Card Loyalty and 'prestige'

1jim

I have a smile gold card.....but they are about to stop paying cashback on this..... they have a smile classic card (which is blue i think) which stll pays cashback so will be changing to this, im a little annoyed that I have to change cards (within the same bank) toretain the same deal :-( but dont reallyc are about gold status

CopperPlate_2

The classic card is lilac with a fluorescent pink back. It's hideous, and I'm mortified at having to hand it over or produce it to pay for anything :eek:. Suits my DW better, so it's getting closed. Much preferred the gold card but it's worthless to me now as the cashback has gone and it got closed as soon as it went.

1jim

CopperPlate wrote:

The classic card is lilac with a fluorescent pink back. It's hideous, and I'm mortified at having to hand it over or produce it to pay for anything :eek:. Suits my DW better, so it's getting closed. Much preferred the gold card but it's worthless to me now as the cashback has gone and it got closed as soon as it went.

that does sound awfull, am still:mad: at smile as I didnt get the email telling me cashback was to stop, I pay my bill in full everymonth so want the cashback card for this,,,,,time to look for another card and possibly another current account provider

CopperPlate_2

Nor me, I only found out when I went to the site one day and noticed that there was a "terms and conditions change" link whereupon all was revealed.

The card is vile. I'm afraid even if it paid top cashback I couldn't use it. Call me a snob, but it is truly revolting.

other

mrcow wrote:

......even if it matched your shoes? :rotfl:

lol....i'm afraid i'm not a girl so not qualified to wear bright green shoes

CopperPlate_2

Oh, you never know these days. All in the name of equality.

Chris2000

Astaroth wrote:

Platinum are generally now the new standard cards where as Black have (for now) remained the Black cards.

On the contrary I find that black cards are now the standard. Black is the new platinum...

The Halifax One Visa/Mastercard is black.
The Morgan Stanley Platinum Mastercard is black.
The M&S Mastercard is black.
The Orange Marbles Mastercard is black.
Lloyds TSB Premier Amex card is black (£4.95 monthly fee)
The standard first direct Visa card is black.
The Hilton HHonors Platinum Mastercard is black.
The Co-op Clear Visa card is black.

A rep. at my bank told me that black cards are especially popular with women customers.

Of course there are some 'exclusive' cards which are also black, but they no longer stand out from all the other copycat black cards.

eagle

Interesting thread.

I've recently had the chance to compare various American Express cards and it seems that although Black is the new platinum (as is the Centurion card for AmEx's range), it also seems to be that quality has changed a bit too.

For example, I've noticed that the quality of their Platinum Credit Card is pretty poor and cheap-looking compared to their £300p.a. Platinum Charge Card. The latter looks much more prestiguous and IIRC it 'feels' heavier (whether it actually does or not I have no idea). Surely, this must be some sort of prestigious priviledge in a way. Afterall, the credit card is a £0 annual fee, so why should they fork out to make it look good?

Anyone with a Platinum Charge Card and Centurion care to comment?

What's also interesting is that with AmEx's range I've noticed the Black and Platinum cardholders are mainly men, not that it makes much difference :cool: .

Jags_2

Personally I'd take the cards benefits over its colour or branding any day. The only one I'd say actually confers serious wealth is a Coutts cheque book or debit card, as seriously wealthy people rarely need credit.

I work in the luxury car trade, and have seen the vastly improved level of customer service this bank gives, as many customers simply hand you the card in payment for their new £75k car, and you do need to be seriously wealthy before they would invite you to apply. If it's good enough for the Queen of England...

Anyone here with a Coutts account care to comment?

Fahim_2

The Virgin Atlantic Black American Express card looks GORGEOUS!!! I will apply for that card after a couple of months....only downside is £115 annual fee.