Most prestigious/gold/platinum credit cards

ryuuoo

Hi there everyone,

Yesterday, a really peculiar I had a peculiar conversation with a couple of my friends. We are all in our early 20s. We were at a restaurant and were about to pay. I always use my HSBC CC for convenience and didn't think much of it. My friend though, pointed out that HSBC CCs are not common and have a 'reputation' for being only for 'certain kind of people'... which I thought was odd as I did not see it that way at all...

Then, friend number two jumps in and says 'well what do you make of this, and takes out a Clydesdale 'Gold Card' and sort of made a big deal out of the fact that it was of a gold-ish colour...

I was just wondering if any of you had these views on any 'special' credit cards. I mean ok, if you've got an AMEX Blackcard, OK, fine, but these mainstream cards... do people really look to get them for their 'colour' or because it might give them a higher 'social status'... It's like if we were living in the 80s all over again...

Anyways, thank you!

[Deleted User]

I'd agree with you. I don't think most people have been impressed by gold cards for some decades - the gold concept is particularly devalued these days.

But there will always be some who like some perceived exclusivity or prestige. Look at the number of personalised number plates out there.

nomoneytoday

I've seen a Centurion / Black Amex used once. Everything else, except the JPM Palladium, is just marketing hype IMHO

lisyloo

Unless you have one that has real benefits - like allowing airport lounge access then it's just a gimmick.
I go by the real benefits of the card.

I'm sure a few people go for prestige, but sounds really shallow to me.

Were you impressed when your friend pulled it out, or did you actually think a bit less of them?

redpete

Your friends are numpties

d70cw6

i often get exclaims of wonder from shopkeepers by my american express blue card as it's see-through. i find it slightly annoying tbh, i didnt choose it for its transparency.

gingercordial

I don't even notice, but they don't impress me.

A friend of mine has one of the Amex Centurion/Black cards. The concierge service has been useful in getting table reservations at otherwise-full restaurants, so I guess that's enviable. We did all inspect it when he got it because the fact that it's made of metal is quite cool, but not because of what it says about his finances.

Likewise my parents bank with Coutts but don't whip that out to impress people, because they don't particularly care for the opinions of anyone who would be impressed. And anyway they're just as likely to whip out whatever 0% on purchases or cashback card they're taking advantage of at the time, because they'd rather do that than impress others!

JJG

gingercordial wrote: »

A friend of mine has one of the Amex Centurion/Black cards. The concierge service has been useful in getting table reservations at otherwise-full restaurants, so I guess that's enviable. We did all inspect it when he got it because the fact that it's made of metal is quite cool, but not because of what it says about his finances.

For £1800 a year, you better get some more benefits than that!!

C_Mababejive

load of pish...I get the card that cuts me the best deal and i dont need some blingy card to flash as some kind of penile extension.


A few years ago i had a CC issued by the Chase Manhattan bank which people tended to query but it was nothing special,just another name.

bengal-stripe

JJG wrote: »

For £1800 a year, you better get some more benefits than that!!

I heard that story from an American friend: they were holidaying in Italy and his father-in-law suffered a stroke in Pisa. For a week he was in a coma in the Pisa hospital. As the father-in-law did hold an AX Platinum card, repatriation on medical grounds was one of the card's benefits.

AX did hire a Lear jet and medical staff (the patient was still unconscious) and flew him back to the US of A, at a cost of maybe something like $ 100k.

As his son-in-law has pointed out: "He certainly got his membership fee's worth."

Paul_1977

HSBC are not special in any sense of the word.:D Judging by the people I know who have one.

I have a "private" card but I never use it in a group, I would worry I look like a you know what.

I know someone who has a gold AMEX and flashes around like its something special. Its a good card don't get me wrong, but the way they flash it, the sun but be worn out.