more acceptable to hand over

NickX

ILW wrote: »

American Express says more about you than cash ever can.
(Showing my age now)

Not quite as much as it used to I'm afraid

Certainly in the late 80s, the American Express card was one of the must-have accessories for the successful City Banker (aka Yuppie) along with their mobile phone and Porsche 911.

However, nowadays the brand has been watered down with the various lower tiers of American Express that are available to mere mortals - think the cashback Platinum card that is an excellent money saver's card.

But to keep your superior status you really need the Centurion, AMEX Black which is the card of choice for the super-rich and the celebrity. It was used by James Bond in Casino Royale to secure a last minute booking at the upmarket Ocean Club in the Bahamas. Bear in mind that the Annual Fee is £1800 though.

moonrakerz

NickX wrote: »

Not quite as much as it used to I'm afraid

Certainly in the late 80s, the American Express card was one of the must-have accessories for the successful City Banker (aka Yuppie) along with their mobile phone and Porsche 911.

However, nowadays the brand has been watered down with the various lower tiers of American Express that are available to mere mortals - think the cashback Platinum card that is an excellent money saver's card.

But to keep your superior status you really need the Centurion, AMEX Black which is the card of choice for the super-rich and the celebrity. It was used by James Bond in Casino Royale to secure a last minute booking at the upmarket Ocean Club in the Bahamas. Bear in mind that the Annual Fee is £1800 though.

Also because of the high charges AMEX impose, many places will often ask if you have another card !

never-in-doubt

NickX wrote: »

Not quite as much as it used to I'm afraid

Certainly in the late 80s, the American Express card was one of the must-have accessories for the successful City Banker (aka Yuppie) along with their mobile phone and Porsche 911.

Ahh mate - shouldn't that say [STRIKE]mobile house[/STRIKE] - sorry brick? Or even "Rabbit" if you remember..... :beer:

I remember seeing a yuppie leave Our Price with their latest 12" LP & BetaMax film, walk into Rumbelows and order a pay monthly TV. They then pulled out their 8 bit console showing it off to their mate whilst drinking a Skol......

bengal-stripe

Dannydebt wrote: »

........which one (If any) looks like a proper card and would be more acceptable to use in shops etc without looking like someone who has (Or had) problems and can't get a proper Credit card.

Good to see, Hyacinth Bucket (or is that 'Bouquet'?) is still alive and well!

NickX

never-in-doubt wrote: »

shouldn't that say [STRIKE]mobile house[/STRIKE] - sorry brick? Or even "Rabbit" if you remember..... :beer:

Yes I do remember. My first mobile was in around 1991 and was brick shaped Motorola. The battery would last around 3 hours and calls were charged at 50p a minute. There were no bundles of free minutes and text messages were the thing of science fiction

Prior to that (from around 1987) you could get an even bigger mobile but you had to carry a charging pack around with it at all times - was good for building the arm muscles up.

It is funny how in the space of 20 years, things that were seen as such status symbols have become part of everyone's lives :cool:

savagej

One with enough available credit on it to cover what you are buying.

binaryuniverse

Wow. Do you really believe shop assistants are judging every person they serve based on what credit card they are using? How about you say hello to them, be polite and smile and let them judge you that way? Believe it or not, a lot of people who work in shops are decent, honest people with their own lives just like you and me.

Silly thread.

than4

Actually, we have had this issue, but it has been with Australian-issued cards, so not sure if that is relevant.

The Virgin credit card in Australia has one of the corners cut off and is shaped curved instead. Shop assistants tend to enquire as to if it is a real card.

The Wizard Clear Advantage Mastercard has a clear spot in the middle. It kind of looks like a chip, so a lot of people try to put it in the machine and it doesn't work.

Some shop assistants will look (particularly if a pretty colour or one they have not seen before) and maybe ask you about it, but I don't think many will associate your card with your credit history.