Amex black card holders are the cheapest tippers!

a-rod-is-an-a-hole · 07:21 PM

I work at a very hot restaurant in NYC Soho neighborhood and I swear everytime any of us our handed an American Express black card we all cringe! They are hands down the cheapest tippers we get! I don't get it. If they have so much money why do always expect the best of the best service and then only give us barely a 15% tip? I have average income middle class couples that come to our restaurant for a special occassion and they manage to tip generously even though they don't have money. They have cheap credit cards like Capital One or some other thing and they can afford it!

Why are the Amex black card holders so freaking cheap like this. The nickname we have for the black card there is "the greed card" because of it!

Mogul of Pineapples · 10:54 PM

Could be, but maybe not. You guys could just be noticing it more because they have a card that looks different. Are you profiling them based on being black? :p

CenturionNL · 06:51 AM

Depends on the service I get.
If I get the service, I'll tip more than necessary

fffresh · 03:39 PM

I have heard similar statements, not always about the Centurion cardholders necessarily, but wealthy customers in general tending to tip less than the average customer.

However being that I do not work in any sector involving tips, I am not qualified to give an opinion on this.

Demon · 12:03 AM

I am only a platinum cardholder, but I not a always tipper indeed,
the tips are respond to the quality services what I get.

CenturionNL · 03:17 PM

Service charge is included in Hong Kong.
So tipping is not a must.

fffresh · 07:44 PM

It could also be that you notice and remember these customers more because they are paying with a Centurion card.

janbag · 01:30 PM

I agree! In college I worked as a waitress in a nightclub and it was the VIP AMEX black card holders that were the worst with the tips. And I don't mean to brag, but I was always complimented as being the "nice" waitress, so I don't think this was based on bad service.

Also, after college I worked in sales at a certain (very) high-end jewelry store (I won't say which one for discretionary purposes). I was working with a man who was very difficult and very condescending who happened to be a black card holder. When he handed me his card to ring up his purpose, I asked to see ID, as was our policy for any credit card purchase. This sent him through the roof! He literally told me (and I'll never forget), "I don't know where you're from or how many black card holders you've worked with, but you should know that you're never supposed to ask to check our IDs. It just makes you look cheap and unclassy."

I later double-checked with my manager about the incident and she simply balked at what he said. She stated exactly what I was thinking - that asking for ID is really doing them a favor, as we're double checking that they're not being frauded. Not to mention, she added, most black card holders especially appreciate having their ID checked because that's a card you definitely wouldn't want stolen!

What a jerk!

CenturionNL · 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janbag

I agree! In college I worked as a waitress in a nightclub and it was the VIP AMEX black card holders that were the worst with the tips. And I don't mean to brag, but I was always complimented as being the "nice" waitress, so I don't think this was based on bad service.

Also, after college I worked in sales at a certain (very) high-end jewelry store (I won't say which one for discretionary purposes). I was working with a man who was very difficult and very condescending who happened to be a black card holder. When he handed me his card to ring up his purpose, I asked to see ID, as was our policy for any credit card purchase. This sent him through the roof! He literally told me (and I'll never forget), "I don't know where you're from or how many black card holders you've worked with, but you should know that you're never supposed to ask to check our IDs. It just makes you look cheap and unclassy."

I later double-checked with my manager about the incident and she simply balked at what he said. She stated exactly what I was thinking - that asking for ID is really doing them a favor, as we're double checking that they're not being frauded. Not to mention, she added, most black card holders especially appreciate having their ID checked because that's a card you definitely wouldn't want stolen!

What a jerk!

You just did what you had to do.

YoungTraveller · 08:37 AM

Most Centurion cardholders aren't nearly as wealthy as you think they are. A lot run business and travel expenses through their cards and get invited. If they travel a fair amount the benefits can be worthwhile; Fine hotels and resorts deal, elite status on airlines they might not travel with but could end up on etc. etc.

I know a few Centurion cardholders and they aren't all exceptionally well off, just in a position to be able to charge a ton of money to their cards.

07:21 PM	#1
a-rod-is-an-a-hole Green Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Mecca Posts: 1	Amex black card holders are the cheapest tippers! I work at a very hot restaurant in NYC Soho neighborhood and I swear everytime any of us our handed an American Express black card we all cringe! They are hands down the cheapest tippers we get! I don't get it. If they have so much money why do always expect the best of the best service and then only give us barely a 15% tip? I have average income middle class couples that come to our restaurant for a special occassion and they manage to tip generously even though they don't have money. They have cheap credit cards like Capital One or some other thing and they can afford it! Why are the Amex black card holders so freaking cheap like this. The nickname we have for the black card there is "the greed card" because of it!

10:54 PM	#2
Mogul of Pineapples Centurion Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Where the smog from the 101 freeway coats my home's windows... Posts: 634	Could be, but maybe not. You guys could just be noticing it more because they have a card that looks different. Are you profiling them based on being black? :p __________________ “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.” -Warren Buffett Current Cards: American Express: Blue Cash, Simply Cash Bank of America: Visa Financial Rewards Platinum Plus Chase: Rewards Visa, Amazon Visa Discover: More Current Everyday Card: American Express Blue Cash

06:51 AM	#3
CenturionNL Green Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 22	Depends on the service I get. If I get the service, I'll tip more than necessary __________________ Centurion Card member The Netherlands

12:03 AM	#5
Demon Green Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: HONGKONG Posts: 20	I am only a platinum cardholder, but I not a always tipper indeed, the tips are respond to the quality services what I get. __________________ Life is like a box of chocolates

03:17 PM	#6
CenturionNL Green Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 22	Service charge is included in Hong Kong. So tipping is not a must. __________________ Centurion Card member The Netherlands

03:39 PM	#4
fffresh Centurion Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: the edge of the world Posts: 417	I have heard similar statements, not always about the Centurion cardholders necessarily, but wealthy customers in general tending to tip less than the average customer. However being that I do not work in any sector involving tips, I am not qualified to give an opinion on this.

07:44 PM	#7
fffresh Centurion Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: the edge of the world Posts: 417	It could also be that you notice and remember these customers more because they are paying with a Centurion card.

01:30 PM	#8
janbag Green Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: CA Posts: 1	I agree! In college I worked as a waitress in a nightclub and it was the VIP AMEX black card holders that were the worst with the tips. And I don't mean to brag, but I was always complimented as being the "nice" waitress, so I don't think this was based on bad service. Also, after college I worked in sales at a certain (very) high-end jewelry store (I won't say which one for discretionary purposes). I was working with a man who was very difficult and very condescending who happened to be a black card holder. When he handed me his card to ring up his purpose, I asked to see ID, as was our policy for any credit card purchase. This sent him through the roof! He literally told me (and I'll never forget), "I don't know where you're from or how many black card holders you've worked with, but you should know that you're never supposed to ask to check our IDs. It just makes you look cheap and unclassy." I later double-checked with my manager about the incident and she simply balked at what he said. She stated exactly what I was thinking - that asking for ID is really doing them a favor, as we're double checking that they're not being frauded. Not to mention, she added, most black card holders especially appreciate having their ID checked because that's a card you definitely wouldn't want stolen! What a jerk!

08:37 AM	#10
YoungTraveller Green Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 5	Most Centurion cardholders aren't nearly as wealthy as you think they are. A lot run business and travel expenses through their cards and get invited. If they travel a fair amount the benefits can be worthwhile; Fine hotels and resorts deal, elite status on airlines they might not travel with but could end up on etc. etc. I know a few Centurion cardholders and they aren't all exceptionally well off, just in a position to be able to charge a ton of money to their cards.

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