[gumby]

> Moral of the story: rich people will always want to show off that they are rich.

I think you mean, "Some rich people are insecure enough that they want to show off that they are rich."

Amex caters to this very well: they play the whole "prestige" thing but if you have a "higher-level" card for the benefits (platinum, black) they are happy to issue you an ordinary green one you can use so people won't guess your wealth.

[dsacco]

You really don't need to be wealthy to get a platinum card. You don't even need to be breaking six figures. You just need a good credit score. That perception is all hype.

[balladeer]

That's how it is here in India. They tried pushing it like "prestige", didn't work. Now they just give it to anyone with a half decent salary and a willingness to be okay with the annual fee.

[macavity23]

You don't actually need that good a credit score, since it's a charge card, not credit. You mainly just need the >$500/yr membership fee.

[marssaxman]

>it's a charge card, not credit.

What is the difference? I have always believed the terms to be synonyms, and the Wikipedia article for "charge card" does nothing to change that impression.