I know it's a status symbol for some folks who have a need to impress the cashier at the local Piggly Wiggly, but other than that why the hell would the average consumer want one?
Unless you travel internationally I see no need to have one at all. I just read through the latest offer they sent me in the mail which would give me 50,000 bonus points (once I spend $30,000 in a calendar year). It comes with a $175 annual fee.
OK, well the Rewards program must make it worth while so let me look at that because I do run a decent amount of money through my Visa each year, maybe I'll get some decent junk I really don't need through their rewards program. Yep, as soon as I spend $60,000 I can get a free IPOD. SCORE!!! or not.
It would take me roughly four years to run $60,000 through my card so I will never get the free 50,000 points for spending $30,000 in a calendar year, and I would spend $700 in annual fees for my "free" IPOD.
Let's see, so far on my Visa this year I have spent just over $9000, paid no annual fee, paid zero interest and earned $290 in rewards that I can get in the form of a check or credit toward my monthly statement.
Other than needing the "Prestige" of carrying an AMEX, why the hell would I want one? I've heard their customer service is by far the best, but I've never had any problems with Visa. I guess the concierge service AMEX offers might be nice, but doubt I would ever use it as I can usually do my own shopping.
Anyone have one who doesn't own/run a small business? I guess I could see the need if you have a small business as the spending is unlimited and if you needed materials for a big job that you knew payment was coming in for before the statement was due you need that flexibility.
Unless you travel internationally I see no need to have one at all. I just read through the latest offer they sent me in the mail which would give me 50,000 bonus points (once I spend $30,000 in a calendar year). It comes with a $175 annual fee.
OK, well the Rewards program must make it worth while so let me look at that because I do run a decent amount of money through my Visa each year, maybe I'll get some decent junk I really don't need through their rewards program. Yep, as soon as I spend $60,000 I can get a free IPOD. SCORE!!! or not.
It would take me roughly four years to run $60,000 through my card so I will never get the free 50,000 points for spending $30,000 in a calendar year, and I would spend $700 in annual fees for my "free" IPOD.
Let's see, so far on my Visa this year I have spent just over $9000, paid no annual fee, paid zero interest and earned $290 in rewards that I can get in the form of a check or credit toward my monthly statement.
Other than needing the "Prestige" of carrying an AMEX, why the hell would I want one? I've heard their customer service is by far the best, but I've never had any problems with Visa. I guess the concierge service AMEX offers might be nice, but doubt I would ever use it as I can usually do my own shopping.
Anyone have one who doesn't own/run a small business? I guess I could see the need if you have a small business as the spending is unlimited and if you needed materials for a big job that you knew payment was coming in for before the statement was due you need that flexibility.
